RE has a lot in store, including a redesigned Bullet 350, a liquid-cooled Himalayan, and two 650cc cruisers.
With eight new models in the works, Royal Enfield will go on a bike launch binge in the coming months. There could be many more, but these eight have been spotted on the test (seven in India), which raises the possibility that many of them will go on sale shortly.
The 650cc parallel-twin engine is now available in the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650, powering five of these potential motorcycles. The Bullet 350, one of the pillars of the Chennai-based brand’s lineup, is set to be upgraded to the J-platform engine-based generation. Royal Enfield is also developing a liquid-cooled engine for the first time in its 121-year history, which will power two additional models. To know more, keep reading.
Royal Enfield Bullet 350 with J-platform engine
Since its launch in 1948, the Bullet 350 has been the two-wheeler model with the longest continuous production run. More practical, the venerable RE model is the only model in the 350 cc lineup to still use the old UCE engine; All its contemporary models use the more modern J-platform engine. However, this is about to change as the spy pictures of the most recent Bullet 350 suggest it will get the same J-platform engine and ancillary components. The updated Bullet 350 could be unveiled at Royal Enfield’s Rider Mania event, if not before, scheduled to take place from November 18-20. In India, the present model is powered by 346cc and is available in 3 variants & 6 different colors. Bullet 350 on road price starts from ₹ 1,88,106 to ₹ 1,97,908.
Royal Enfield Himalayan with a liquid-cooled engine
Since its release in 2016, the Himalayan 411 has cemented its reputation as an affordable yet versatile all-terrain bike. Since then, the business has improved the bike with each update, but one of the most frequent comments has been the need for more power to enhance its mile-eating capabilities. RE is developing a bigger, more contemporary liquid-cooled Himalayan 450 to meet these desires for more power. As it gets 21-/18-inch wire-spoke rims at both ends and better suspension components in the form of a USD fork and mono-shock, this new Himalayan will take its off-road prowess to more miles. Will not give up – the ability to nibble.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450-based naked bike
With road-ready features, low seat height, and small cast alloy wheels, this naked bike aspires to be the current Himalayan that the Scram 411 is. While not much is known about this model, the spy pictures indicate that it will feature telescopic front forks and a liquid-cooled engine similar to the Himalayan 450. (Opposite the USD fork on the Himalayan 450). It can be set lower than the Himalayan 450 as the seat is a single-piece unit, making it more accessible on the ground. The gasoline tank appears to be similar as well. The current 411cc model of Himalayan bike is available in 3 variants & 6 different colors in India. Royal Enfield Himalayan on road price starts from ₹ 2,61,652.
When released, the new bike will be less expensive and offer fewer features than the Himalayan 450. We don’t expect to see either of the 450 Himalayan models until the second half of 2023.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 and Shotgun 650
The Super Meteor 650 and the Shotgun 650 both has 650cc engine. The rider triangle is one important area where both the bikes differ, even though both are expected to feature soon and even though they share most of the mechanicals.
The Super Meteor 650 is the more comfortable among all Royal Enfield bikes, placing the rider in a more saddle-like seating posture thanks to a feet-forward position and a more curved handlebar. In contrast, the Shotgun 650 has footpegs that are centrally positioned and a shorter handlebar that places the rider in a more traditional and upright position.
Another way these two bikes differ is the Super Meteor 650 has a more conventional cruiser appearance with longer, arched fenders and chrome-plated straight twin exhaust pipes. On the other hand, the Shotgun 650 gets longer, with slashed fenders and more blacked-out components, including slightly upturned dual exhaust pipes.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 with cast alloy wheels
Except for BS6-emission-compliant updates and new colors, not much has changed on the 650 Twins since RE introduced them in 2019. Tubeless tires are currently not an option with the 650c twin-tubed wire-spoke wheels. Come along is one of the most requested fixes. But a Continental GT 650 test mule was recently spotted with cast alloy wheels and a circular tail lamp, which suggests that both the models may get a facelift soon. The addition of alloy wheels also allows for upgrading the bike’s rubber from the CEAT Zoom Cruise tires currently fitted on both bikes.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 with fairing
Apart from the full fairing, which further enhances the retro racer aesthetic of the RE Continental GT 650, it is one of the most loved aftermarket mods. While this isn’t an official RE variant or accessory yet, a test mule spotted with a bikini fairing suggests it could be one in the future. Although this test mule was seen with only a modest front fairing, it has mounting points to add a full fairing to the bike. In the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup, Royal Enfield employs the GT-R 650, a race-ready, semi-faired variant of the Continental GT 650.
Royal Enfield 650cc Scrambler
This bike is now the only one above that has not been seen on our soil, probably because it is still in the early stages of development. This 650cc scrambler from RE features a unique two-in-one exhaust system with a stubby muffler design. It sports a USD fork, twin hydraulic shocks, and off-road-size wire-spoke rims (likely 19/17-inch or 19/18-inch sizes). It will be a while yet to see a production-ready version of this bike, as it has only been spotted once, and that was overseas.
Expect to see some exciting action from the illustrious bike manufacturer in the upcoming months, given the proximity of the Royal Enfield Rider Mania event in Goa and the 2022 EICMA trade show in Italy.
