Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 vs Honda Rebel 500: Rider Swap Comparison

Royal Enfield Meteor 650 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S650 vs Honda Rebel 500

Meteor Vs Vulcan S 650: Meteor 650 Vs Vulcan S 650 - Which is the best midweight Cruiser?

Meteor 650 Vs Vulcan S 650 - Which is the best midweight Cruiser?

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 against the Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 and the Honda Rebel 500. In this unique rider swap review, three owners take turns riding each other's bikes and sharing their experiences and insights.

In this video, you will discover:

First-hand feedback from each rider on performance, comfort, and handling
Detailed comparisons of features and specifications
Pros and cons of each cruiser motorcycle
Which bike stands out in different riding conditions

[bluemountainre]

I have Super Meteor 650, same colour as yours, absolutely love it, have fitted a DNA air filter which has definitely helped the throttle response, next job is replace the rear shocks with either YSS or Hagon. Really enjoyed the comparison between bikes, well done.

[dansivertson]

Excellent, clean, and honest analysis. Thank-you!

[leswatson]

I love my 650 RE Super Meteor. From the ride height to the forward controls. Rode from Hertfordshire to Cornwall recently. Definitely needs better rear shocks. I'm currently on setting three on the rear suspension. 36psi front tyre and 38psi back. I found I'm not getting bounced off my seat riding the back roads so much with these settings while riding between 30 to 40mph, or at 70 on British motorways. That said I intend to buy the same rear suspension units as you have already installed. I only ended up with the Super Meteor as not one local shop had the 650 Kawasaki cruiser when I went to buy a new bike. My grandson bought one - can that bike move when it needs to! Impressive! A possible point of interest for you. We both spent under £25 in petrol travelling to and home from Cornwall. Safe enjoyable cruising guys! 😊👍

[jasondargonaut]

I have the Super Meteor 650. I have to say the bike really grows on you. I came to it from a classic 500. Loved its refined nature and the feel of a proper cruiser. It feels really steady and well put together. I like that it's understated in stock yet has a very unmistakable presence. I feel the bike feels different during different times. I hate it while parking in tight spots. I hate it on bad roads. I hate it in choc a bloc traffic. But once the roads are open and a little flat, it turns into a majestic beast. It even sounds different at higher revs than lower. I feel like I'm still not on board with the suspension and the heavy nature of it. Although it feels like I am adapting to it. It's a strange thing this bike. I love it but also feel it's not easy to love all the time. Not like the Classic. But then I've always wanted an authentic feeling cruiser. I guess it will motivate me to take it out of the city on to the highway more. That's the only way to enjoy it. It can feel as unwieldy as a car in traffic. But easy to flick as well. This bike is some what of a paradox.

[TheGreatVivek]

Super meteor is such a brilliant design. Does much better in the looks department than the other two

[johnlase]

Gentlemen, I thoroughly enjoyed your videos and experiences.. I don't even have a bike yet but you guys are fun to watch thank you

[scottbieber]

Yes!
I had my chain serviced and tightened, what a big difference!

[neurocat]

As a Vulcan S owner I highly recommend revving it a little higher. It's a parallel twin from Ninja 650 platform. And though it was ofc downtuned - it still prefers higher revs than "conventional" cruiser. This bike really wakes up in 5-7k range

[alandure]

Excellent review, gentlemen. Loved watching the drive and the camera angles. So relaxing—almost felt like ASMR. @ 10:00, Scott was very gentlemanly, smoking considerately and keeping his cigarette away from his friends. If I could, I’d have all three bikes! Subscribed ❤

[roberthambly]

Nice video thanks for taking the time guys

[Censuwine]

Out of the three, I've only experienced the Vulcan which I've owned since 2016. It's not my "main" bike so I only clock about 1, 500 kms per year on it. I bought it because of its looks and was also surprised by its performance. I took it on holiday to Sicily and could keep up easily with a couple of friends on Ducatis doing 155kph. I do not find it especially comfortable and I am not too sure about the forward controls which expose one's lower back too much to road imprefections. I've tried moving the footpegs backward and even installing Kuryakyn footboards but, in terms of comfort, nothing beats the standard sit-up-and-beg position.

I quite agree that the Vulcan needs to be revved beyond 3500 rpm to reach its sweet spot. I was also amazed at the slack on Scott's chain. I've been worried about mine for some time but it's nowhere near as bad as that! One last point. Over 15, 000 kms and 8 years, the engine cut out three times for no reason. It was very unnerving the first time it happened. In reality, it started again immediately each time but I've often wondered what the trouble could be.

Anyway, great video ... keep them coming.

[ragarse]

Cool viv - thanks. Good advert for a Thai motorbike tour using rentals (I'm in UK). Yes ref bikes all 3 are obviously smile generators but as a Vulcan owner (2018) I must point out that since thier birth in 2015 the ONLY change has been the inclusion of gear change indicator in 2017. So they got it right first time - no expensive suspension mods, no changing bars (from new you can choose bar, seat and reach options), I find I can cruise at 30 without jerking but 3000 revs is pretty uch my preferred cruising speed - and oh boy getting past that line of trucks is a blast with the ninja 650 get up and go - so its in a genre of its own - sports cruiser. Having said all that the Rebel and Enfield would be welcome addirions to my garage - if I gad one! Good touring lads, you've got it made.

[elmaneze]

Hi, Teacher T. I’ve been following you from the very first video. Nice content. Keep up the good work!!!
Respecting to the bikes, let me tell you that I have a 2015 Vulcan S 650 ABS for about two years. It’s been a pleasure from the beginning. I have made a lot of mods, and still continue doing it. I’m 58 and it’s my second “big” bike. Before I had a meteor 350 which I sold because I feel the need for more power. At that time the Super Meteor was just a rumor; so I didn’t want to wait and after some really short period finally had the chance with a Vulcan. It’s my come true dream bike. Sorry for the long comment. John from Colombia. Bye for now. Ride safe!!!

[simonchilli]

Thoroughly enjoyable watching the various views of the bixe. It's the rainy season here in England for the second time this month!!

[irvinkaleb]

Great video guys. I have the rebel 1100. My first bike. I really been enjoying it

[ValerioSouzaPinto]

I'm from Brazil watching this video, not sure which one to buy. But I think it helped a lot. Congratulations and thank you.

[iraxef]

Own a super meteor and agree that the stock rear shocks were terrible… but after installing aftermarket shocks, it’s not something I think about anymore. How the bike should’ve been. Love the style, sound, 270-degree ‘power pulses’ of the engine. I’ve tried a Vulcan S and I recall it feeling ‘smooth as butter’.. but it doesn’t quite have the cruiser style I love. Never tried a rebel 500.. took my motorcycle safety class on older rebel 250s and those definitely looked the best (most like a motorcycle should look) to my eyes out of the available options.

[JLRide]

I enjoyed the video. Thank you for sharing.

I have previously owned a 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS and it was a great ride. I do wish I would have kept it but with limited garage space I had to make the sacrifice in order to make room for other toys. It is a comfortable ride and sporty for a cruiser. I love the performance of that 650 engine.

[marianbotea]

Great video; these were my 3 options for my next bike and I am pleased I went for the Vulcan S; all of them are awesome machines; willing to take a trip with my son as pillion from UK to south Spain next summer after his GCSEs

[sarabjitprakash]

Meteor 650 has soul..it's the best by light years