2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review - Does it hit the target?

Bit late to the party with this one but better late than never and all that - here's my first ride review of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 sport cruiser type bike....

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My current motorcycles are:-
2014 BMW R1200GS
2023 Kawasaki Z900 RS SE
2019 Triumph Speed Twin
2019 Royal Enfield Custom 650 Interceptor
2022 Honda GL1800 Goldwing Tour DCT (Airbag)
2021 Suzuki GSXS125 (OK, that's the Mrs bike!)

Please be aware I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way in motorcycles or anything else. I'm just an ordinary biker like you probably are. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is important to you, please verify it via a knowledgable third party....the videos I post are just my opinions and are no more valid than anyone elses.

[DAVIDDIBBENS]

Hi Andy good review enjoyed it. I recently took my bike in for a service, they loaned me the shotgun and i loved it. On return to the dealers to collect my bike i brought the shotgun there and then, I've done quite a few miles now and the brakes are more than adequate for this type of bike. It's only a bit heavy putting it in the garage but when riding the weight goes away. I love it, would recommend to anyone.
I'm 73 years old and 5 foot 3, not a problem to ride and one of the best bikes to filter in traffic with.
I have owned 66 bikes so far from 180 bhp to 20 bhp so have alot of experience.
Keep the videos going.
Dave from Essex.

[MotoCurmudgeon]

I’m glad you said the same about the front brakes, not being bedded in yet being new. I see too many people, who are “experts” and used to 1200 cc bikes with dual disk brakes complain about the 650 Royals not having good brakes. My GT 650 took at least a few hundred miles before the brakes came alive and since then they are 100% fine and more than capable of stopping me as needed even when going well over the speed limit on daily street riding. Sure, you can buy better brakes, but for daily street riding and the occasional hooliganism these brakes are just fine if you know how to handle yourself.

[jfro]

Haven’t watched many of your vids for a while cos I’m not in the market to change but thought I’d watch this. Nice bike. May I say Andy you are a refreshing change from many YouTubers that seem to only want to thrash the arse out of every bike they try and rate them only really in performance terms. Your real world ride in the wet at everyday speed is a lot more relevant. 👍

[craigbutler]

I do like the passenger seat removal to reveal a luggage rack. Great idea.

[vstm]

Rode this bike and instantly liked it. Promotes pleasant, relaxing ride offering rather splendid sound. Agree with you brakes are woody, offer no feel. Paint scheemes did not catch my eye. But at this price I see it as a perfect base for customisation project... Cheers from Poland

[markstevens]

Nice review, I rode most of your route in the opposite direction today and thankfully dry. I picked up the Shotgun demonstrator from H. Wycombe a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it. Feels lighter than 240kg, responsive, handles very well and looks and feels very well made.

[ukvamp]

I should also add I'm 6ft 1 with a 35inch leg and I fit great on the shotgun for any tall people wondering

[johnDukemaster]

Tested one of these in that green colour. The bike was fitted with S&S exhaust, modified from an Interceptor. Sounded so good!
But my thoughts after the trip was the weight and the power. But if I would have tried it, not knowing anything about it, I would never have guessed 240kgs, never guessed 48bhp. My guess would be around the 200 kgs and 60-70 bhp. Absolutely a well made bike with really good handling.
I don't know how much that exhaust did for the response, but the pickup was fast. Really fast!
And so comfy! If there would be another bike in my garage, this would be it.
Thank you mr Flyer!

[betterthanisound]

I test road the Shotgun 650 after I rode the Himalayan 450. I loved the Shotgun, it felt, as you say, a very relaxed ride. Plenty of power, but doesn’t push you to want to use all the power. I can’t imagine the long awaited Classic 650 will be much different to ride, perhaps a few cosmetic changes, instrument cluster differences and likely a different exhaust and respective tone. But all in all, I think this is a modern day Classic. A lot of bike for not a lot of money.

[grumpsrides]

Like you, I'm not a 'cruiser' fan, but, also like you, I rather like the shotgun.
I'd call it a 'bobber' style bike.
Great bike, really enjoyed doing my test ride/review on it.

[JohnLongdin]

Almost bobberesque isn't it, I agree it's one of their better looking bikes, especially with the single seat 👍

[jondv]

just bought a new petrol leaf blower, it's awesome, blew me away 😁

[JezNashMusic]

“Thrumble” - I like that! Must admit I hated the looks at first, but the review made it all make sense, and by the end I was thinking that’s actually a cool little bike. Great stuff, as ever, Andy!

[peterparker]

Great show again, thank you very much 🙏🏼.
The Shotgun is the very first of Royal Enfield's models that really attracts me. I testrode it some weeks ago, loved it instantly and think it's perfect for a chilling cruise after work or lazy roaming on scenic roads on the weekend.
I'd like to have one, but need to get rid of one of the other bikes for limited garage space. So I'm in the painful process of decision making 🙄

[ukvamp]

Think you meant 648cc not 548 🙂

I love the Shotgun, I rode a Himalayan, interceptor and a shotgun and the shotgun was by far my fave!

The demo bike i rode had aftermarket pipes and it sounded awesome!

Would love one as a second bike! Hopefully one day!

I never knew 47bhp could be so much fun!

I think every biker should give the royal enfield range a try and ignore the spec sheets.

One thing that never gets mentioned is the service costs. Absolute bargain service costs wise compared to other brands.

My local dealer charges £240 for the big service and about £110 for the intermediate service

[Moto_APT]

Really like it, and it has that cool dispatch rider look. Great review. Cheers Arthur

[simongilbert]

well done for going out in that weather and doing a test ;;; yes i can hear the motor and exhaust well enough ;;

[roberthocking]

My respect for riding on those roads in the wet. They looked slick. Well done, you’re a braver man than me. Then again I live in AUS where it never rains in most areas 😁

[johncranwell]

I think that was a fair review....im really glad you didn't end it with ''I don't really know what this is and aimed at'', regardless of that they're flying off the shelves...
The day i test rode the shotgun in the northern Welsh Hills i absolutely loved it....but id ridden the 450 Himi...and even though I like traditional looking clocks i missed the Himi clock....

The shotgun is on my top bike want early next year....thank you for such a no nonsense review 👍

[kristophertrout]

Hopefully when they do come out with the Classic 650 they chrome a Shotgun up and use the Interceptor clocks. 😎