Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review - Is it Over Rated?

A detailed on the road review of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650

[paulkiley]

I'm getting very tempted with the Shotgun as an addition to my collection. Royal Enfield were at Squires cafe today when we called in and they were offering test rides, it's a pity I didn't have time. They had a green drill colour Shotgun that really looked fantastic.

[ColSnders]

Cracking mix of urban and countryside riding route. The Shotgun seemed to handle each with aplomb. One thing you did not mention is the pillion seat component which I believe sets it apart from the Super Meteo. Neatly designrd so that it can easily be removed entirely, or set-up as rear luggage rack. Cheers

[filipvrijders]

I have the SG since September and have almost 4000 km. The bike does everything very well. Cruising, riding sportively, small twisty roads, highways. Dry, rain, cold…
Fantastic motorcycle. And looks great 😊.
Together with the Continental GT, my favorite bikes ever and I ride the whole year, since 1988😊

[bobbod]

Most people know that the gestation period for motorcycles is three to four days, depending on the types of motorcycles involved. So the idea that the Shotgun appeared the next day cannot be true. Other than that obvious mistake, it was another very enjoyable and informative video.

[jroberthadden]

I'm still holding out and hoping for a Classic/Bullet 500 single. I believe that, in my opinion, RE has filled the 650 line up just fine, but there's an obvious hole that the 500 single could fill. They should keep it simple. No frills and NO Tripper. Move the speedo over to the middle where it belongs. Do that, RE, and my checkbook will be ready and able.

[simonbowen]

Foot pegs were always in the way on my old Interceptor and my dodgy left hip won't let me use forward mounted pegs. The Shotgun pegs cured both of these problems. The colour schemes could be a bit bolder but otherwise I think its a winner.

[_JimS]

The pegs are sitting in the middle of the Interceptor and the Super Meteor peg position, it seems to me. I can't do forward assist like the Super Meteor but the peg position on the Shotgun seem a nice location, they sure would do my one knee a favor.
This motorcycle gives me 1940's Military vibes when studied from the side.
May have to test ride one when they get to the States here. Thanks TBW....good stuff!

[calligraphy_by_jude]

Thanks for the review.
I bought the Shotgun simply because it physically fit me best compared to the other 650s. I ride it home next week :)

[TOTiDAU]

Wow, the riding recording looks amazing. Great review, thank you.

[ianhughesroyalenfield]

Morning Dave. Nice to see you managed to get out on the Shotgun, and have come to pretty much the same conclusions as myself. As you know, I too mentioned the bar risers, or slight higher bars. I have also been saying for ages about the very likely introduction of a Classic 650, mentioning it in my review, as I had seen spy pics quite a while ago. I reckon it will be like this Shotgun, but with bling, spoked wheels and possibly forks similar to the Classic 350.Hopefully the black engine casings will remain, but I doubt that 🫣, so a few tubes of Autosol should be ordered at the same time 😂. These are just my opinion though 😉

[RRRRefuelRideRace]

The military green is the best color for this model in my opinion. I agree about the physical size difference. Cheers.

[Paul-]

Good review Dave. Like you, it’s the grey one that I would choose.

[markfranks]

Another great ride out from you, Dave, punctuated as usual with a comprehensive and entertaining video.
These two 'sisters', whichever is selected, as evidenced by the growing number of very happy bunnies, can only be perpetuated further by those considering joining the ranks. RE simply can't put a foot wrong, presently. 👍

[bfarm]

For me it’s in the Goldilocks zone and handles very well I just haven’t had an opportunity to add one to the garage yet

[DougBrown-hn]

We often see reviewers struggling to precisely label bikes, and then compare the product to "what it should be". Personally, I think attempts at pedantic categorisation can be counter-productive - the reality is, very few owners use their bike exclusively for it's designated "purpose". When something more general purpose comes along it should be received as such. The reality is, there's a grey-scale of actual usage, and whilst aesthetics and image play a significant part in marketing a product, practicality is (at least to me) of primary importance.
If categorisation is necessary, I would describe the Shotgun (at least visually) as simply, "a straightforward utilitarian motorbike" - and I like it all the more for that possibly less marketable label.

[JohnSmith-xwqe]

Without doubt the bike looks better without the rear seat(just like the classic 350 does!) I do like the idea of being able to turn the rear seat into a rack very good! You can see RE has improved on its quality of component parts & for me it smacks of Customisation Am going to book a test ride on one ASAP tho am still in love with my Intercepter & have no interest in trading in or selling her! Good video 👍🏻😎

[garyheap]

Bonneville bobber and Speed master are comparable genres to the super meteor and the Shotgun perhaps? And maybe, the Shotgun is the classic 650?. I do wish they'd utilised the same instrument dial as on the new Himalayan on both the Super Meteor and the Shotgun.

[stevecoppin]

Good Morning Dave, A cracking review on this bike, id have to say i do like the gear & brake position as to the forward controls of the sm 650, so take care & ride safe

[JayMeDee]

Thank you for the thorough review. I'm of similar height to you, so it was especially helpful.

[JasonSmith-dwvp]

Love it. Sounds like the perfect 1st big bike for 50 year old, and absolutely appreciate why this will also appeal to new riders who don’t want to be “pigeon holed” and the grey version fills my small category.