ROYAL Enfield has always stood for soul, simplicity and style.
And I’ve admired how its retro thumpers continue to turn heads from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia.
With the new Bear 650, the brand is making its presence into the midweight scrambler segment.
It was inspired by the legendary Big Bear Run in America, where 16-year-old Eddie Mulder won in 1960 on a Royal Enfield machine.
Thus, the Bear 650 carries serious heritage.
Royal Enfield never forgot that Mulder won it on one of its bikes.
Mulder went on to become one of California’s greatest legends in motorcycle racing.
Sixty-five years later, the brand honoured him with a special edition bearing his iconic 249 number.
There has been unconfirmed news that the Bear 650 is likely to be a contender in future Big Bear Runs.
The Bear 650 marks a significant evolution for Royal Enfield.
Building on the successful platforms of the Interceptor and Continental GT 650 twins.
The Bear 650 is the brand’s answer to a modern-day scrambler with true rugged intent.
When I first laid eyes on it, it immediately reminded me of the brand's early off-roaders, and I could sense its purpose just by the way it stood.
At first glance, the Bear 650 strikes an imposing figure.
Tall, upright, and purposeful, it wears its adventure-ready design with pride.
The high-mounted front mudguard, bash plate, braced handlebars, fork gaiters, blocky dual-sport tyres and upswept exhausts all scream “ready for the rough stuff.”
When I walked around it, I admired how the retro round LED headlamp and minimalist tank badging complemented the rugged personality, while the tan leather-textured seat added a touch of vintage class.
The build quality impressed me right away.
Everything felt solid to the touch, from the tactile switchgear to the tight paint finish and clean welds.
Royal Enfield is getting better with every new model.
The Bear 650 shares its 648cc parallel-twin engine with the Interceptor and Continental GT, but once I twisted the throttle, I could feel the differences.
Royal Enfield has reworked the fueling and gearing to make the Bear feel more eager down low.
The engine now delivers 47hp at 7,150rpm and 56.5Nm of torque at 5,150 rpm, but it’s the strong mid-range punch that I appreciated most which is perfect for blasting out of corners or climbing steep backroads.
The throttle response felt smooth and intuitive, especially when I needed to modulate power on the wet or loose conditions.
The six-speed gearbox, coupled with a slipper clutch, made downshifts easy.
I gave the suspension a good workout on various roads, and the 43mm upside-down forks up front and twin gas-charged rear shocks took it all in stride.
Whether I was navigating city potholes or gravel mountain paths, the Bear 650 stayed composed and comfortable.
There’s a good balance here, the ride is plush enough for daily commuting, but firm enough for spirited riding.
I truly connected with the Bear 650 once I took it into the Fraser’s Hill.
Its torque-rich mid-range, manageable 216kg weight and predictable handling made tackling tight corners and switchbacks enjoyable.
The road up to the top of Fraser’s Hill is narrow, twisty, and perfect for testing handling.
I leaned the bike deep into corners, taking full advantage of the taller suspension’s increased clearance.
The rear shocks, even on the lightest preload setting, felt a bit stiff where mid-corner bumps did unsettle the line.
Thankfully, the upside-down Showa forks soaked up what the rear couldn’t.
Riding hard without scraping footpegs was a refreshing change, though the trade-off came in stability and ease, especially when the stiff rear kicked back mid-turn,
Braking is handled by ByBre calipers with a 320mm front disc and a 240mm rear, and I liked the
feedback at the lever.
The dual-channel ABS isn’t overly intrusive, but it kicked in just when I needed it during a rainy descent from Fraser’s Hill giving me that extra peace of mind.
Out on the North South Expressway, the Bear 650 surprised me.
Cruising at 110–120kph felt effortless.
The engine purred smoothly, and the upright ergonomics made long hours in the saddle enjoyable.
I didn’t miss a windscreen too much, though a flyscreen would help at higher speeds.
The seat was comfortable, the bar wide and natural, and the ride was stable even when overtaking trucks or battling crosswinds.
In the rain, the Bear 650 never felt unsafe.
I took it through wet city streets and Fraser's soaked roads, and it remained composed throughout.
ABS and the linear throttle helped me stay confident, even when visibility dropped due to rain and fog, and the roads turned bit slippery.
The Bear 650 isn’t trying to be a high-tech, Dakar-ready adventure bike.
It doesn’t need to be.
It stays true to Royal Enfield’s values which is simplicity while delivering a genuinely fun and capable scrambler.
It’s a bike I could see myself riding to work, taking on weekend trips, or just wandering aimlessly into the hills with.
After riding it across varied terrain, I can say it delivers a confident growl, sharp handling, and unmistakable character.
If you’re looking for a motorcycle with old-school charm, modern rideability, and the ability to handle a bit of rough and tumble, the RM34,500 Bear 650 has serious appeal.
SPECIFICATIONS
Royal Enfield Bear 650
Engine: 648cc, eight-valve SOHC parallel-twin engine
Maximum power: 47hp at 7,150rpm
Maximum torque: 56.5Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Suspension: Front Showa 43mm upside down forks, 130mm travel; rear Showa Twin, 115mm travel
Brakes: Front ByBre 320mm single disc, twin-piston floating calliper; rear ByBre 270mm single disc, single-piston floating calliper, ABS
Features: 4-inch TFT display with phone connectivity and Google map navigation
Fuel capacity: 13.7 litres
Wet weight: 216kg
Price: From RM34,500 (excluding- insurance, road tax and number plate)
