The company’s iconic 650cc chassis is the foundation for the new scrambler, the Royal Enfield Bear 650. Although the Bear is built on the Interceptor 650, it undergoes certain notable modifications that give it a unique personality.
Bear 650: What we Know so far
The new Royal Enfield Bear 650 chassis is identical to that of the Interceptor 650, but the suspension and wheel sizes are different. In keeping with a scrambler motorbike, the front and rear wheel combination has changed from 18-inch/18-inch to 19-inch/17-inch. The suspension has also been improved; the rear has new twin shock absorbers, and the Bear now has a Showa USD fork comparable to the Shotgun’s but with different internals.
The Interceptor’s suspension travel was extended from 110 mm/88 mm to 130 mm/115 mm. Consequently, the seat height has also increased, making this the tallest of the 650s at 830mm. Additionally, the Bear 650 introduces new MRF Nylorex block pattern tires on spoked wheels; tubeless tires are not an option.
The rear disc is now 270mm instead of 240mm, while the front disc is still 320mm like the Interceptor’s. Dual-channel ABS is a feature of the Bear 650 that can be turned off from the back. The ergonomics have also been updated with a new wide handlebar and a new foot peg location.
Read More: Royal Enfield Launches the Guerrilla 450
With one significant exception, the Bear 650’s 648cc parallel-twin engine is the same as that of its siblings. The bike has a two-in-one system with a single exhaust on the right side instead of two exhaust pipes. With this modification, peak power stays constant at 47 hp, but torque increases from 52 Nm to 56.5 Nm.
The Bear 650 weighs 216 kg, 2kgs lighter than the Interceptor, even though this improved exhaust setup would have undoubtedly assisted with weight savings. This is partly due to the redesigned suspension and tires, but it’s also because Royal Enfield reinforced the chassis in many places to make room for the Bear’s light off-road capabilities.
The Bear 650 stands apart from the competition in terms of design thanks to its revised wheel sizes and a slightly raised scrambler-style seat. It features new LED indicators in addition to the head and tail lamps, which are both recognizable round LED units from current Royal Enfields. The competition number boards on the side panels and the increased ground clearance (now 184mm) further contribute to the scrambler feel.
Additionally, the bike replaces the Interceptor 650’s primary dual pod instrument console with the Guerrilla and Himalayan’s new circular TFT display. This display, which is operated by new switchgear, supports Google Maps.
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