Test ride: Bite the Bullet – Royal Enfield Bullet 650

The sun is shining, the sky is blue and it’s harvest time. A timeless scene in the English countryside.

And I am riding a timeless ‘British’ motorbike – the Royal Enfield Bullet – the latest version of the world record-holder for the longest motorbike in continuous production, dating back to 1932, even though now built in India.

The original ‘thumper’ used single-cylinder engines, and there is still a 350 version, but the latest incarnation gets Royal Enfield’s tried-and-tested 648cc twin-cylinder engine and a new lease of life as the most powerful Bullet.

Royal Enfield’s burgeoning range makes use of every model and every engine where possible so a Bullet 650 was inevitable.

It shares its engine and underpinnings with the Classic 650 but stands out with its single step-up seat echoing the signature Bullet bench, rather than a split seat, and a different rear mudguard. It retains all that lovely chrome trim and peashooter pipes so stock up with metal polish.

It’s the attention to detail that really sets the Bullet apart. Hand-painted gold pinstripes and winged 3D badging, set off beautifully against Cannon Black paintwork, and a trademark badge on the tank harking back to the Enfield Cycle Company’s Redditch roots and ‘Built like a gun’.

The Bullet is not just a motorbike to ride, it is a trip back in history. It feels special because of its heritage.

The engine is giving sterling service in so many Enfields. Performance is adequate for a modern retro bike, pulling willingly from low revs with 52.3Nm of torque at 5,650rpm. Wind it up and A2 licence-friendly 47PS at 7,250rpm gives enough urgency for safe overtakes, especially in third and fourth gear. Sixth gear is an effective motorway overdrive so it does not feel strained.

The softish Showa suspension is simple with the only adjustment preload on the twin rear shocks. The back end feels a mite fidgety travelling slowly on poor surfaces but smooths out as speed builds. But that’s all part of the appeal.

The Bullet 650 makes decent progress but is not a bike you are going to throw into corners. At 243kg fuelled up it is no lightweight but handles competently. It’s more about gliding through bends elegantly, just enjoying the ride.

The single 320mm front disc brake copes with the performance but needs a firm pull. The rear 300mm disc is good back-up, with plenty of bite, when serious stopping is needed. Another hark back to when you used both brakes to stop!

The 800mm seat height means shorter riders should be able to touch the ground with both feet and is comfortable enough for a reasonable journey. With the footpegs pushed forward the riding posture is akin to a cruiser and feels natural.

An analogue speedo sits centrally in the headlamp casing with an LED display below for fuel, digital clock and gear. It is flanked by the ignition lock and a smaller dial for turn-by-turn navigation instructions via Bluetooth and a smartphone app.

I’ve ridden a lot of retro Royal Enfield 650s and the Bullet is right up there with the brilliant Bear scrambler.

The Bullet, from £6,799, is beautifully finished with proper badges and hand-painted pinstripes.

It’s a bike you’ll admire as much for its looks as for the enjoyment of riding, a bike people want to talk about.

The Bullet is set to fire up a new generation of enthusiasts and still thriving as it nears its centenary, looking to the future without losing sight of its illustrious past.

Check out the full Royal Enfield range at orwell.co.uk/royal-enfield/new-royal-enfield-motorcycle-range