[WnRn]

Wonder if it will be true?

https://www.carbike360.com/news/royal-enfield-bullet-650cc-soon-a-reality-re-working-on-650cc-bullet-confirmed?fbclid=IwAR2oJ96j51lP1xjZtGmMc17qzUw-qqFDZafTMFR_oWrMhb86R5YGLB9lGVM

[oldphart]

They're in love with that ruddy twin aren't they. I personally found it a rather soulless brute when I rode one but regardless of that, it will never be a Bullet -  a Bullet is a single, not a twin. I'd rather they found a way to make a bigger (500?) air cooled single but the EU restrictions are such that this is unlikely, in that case, a water cooled big single (so make it a 650 while you're at it, hell, Kawasaki can do it, why not RE?) is better than a twin. As we've seen in the past, balance shafts can be used to do all sorts of things, from smoothing out all vibration to providing a particular sort of vibration.
Keep the twins for the twins, keep our Classics/Bullets singles.

Of greater concern is RE's mindset of producing a gazillion models - surely that's going to come back to bite them in which case, we're all stuffed.

[WnRn]

I think if this is true its to take on BSA with their 650 single.

[oldphart]

I think if this is true its to take on BSA with their 650 single.

Ooo, I'd forgotten about that. Is that a reality yet? Can you actually buy one? Is there a dealer network?

[Keef Sparrow]

Ooo, I'd forgotten about that. Is that a reality yet? Can you actually buy one? Is there a dealer network?

I saw one in the flesh at Lloyd Cooper's in Watford back in August. No price on it though.

[AzCal Retred]

Old BMW Funduro's are $1500 - $3000 used, lots of room for dress-up DIY Bullet tinware in that budget.

Better yet get a beater KLR650 and "Bulletize" that worthy.

My money is on the Meteor "J" series getting a bigger piston and becoming the "New Bullet". The "J"'s already a nice package, a SOHC +30 HP torque generator would make it even better for mountains, two-up or just touring with luggage. Price should stay low too as a bigger piston isn't that expensive.

The 650's are awash in variants already, unlikely they'd steal the one-lunger nomenclature and thoroughly confuse potential buyers even more.

[axman88]

My money is on the Meteor "J" series getting a bigger piston and becoming the "New Bullet". The "J"'s already a nice package, a SOHC +30 HP torque generator would make it even better for mountains, two-up or just touring with luggage. Price should stay low too as a bigger piston isn't that expensive.

The 650's are awash in variants already, unlikely they'd steal the one-lunger nomenclature and thoroughly confuse potential buyers even more.

A local RENA guy told me, a year ago, that RE is working on a 500cc version of the "J" OHC.   If and when that might come out is anyone's guess.  Since the Classic is now RE's top seller in 350cc, I'd predict that configuration would be the first to appear in 500cc.

It also seems to me that since the 350s are all now burdened with the same features that used to set the 500s apart, ( mainly EFI), We may see the 500s domestic sales rebound.  500 UCE sales were never good domestically compared to 350s, and I think this was due to the extra cost of the EFI system, which the conservative Indian market never really embraced anyway.  From what I've heard, in the IB era, the 500s sold better vs. the 350s, although the 350s always dominated.

Speaking of the 350s, it has been much published that we will soon see a "J" OHC Bullet.   https://www.indiacarnews.com/news/2023-royal-enfield-bullet-350-new-engine-platform-design-changes-54017/

In my opinion, the 650 Interceptor is essentially the Bullet configuration (bench seat, classic styled, upright seating) of the 650 family.  How would they make it "more Bullet-like"?   I guess a pair of huge, low mounted pea shooter silencers and a huge Ladakh rack on the back of a 650 would be pretty cool.

[tooseevee]

Are they just making way too many different models? I guess I just want my choices simpler being an old dinosaur. The same feeling I get when I see 87 different choices of spaghetti sauce in the Stop&Shop.

PS: It's just a rhetorical question; I have no dog in the race any more (& never did). Can't even ride the one I've got any longer & it was the only one I was ever attracted to when I started searching for one in 2004 (or an Iron Barrel).

PPS: I don't eat spaghetti sauce in jars either 

[Wide]

As much as the new 350 is perfect for most riding styles, especially in India. I'm guessing the popularity in USA will demand a better highway bike. The 350 and 500s all seem to manage 60 mph but its not really good enough, when at times you need to open the throttle and take it up to 75/80 with ease. A torquey single with 40 to 45 bhp would fit the bill perfectly imo. Wonder if it would happen though ??

[AzCal Retred]

The new counterbalanced LC450 Himalayan single is supposed to show up in 5 variants, the street-oriented 450 Scram is one of them. I believe a "Clubman Racer" variant was mentioned also. The new clean-sheet design is supposed to go head to head with the comparable KTM machine, so we're looking at 350-380 pounds and 35-40 HP. It should easily be able to sustain 80-90 MPH under most riders. 40 HP will shove a light, skinny bike along very well indeed. Elsewhere here other members believe the "J" model will get a bigger piston and grow to 500cc, probably with 30-35 HP as well. That would be consistent with past RE practice, just with a modern engine & more ponies.

[Warwick]

i would love a 45-50hp bigger single bullet!

[oldphart]

My initial reaction was that if it's a water cooled engine, I'm not interested. However, if water cooling is the way of the future, why argue. I'd rather a big, water cooled single than a flamin twin. If it's a twin, it's not a Bullet - nuff sed.

[AzCal Retred]

If RE can make a 450cc counterbalanced single, 350-380 pound, 35-40 crankshaft HP, 6-speed machine at a good price point (less than the near $7K KTM Adventure) they will have built a real winner. Such a motor has a lot of possible uses. At $6K, it would fly off the shelves ahead of the well respected 490 pound, $8K Kawasaki KLR650.

The newest KLR650 has been tuned for tractor torque, about 35 RWHP, from 2K RPM thru 7K. 35 HP drags the 490 pound KLR along smartly enough, a 100 pound lighter machine even at 30 RWHP would feel sporty in comparison. The LC450 Himalayan could be the KLR the rest of us "inseam challenged" folks need.

https://www.webbikeworld.com/2022-ktm-390-adventure/

https://powersports360.com/Motorcycles-Kawasaki-KLR-650-Adventure-2023-Huron-OH-6fbf75b7-cbda-4b3b-bed9-aee800881161

https://www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/2022-kawasaki-klr650-adventure-dyno-test/

[WnRn]

This may not be a single.... Might be a 650 twin 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3rXyrhWzQo

and from here..

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/royal-enfield-meteor-650-and-bullet-650/

[oldphart]

All I can say is that I'm glad I've got my 500