Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 : First big bike, bought without a test ride

I’ll post a longer story one day, but until then suffice it to say, the Shotgun was chosen over the Inty and SM after sitting and getting a general feel of the static display/launch bike!

BHPian Freespirit27 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The rifle is finally in my garage!

Background and expectation. I just realized I haven’t tested any of the bikes I’ve bought. However, I have driven a version of them like the Yezdi Road King before the Monarch, the old 350 Standard before the UCE Classic 350 edition 14 and this time, it was just the Inty and Super Meteor test drives to check the power. delivery, foot, pedal and seat positions. I’ll post a longer story one day, but until then suffice it to say, the Shotgun was chosen over the Inty and SM after sitting and getting a general feel of the static display/launch bike! I liked the classic like seats, the pegs didn’t go into my shins and the weight seemed manageable (I’m 5’7″ and 70kg, but I’ve always trained for core, not bulk). I had moved the bike, the launch bike was missing the main stand or maybe I missed it so that track was not checked!

On April 27th, when the dealer said the bike had arrived, I snuck out of work early and made it to the showroom. There she was, gaunt but looking strong in gray sheetmetal, all blackened chrome and gloss black engine and gearbox covers.

A quick check for any major eye rays

I also took it from the main stand, felt the heft and heft, an overall ride and here are my first impressions/surprises:-

1. It’s a toe shifter – I’m going to miss the heel shifter and have to take care of the formal shoes!
2. The brake pedal looked almost the same as the gear lever, no flat pad like the Classic.
3. The pea muffler slopes outwards, but maybe because it’s blacked out it doesn’t look as wide as the Inty – but that’s just an illusion!
4. RE could have given it a double deck bridge, a turret would have complimented the speed and been useful when riding.
5. Wider than the Classic 350’s bars and switches, it felt like it needed a bit of a stretch for my hands and fingers to touch and operate. (note to self – get big hands.)
6. Seats seemed thin, may need to change for tournaments.
7. Not a great job of hiding wires and securing cables. Even the throttle cable routing isn’t too neat.
   
8. Getting it on and off the main stand was nicely balanced and easy, in fact if you can manage 350 this is easy too!
9. The horn is squeaky but sharp.
10. The foot guard seemed over the top so I requested the compact guard as I had customized it at the time of booking.
11. He clocked 4.3km and asked the showroom not to keep this as a display bike. Shortly after a guy was seen doing a test start on the bike!

Payments and delivery

Registration formalities were discussed and payment assurances were provided. 5 years RSA is within cost limits, IFFCO insurance first full year. The dealer ensured delivery with HSP boards, in 5-7 working days. It fell on a Tuesday so I asked for a Wednesday delivery and he agreed. Come Tuesday a Jinx – no one realized Wednesday was May 1st. A day before, I get a call, “Showroom is closed till May 1st, sir, we can do late delivery today, subject to receiving the plates”! I didn’t want any uncertainty so the delivery was delayed to Thursday. Didn’t get a call from the dealer on thursday so finally called them to get the usual, tried to contact you sorry but were relieved the bike had just arrived at the showroom and delivery could be made that very day. Tied up by the wife, I left the office, picked her up and arrived around 4pm with my ‘better half’ there for moral support. Here I was ready to ride a 300cc bike 60kg over mine but, one I had never ridden before – the butterfly was told to sit down. I got a rundown of the Wingman app setup and switches and here I am picking up the keys (free helmet – open black face no color choice) (my fifth but) first big bike. It does it gently and I rode the bike out of the showroom, 3.2 liters in the tank but please fill up first, don’t top up, was the friendly dealer’s advice. The fuel warning was flashing so the first stop was the fuel pump. And then for a daylight photo.

Compulsory Pooja

One at home (little brother 350 is out of the frame but not the heart)

We took it (both of us!) to dinner and the wife reported that the seat was better than the Classic, but at the end of the 60 plus K ride, the feeling was a bit sore!

First trip and 200k impressions

1. The weight is low to the ground and makes it easy to lean and right the bike.
2. The shifter is short – it felt ok on regular shoes and I’m still getting used to riding boots. It seems too short to tilt the trunk or maybe my walking technique is incorrect. On a lighter note, I went into a dizzying fit on the Classic’s heel change the next day.
3. Gear changes are short and crisp. No false neutrals. I missed the actual neutral a few times. while downshifting.
4. Clutch travel is short but not too light.
5. Power is on demand and across a wide range, in all gears except 6th, where you feel the engine start to protest as it pulls, the moment it drops below 70km/h. 4th and 5th should get you through most highway situations and 3rd and 4th in city traffic – but it will wait for the adjustments after the first service to form final impressions.
6. The overtaking is easy, the weight distribution makes me want to find gaps and zip through, do quick overtaking, but I’m older and wiser and the potential that’s there is satisfying! (with much power and weight comes responsibility!).
7. The biggest surprise, the warmth between the legs and along the body of the bike. Even the tank seems to be heating up, not to mention the family jewels. The next drive was longer and early in the morning and the heat seemed under control. But returning in the evening and a few spots of slow traffic raised the temperatures again. I hope it gets fixed after the run period.
8. The wheelbase of the Classic is 1390 mm, the Shotgun is 1465 mm (7.5 cm longer) and the Super Meteor is 1500 mm (3.5 cm longer). It seems like a very small increase in wheelbase, but considering the Classic’s large turning circle, the increased weight and wheelbase make the bikes progressively adept at building your muscles while handling these bikes!
9. Good news, I don’t need bigger hands because I’m used to the transmission. But not being able to switch the headlight to city light or DRL is a big miss (and battery drain).

Parting photos from the highway

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