One particularly curious installation featured a Royal Enfield Flying Flea electric bike transformed into a bona fide two-wheeled sculpture by Los Angeles–based multidisciplinary artist Mattia Biagi If you’re not familiar with Flying Flea it’s Royal Enfield’s all-electric sub-brand inspired by the World War II-era Royal Enfield Flying Flea which was air-dropped alongside paratroopers It combines vintage styling—like a forged aluminum girder-style fork—with modern elements like an electric drivetrain and LED lighting Mattia cut his teeth in fashion houses like Jean Paul Gaultier before coming under the mentorship of the renowned interior and furniture designer Giulio Cappellini The design mimics the contours of a parachute (a nod to the Flying Flea’s lineage) while the material’s imperfect open-pore texture creates an organic vibe At the back of the ‘tank,’ set against the flowing fins of the Flying Flea’s magnesium battery case One more material was used in the Flying Flea’s construction—brass Mattia created a pair of brass grips using molds of his hands along with a pair of complementary brass foot pegs this is one motorcycle we’d happily park in our living room instead of our garage Source: Flying Flea GET THE WORLD'S BEST CUSTOMS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COPYRIGHT © 2008-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) | COLE PUBLISHING | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED For many years I have had to tell visitors that there are no bears in Australia Australia is going to see a lot of Bears – although they will be non-furry Royal Enfield Bears The new addition to the highly successful twin cylinder 650 platform from Chennai might as well be called the koala You will have read a couple of stories about the technical and other details of the bike in these pages (see Issue 74-10 for Kel Buckley’s World Launch report from the California desert) so let me use its local launch to relate it to Australia so it was no real surprise that we tackled the Geelong freeway to take us to more enjoyable trails and roads down on the coast Riding the freeway always reminds me of the time The Frog* bought a Kawasaki Z1300 in Melbourne rode it home to Geelong along here and lost his licence in one go to the many radar traps set the RE Bear is happy in top gear at 110km/h only scrambles – effectively dirt races over obstacle courses While growing popularity meant that the British factories soon sent teams They were often just modified by their riders for extra ground clearance and reduced weight The event caught on and quickly became popular in Australia Indeed it looks to me as if the Classic Scramble Club in Victoria is the only one in the world that preserves the name Except for the lack of weight reduction (the Bear weighs a substantial 214kg with oil and 90 percent fuel) the bike is quite close to the classic British scramblers with its greater ground clearance increased seat height and generally more spacious feel for the rider than the “donor” bike Several riders asked for the handlebar to be moved back to shorten the reach In the 32C of our return run to Melbourne on the freeway The 13.7 litre fuel tank remains from the Interceptor an authentic move but not an ideal one for Australia where fuel can be difficult to find The fire trails above the Great Ocean Road gave the mechanical Bear an opportunity to demonstrate its dirt creds I’m no gun at any time and especially a little tentative on the dirt but my bike did what I love when I head off sealed surfaces: it just got on with it The 19-inch front wheel and the 17-inch rear are spoked and shod with tyres designed for the Bear by Indian manufacturer MRF bear the word “Tubeless” on their sidewalls useful hoops both on hard and loose surfaces and allow keen cornering I should have adjusted the preload on the rear shocks because despite the lengthened swingarm a couple of unavoidable potholes were more dramatic than they needed to be On an excursion down a dozer cut in a forestry plantation I planted the bike when two berms were too close together for this Bear no excuses and definitely nothing to do with the bike set some bikes up for static shots that evening and it was a good chance to admire their paint and graphics Unlike the lazier manufacturers who tend to literally just change the colours on their machines The Two Four Nine is a tribute to Eddie Mulder’s winning bike in the race after which the Bear is named; Boardwalk White looks British all the way; Wild Honey appears to be inspired by Piet Mondriaan; Petrol Green is plain but bright; and Golden Shadow would not look out of place at a classic motorcycle show The build quality of all the bikes is also satisfyingly slick Let loose on the black tar magic of the Great Ocean Road in the morning at an hour when tourists are still tucking into their crushed avocado I’ve ridden the GOR so often that I just about know it corner by corner which made for a relaxing opportunity to sample the Bear’s lean angle and complemented nicely by the slight increase in torque from the neat little muffler The gearbox is a delight and power is unchanged from the Interceptor for the low muffler rather than the high one more or less de rigueur on scramblers it’s to make it easier to carry soft luggage something that Australian riders like to do a lot All right – are you ready for my one complaint The flashing arrows for the turn indicators in the otherwise tidy circular TFT instrument display are too unobtrusive A small change for what may well become an Australian classic royalenfield.com.au BMW’s R 1300 GS Adventure follows its sibling The ancient Roman Stoic poet Persius claimed that ‘he conquers who endures’ a famous Italian marque is hoping stoicism and an all-new premium off-roader will help it navigate an uncertain path ahead It doesn’t get much more fitting than this AMCN’s The Bear rides Royal Enfield’s Bear right here in Oz The flagship of adventure touring has been in for an overhaul – but has it gone too far these two adventure bikes offer vastly different experiences boosted efficiency and elevated comfort are all on the menu as Ducati reheats the Multistrada V4S for MY2025 Time to check in on the global whereabouts of adventure duo Mad or Nomad They were last spotted in Central America… Even with the shortest test rider AMCN has to offer BMW’s huge new R 1300 GS Adventure is ready to take on anything Does the new Stelvio have enough Italian zest to entice buyers away from the established adventure menu If you’re anything like me you might associate the Benelli badge with iconic machines like the Tornado 900 or the mighty TNT 1130 Who better to test the new CFMoto 450MT than four-time King of the Desert Finke Desert Race winner Ben Grabham the middleweight adventure bike market is a buyer’s dilemma Australian Motorcycle News has been the fortnightly bible for all things motorcycling for more than 73 years the most in-depth racing coverage from club level through to world championship level and it’s written by people who love © 2024 Citrus MediaAll rights reserved The Italian artist uses Flying Flea’s FF.C6 model as his canvas for the sculptural art project The motorcycle retains its original silhouette which is inspired by the 1940s Royal Enfield Flying Flea.  Then, he reimagines several components and forges them from natural materials. The range includes the use of stone, wood, glass Mattia Biagi maintains the forged aluminum frame of Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea model he transforms the house of the fuel tank into travertine a porous stone associated with mineral springs referencing the original Flying Fleas that were deployed from planes during wartime The front and rear fenders use transparent resin embedded with dried leaves. After that, the front fender of Motototem integrates with the FF.C6’s girder fork suspension, which is a distinguishing feature of the production model The rear section includes a seat made from solid walnut replacing the FF.C6’s standard unit with a natural wood finish Motototem also includes clay-molded inserts attached to the fork assembly These clay elements are positioned where fork guards are traditionally found on off-road motorcycles Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea taps Mattia Biagi to produce an art motorbike The same clay material appears on the chain guard connecting different parts of the vehicle with a single design component As for the FF.C6’s magnesium battery enclosure originally designed with fins for heat dissipation and structural integration they furnish it with a black stone element.  while the artist adds leather swallows to the tire surfaces as a symbolic gesture These leather additions are not functional Motototem then attempts to combine engineering with art and design with the use of natural materials Visitors to the Superdesign Show located at Via Tortona 27 can see the real-life model of Motototem until April 12th the rear section includes a seat made from solid walnut the artist transforms the house of the fuel tank into travertine Mattia Biagi reimagines several of the motorcycle’s components from natural materials the art motorbike also incorporates hand-blown glass forms the range of natural materials includes stone brands: Royal Enfield, Flying Flea | @royalenfield, @flyingflea artist: Mattia Biagi | @mattiabiagi1 event: Superdesign Show | @superdesign.show AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Royal Enfield’s latest edition of the Classic 650 offers retro vibes with a modern heart and what better way to find that out than heading to Hepburn Springs in Victoria for its Australian launch There’s something about a crisp autumn morning that makes you want to saddle up and head for nowhere in particular The kind of day where the world just feels right on two wheels we were greeted by sunshine cracking through the trees It was the perfect bit of cold to wake the senses and the ideal time to fire up the 2025 Royal Enfield Classic 650 all to see if this bike lives up to the promise of its name let’s just appreciate how the Classic 650 looks It captures that post-war Brit-bike charm better than just about anything on the market But what separates the 650 from its 350cc sibling isn’t just displacement It feels bigger and beefier – more complete the 648cc air/oil-cooled parallel twin thumps to life with a mellow It’s the same engine we’ve grown to love in the Interceptor and Continental GT You’re getting 35kW of power and 52Nm of torque which are not outrageous numbers by any stretch of the imagination it’s more than enough for what this bike is built to do the Classic 650 feels surprisingly planted but it does carry its weight low and confidently The wide handlebars give you a bit of leverage, and it turns in smoothly, almost lazily, like a proper cruiser should. Compared to the Super Meteor 650 it does feel a touch heavier at low speeds and this can be attributed to the riding position and slightly different geometry the Classic settles into a rhythm beautifully You’re not wrestling it through corners or feathering the clutch in traffic just honest old-school motorcycling with modern reliability baked in By the time we reach Guildford General Store a charming little spot just off the Midland Highway we were in the mood to keep riding all day with forward-set foot pegs that don’t feel awkward and can be a bit of a mission to flick down but definitely something we fumbled with more than once during photo stops Suspension duties are handled by a 41mm front fork and twin rear shocks with preload adjustability It’s composed and comfortable over country roads with just enough firmness to avoid feeling wallowy when pushed through a bend a 300mm disc with twin-piston ByBre calipers and a 240mm rear disc with dual channel ABS are standard This isn’t a bike for late braking or chasing apexes an analogue speedo paired with a small digital screen that gives you trip info and a USB port cleverly tucked under the switchgear There’s also Tripper navigation available as an optional extra If you like your tech subtle and non-intrusive and switch blocks is a noticeable step up from earlier offerings The real highlight here though is that engine with just enough rumble to remind you it’s a twin and the torque is exactly where you need it for relaxed there’s enough midrange to do it without needing to drop a gear The six-speed gearbox is slick and paired with a slipper clutch which makes for smooth downshifts and no jerky deceleration You can ride this thing for hours without feeling like you’ve been in a brawl with your bike With a 13.7-litre tank and claimed fuel economy in the 3.5 to 4.0-litres/100km range you’re looking at a realistic distance around 320–350km between fills Whether you’re heading up the coast or out to the hills you won’t be constantly watching the fuel light The Classic 650 is for the rider who values feel over flash It’s for the kind of person who doesn’t need TFT dashboards It’s for someone who wants to slow things down New riders will love its forgiving nature and low seat height 800mm while the more seasoned will appreciate the character and simplicity It’s makes you want to take the long way home Royal Enfield has absolutely nailed the brief in a bike that’s not not pretending to be anything it’s not incredibly likeable motorcycle that makes you feel good every time you ride it and an honest charm that’s getting harder to find in modern motorcycling and enjoy every thump of a beautifully tuned twin-cylinder engine this might just be the perfect bike for you It’s a cruiser for the real world and that’s exactly what makes it so damn special Royal Enfield’s Classic 650 is available in three colours Teal Green and Black Chrome with pricing starting at $11,190 $11,390 and $11,890 respectively (all ride away) It’s backed by a 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assist To find out more, visit the Royal Enfield website or contact your local dealer Our test bikes were provided by Royal Enfield as part of the Australian media launch for the 2025 Classic 650 Images courtesy of Tom Fossati and Matty Hayman Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest car and motorbike news and reviews We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info Exhaust Notes Australia is independently owned and operated We are your destination for the latest automotive news and reviews from around the globe - we'll have some fun doing it - because nobody said we had to be serious all the time Contact us: info@exhaustnotes.com.au © 2012-2023 - Exhaust Notes Australia Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen Cycle World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site Copyright © 2025 Cycle World. An Octane Media, LLC Publication Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited Reflecting: The Berringa Enfield fire burned out of control in February 1995 the Berringa Enfield forest fire burned out of control across fourteen thousand hectares of land the fire was caused by an unattended campfire and threatened the towns of Dereel The Cape Clear Fire Brigade is holding a commemorative weekend later this month to mark the occasion including a mix of reflective and fun community events It will begin with a reflective evening on Friday 21 February where community members past and present who experienced the fire can come and share stories Then on Saturday 22 February there will be a community breakfast at 8am All events will be held at the Berringa Public Hall Cape Clear CFA captain Jeremy Peet said the events are about providing the community with a way to connect “For those who are actually involved and it was a significant event with a huge impact to many people,” he said “There is also a need to keep sharing wisdom and knowledge to others and we have new members in this community that haven’t experienced any of that “There will be practical tips about how you respond how you defend yourself and also how you prepare your mind and your attitudes which I think is really important.” The events are supported by Mount Mercer Wind Farm Spencer goes for a quick fang on Royal Enfield’s new Classic 650 – the sixth member of the 650 Twins line-up – which is expected to be the most popular of its kind in Australia thanks to its approachable pricetag of $11,190 rideaway Let us know what you think in the comments… and does some of his best living on deadline day He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" A 32-year-old motorcyclist was killed when his motorcycle and a pickup collided in Enfield on Thursday night Police said the crash happened on Town Farm Road near Grassmere Country Club around 9:07 p.m They identified the motorcyclist as Jashua Martinez-Martinez He transported from the scene and died at Baystate Medical Center Get top local Connecticut stories delivered to you every morning with the News Headlines newsletter The crash is being investigated and anyone with information is asked to call Officer K Electromobility in the roadbike space is a tricky game On one hand there’s increasing pressures from both legislators and society to strive for fewer emissions but the reality of packaging enough batteries into a motorcycle chassis to achieve anything approaching the equivalent energy density of even a small-capacity internal combustion engine really isn’t feasible at this time Mainstream brands such as Harley-Davidson have dabbled in the big-bike sphere with limited success The big-four Japanese have come together with various other brands to create the Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium which not only widens the scope of usability by negating the downside of having to wait for batteries to recharge but they’re presumably also sharing the costs of associated R&D and the infrastructure rollout Then there are countless niche electric brands which have invested an enormous amount of resources into the tech hoping to get ahead of the curve Not even the knowledge and exposure gained through being the official supplier of MotoGP’s MotoE world championship bikes for four years was enough to save 14-year-old electric brand Energica which filed for bankruptcy just one month ago whose entire product strategy is based around nostalgia want to meddle in a segment that feels way out of its domain which AMCN discovered at a preview launch event at the annual EICMA show in Milan The first is because even though roadbikes are still a long way from experiencing the ‘Tesla effect’ the legislative and societal expectations aren’t going away Royal Enfield firmly believes it has the intel There’s one electric brand that is making big gains in its specific field and that’s Stark Future Stark’s Varg is so far one of the few examples where electric motorcycles are beating their internal-combustion equivalents at their own game a Varg can exploit the acceleration advantages of an electric motor’s instantaneous torque without having to worry about the detrimental effects accessing such has on range the FIM was trying to ban the brand from competing in events alongside petrol-powered bikes as it scrambled to get its head around the unique safety requirements Now Stark’s Varg is slowly but surely being cleared to race in events all around the world and is notching up race It’s no coincidence then that Royal Enfield’s parent company Eicher Motors invested €50 million ($A80m) in the European brand in December 2022 in what it said at the time was a “a long-term partnership in collaborative research and development in electric motorcycles The first fruits of that partnership appeared 12 months ago at EICMA when Royal Enfield showed the Him-E electric prototype alongside the then new water-cooled 450cc Himalayan which still remains the only water-cooled engine in the company’s entire line-up Referred to at the time as a ‘laboratory’ bike rather than a precursor to a forthcoming EV adventure bike the Him-E was a means by which Royal Enfield could begin unpicking Stark’s know-how to work out how to present the electric technology in an application more akin to RE’s nostalgic approach which has come a long way even in the last 12 months was on show again at this year’s EICMA and is a completely different bike to what was shown 2023 such is the rate of development in the EV space all new,” Eicher Motors CEO and Royal Enfield head honcho Siddartha Lal told me “It’s our testbed for everything we do electric we pop it in here; new way of screen interaction; we have the electronic suspension; we just try everything different some of you get to ride it (but) it’s not for production… unless of course something drastic happens.” What is set for production though is the first model under the newly announced Flying Flea sub-brand called the C6 a lightweight classic-styled electric offering boasting a girder-style fork and a single seat It’s still 12 months away from being in dealerships but it will be joined soon after by a scrambler-styled S6 with a more conventional telescopic fork While the C stands for Classic and the S for scrambler was chosen because it’s “that almost-middle spot There are many different plans that are below six and above six” So that indicates we can expect more or less powerful offerings represented by higher or lower numbers in the future we wanted to keep it alphanumeric because we already have Royal Enfield (as a) double barrel Hopefully over time people will not refer to it as Royal Enfield – it’s a Flying Flea but electric bikes have been around long enough for Royal Enfield to be able to learn from previous brands’ successes and mistakes Around the same age and with an arguably richer legacy Harley-Davidson entered the EV sector in 2019 with the LiveWire performance figures and price tag of large-capacity Harleys it swapped the traditional cruiser styling for a modern sporty nakedbike look which was ultimately a bridge too far for even the electric-curious welded-on Harley fans the LiveWire’s model designation was separated out and turned into the firm’s electric sub-brand Not only does LiveWire speak to a different audience than its thumping but it allows H-D to streamline and individualise its dealer network in terms of sales the LiveWire sub-brand makes great marketing and logistical sense and it’s this experience which surely led Lal and Co to separate the Flying Flea sub-brand out from the oh-so-nostalgic Pure Motorcycling ethos of Royal Enfield Not that the Flying Flea isn’t dripping in its own nostalgia; the somewhat strange name harks back to a RE military motorcycle from World War II; the original was a lightweight 126cc two-stroke specifically designed to be parachuted with troops to the ground behind enemy lines The C6 isn’t some slapped-together project designed to show that Royal Enfield is keeping up with the emissions-conscious Joneses Headed by the firm’s Chief Growth Officer for Electric Vehicles Mario Alvisi – as well as being responsible for Ducati’s relaunch of the Scrambler brand in 2014 – has a CV that includes Alfa Romeo And while he’s only been on the Royal Enfield books for just under two years Lal revealed the Indian firm has been working on bringing an EV offering to life for the past six And a lot of that work has been in consultation with more than 5000 consumers in a bid to understand exactly what the market needs and what a decade of EV experience has taught it “We’ve taken years to understand in-depth what could work and what wouldn’t work,” explained Alvisi “(There are) some big motorcycles that are very nice but they cost a lot of money (and there are) some commuter products that are convenient and affordable We really studied the market in a hundred different ways… and we believe there is a sweet spot between them.” Lal explained how they arrived at the so-called sweet spot: “We had an epiphany a while ago that we’re not going to do bigger motorcycles on electric But we saw that scooters in some markets are working; small battery pack good packaging… but then we said we don’t want to do that can we do something a step or two above that gives the same convenience but with a lot more character and fun factor?” the team decided what was missing in the two-wheeled EV market was a bike that was lightweight the most important but hard to achieve bit while any detail around the battery or its expected range is still yet to be formally announced Lal is adamant all Flying Flea-branded EVs will have a slightly higher range capability than your average electric inner-city commuter when you want to go a little bit out (of the city),” he explained (you get) all the battery-pack issues; it becomes big As well as having the range capability to be ‘city plus’ which when pushed the following day Alvisi revealed: “It’s very good It’s perfect to go in LA from Marina del Rey to Ventura and come back.” which by today’s lightweight electric motorcycle standards is Of course there’ll be circumstantial factors at play that will affect that figure but as a starting point 250km appears promising Another decision informed by the extensive market research was to make the batteries non-removable So while well over 30 brands have become signed-on members of the innovative swappable battery consortium Royal Enfield believes that not only are the technical and packaging compromises required to make a battery removable greater than the benefits it can offer but it’s a feature many consumers no longer want and many of them already have something with a removable battery They told us they bought the vehicle because of the removable battery but now they are not removing it for many reasons,” Lal said “(The first is) many feel pain to carry a heavy battery… second there is a problem with removable batteries being stolen especially for vehicles that you park on the street.” Royal Enfield’s approach to charging is similarly uninfluenced by the rest of the market “We developed our own philosophy on charging as well because we want to have something that is easy to charge everywhere and in a fast way and with affordable price,” Lal said “You won’t need to carry something specific with you so (it will have) onboard fast charging – that was very much a core requirement for consumers – and it has to be a wall plug.” No official specifications have been announced but there’s plenty we can see on the C6 which gives a lot away while the motor and magnesium battery case are mounted in a forged aluminium frame Alvisi told me “the goal is to have something around 100 kilos” and confirmed the girder-style front end was as much a weight-saving decision as it was in helping to achieve the premium feel of the C6 it will no doubt be the most advanced machine ever to roll off a Royal Enfield production line As well as the ABS rings present on the hubs which we’re told will be lean-angle sensitive the switchblocks reveal the C6 will boast traction control cruise control and switchable riding maps – the first RE model to include any of those features – while the lightweight narrow wheels are shod with CEAT ‘Energy Ride EV’ tyres presumably developed specifically for this application Another sign of just how production-ready the C6 is are the pillion seat and ’pegs which appeared on one of the display bikes indicating optional accessories have not only been planned Royal Enfield revealed it has filed 28 patents “and counting” pertaining to its electric platform While tech specs are still relatively scarce the tight-lipped attitude isn’t about keeping things under wraps in case the technology improves between now and the 2026 release but instead a clever and considered decision to help give the Flying Flea sub-brand a leg-up in what’s a particularly tricky market segment As well as not getting caught up in the detail of having to speak to all of the various global jurisdictions’ individual regulatory and licensing requirements it allows would-be owners to get used to the idea before the bike hits dealerships in 12 months there’s nothing quite as polarising in motorcycling as an electric bike “Last night I saw the (social media) comments “Now they’ve seen the Flying Flea; love it or hate it So when we actually do launch the bike next year thinking about it and forming their opinion Alvisi and Co have an unwavering belief in the project its timeliness and RE’s ability to disrupt the EV market with the Flying Flea platform it’s also abundantly clear that if this whole project is indeed premature and falls over the company’s in a position to roll with that eventuality we have the capability; we’re not betting the entire farm on this,” Lal said It doesn’t sink the company – not at all – but we’re committed to the idea It could be super successful at (the) start; it could be medium successful; it could be less “So either we build on this model platform and it grows Or we get feedback that helps us inform the next type of product we’re going to get And we do already have many other ideas that we’re working on.” Given how successfully this 123-year-old brand seems to have executed a zero-emissions platform aimed at a market that the numbers tell us isn’t quite ready it will be fascinating to see what’s coming next At the 46th Bangkok International Motor Show adventure-ready scooters and enough two-wheeled wonders to make Aussie riders green with envy Global motorcycle event to raise funds and awareness for men’s health returns bigger than ever as well as soaking up all the on-track action at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit there’s a swag of other activities and attractions to keep you entertained A white hot wheatbelt tour of WA’s Federation pubs on a rollicking Roctane Yet another tick off The Bear’s all-time bucket list The take-up of electric motorcycles is nowhere near what many predicted which is why Royal Enfield is taking a slightly different approach with its forthcoming EV platform Check out AMCN’s Rallies & Shows Update August 2024 for a selection of motorcycle events taking place all over Australia If you have an event you would like us to… There are a heap of motorcycle rallies & shows set to take place from this weekend through to the end of the year Rallies and Shows Registrations have opened for the 2024 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to be held on 19 May 27-28 APRIL All British Rally The 2023 Walcha Motorcycle Rally will be held at Walcha Showground Camping will be open from 12pm Thursday; and welcome drinks are… AMCN took part in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) again this year suiting up in what was a very wild and windy Wollongong Australia’s largest adventure motorcycle event  We all watch the Dakar and wonder… CAMP QUALITY’S MOTOCYC 2023 is the perfect excuse to explore the rugged beauty of Australia on a motorbike Here’s a quick look back at the 2021 event Appropriately learner approved and drawing inspiration from the spirit of a 16-year-old rookie named Eddie Mulder, the Royal Enfield Bear 650 delivers a scrambler package based on the brand’s hugely successful Interceptor that teen took on the Californian desert to win the wildest race of them all with his achievement delivering the name for the Indian bike maker’s latest creation like the side race number panels and some of its chassis components as the Bear 650 holds its own strong individual character The rear third of the bike has been completely redesigned with the Bear grabbing an extra inch ground clearance a new seat and a repositioned handlebar and foot pegs Combined with some tasty suspension upgrades including an upside down fork on the front and heavy duty rear shocks with five steps of adjustable pre-load Add a chunkier set of MRF Nylorex dual sport tyres to the mix and although it’s not a true adventure bike the Bear 650 is perfect for tackling fire trails or easy bush tracks with good ergonomics aiding the rider’s cause Increased suspension travel helps the Royal Enfield take on mild scrub but push too hard or far into hard terrain and you’ll reach the scrambler’s limitations. That’s okay though, Royal Enfield has a full adventure bike with the Himalayan 450 the Bear 650 embodies all the great characteristics of Royal Enfield motorcycles The brand’s principles of simplicity and pure riding are clearly present with nothing too complicated in any of the bike’s functions forming part of a concerted effort by Royal Enfield to make their bikes better Every new model has subtle improvements and this bike is no different with the fork on the Golden Shadow variant we’re testing All the controls are standard Royal Enfield issue and the inclusion of the TFT Tripper 4.0-inch infotainment setup gets a massive tick from us it features smartphone integration for navigation and music In a first for the bike maker’s 650 platform the Bear is the first model to score a full LED lighting package producing 34.9kW and 56.5Nm from the air/oil cooled unit offering what felt like a little more low to mid range torque than some of the purely road focused models The two-into-one exhaust amplifies a nice soundtrack whilst the 320mm single front and 270mm rear disc brake to an adequate job the 2025 Royal Enfield Bear 650 is available in five colour options Backed by a 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance for an identical period and embodies the spirit of the iconic Twins You can find out more on the Royal Enfield website or by contacting your local dealer Our test bike was provided by Royal Enfield Australia for independent review purposes When a 16-year-old Eddie Mulder won the annual Big Bear desert race in remarkable circumstances 64 years ago no one could have predicted that it would one day inspire Royal Enfield’s best-handling motorcycle to date While the Indian brand didn’t exactly set out to achieve impeccable road manners when it began work on the new 650 retro-styled scrambler improved technology and platform evolution has inevitably meant the 2024 Bear 650 is currently the cream of its 650cc parallel-twin crop Named after a legendary race in California’s Mojave Desert and based around the company’s Interceptor the Bear 650 joins the original Continental GT and Interceptor models the cruiser-style Super Meteor and Shotgun versions and the soon-to-be released Classic 650 as the much-awaited scrambler version of the hugely successful 650 twin platform That success is a measure of the capabilities the relatively inexpensive platform has possessed since the Interceptor and Continental GT models were first released back in 2018 Between the steel-tube cradle chassis that was developed in conjunction with the legendary Harris Performance outfit the really usable 648cc engine and the quality running gear and componentry the platform has garnered a swag of fans over the last half a dozen years and the new Bear 650 will only widen the appeal and strengthen the success It’s powered by the same 648cc eight-valve SOHC parallel-twin as the rest of the line-up although torque has been increased 8 percent throughout the rev range thanks in part to the Bear’s new two-into-one exhaust system the Bear produces 56.5Nm and peaks 500rpm earlier than before at 5150rpm While Royal Enfield said there is potential to increase the power output the engine in its current tune has already reached the power-to-weight ceiling which can cater to LAMS and A2 licence holders so it remains unchanged at 34.6kW (46.3hp) at 7150rpm I can’t say that I could really feel the extra poke the Bear has over the Interceptor It’s four kilos heavier than the naked bike which would dampen the responsiveness slightly but I reckon the gains are matched or even exceeded by the handling improvements made to the Bear The six-speed gearbox uses really wide ratios and I couldn’t help but think that slightly shorter gearing could have made a significant difference to the acceleration and really set the bike apart from the others especially when I only found myself using top gear once or twice during the 250km ride in the California mountains It’s not slow to build pace but it certainly isn’t fast While I don’t think ‘fast’ was ever part of the design brief I think the gearing is slightly too tall for the application The highlight for me is easily the feedback offered by the uprated front end Because even though the Bear rolls on a 19-inch front wheel wrapped in block-pattern rubber compared to the Interceptor’s 18-incher shod with road-oriented tyres there’s far more confidence to push on the road than I’ve ever received from the earlier roadbikes – and they were easy to ride fast The first is the 43mm upside-down Showa Big Piston front fork which – despite offering zero adjustment – is set up beautifully I spoke to one of the techs about just how much time went into finding the base setting and he confirmed that a lot of emphasis was placed on achieving high compliance from a non-adjustable unit which of course has a positive bearing on the eventual retail price the headstock has been strengthened to cope with that beefier fork the larger-diameter front wheel and the increase in the associated forces a bit like what was done to those original desert sleds that Mulder won on so many times So while mid-corner bumps on the Interceptor can widen the eyes and it’s that stability and feel which make it in my mind the best handling Royal Enfield to date There’s no use having a sweet-handling bike if the tyres aren’t up to the job Royal Enfield likes to use local tyre suppliers but because most Indian-made motorcycles are low-capacity commuters there wasn’t an off-the-shelf product suitable for the dual-sport nature of the Bear Which is why the development deal with Indian tyre manufacturer MRF came about; Royal Enfield gets the hoops they need for the Bear You and I both know it’s no coincidence that the resulting MRF Nylorex tyres look and feel every bit like a set of Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs today’s most popular road-biased off-road tyre In the 35ºC-plus temperatures I was riding in they provided plenty of feel and an abundance of grip on the road and felt really predictable in the short off-road section the preload-adjustable shocks showed no sign of flaws for my 64kg frame and the front and rear’s 130mm and 115mm of respective travel confirms the Bear’s soft-road intentions The subframe has received a bit of strengthening too which Royal Enfield says was done to improve the bike’s luggage-carrying capacity but the lack of any real wind or weather protection probably limits any meaningful travel to weekends away the footpegs are mounted lower and farther forward than the Interceptor’s this make the whole ergonomic experience a bit more open than the Interceptor’s so it’s definitely all-day comfortable The long flat and narrow seat is reasonably high compared to the rest of the range at 835mm thanks to the 30mm of extra suspension travel and larger rolling radius of the front hoop but there’s less seat padding than we’re used to from Royal Enfield to minimise the height increase – however Brembo’s Indian ByBre subsidiary provides the brakes There’s decent feel from the single-disc front with a 320mm disc gripped by a twin-piston caliper The rear has a 270mm rear disc and the pedal is easy to find whether sitting or standing In keeping with Royal Enfield’s century-old legacy of classic simplicity There’s the obligatory two-channel ABS system which is made by Bosch and it’s switchable which will please Bear 650 owners who are buying it for its off-tarmac-roads abilities The single circular TFT dash from the latest Himalayan and Guerrilla models is carried over onto the Bear 650 it provides a host of information and display customisation as well as phone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation It’s all operated between a joystick mounted on the left-hand switchblock and a menu button on the right While it can be a little tricky to the uninitiated it becomes simple to use with a bit of time There’s a USB-C charging point on the right-hand side of the dash The Bear 650 represents the first time Royal Enfield has used LED lighting all over a bike and tail and brake lights are all reassuringly bright you first remove the plastic side cover/race plate and then tug on a lever Under the side plate you’ll find a decent sized tool kit something Royal Enfield has been quite good at over recent years Perhaps that’s an unfair criticism given the practical dual-purpose Bear 650 was merely a glint in its development team’s eye when the packaging for the original Interceptor was decided on back in 2018 There’s a good-sized grab rail running around the rear of the seat A handle is integrated at the top of the left-hand rear shock absorber to aid lifting the bike onto the centrestand except a centrestand isn’t fitted as standard – only as an optional extra The Bear 650 is available in five colour options the most striking of which is a nod to Mulder’s race-winning Royal Enfield (see sidebar) it features the same green frame and the black-and-white checkerboard pattern which adorned Eddie’s jersey (he was a member of the Checkers MC club) but expect to pay a premium price for the Mulder tribute the Bear 650 is broken into three price points starting with the least-expensive Boardwalk White The mid-tier models will be Petrol Green and Wild Honey with Golden Shadow and Two Four Nine top of the pricing structure The best-looking one to my eye is the yellow-and-blue Wild Honey version which I made an appropriate beeline for on the morning of the ride I reckon it’s a dead ringer for Suzuki’s early-70s or late-80s PE enduro series and the cross brace on the one-piece handlebar tops the whole thing off Aesthetically I don’t feel like the coke-bottle grips match the tougher scrambler-style look of the Bear 650 but this is one bike from a (so far) six-bike platform and I’m splitting hairs What’s not in question is the successful execution of turning a six-year-old naked bike into a 2024-model scrambler There’s better performance despite tougher emission regulations the handling is greatly improved despite its soft-road intentions and I think the scrambler styling is right on the money The race that inspired Royal Enfield’s scrambler After hooking up with Californian Royal Enfield dealer Mel Denison youngster Eddie Mulder found himself one of the 765 starters lining up to contest the 1960 Big Bear Run a clover-leaf style race of three 50-mile (80km) loops Denison-prepared 500cc single on the start line which according to Eddie “would pull the cork off any 650 twin” he realised nature was calling at a very inopportune time “I looked at my mum and said ‘I don’t think this needs to wait’… and just as I got cleaned up They raised the banner and away everybody went.” Despite being the last rider to leave the start line Eddie was already inside the top 20 at the end of the first loop but only about 100 of them were racers,” he explained He snapped the right footpeg off on a boulder at the beginning of the second loop and raced through the desert with his foot resting on the gearbox After a new footpeg and a fresh pair of goggles at the second checkpoint Eddie began the final loop through Rattlesnake Canyon sitting in 13th place his youthful exuberance got the better of him and he overshot a turn “I whistled that baby off and left the road,” Eddie remembered “I put my head down level with the handlebar and all I could hear was snapping branches.”  The severity of the impact was so great that he ripped the header pipe out of the cylinder head and snapped the rear left shock the 16-year-old somehow emerged back on the track below but I didn’t know the shock was broken,” Eddie said “But I could smell the dust of the rider in front of me and I thought ‘your ass is grass’ Just 193 exhausted riders finished that day And it was a result that he credits as the launchpad of a career as a champion racer and well-known stuntman in Hollywood royalenfield.com.au this new car licence-approved 50 is swifty If you thought the Versys 1000 was the sports tourer that topped the category CFMoto’s 450SR S proves the brand’s renown for high-spec Mother Nature threw everything she had at us but even a biblical downpour couldn’t stop Yamaha’s all-new R9 from making a splash on trac Triumph’s Speed Twin 1200 has hit the gym for 2025 with added muscle and tech But now there’s an even more athletic RS in town An all-new engine and monocoque frame signal big changes for the Ducati Multistrada V2 crossover Yamaha’s 2025 WR250F isn’t just a dirt bike Turns out it’s a quarter-litre adrenalin machine that begs to be pushed to its limits – and rewards every twist of the throttle EV range anxiety remains a major roadblock to widespread uptake Now a smart new aero design could help riders go farther on a charge Aussie-designed and manufactured C-Series hits the track with a TT star for the ultimate test If good old-fashioned motorcycling is where it’s at for you then the latest Classic 350 is hard to beat This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Toby Carvery owner apologises over tree’s felling as football club faces questions about whether it knew of decision An ancient London oak controversially felled earlier this month was assessed to be a “fine specimen” last year by tree experts working for Tottenham Hotspur as part of the football club’s plans to redevelop parkland next to the site which owns the Toby Carvery in Whitewebbs Park apologised on Thursday for the “upset” caused by the felling of the tree The company’s financial links with Spurs have raised questions about how much the club knew about the decision to fell the tree Spurs and MBR are majority-owned by the investment company Enic. In its latest annual accounts MBR disclosed that it had entered into an option arrangement with Spurs to buy the lease on one of its retail sites believed to be the Toby Carvery in Enfield Spurs have submitted a planning application to build a women’s football training academy on 17 hectares of adjacent land in Whitewebbs Park It also submitted plans to build an access road from the training ground to the Toby Carvery The plan for an access road has since been replaced with a scheme for a footpath across the site where the oak Spurs commissioned the Tree and Woodland Company to produce an arboreal impact assessment on the veteran woodland in the park In a report submitted to Enfield council last July the company assessed that the now felled oak was a “fine specimen” that was expected to live for at least another 50 years It recommended conservation measures for the tree as a high priority MBR claimed its contractors felled the tree on 3 April for safety reasons after assessing it was dead and diseased In a letter to Enfield residents on Thursday said: “I can only apologise for all the upset that it has caused.” It said: “We are obliged to act on all health and safety issues where expert advice warns us of a direct risk to life or serious injury We will complete a thorough review and ensure that exceptional situations are treated differently from the more regular health and safety issues that arise on a day-to-day basis.” Enfield council has threatened the company with legal action and imposed a tree preservation order on the whole Toby Carvery site. The Woodlands Trust, which objected to the training facility plans because of the impact on ancient trees in the area, said Spurs and MBR had more questions to answer. Adam Cormack, the trust’s head of campaigning, said: “There is some uncertainty about whether the ancient Whitewebbs oak that was felled is or is not part of development plans for Tottenham Hotspur FC’s new training facility and we’d like to seek clarification from the club on this.” Cormack welcomed Toby Carvery’s apology but said it did not go far enough. He said: “Toby Carvery must now be fully transparent with their paperwork and work with local authorities as they investigate. Did they know about the Spurs tree survey, which called the oak a ‘fine specimen’ and makes recommendations for its conservation? Did they consider any alternatives to felling, and if not, why not?” Free weekly newsletterThe planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential Russell Miller, an expert on ancient trees who visited the oak before it was felled and has inspected it since, said: “I refute the claim that the tree was dying and dangerous. I have looked at the structural integrity of the tree and I saw it in December. There was no logic to touching that tree other than wanting an ancient tree out of the way because of some financial interest.” Police closed their investigation on Tuesday after deciding it was a civil matter. A Spurs spokesperson said: “The tree and the decision to fell it has no connection to the club as the tree sits outside of our lease demise for our proposed women’s and girls’ training centre and academy.” The club confirmed it had an option to lease Toby Carvery’s land within Whitewebbs Park but stressed this was just an option. It also claimed it was “ridiculous” to suggest the tree was felled to make the land easier to develop. Picture by Alex DalzielTwo boa constrictors have been seized from an Enfield property after police busted an illegal online exotic reptile marketplace All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe owner of the illegal pets faced the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to plead guilty to offences against the Catchment and Land Protection Act Investigators discovered Goldsmith had been active on a Facebook chat called 'Rep Kings' where members would discuss and facilitate the sale of native and exotic wildlife show Goldsmith sent a photo of four ball pythons to another member of the group in exchange for a python he owned Ball pythons are considered controlled pest animals under Victorian law - the second highest category of pest animal The species has been detected three times in Australia since 2010 showed Goldsmith discussing the sale of ball pythons with another member of the group - listing the animals between $1000 to $700 each A phone belonging to one of the group members Goldsmith had been in correspondence with was seized by police in November 2023 leading investigators towards Goldsmith himself His Enfield property was visited on March 20 where DEECA officers found two live boa constrictors in enclosures inside of a bedroom cupboard The snakes measured 2.6 and 1.9 metres long One was kept without access to drinking water The court also heard the animals were without a rock or log required for the safe keeping of snakes to provide a spot to shed their skin and bask in heat A DEECA prosecutor said boa constrictors were one of the most commonly detected pest animals in Australia - with 28 found since 2010 She said the South American snake posed a threat to people and lived in a "moderate climate match" to central Victoria The investigators also found alligator and snakehead garfish in an aquarium inside a shed at the property The exotic fish are only allowed to be owned by permit in Victoria Further messages seen by investigators showed Goldsmith had arranged to purchase two saltwater crocodiles for $2200 officers returned to the property and found a freezer containing a deceased freshwater crocodile Goldsmith later admitted to police he did not have a valid wildlife permit said Goldsmith was a hobbyist collector of reptiles and wasn't looking to turn a profit on the black market "It ought to be known that an important part of the family bonding process was the care and the maintenance of the animals in question," Mr Smith said "He concedes that in some instances he was involved in the trade of the animals Mr Smith said Goldsmith had spent up to $15,000 to $20,000 on the exotic fish he owned "If there was a ledger to be prepared about what he had outlaid and what he had received (from the sale of animals) he would be well in the red," Mr Smith said this is not an exercise in which he had hoped to generate a profit." The DEECA prosecutor argued that Magistrate Ronald Saines had an "opportunity" to show the community such behaviour towards animals would not be tolerated by the courts Magistrate Saines said trade on the black market was serious regardless of what was being sold "The clear purpose of the legislation you are to be sentenced under is to support the management development and use of Victorian fisheries agriculture and industries with safety," Magistrate Saines said you engaged with others around the sale on the black market involve a higher value on property that is prohibited." should have known better than to keep dangerous exotic species "I hope you have taken time to reflect on the fact that a substantial part of the legislation involved here is to protect our Indigenous species," Magistrate Saines said "If you wish to add to the Indigenous heritage of this country.. it should be in a way that is entirely different to this." Goldsmith was fined $10,000 with conviction Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords Royal Enfield has collaborated with Oregon-based motorcycle gear manufacturer ICON Motorsports with the reveal of a new limited-edition variant based on the Shotgun 650 cruiser Just 100 units will be built of the Limited Edition Shotgun with just five of those allocated for Australia and New Zealand The bike will be available to order on February 12 the standard Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 is priced from $11,590 The bike is marketed as a ‘true collector’s edition’ and is distinguished by a unique colour scheme with a red seat “Our collaboration with ICON Motosports for the Limited Edition Shotgun 650 exemplifies the custom possibilities of the Shotgun 650 celebrating the artistry and passion of custom building while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Royal Enfield motorcycles,” said Royal Enfield head of Custom and Motorsport Adrian Sellers the Shotgun 650 shares much with the Super Meteor 650 cruiser a sportier ‘bobber’ style riding position and dimensional changes throughout It is motivated by the same 648cc parallel-twin engine as powers the entire range and is mated to a conventional six-speed transmission At the same its sales have dipped by 14.47 per cent compared to March 2025 Royal Enfield is clearly reaping the benefits of 2024 which saw the marque launch multiple new bikes. After finishing FY 25 on a new high note by crossing the 1 million sales milestone the Chennai-based bikemaker has now started FY 26 with a steady 6 per cent sales growth A total of 86,559 Royal Enfield bikes were retailed in April 2025 as against the 82,043 units it did in April 2024 as against the cumulative sales of 1,01,201 units.   Particularly noteworthy was how its export business grew from just 6,832 units in April 2024 to 10,557 units – thus helping RE register a whopping 55 per cent year-on-year growth its domestic sales have remained stagnant which grew by a mere 1 per cent RE managed to sell 76,002 bikes last month as against the 75,038 units it did last year in the same month “After achieving the million unit sales milestone in the past financial year this year is also off to a flying start,” noted B Govindarajan Moving forward, Royal Enfield has a lot to be optimistic about. For starters, it updated its bestselling bike, the Hunter 350 and a bit more features like assist-and-slipper clutch This should make the Hunter 350 more easy to ride – something that was robbing the bike of enjoying it fully Royal Enfield also launched the Classic 650 this year which should further help the marque rake in buyers given the loyal customer base it enjoys with this badge.  Last month also saw Royal Enfield launch its ever-popular bike, the Classic 350, in Nepal “As we move further into the new financial year we are excited about what’s coming next while staying true to our core philosophy of pure motorcycling,” concluded B Govindarajan MG Windsor EV Pro India Launch Tomorrow: What To Expect Ashish Gupta to Lead Škoda India; Nitin Kohli Appointed Volkswagen Brand Director Kawasaki Bikes Available With Discounts Up To ₹45,000 Jeep Wrangler Willys ‘41 Special Edition Launched At ₹73.24 Lakh; Limited To 30 Units We promise the best car deals and earliest delivery Royal Enfield recently updated its entry-level offering The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 was aimed at new riders and youngsters as a platform to step into the world of Royal Enfield but its harsh setup quickly became the reason for its downfall Royal Enfield is back hunting for fresh riders Here’s how the 2025 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 differs from the older model While the overall design of the motorcycle is identical — minimal bodywork is an LED unit replacing the older halogen one The paint scheme is also new to attract younger buyers The next update that is difficult to make out is the ground clearance of the new Hunter 350 Royal Enfield has tweaked the exhaust routing resulting in an additional 10mm ground clearance The last update is a much-needed one — rear suspension Royal Enfield has addressed the harsh riding setup and hopefully We will have more details once we ride the bike the 2025 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 sees no changes — it is suspended by telescopic forks in the front and a semi-digital instrument cluster with the Tripper pod being an optional accessory a 349cc J-Series air and oil-cooled unit mated to a five-speed gearbox It is the same engine that powers all the other 350cc motorcycles in Royal Enfield’s lineup the big difference here is that the Hinter 350 now gets a slip-assist clutch making it the first for the J-Series lineup have unveiled Project Delta – a timeless transformation of a Super Meteor 650 The custom build is a vintage dream brought to life in a radical reimagining of the golden era of motorcycling The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 has always been a machine with timeless appeal and Purpose Built Moto has given this particular example a truly extraordinary transformation with the Project Delta the embodiment of their custom ethos the design draws heavily from the Super Meteor 700 and the legendary Flying Flea from World War II The result is a bike that not only looks the part while incorporating modern engineering refinements and a mono-shock conversion keeps things sleek while preserving the classic aesthetic A hand-fabricated Girder Fork – a true blend of artistry and engineering – graces the front supported by custom spoked wheels (23-inch front perfectly complements the reworked chassis Finishing touches like the era-correct rear fender and tail light complete the look The hand-shifted gears demand rider engagement The solid-mounted bars and girder fork ensure you feel every inch of the road beneath you too the Art Nouveau-inspired paintwork accentuates the handcrafted lines of this one-of-a-kind machine Project Delta is a time machine on two wheels transporting you back to an era where motorcycles were pure “Royal Enfield motorcycles are truly global while being handcrafted with passion which makes us a true rider’s ally in every sense,” Royal Enfield head of international business for the APAC region “While our motorcycles inspire builders across the globe in turn we are also stimulated by their creativity Purpose Built Moto founder Tom Gilroy called the Project Delta bike the culmination of a design DNA he developed over the last eight years of building motorcycles “A lot of manufacturers have stopped making their engines beautiful “Classic motorcycles always made the engine the star and that’s why I love the Royal Enfield 650 Twin engines.” His no compromise vision that blends the modern power plant of the Royal Enfield 650 twin with inspiration drawn from the original Super Meteor 700 and antique models like the Flying flea of the 1940’s is a motorcycle work of art Play Duration: 2 minutes 57 seconds2m 57sBrought to you by If your neighbour complains, It is possible to receive a $320 fine for leaving your bin on the curb side for too long after council has collected your rubbish.  Speaking with Sonya & Jules, Mayor Claire Boan said, "Sometimes neighbours don't get on". "If my bins get collected on a Thursday...I've got until the Friday". Port Adelaide Enfield Council can issue fines if you leave your  curb side bin out for too long.(Supplied: City of Port Adelaide Enfield) Published: 16h agoSun 4 May 2025 at 8:00pm Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio Mulder was the guest speaker as Royal Enfield unveiled a bike which is a tribute to that achievement the new Bear 650 – a modified Interceptor chassis chunky tyres and the 270-degree parallel twin motor we’ve seen in all the Royal Enfield twins since 2018 The retro style bike also features a two into one exhaust USD forks and increased suspension travel at both ends The engine is the grunty 47 horsepower unit which ha gained so much popularity over recent years Could this be the most versatile, best-value hypernaked available today? Rip out a few wheelies. Drop a rolling burnout or two. Set some lap times. Commute to work. It won’t do everything, but the new […] Making the Himalayan a better bike without taking away it’s retro economic charm – and keeping it affordable – was a challenge for Royal Enfield, but first reports for the world launch – where we […] That iconic spy, James Bond, is at it again, this time in No Time to Die, and he’ll be riding a Triumph Scrambler. What’s this, the 400th or so James Bond film? Don’t the bad […] The page you are looking for cannot be found It’s been a big month for Indian motorcycle brand Royal Enfield with the opening of local orders for its new Bear 650 model in the last few days That follows on from the reveal of its Flying Flea electric offering at the EICMA event in Italy Designed to be the quintessential ‘badass’ scrambler the Bear 650 is powered by Royal Enfield’s 650 Twin platform; a powertrain known for its smooth performance and character The engine delivers a robust 34.6kW) and 56.5Nm there’s more mid-range punch in this offering than its Interceptor A 2-1 exhaust system enhances torque and offers a broader powerband while the compact single silencer reduces weight Chunky tyres with retro open square tread blocks competition number board and raised ground clearance contribute to the scrambler DNA while a revised and stronger chassis improves handling provide a pliant experience while riding on the tarmac 184mm clearance and 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels enhance the look improves grip and lends itself to mild off road ability The Bear 650 is equipped with Royal Enfield’s tripper dash and new TFT display with a simple interface that’s easy to use Available via a $500 deposit, pre-orders can be placed on the Royal Enfield website and a special edition called Two Four Nine As for Royal Enfield’s new sub-brand Flying Flea was introduced in 1943 as a lightweight tactical motorcycle that transformed battlefield mobility the name becomes the moniker for its new electric motorcycle brand The journey towards Royal Enfield’s EV revolution began with a Himalayan test bed This laid the groundwork for new motorcycles that blend modern tech with the brand’s essence that legacy continues with the launch of Flying Flea With the announcement came two motorcycles the Classic-styled Flying Flea C6 and Scrambler-styled Flying Flea S6 More news on both new electric models will be announced in due course