Royal Enfield Bullet 650 (2026) – Technical Review

The Bullet has been a mainstay of Royal Enfield’s single-cylinder lineup for decades and for 2026 it’s getting a 650cc twin-cylinder sibling that follows the tried-and-tested formula of offering lots of bike for minimal outlay, hot on the heels of the Interceptor, Continental GT Super Meteor, Shotgun, Classic and Bear. This indeed is Royal Enfield’s seventh model to use this engine configuration since 2018.

Pros & Cons

2026 Royal Enfield Bullet 650 - Price & PCP Deals

Price has long been Royal Enfield’s key selling point and the Bullet 650 sticks to that ethos with its £6749 tag. For that you get a bike that’s more bespoke than you’ve got any right to expect at that price tier, complete with hand-painted pinstriping and a classic look.

Two colours are on offer: black or blue, each with those dual pinstripes and gold badging.

2026 Royal Enfield Bullet 650 - Engine & Performance

The Bullet’s parallel twin engine is the same Euro5+ compliant unit that’s already fitted to a host of other models including the Super Meteor, Shotgun 650, Bear 650, Classic 650, Interceptor 650 and Continental GT, so it’s a known factor.

The old-school, air-and-oil-cooled twin might be one of Royal Enfield’s newer additions, but it’s still a throwback in terms of tech, with a single overhead camshaft and a relatively long stroke design – the bore is 78mm, the stroke is 67.8mm – that’s not built with outright performance in mind. It’s A2 licence legal thanks to 46.4hp (34.6kW – just below the 35kW limit for the class), and hits its peak power at 7,250rpm. Max torque is 38.6 lb-ft and comes at 5,650rpm.

The power goes through a six-speed box and a wet, multi-plate slipper clutch, with a chain final drive.

2026 Royal Enfield Bullet 650 - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

The Bullet’s frame is similar to the design seen on the cruiser-style Shotgun 650, Super Meteor 650 and Classic 650, and as such it’s the bigger and heavier of the designs used with the 650cc twin – the Bear, Interceptor and Continental have a lighter, sportier setup.

The bits bolted on to it are pretty basic, too, with conventional 43mm forks with 120mm of travel and twin shocks at the back that give just 90mm of rear wheel movement. Those forks are neatly housed in full-length cowls, though, and there’s preload adjustment at the back to cope with different loads.

Including a 90% full tank of fuel, the Bullet 650 comes in at a hefty 243kg, and with just a single 320mm front disc brake and twin-piston caliper, the rear brake (300mm, also with a two-piston stopper) is probably going to be roped in to help when you’re trying to pull up fast.

2026 Royal Enfield Bullet 650 - Comfort & Economy

You might not be going fast on the Bullet, despite its name, but you should be comfortable, thanks to that deeply-padded, slightly stepped seat that’s clearly designed with two-up use in mind. At 800mm, it’s the same height as the Classic 650’s single perch, and the bar and peg positions are also similar to the Classic’s.

There’s no word yet on the economy, but the tank has a 14.8 litre capacity that should give plenty of range.

2026 Royal Enfield Bullet 650 - Equipment

The low price means you’re not going to expect all the bells and whistles that many modern bikes feature – and for some customers that’s probably going to be seen as a boon rather than a downside.

There is an LCD display inside the analogue instruments, adding readouts for fuel level, trip, gear position and even service reminders.

2026 Royal Enfield Bullet 650 - Rivals

If you’re looking at the Bullet 650, Royal Enfield’s own Classic 650 and Super Meteor 650 may already be on your shortlist as they both offer a similar combination of style, price and performance. BSA’s Gold Star 650 should also be considered, despite a single-cylinder engine where Royal Enfield uses twins. 

BSA Gold Star 650 | Price: £6,399

Read more

Power/Torque

45bhp / 40.6lb-ft

Weight

213kg

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 | Price: £7,299

Read more

Power/Torque

46.4bhp / 38.6lb-ft

Weight

241kg

Royal Enfield Classic 650 | Price: £6,799

Read more

Power/Torque

46.4bhp/38.6lb-ft

Weight

243kg

2026 Royal Enfield Bullet 650 - Verdict

The Royal Enfield Bullet 650, like several of its sister models, strips back motorcycling to its bare essence. It’s not aimed at being hugely fast, or tearing through corners, but rather as a reliable, modern take on classic bike ownership. If that’s what you’re after, it’s main competition is from within RE’s own lineup, so pick the version that suits your preferences the best.

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2026 Royal Enfield Bullet 650 - Technical Specification

What is MCIA Secured?

MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard

• An ignition immobiliser system

• A vehicle marking system

• An alarm system

• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.

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We compare prices from our panel of top-tier insurers, to find riders our best price for the cover they need. With common modifications covered as standard, our policies are rated Excellent on Trustpilot and 5 stars by Defaqto. We are an award-winning UK broker, with a UK-based contact centre and 24/7 claims support. 

 

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