Royal Enfield Classic 650 Review

Used Buyer Review

The Classic 650 is Royal Enfield finally getting the formula right. That parallel twin is genuinely characterful — torquey low down, smooth enough at highway speeds, and it sounds properly good with even a mild exhaust swap. Used examples from 2021 onward are where I'd focus my money; early bikes had some teething issues with oil leaks around the primary chaincase and the switchgear felt lifted from a 1990s parts bin. Build quality is better than RE's reputation suggests, but don't buy blind. Check the headers for bluing from overheating, inspect the fork seals closely, and wiggle that centre stand — they crack at the mounting points. Electrics are the wildcard. Connectors corrode if the bike's lived outside. Budget £200-300 for a proper service and fresh consumables regardless of what the seller claims. For the money, nothing else gives you this much character and cafe-ready style. It's slow by modern standards but that's missing the point entirely.