Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
Royal Enfield held the global launch for its new 2024 Shotgun 650 earlier this month in LA. (Royal Enfield/)When the official announcement of Royal Enfield’s new Shotgun came a few months back, we figured it would just be a straight-up spinoff of the already launched Super Meteor 650, running all the same important bits like the frame, engine, and much of the running gear, but going off on its own tangent in the styling department.Turns out we were right—and wrong.An up-close look at the new 2024 Shotgun 650 at its global launch in Los Angeles earlier this month revealed that while the bike does in fact lift the frame and P-twin mill wholesale from the SM, there are more than a few deviations that make the SG an almost completely different rig in terms of look, feel, and riding quality. While we won’t (and can’t) get into the ride here, we can talk about the main differences, which come down to styling, ergonomics, wheel sizes, and geometry.Cruiser, bobber, or roadster? The look is custom-inspired but the riding position is slightly more aggressive, with a tighter rake, shorter wheelbase, and mid-mount controls. Here it is in the Stencil White color. (Royal Enfield/)The first order of business on the Shotgun 650 is the powerplant, which in this case is the well-traveled 648cc parallel-twin mill, now shared with the INT650, Continental GT, and Super Meteor. As none of the internals have been massaged on the air/oil-cooled SOHC twin, power and output claims on the Shotgun are similar to the other 650s as well, with an alleged 46.4 hp at 7,250 rpm and 38.6 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,650 rpm. As with the Super Meteor, the power flows through a six-speed gearbox, and it’s all packed into the same looped steel tubular frame. The braking arrangement is identical, with two-pot ByBre calipers and a 320mm disc front/300mm disc rear, with ABS and braided stainless steel lines, and even the digital/analog instrument cluster is the same.Related: Royal Enfield Pulls Wraps Off New Super Meteor 650Although the Shotgun shares the 650 parallel-twin engine with the Super Meteor, wheel sizes on the new model are 18 inches front and 17 rear. Sheetmetal Grey shown. (Royal Enfield/)Now for the differences, which might seem minor at first, but together add up to an almost entirely unique machine. Most apparent is the smaller and more shapely tank, all-new bodywork and different wheel sizes. The Shotgun’s aesthetic is more streetwise, featuring custom-influenced cues like chopped fenders and blacked-out parts, with almost no chrome to be found anywhere, not even on the cool aluminum neo-modern nacelle surrounding the LED headlamp.The Shotgun also rolls on an 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel as opposed to a 19/16 combo on the Super Meteor. Those features tie into the Shotgun’s more aggressive ergonomics, which are helped along by the mid-mount controls, lower and flatter handlebar, and taller seat.Blacked-out engine components and chopped fenders reflect the Shotgun’s custom leanings. This is the Plasma Blue color option. (Royal Enfield/)The Shotgun’s suspension needs a call-out here as well, with the stout 43mm inverted Showa fork sitting 33mm (1.3 inches) lower than on the Super Meteor, and the dual rear shocks gaining 20mm (0.8 inch) of height. Those two changes alone significantly alter the bike’s stance and attitude, and also deliver a shorter wheelbase of 57.6 inches; a tighter rake, at 25.3 degrees; and a taller seat, at 31.1 inches. The claimed curb weight is less too, though 530 pounds still seems pretty porky for a bike in this class.Another unique design piece featured on the Shotgun is the removable subframe, which holds the passenger pillion. With the twist of a key, the rear portion can be popped off, leaving the solo seat seen in these photos. You can also add a rack to the rear frame, for a convenient and versatile accessory.Related: The Cruisers, Standards, and Scramblers of EICMA 2021The Shotgun’s rear shocks are taller than the Super Meteor’s as is the seat height. (The bike comes stock with a rear passenger pad.) (Royal Enfield/)At the launch in LA, Enfield was sure to underline the Shotgun’s custom-inspired styling, and the possibilities the bike is meant to encourage from its owners. In fact, at the tech briefing, some of the “inspiration” slides the reps showed included one of the Honda Rebel 500, which also leans to the bobber side of the cruiser formula. (But let’s be clear; you can’t really call either the Rebel or the Shotgun a true bobber.)Mark Wells, chief of design, was keen to drive that point home, saying, “Our customers have been taking our motorcycles and personalizing them for decades. Looking to that rich creative culture for inspiration…the resulting design is both fresh and respectful of our heritage and a future vision of what a custom Royal Enfield could look like years down the road.”In solo-seat configuration. Same instruments as the Super Meteor, but wider bars and differently shaped fuel tank. (Royal Enfield/)When it hits dealerships in early 2024, the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 will be offered in four color options: Stencil White, Plasma Blue, Green Drill, and Sheetmetal Grey. The company says it will be launched in other global markets early next year. Look for official pricing info and ride reviews sometime in January, too.Enfield will offer over 30 accessories for the Shotgun 650, with things like bar-end mirrors, different solo seats, and contrast-cut billet rims allowing owners to customize their rides. (Royal Enfield/)The 2024 Shotgun 650 range, available in four different color options, should be in dealers early next year. Price is TBD. (Royal Enfield/)2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun Technical Specs
MSRP:
TBA
Engine:
648cc, SOHC, air/oil-cooled parallel twin
Bore x Stroke:
78.0 x 67.8mm
Compression Ratio:
9.5:1
Fuel Delivery:
EFI
Clutch:
Wet, multiplate
Transmission/Final Drive:
6-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower:
47 hp @ 7,250 rpm
Frame:
Tubular steel
Front Suspension:
43mm inverted fork; 4.7 in. travel
Rear Suspension:
Dual exposed shocks, spring preload adjustable; 3.5 in. travel
Front Brake:
2-piston floating caliper, 320mm disc (w/ ABS)
Rear Brake:
2-piston floating caliper, 300mm disc (w/ ABS)
Wheels, Front/Rear:
Cast aluminum; 18 in./17 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:
100/90-18 / 150/70-17 (tubeless)
Rake/Trail:
25.3°/4.0 in.
Wheelbase:
57.7 in.
Ground clearance:
5.5 in.
Seat Height:
31.3 in.
Fuel Capacity:
3.6 gal.
Claimed Curb Weight:
530 lb.
Availability:
January 2024
Contact:
royalenfieldna.com
