Taking a ride and a look at Royal Enfield's 650 Shotgun...

A look at the latest model based on Royal Enfields 650cc engine platform...The 650 Shotgun.

[@johnbiddal5951]

I agree with your view on the Triumph/Royal Enfield history. Your comment about the RE engines brought to mind my local Bike Dealership. A big place full of flash bikes, Yams, Triumphs etc: and the Dealer himself rides a RE Interceptor from choice.😊

[@jimmyjam8795]

The vibration through the seat was quote strong on mine from new. Now it has topped 600 miles, the vibrations have reduced to normal motorcycle levels!

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@jimmyjam8795 Glad to hear that Jimmy…I really liked that bike ..The point I was getting at was I’ve ridden all the other variants of that motor, Interceptor, SuperMeteor (and own a GT) all with 100 to 300 miles on the clock and obviously still in the running in process and they were all silky smooth …. That was my comparison.. Enjoy your bike Jimmy they’re damn good motorcycles 👍ATB

[@jimmyjam8795]

​@DickieMintCycles yeah, I'd agree with that because my Interceptor didn't have a lot of vibes as I remember. The frame must be responsible for some of the extra vibes. My Interceptor lasted a year of ownership, and this bike might be the same, who knows!

[@mmtonge]

It's always fun to hear someone's first impressions. After 2.5K miles, I've gotten quite familiar with my Shotgun, and I'm loving it ;-)

[@DickieMintCycles]

I really liked the bike too..If I owned one it wouldn’t stay stock for long.. That’s the beauty of it.. I’d start with the seat mount..That’s if my theory is correct?? Your the best person to tell me that one 🙂👍ATB

[@mmtonge]

@@DickieMintCycles I feel vibration at 70mph. I swapped the stock seat for the firm contoured Signature seat, a big improvement in comfort. I also installed Rhino exhaust silencers, DNA intake and filter, and a FuelX Lite. It runs and sounds like a scream'n demon. I guess I will just have to live with the vibrations :~/

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@mmtonge Thanks for the reply .. Nice mod’s….Enjoy that bike! 🙂👍

[@johncranwell3783]

I really enjoyed your casual bike review…. And I think it’s probably one of the best reviews I’ve seen…. Not over techie everyone knows the spec…. It was nice to witness your responses to various characterful moments as they appeared when riding…. a great bike one I’m quite keen on which has surprised me as really I was initially interested in a chrome red interceptor…. Mind you that might still happen as I’m not intending to buy a brand-new bike but one up to 2 years old….. and the interceptors with low mileage are very reasonable… Thank you, and yes, I will subscribe. I like your way.

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@johncranwell3783 Thank you for your kind words John....The Shotgun is a fine bike and lends it self to owner customisation I reckon .. Which is great fun in its own right… The Interceptor is again a lovely bike with that beautiful under stressed motor that will last forever..Whichever model you decide to buy ,I’m sure your going to be more than happy.. Thanks for watching the channel and enjoy your biking..Take care 🙂👍ATB.

[@jeremyhooper1309]

I enjoy your relaxed presentation Dickie. An interesting bike. I have a 2003 Bonneville T100. It’s a relaxing bike to ride and with all our revised speed restrictions it makes more and more sense. Keep up the good work.

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@jeremyhooper1309 Thanks Jeremy.. Think I prefer the 790,s and 865,s over the big displacement motors that everything seems to be running nowadays…I hear these revered bike channels tell you need at least 90-100bhp output on a modern road bike… No you don’t.. 50-60bhp will do it just fine .. Thanks for watching 🙂👍

[@craigmarsh3221]

Great bike review like you said you could have Great fun doing some mods on it look forward to seeing your new bike 😊.

[@DickieMintCycles]

You can make a real nice bike for very little money with the Enfields.. Looking forward to modding the Continental GT.. 👍

[@rhysjones6069]

Review very much appreciated Dickie, thank you.

[@chrisholt2474]

Hi Dickie, that was a nice review of this bike, thank you. 🍻👍👍

[@rogerwilliams2902]

Cracking video, keep them coming Dickie !.

[@edwardhughes352]

you make a good video. very enteraining.

[@Wigglesway]

Very enjoyable video, nice to hear you mention the brilliant Wiltshire Man, always enjoy content from you both. Looks a nice bike the Shotgun, I wonder why it actually isn't selling that well. All the best Nige.

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@Wigglesway Wiltshire man is like a brother to me.. And yes he is brilliant.. Very very clever and knowledgeable man..Liked the RE Shotgun a lot and would choose it over the Super Meteor I think..Don’t see too many about? Thanks for watching 👍ATB

[@WiltshireMan]

Nice bike and ride out up the cycling hills:) Enfield like all the other manufacturers come up with a whole range of bikes based on the same frame and motor, amazing how they all ride a bit different like the Interceptor/ Continental GT. I'll stick with Chug and Strom and the pushbike's thinks I :)

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@WiltshireMan Chug and the mighty Strom.. Great combination Sandy… Plus about 10 pedal cycles and your new Trike 😄👍

[@rickmancr]

You made perfect sense. Enfield and H-D are the only companies that can justifiably claim uninterrupted history dating back to the early years of the 20th century. Of course, in Harley's case, that history is a bit of a problem. 🙂

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@rickmancr 😄 My Shovelhead was AMF and when I first got it I thought someone had been at the frame with an arc welder at home .. You could cut your fingers on the weld spikes.. Genuine AMF welds 😆Appreciate you watching 👍ATB

[@electrobob1]

From memory, the Shotgun is an alternative for the discontinued HD883. The only downside is this parrallel twin does not sound like a V - or L-twin. To me, it sounds very generic... As a Griso and Classic350 owner, I did chose the J350 engine over the 650. Perhaps this is the reason sales are lower as expected?

[@DickieMintCycles]

Hi...Agreed...Even sporting th 270 degree crank which most manufacturers and road testers say sounds more like a Vtwin, comparing it to the Sportster is misguided..Its nothing like a Sportster and never will be... The Super Meteor however has the exact same motor and is flying out of the showrooms and very American in its styling..I think Royal Enfield didn't think this one out properly..J350 motor? A fantastic little engine...Loved riding the Meteor, just a little small for me frame wise...Thank you for your input and watching the channel ...ATB 👍

[@oozlefinchoozlefinch1376]

I had the opportunity to ride a Shotgun from Aguascalientes to Calvillo, Mexico and back about 100 km round trip. I found that I really liked the Shotgun except for the stiff suspension that does not fit with the roads where I live. Pot holes and topes (speed bumps) are too frequent to make the ride enjoyable. If that could be overcome I could see myself one, I currently ride a Himalayan 411.

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@oozlefinchoozlefinch1376 I know with the Interceptors and Continentals you can do a lot with the suspension front and rear aftermarket wise to sort them.. Hopefully that will also apply to the USD fork setups 🙂👍ATB

[@garphykeks]

Brilliant and very honest opinion Dickie. Loved it😎👌👊

[@DickieMintCycles]

Thanks bud 🙂👍

[@pauloakes5718]

Love the bike but the colour scheme reminds me of my first date at 15 and coming to terms with navy blue knickers.Thats all I have to say about that.Great content will look at the continental GT!

[@DickieMintCycles]

😂 Those Navy blue knickers….. PE…Found they used to pinch a bit when I played netball 😳😆

[@colinstares6207]

You’re definitely getting the hang of these bike reviews Mr Mint🤭 It would be interesting to see if fitting that pillion seat n frame acts as a vibration damper to counter act those nether regions vibes😯👍😎

[@DickieMintCycles]

Kind words Colin… You may have a point …having multiple fixing points for the seat instead of one could well be the remedy 👍 ATB

[@stevecoppin4278]

Good Evening Dickie , another cracking review on this bike , for me it would a hard choice between the Shot gun or the S M my fav is still the interceptor , ride safe mate till the next time take care

[@DickieMintCycles]

Thanks Steve… I’d take the shotgun if I could sort the seat vibes 👍

[@johnimmins7302]

Enjoyed the video Dickie and a decent honest review of the 650 Shotgun. Personally, I just don't like the look of the bike and my choice of the Royal Enfield 650 would be the Continental. 😊👍🏍

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@johnimmins7302 Good choice 😄👍

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

Morning Dickie nice little bimble around in beautiful countryside and I think a great little bike just right for it in the British countryside I’m thinking of buying one it was against two triumphs the T120 bonnie or the 1200 speedtwin but I’m looking for a winter hack until the salt goes down then it will stay in the garage along side my triumph rocket 3gt that only goes out in the dry sunny days hence low mileage bike 😂 but thanks for the video great bike but if you get upto 70/80 I wonder if the seat vibration disappears I’m sure something can be done if not stand up 😂 joking aside a seat cushion could stop that or bit more padding do you think and I think don’t they come standard with passenger seat and you take that off with the key very simple and you have a small rack underneath it great idea have a nice day and ride safe take care

[@DickieMintCycles]

Hi Nicholas.. Would make an ideal run around bike if that’s what you want.. Sort out the seat plus a little bit of individual customisation maybe and you’ve got a bike that would take you anywhere and look good doing it…Thanks for watching and thanks for your input..Ride safe 🙂👍ATB

[@pauloakes5718]

Also they should let a bike like that without decent shock they are appalling.How are the tyres?

[@DickieMintCycles]

Shockers were tolerable.. Now I’ve heard people saying those Ceat tyres aren’t good..Personally I had no problem with them on the Shotgun …My Continental GT tyres were a little sketchy at first (new) but scrubbed in nice after a couple of days and grip is fine.. 👍

[@stina6762]

Think the cat converter is in the silencers Dickie like the interceptor! Think 🤔

[@jimmyjam8795]

The Interceptors cats are in both the down pipes and the silencers, this ones the same.

[@colinmyler4092]

Another honest review by someone with a VAST experience of several brands of motorcycle to compare with. I too don't like the paint - decals but as you say it's a blank canvas for customisation. A BULLET ON STEROIDS 😂😂😂😂

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@colinmyler4092 Kind words Colin 🙂👍

[@UncleVoodoo]

They aren’t selling well due to the looks. All they need to do is ditch the Tripper and decals. It just needs a touch of class with paint colors and badges. They could capture the market the Sportster is abandoning.

[@DickieMintCycles]

.. Think it just needs finishing properly, or maybe they’re leaving that to the individual owner… That engine is the making of the bike… Its a peach…Had my fair share of sportsters in my time and love em…Your not the first person I’ve heard say that it could fill the gap left by the sporty..Anyway, thanks for watching and your input is appreciated.. 👍ATB

[@dahi1602]

I took one for a test ride, found the ride very harsh and the vibration through the seat uncomfortable..

[@DickieMintCycles]

Thanks for the input…🙂👍ATB

[@dewipeach]

Anyone can test and review a Bike, few and its only you that go into the fine detail.. like closeup of the footrests and differences in models. Should I have been able to run two Bikes, I'm liking the Shotgun, maybe colours an issue there, price is around the Himi 452.. having a 21 411 I'd have little difference in replacing it for the new Himi. The BSA is a nice option, but as 650 does one need another single, why the Shotgun. Thinking on the vibration just in the seat, by time you'd had tea, you'd answered my question...! Word is Royal Enfield has a press lease on new model.. will it be on 452 platform and a Scam...! Traffic, its not just me, Thursday was one bad day of the week, could readily just park the Bike.. I'd have finished..! Take care, stay safe. Davey

[@DickieMintCycles]

Thanks Davey..I’d probably opt for the Shotgun over the Super Meteor..I’d just sort the seat out.. Like I said it’s a blank canvas and cries out to be modified or personalised in some way…Yep, they’ll definitely use that 450 motor in a few models I reckon… Plus… I secretly heard 😆 they might be upping the capacity of the 650 twins to 750cc.. Which would make sense ..ATB 👍

[@dewipeach]

@@DickieMintCycles Yep, the shotgun was by design a platform to modify and personalise.. the market will no doubt have the parts or as with Indian someone ready an able to make them. More than likely the 750cc, yet pondering the market, 800cc+.. they're good at the expanding niche markets.. Himalaya set the mark, followed by 350cc model and range of 650cc, so what next having the 450cc, an a new release pending..! You'll be modifying the Interceptor.. have you as yet still got the HD on the bench.. 🤔..

[@johnduncan916]

Could that vibration be because the engine is not run in yet ! cheers

[@DickieMintCycles]

Took that into consideration John ..Maybe the case.. But I’ve ridden all of the other three variations as new and none of them vibed like that or at all to be honest.. it was just coming through the seat and nowhere else..Reckon it’s the single mounting bracket..Look at the other seats and they all have the plastic tongue at the front and multiple rubber frame blocks fitted..👍ATB

[@johnduncan916]

⁠So his might be the black sheep of the family, I hope not I love RE bikes Just the best

[@specialized29er86]

I was looking forward to the release and to see that they are only available in a black frame, black rims, black engine and gearbox then no thanks. I was hoping they'd be like my 2020 Classic 500 and to spend $12, 000 on a bike I'm not happy with won't be happening.

[@DickieMintCycles]

@@specialized29er86 Didn’t they have a big doo launchy thing in California? They flew a few UK journoe’s out to LA I think for the launch.. Typical Royal Enfield the masters of build up and hype 😄… Nice bike but to get it where I’d of wanted it ‘looks wise’ id have had to spend a fair bit more money…Got them advertised at £6,649 on the road brand new over here in 🇬🇧 👍

[@paulsilson2148]

650 cc too small capacity unless it's a 2 stroke bike, and I know this is not.

[@stevenfreeman7798]

Horrible suspension and just looks cheap hate the shiny black engine coating!!. But everyone is different all I know is it's Enfields worst selling bike.