Well, well, well, what do we have here? It’s the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650—pretty cool name. Aligned with the brand’s ‘Made like a gun’ slogan, the Shotgun positions itself as another bulletproof motorcycle with reliable performance and unique styling from Royal Enfield.
How does it fare on the road?
ALSO READ:
Review: 2026 Royal Enfield Classic 650
Royal Enfield has a heavy-hitting cruiser in the Super Meteor 650
Styling
The bike is definitely serving looks. With a wide range of color options that consumers can choose from, it almost feels like a custom bike. Inspired by custom for custom, Royal Enfield offers this bike for those who want retro looks equipped with modern features.
Stylistically, the closest I can compare this bike to is the Ducati Diavel—a mix between a cruiser and a roadster. In some angles, it also resonates with the types of a Rebel 500 or 1100. The cool head cowling, all-metal parts, and blacked-out finish of the engine are also what make this bike desirable.
The saddle
It shares similar ergonomics with the Classic 650. Well-cushioned seats, a relatively low seat height at 795mm, and the foot pegs in neutral position (knees bent at a 90-degree angle). The footpegs aren’t in a forward-position like a cruiser, nor slightly laid back like a typical roadster. After hours and hours of non-stop riding, I found the seat pretty comfortable.
Engine performance
Performance-wise, the bike feels quicker than its Classic sibling. The 648cc air- and oil-cooled parallel-twin that churns out 46.4hp and 52.3Nm provides smoother acceleration, and that is probably due to the gear ratios used in this bike. You’d have to break speed limits to even feel the trademark vibrations typically associated with Royal Enfield bikes.
Don’t get yourself stuck in too much traffic, though, because the engine runs hot. There was this one time when my 50km commute from Batangas to Laguna took two hours—typically just 45 minutes—due to the rehabilitation of several sections of STAR Tollway and SLEX. The heat of the engine was felt from the thigh to the groin area. It’s pretty common for bikes with larger displacement, anyway, so I didn’t mind it much.
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Ride and handling
Now, bear with me. I have a lot to say about this bike’s handling, as it differs greatly compared to the other 650s of Royal Enfield, which is weird in a way since they’re basically the same bikes, right?
It’s fun, it’s quirky, and it generally performs well. I’ve ridden this bike alongside faster and more technologically advanced bikes, and it never fell short. It is as flickable as the Interceptor even though it’s heavier. I’d attribute this to the shorter rake of the front forks and a shorter overall wheelbase.
I’m in the same ride-to-work situation with the bike covering 110km a day. The work rides were lovely—no hand strains, no ironbutts—just pure motorcycling experience.
I also had the privilege of riding this bike to Caliraya Lake in Lumban, Laguna, and a local coffee shop in Jala-jala, Rizal called Bikes & Breakfast. The bike felt at home in the twisties, and when you give it an incline, it pushes through. I had confidence leaning into corners due to the low center of gravity, which makes the bike more planted relative to the ground.
Extra features
The instrument cluster of the Shotgun features a digital-analog design that combines an analog speedometer equipped with a Tripper Navigation System. The Tripper Navigation System is marketed by Royal Enfield as an ultimate companion that enables riders to use turn-by-turn directions, real-time call alerts and more.
Verdict
I’m scoring the bike a 9 out of 10. If the Super Meteor is not your style, or you find the Interceptor too basic, the GT too sporty, and the Classic too old-looking, then the Shotgun 650 might just be it. So if you’re in the market for a new bike, you might as well pull the trigger on this one—pun intended. If you’re tall enough to flat foot this, you’ll find this bike to be beginner-friendly, too.
SPECS: 2026 Royal Enfield Classic 650 (Stencil White)
Price: P445,000
Engine: 648cc air-cooled, parallel-twin
Power: 46.4hp @ 7,250rpm
Torque: 52.3Nm @ 5,650rpm
Wet weight: 240kg
Seat height: 795mm (31.3 inches)
Fuel-tank capacity: 13.8 liters
Score: 9/10
