Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 versus Kawasaki Eliminator 500

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650

Retro

Kawasaki Eliminator 500

Cruiser

Stylish A2 Bobber for less than €8,000 in review

With the stylish Shotgun 650, Royal Enfield is launching an A2 Bobber on the market, which should attract friends of customizing in particular. For well under 8,000 euros you can get an in-line twin with a lot of... weiter

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 im Test

Gallery

Cheap cruiser from Japan for only 6,500 euros

With the new Eliminator 500, Kawasaki wants to wrest market share from the successful Honda CMX 500 Rebel. The new "Elli" is very inexpensive and correspondingly simple in design. That you can still have a lot of fun with her... weiter

Kawasaki Eliminator 500 im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2024 bis 2024~

RRP 7.590 €

RRP 6.495 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

cool sound
Easy to drive
well-balanced engine with a lot of character
lots of chrome and metal
Arrow navigation series
powerful rear brake

Pros:

very light cruiser
Low seat height
Easiest manoeuvring
Simplest operation
living engine
cheap fun bike

Cons:

heavy
Seating position not necessarily suitable for long distances

Cons:

sometimes rather simple materials
Lever not adjustable
old-fashioned cockpit
restrained sound

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.465 mm
Length : 2.220 mm Height : 1.105 mm
Seat : 795 mm
Weight : 240 (max: 428 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.520 mm
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.100 mm
Seat : 735 mm
Weight : 176 (max: 357 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Parallel twin, 4-stroke engine, SOHC 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 648 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 78 mm
Cooling: Luft-/ölgekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Motor design: Four-stroke in-line two-cylinder 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 451 ccm
Hub: 59 mm
Hole: 70 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 160 km/h
Performance: 47 HP at 7.250 U/Min
Torque: 52 NM bei 5.650 U/Min

Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 307 km

Maximum speed: 169 km/h
Performance: 45 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 43 NM bei 6.000 U/Min

Tank contents: 13 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 342 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Tubular Steel FrameDouble Loop Frame (Steel)

Front suspension:
43mm upside down fork (travel 120 mm)

Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers (travel 90 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 100/90-18
Rear tyres: 150/70-17

Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel)

Front suspension:
41 mm telescopic fork (travel 120 mm)

Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers, adjustable spring base (travel 90 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 130/70-18M/C 63H
Rear tyres: 150/80-16M/C 71H

Brakes

Front brake
Single 320mm disc brake, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 320mm) Rear brake
Single 300mm disc brake, two-piston floating caliper (∅ 300mm)

Front brake
Single disc brake, double piston caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, double piston caliper (∅ 240 mm)

Result

The new Shotgun 650 is a stylish bobber for a leisurely after-work session. But it is not only beautiful, but also well made. It is easy to ride and suitable for every type of rider: beginners, experts, returners, downsizers. We are already looking forward to the custom bike versions of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 that will surely follow soon, although it already looks crisp in series production - especially as a solo seater, of course! Overall a great bike, it will surely make a lot of friends.

Conclusion - what sticks

Man, Eli is really a lot of fun! As soon as you sit on the bike, you forget about A2 performance, non-existent technology and the simple construction of the cruiser. On the contrary, the reduction to the essentials is even what makes the Eliminator 500 so charming. It rides well and everyone, really EVERYONE - whether small or big, man or woman or anything in between - will feel safe on this machine and get off with a big grin. As I said, a real fun bike!

The test machine was provided to us by Heller & Soltau in St. Michalisdonn . Eli will be there as a demonstrator and is looking forward to lots of test riders. We can only encourage you to do so, even if an A2 bike might not even come to your mind at first. The new Kawa cruiser is really fun! Maybe even as a second machine? Let's go to St. Michaelisdonn to Heller & Soltau!