New: Royal Enfield Bear 650

Trapped in their very own world, daring, without regard for consequences and guided by pure intuition - this is probably the best way to describe the mentality of motorcycle racers. It also applies to a 16-year-old boy from Checkers Motorcycle Club – Eddie Mulder (or "Fast Eddie" as he was later called). In 1960, he was the first to cross the finish line at the Big Bear Run in the Californian desert and has remained the youngest winner of this brutal race to this day.

The unforgiving Mojave Desert was the site of the Big Bear Run in 1960, the largest and toughest race ever to stir up the dust of the Californian desert. With only cacti and coyotes as an audience, Eddie Mulder stunned the world of racing when he became the first of 765 riders to cross the finish line after four hours and 21 minutes with no rules, trails or technology, creating a legacy that has lasted for decades. With his 500cm3 Royal Enfield Fury, unparalleled instinct, unwavering determination and plenty of courage, he was one of only 197 competitors to actually make it to the finish.

When asked what the turning point of the race was for him, Eddie Mulder explained:
"I was in thirteenth place when I lost control and crashed into a ravine. I set the bike back up and looked at the damage. The handlebars were bent backwards, the manifold pipe had been torn out of the cylinder head and a shock absorber was broken. I bent the handlebars into shape and kicked the manifold pipe back into place. I couldn't do anything about the broken shock absorber, so I only rode one for the rest of the race."


Royal Enfield Bear 650 in "Golden Shadow" livery

 
 
Sixty-four years later, it is precisely this mentality that has inspired a motorcycle that embodies Eddie's spirit and determination – the new Royal Enfield Bear 650, a stylish and versatile Scrambler. It's designed for those who trust their instincts and stand out from the crowd. Because the Bear 650 is more than just a motorcycle – it's a real experience, a bold statement and a reminder to always follow your intuition. With its versatility, rugged engineering and unmistakable Scrambler aesthetic, the Bear 650 is the bike to redefine the riding experience for passionate Scrambler fans around the world, inviting them to find their own way. Again and again, on every journey.


B Govindarajan, CEO of Royal Enfield, explains the inspiration, conception and construction of the Bear 650:
"We have always been inspired by our community, our riders and their incredible excellence in the development of our motorcycles. The idea for the Bear 650 is based on one such legendary story – that of Eddie Mulder at the Big Bear Run in 1960. That's why the Bear 650 embodies the same innate flair, impulsiveness and determination as he does – and thus the "eyes closed and through" mentality of a true Scrambler. It inspires confidence and control on any terrain, whether it's on the roads, in the city or on dusty gravel roads. The Bear 650 is not just about performance, it's also about versatility, durability and an uncompromising temperament."


Royal Enfield Bear 650 in paint finish "Petrol Green"

 
 
Driven by unmistakable intuition
The Bear 650 is powered by pure intuition – and the world-famous parallel twin from Royal Enfield with 650 cm3. Known for its smoothness and character, the engine delivers a robust 47 hp (34.6 kW) at 7,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 56.5 Nm at 5,150 rpm. This makes the Bear 650 much more powerful in the mid-rev range compared to other two-cylinder models. The innovative 2-1 exhaust system not only boosts torque, but also offers a wider power range. The compact single silencer, in turn, reduces weight while enhancing the bike's scrambler aesthetic.

Cruising on the road and off-road
Wide retro-look tires, an open square pattern in the tread, a contoured Scrambler-style seat, the 2-1 exhaust system, a raised rear end and more ground clearance – every element of the Bear 650 identifies it as a true Scrambler. The race number plate also underlines the characteristic look of the motorcycle and pays tribute to the legendary Scramblers of yesteryear.

In addition, this aesthetic is accentuated by three stunning colourways inspired by the Californian mentality for the European markets – Petrol Green, Golden Shadow and, in reference to Eddie's winning race number, the special Two Four Nine livery. The combination of all these elements makes the Bear 650 a scrambler that embodies the spirit of California's desert racing scene in the sixties.

Tough gravel track heritage
Those who appreciate a true scrambler experience will benefit from the optimized and now even firmer frame of the Bear 650, a Showa USD fork with large pistons and 130 mm travel at the front and Showa stereo shock absorbers with 115 mm travel at the rear. A 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel, dual-sport tires and the increased ground clearance of 184 mm not only underline the authentic scrambler look, but also improve grip and make off-road excursions easier. The contoured seat of the Bear 650 supports freedom of movement while riding and offers additional support on uneven terrain. Wide handlebars and centrally mounted footrests ensure a relaxed, ergonomically balanced riding experience. Disc brakes with a diameter of 320 mm at the front and 270 mm at the rear ensure excellent braking performance. On rough asphalt and designated off-road routes, the ABS on the rear wheel can be deactivated.

More than a primal instinct | Essentials for a modern Scrambler
The Bear 650 was inspired by a legend, but is very modern in many ways. Among other things, it has the TBT-Dash – a completely new TFT display that provides useful information about every journey and is very easy to operate. Switch units made of black aluminum and a joystick facilitate intuitive handling of the display. Map navigation with Google Maps and a USB-C charging port prove to be particularly valuable for urban exploration. The LED lighting of the Bear 650 improves visibility and visibility, underlines the scrambler aesthetic of the machine and is a real novelty, especially for two-cylinder engines.

The Bear 650 will be available for test drives at European dealers from February 2025 and can be delivered immediately. A collection of original personalization accessories is also available.