An Unexpected Ride on the Royal Enfield Classic 650

When your planned ride is unavailable, sometimes fate provides a surprisingly comfortable alternative.

Right, I had a weekend ride sorted with the lads, aiming south towards good tarmac, twisty roads and a solid pub feed. The plan was to take my BMW R18, a massive brute of a bike, but wouldn't you know it, the workshop still had it, fitting fresh rubber. So a change of plan was required.

Now, I have other bikes in the garage so it wasn't a complete disaster. But still you tend to get set on riding a specific bike, don't you? Then, Friday afternoon rolls around and the phone rings. It's the motorcycle courier. "Hi, I've got that Royal Enfield for you. Can I drop it off tonight instead of tomorrow?" Excellent news! As it turned out, 'that Royal Enfield' was the brand new Classic 650. My weekend ride dilemma was instantly solved, and with a shiny new test bike.

The plan was straightforward, meet the group at Heathcote, then head south. First stop, our regular haunt – the Otford Pantry. A few of the guys had to leave early due to family commitments, so it was a quick coffee and chat there. Normally I'd indulge in one of their well-regarded curry pies or perhaps an empanada. But honestly I need to watch the waistline and I had a strong feeling lunch was going to be substantial, so it was best to save space. A rare moment of self-control.

From Otford five of us headed off on the scenic Old Princes Highway, down Mount Ousley and through the Kiama bends (always a highlight and where one of the crew had to turn back).  From there it was on towards Nowra. It really is a beautiful stretch of road, but it was time for a slight detour, cutting across the back roads past HMAS Albatross, always interesting riding past there and setting course for Nerriga.

Nerriga. It's a tiny place, population about 6 which includes the publican, his wife and their dog.  The pub they run pops up out of nowhere like an oasis. Just what we needed. We parked the bikes, grabbed a cold beer and checked the menu. And there it was: The Nerriga Burger. This was a proper country meal, a substantial, juicy patty, maple bacon, tangy beetroot relish (a must for many Australian burgers), and a generous serving of onion rings, all held together with a steak knife standing vertically through the bun. Honestly, you'd need the mouth of a hippo to attempt a conventional bite. Perhaps sacrilegious, but all four of us stood no chance, so out came the knives and forks. Because I'd virtuously skipped breakfast, I ate the burger so quickly I completely forgot to take a photo. A common mistake when hungry! Still, the core elements of a great day were met: great company, great roads, and a fantastic pub lunch.

Lunch was definitely a highlight. But what about the bike that delivered me there? The Royal Enfield Classic 650.

First impressions? It carries some weight, listed at 243kg ready to ride. You notice it when manoeuvring and accelerating from a standstill. That 648cc parallel-twin engine, while very smooth, doesn't feel quite as responsive or eager as its siblings, the Interceptor, Continental GT, Bear or Shotgun. Initially, my thought was, "Hmm, is this slightly underwhelming?"

But then I reconsidered. This isn't just another 650 twin from Royal Enfield. It's a Classic 650. Think less about performance and more about relaxed cruising. Think of it as the larger, more highway-capable sibling to the very popular Classic 350 and Bullet 350. It’s designed for enjoying the journey, taking in the scenery, for the simple pleasure of riding.

Approached from that perspective the bike makes complete sense. It will cruise comfortably at freeway speeds all day, a significant advantage over the 350 models. But take it onto twisting back roads or even some well-maintained gravel or dirt roads and it feels perfectly suited. It's stable, predictable and just very easy-going.

It certainly achieves the 'Classic' aesthetic. Plenty of old-school charm there. The sound? It sounds like a modern parallel twin – smooth and refined. It’s a pleasant enough engine note, but if you're nostalgic for the distinctive thump of a vintage single-cylinder, you might need to adjust your expectations (or perhaps investigate aftermarket exhausts down the line).

But the most memorable feature after a 450km round trip? The comfort. Genuinely impressive. The seat is supportive, the riding position is natural and relaxed and the front suspension is superb. It absorbed the bumps and imperfections on the Old Princes Highway effortlessly. This is truly a bike you could ride all day without feeling beaten up.

Sure, it won't set any speed records, but that's entirely missing the point. Royal Enfield's, particularly the Classic line, have always emphasised the pure, uncomplicated enjoyment of motorcycling: feeling the breeze, seeing the sights, stopping for a coffee and a chat. The Classic 650 delivers this experience perfectly, just with added power and capability suitable for longer Australian journeys.

So, while the BMW was getting its new tyres, I had a fantastic day out on the Royal Enfield Classic 650. Sometimes, an unexpected change provides a great experience,  especially when it involves a new test bike and a memorable country pub burger. Next time I'll get a pic of the burger, promise.