Royal Enfield could be developing a third model on the 650-twin platform and if it actually happens, will it be a Scrambler 650 or a Himalayan based 650 adventure motorcycle? Read on to find out.
There have been many rumors recently about Royal Enfield reportedly working on more iterations of the 650 twin platform. Royal Enfield’s 650 twins – the Continental GT and the Interceptor 650 – have been a great success and have broke new ground for the brand. Even in the western markets, the 650 twins are a benchmark for accessible performance while being affordable. Naturally, Royal Enfield would certainly want to tap on the potential of this platform and that brings us to the third model. Well, many say its going to be juiced up Himalayan or even a Scrambler based motorcycle on the 650 platform but what is it that Royal Enfield could be up to?
Well, for starters, a whole new product could definitely be on the cards based on the 650 platform. RE has already done that with the 350cc and 500cc single-cylinder platforms and it is definitely possible for the 650-twin platform as well. But the actual product turns out to be depends on many factors such as product development strategy, practicality and customer demand as well. The Himalayan is critiqued for being slightly under-powered and while it could definitely do with a larger engine, a Himalayan 650 is not really on the cards.
The Himalayan has done fairly well for the brand as a do-it-all touring motorcycle and while a larger displacement Himalayan will certainly appease to the enthusiasts, it wouldn’t be so much practical. An adventure motorcycle with a classic parallel-twin engine will have its own set of challenges of weight, architecture, structure and components. The double cradle fame itself from the 650 twins wouldn’t be an easy an practical approach for and its not just a simple case of ‘plug and play’. What could be on the cards for the Himalayan is a smaller, lighter and more accessible platform.
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We had told you earlier that Royal Enfield is looking to reach out to a wider audience including new and female riders. This smaller Himalayan which should be easier to handle, be more agile and is essentially a more fun iteration of the dual-sport adventure motorcycle is what is most feasible for RE, perhaps with the name ‘Sherpa’. We had earlier told you RE has filed for a patent for this name. But this name could also be used for the third model of the 650 platform and the other possibility which is a Scrambler 650.
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In 2018, Royal Enfield had showcased several custom built motorcycles during the press ride of the 650 twins in the US. One of them was a one-off build commissioned to Revival Cycles. It was called the “Revival X Desert Runner 650” which was actually based on the Interceptor 650. It is inspired by desert sled and scrambler-styled custom motorcycles of the 60s and actually makes for a very good base for a factory made Royal Enfield Scrambler 650. Triumph has done the same with the Boneville series with factory manufactured Scrambler 900cc and 1200cc motorcycles with parallel-twin engines. An RE Scrambler 650 will also be much more affordable than any other scrambler we have in the country. So yes, a Scrambler 650 is what makes most sense if Royal Enfield has to make another motorcycle on the 650 platform. It will be more suited than a full-blown adventure motorcycle like the Himalayan and it should also fit into RE’s product strategy. With a Scrambler, RE will have a very complete lineup with a very capable and aspirational product on the 650-twin platform.
