Royal Enfield could be planning to launch a new Scrambler motorcycle based on the 650 twin platform. A new test mule of the upcoming motorcycle has been spied road testing in India which could be in its near-production avatar. The mildly camouflaged test mule also confirms this theory.
The paint theme that could be offered on the production-series version can be seen under the tank cover in spyshots. The motorcycle also appears to come with minimal body panels and design wise it appears similar to the Hunter 350. At least the silhouette of the Scrambler is likely to be similar to the Hunter. Which leads us to believe that the motorcycle is likely to be a compact version of the Interceptor.
Coming to the nomenclature, it is likely that the brand will use the “Bear 650” as it was registered not too long ago at the Indian Intellectual Property Office. Howeve, reports also suggest that the new scrambler motorcycle could get the “Interceptor Bear” name.
Assuming that the upcoming bike is called Bear 650, design-wise, the motorcycle is likely to be minimal with exposed chassis and only a few body panels. The motorcycle also appears to come with a pleated seats, a stubby mudguard and a tear drop shaped fuel tank. Expect the motorcycle to come with an offset semi-digital speedometer cluster with Tripper navigation which could be similar to the one on the recently introduced Guerrilla 650 and Super Meteor 650
On the mechanical front, the Bear 650 also appears to come with upside down front fork suspension and dual preload shock absorbers on the rear. In addition to this, the spyshots reveal that the Bear 650 uses spoke-wire rims along with 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel, shod in MRF dual sport tyres.
Powering the Bear 650 could be the same 648cc air-oil-cooled parallel-twin cylinder engine that produces 47 BHP of power and 52 Nm of torque and comes matched to a 6-speed gearbox. However, one major difference is likely to be the 2-into-1 exhaust which will definitely offer a more sonorous soundtrack when on open road.
Expect the Royal Enfield Scrambler 650/Bear 650 to go on sale in the Indian market in the coming months priced somewhere around the INR 3.2 to INR 3.5 lakh ex-showroom mark.
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