RE Shotgun 650 vs RE Super Meteor 650: Spec Comparison

Built on the same 650 cc engine platform, the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 shares numerous components with the Super Meteor 650, including the frame and most of the hardware. So where do the changes lie?

For starters, both bikes have distinctive styling changes. The Shotgun 650 boasts a headlight cowl and LED indicators, positioned on the cowl assembly, as opposed to the Super Meteor 650 with halogen units on the fork.

The bobber's mid-set footpegs and flatter handlebar provide an upright riding stance, while the Super Meteor 650 offers a more relaxed cruiser-like posture with forward-set footpegs and a curved handlebar. Additionally, the Shotgun 650 incorporates bar-end mirrors, deviating from the cruiser's conventional mirrors.

The fuel tank design varies, with the Super Meteor 650's sleek, swooping lines contrasting the Shotgun 650's boxer tank, complemented by a single-seat setup. The Super Meteor 650 also features a full-length rear fender, in contrast to the Shotguns 650’s chopped rear fender.

Distinct alloy wheel designs that are blacked-out, peashooter end cans further differentiate the Shotgun 650 from the Super Meteor 650's twin-barrel, chrome-finished exhausts.

Engine:

Both the Shotgun 650 and Super Meteor 650 are powered by the same 648 cc air-/oil-cooled parallel-twin engine, generating 47 bhp at 7250 rpm and 52.3 Nm at 5650 rpm. The bobber's crankcase cover displays the full 'Royal Enfield' logo, whereas the Super Meteor 650 showcases the stylised 'RE' moniker.

Underpinnings:

Both motorcycles share a steel tubular spine frame and a similar suspension setup, featuring a 43 mm inverted fork with 120 mm travel and twin rear shock absorbers with preload adjustability. The Shotgun 650 claims a travel of 90 mm, slightly less than the Super Meteor 650's 101 mm at the rear. Identical brake setups consist of a 320 mm front disc and a 300 mm rear disc, equipped with twin-piston floating callipers at both ends and dual-channel ABS. Its gross weight is 428 kgs, which means that the kerb weight could be about 248kgs, making it heavier than the 241kg Super Meteor.

Tech:

In the tech department, both bikes feature the same round semi-digital instrument console with the Tripper navigation pod. Additionally, they are equipped with the Wingman in-app feature, offering information such as trip summary, last parked location, and vehicle alerts.

Conclusion:

Despite its foundation on the Super Meteor 650, the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 distinguishes itself as a bobber with unique design elements like the single-piece seat and chopped fender. This differentiation presents potential Royal Enfield customers with a challenging decision between a 650cc cruiser and a 650cc bobber, reminiscent of the Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 dilemma. The distinct identity of the Shotgun 650 raises the question of how Royal Enfield's competitive pricing, expected around Rs 3.5 lakh (ex-showroom), will influence its appeal and accessibility compared to the Super Meteor 650.