Royal Enfield tease new Shotgun 650 cruiser at Motoverse festival in India

Royal Enfield have teased fans in India with the first glimpse of a new Shotgun 650 cruiser, inspired by the SG650 Concept seen at the Eicma show back in 2021.  

We’ve already ridden it, so check out our full Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 review or watch the video below, but the laid back model is based on the existing 650 twin platform that already includes the Continental GT, Interceptor 650, and Super Meteor 650 cruiser – meaning this one is likely to use the same 648cc air/oil-cooled parallel twin in a calmer state of tune.

The Shotgun was revealed at Royal Enfield’s Motoverse festival in Goa, India as a special edition limited to 25 bikes in the livery shown in the images. Only available to visitors of the event, we’re told that the mass production version will then be launched in early 2024.

Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director of Enfield’s parent company Eicher Motors Ltd, said: “Powered by our award-winning 650-Twin platform, and an absolute delight to ride on straights and the twisties, the Shotgun 650 is our attempt to bring niche and newer categories of motorcycles to growing enthusiasts of self-expression across the world.”

This was added to by RE’s Chief of Design Mark Wells who said: “After we had shown the SG650 Concept at Eicma in 2021, it gathered huge interest from international custom builders and got heads turning, so much so that we decided to build it as a production motorcycle.

“The Shotgun 650 Motoverse Edition is built by the same team that designed the Concept and is therefore remarkably close,” he continued. “The Shotgun 650 offers a perfect canvas for experienced builders as well as  for someone who is just starting on their journey of customisation.”

Owners will have the ability to swap between a single and double seat layout, with other neat features including a fresh 10-spoke wheel design with integrated ABS, as well as blacked out engine components, twin exit exhausts, and preload adjustable shocks.

With no further details officially confirmed, a look at the photos confirms non-adjustable upside down forks, plus a part-analogue clock set-up that looks to be taken from the Super Meteor. Switchgear appears basic but robust and there are unlikely to be any riding modes.

Appearing to share the same frame as the Super Meteor too, the riders’ pegs come mid-mounted, which should make for a more dynamic ride than a feet-forwards cruiser, however this could be to the detriment of ground clearance. We’ll bring you more information as we have it.