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RE Classic 650 debuts in US, thoughts from the rest of the world?

My five cents from Oz, where I have recently purchased a low mileage RE 2025 Classic 650 chrome with aftermarket mufflers, a big air box and iridium plugs.
For context, I've owned a lot of bikes and still have a 2014 Indian Chief Vintage that weighs a lot, but handles as a huge cruiser should. My last bike had to go to make room for the RE in the tiny garage, as there is no room for any of my toys outside the house/garage.
I am liking the 650 as a great commuter/city bike for speeds up to 50 or so MPH, but higher than that just annoys me as it is too flighty at higher speeds. Just remember that I am used to BIG bikes (my last bike was a Yamaha MT01 (1690cc), which didn't get to the sales floors in the USA, but did make to your northern neighbours in Canada).
This RE 650 is fun to add bits and pieces to, such as tool bag, broader rider foot pedals, flashy licence plate surround and on and on. It never really stops, does it?
I am used to keeping my bikes super clean, so this one won't be any different, but in saying that, I see heaps of YouTube clips of RE riders in India with their lovely new bikes splattered in mud from their not-so-pristine city streets.
This RE 650 Classic is just great for ambling around the place, you know, to coffee shops and a mate's place for a BBQ or whatever. Long distance and/or freeway speeds is not its happy place.
For what its worth...20260813_082458.jpg
 
Fluffy said:
My five cents from Oz, where I have recently purchased a low mileage RE 2025 Classic 650 chrome with aftermarket mufflers, a big air box and iridium plugs.
For context, I've owned a lot of bikes and still have a 2014 Indian Chief Vintage that weighs a lot, but handles as a huge cruiser should. My last bike had to go to make room for the RE in the tiny garage, as there is no room for any of my toys outside the house/garage.
I am liking the 650 as a great commuter/city bike for speeds up to 50 or so MPH, but higher than that just annoys me as it is too flighty at higher speeds. Just remember that I am used to BIG bikes (my last bike was a Yamaha MT01 (1690cc), which didn't get to the sales floors in the USA, but did make to your northern neighbours in Canada).
This RE 650 is fun to add bits and pieces to, such as tool bag, broader rider foot pedals, flashy licence plate surround and on and on. It never really stops, does it?
I am used to keeping my bikes super clean, so this one won't be any different, but in saying that, I see heaps of YouTube clips of RE riders in India with their lovely new bikes splattered in mud from their not-so-pristine city streets.
This RE 650 Classic is just great for ambling around the place, you know, to coffee shops and a mate's place for a BBQ or whatever. Long distance and/or freeway speeds is not its happy place.
For what its worth...View attachment 43239
Click to expand...
If it were an 850 I would put bags on it and a windscreen, ride to the hills and be fully in my happy place.

Anyone compared the seat position to the Interceptor? Are the grips slightly more rearward?
 
Fluffy said:
My five cents from Oz, where I have recently purchased a low mileage RE 2025 Classic 650 chrome with aftermarket mufflers, a big air box and iridium plugs.
For context, I've owned a lot of bikes and still have a 2014 Indian Chief Vintage that weighs a lot, but handles as a huge cruiser should. My last bike had to go to make room for the RE in the tiny garage, as there is no room for any of my toys outside the house/garage.
I am liking the 650 as a great commuter/city bike for speeds up to 50 or so MPH, but higher than that just annoys me as it is too flighty at higher speeds. Just remember that I am used to BIG bikes (my last bike was a Yamaha MT01 (1690cc), which didn't get to the sales floors in the USA, but did make to your northern neighbours in Canada).
This RE 650 is fun to add bits and pieces to, such as tool bag, broader rider foot pedals, flashy licence plate surround and on and on. It never really stops, does it?
I am used to keeping my bikes super clean, so this one won't be any different, but in saying that, I see heaps of YouTube clips of RE riders in India with their lovely new bikes splattered in mud from their not-so-pristine city streets.
This RE 650 Classic is just great for ambling around the place, you know, to coffee shops and a mate's place for a BBQ or whatever. Long distance and/or freeway speeds is not its happy place.
Click to expand...

By flighty do you mean unstable?
 
Fluffy said:
My five cents from Oz, where I have recently purchased a low mileage RE 2025 Classic 650 chrome with aftermarket mufflers, a big air box and iridium plugs.
For context, I've owned a lot of bikes and still have a 2014 Indian Chief Vintage that weighs a lot, but handles as a huge cruiser should. My last bike had to go to make room for the RE in the tiny garage, as there is no room for any of my toys outside the house/garage.
I am liking the 650 as a great commuter/city bike for speeds up to 50 or so MPH, but higher than that just annoys me as it is too flighty at higher speeds. Just remember that I am used to BIG bikes (my last bike was a Yamaha MT01 (1690cc), which didn't get to the sales floors in the USA, but did make to your northern neighbours in Canada).
This RE 650 is fun to add bits and pieces to, such as tool bag, broader rider foot pedals, flashy licence plate surround and on and on. It never really stops, does it?
I am used to keeping my bikes super clean, so this one won't be any different, but in saying that, I see heaps of YouTube clips of RE riders in India with their lovely new bikes splattered in mud from their not-so-pristine city streets.
This RE 650 Classic is just great for ambling around the place, you know, to coffee shops and a mate's place for a BBQ or whatever. Long distance and/or freeway speeds is not its happy place.
For what its worth...View attachment 43239
Click to expand...
Have mine for about a year and mostly agree:
The bike maybe fine doing 100-120kph, it's no fun...and I doubt a screen will be much help.
But on curvy backroads (B-roads) this bike offers maximum fun, and I expect that's what it was built for.
No problems with long rides either, but that ofcourse depends on the definition of 'long' and wheter the ergonomics fit you.
 
donkeypower said:
Have mine for about a year and mostly agree:
The bike maybe fine doing 100-120kph, it's no fun...and I doubt a screen will be much help.
But on curvy backroads (B-roads) this bike offers maximum fun, and I expect that's what it was built for.
No problems with long rides either, but that ofcourse depends on the definition of 'long' and wheter the ergonomics fit you.
Click to expand...
Yep - agreed! I like punting it around on roads that have speed limits under 60 mph/100kph, especially the twisties where the after-market mufflers, skinny tyres and relatively strong motor make life fun. :)
 
Fluffy said:
Compared to my heavy Indian Chief, yes, but compared to most other 600cc bikes, it is probably the same as most small capacity bikes.
Click to expand...
Yeah but it's not a light bike at 240kg. I'm surprised you describe it flighty over 60mph. Just surprised is all.
 
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Vimto said:
Yeah but it's not a light bike at 240kg. I'm surprised you describe it flighty over 60mph. Just surprised is all.
Click to expand...
I'm going to guess it's the tires more than the frame geometry or weight distribution - the OEM tires on my 350 Classic are just, barely, in the "adequate" category so I can't imagine the stock tires on the 650 are all that much better.
 
scott_650 said:
I'm going to guess it's the tires more than the frame geometry or weight distribution - the OEM tires on my 350 Classic are just, barely, in the "adequate" category so I can't imagine the stock tires on the 650 are all that much better.
Click to expand...
scott_650 said:
I'm going to guess it's the tires more than the frame geometry or weight distribution - the OEM tires on my 350 Classic are just, barely, in the "adequate" category so I can't imagine the stock tires on the 650 are all that much better.
Click to expand...
Hi - no, it's not the tyres, it is the sheer weight of a tiny 650cc RE against a massive 1800cc Indian cruiser. This is sheer physics and is no reflection on the capability of the RE, which I really like BUT it is unstable at high speed COMPARED to any large capacity bike - think of GoldWings and Heritage Soft Tails and the like. The 650 REs are very popular here in Oz, particularly as a commuter. Our wide open spaces and long roads just make big capacity bikes more alluring :)
 
Fluffy said:
Hi - no, it's not the tyres, it is the sheer weight of a tiny 650cc RE against a massive 1800cc Indian cruiser. This is sheer physics and is no reflection on the capability of the RE, which I really like BUT it is unstable at high speed COMPARED to any large capacity bike - think of GoldWings and Heritage Soft Tails and the like. The 650 REs are very popular here in Oz, particularly as a commuter. Our wide open spaces and long roads just make big capacity bikes more alluring :)
Click to expand...
My brother bought my Interceptor. To him, it's a small bike. He's far more used to massive Land Yachts.
I, on the other hand, have been enjoying my bikes more and more since I started the downsizing trend of the Herd. That said, my brother lives out on the Serengeti Plains of Yuba County. Just pulling out of his driveway, one better get up to 75mph as quickly as possible, or you become Road Pizza.
 
2LZ said:
My brother bought my Interceptor. To him, it's a small bike. He's far more used to massive Land Yachts.
I, on the other hand, have been enjoying my bikes more and more since I started the downsizing trend of the Herd. That said, my brother lives out on the Serengeti Plains of Yuba County. Just pulling out of his driveway, one better get up to 75mph as quickly as possible, or you become Road Pizza.
Click to expand...
YIKES! Warp speed, Mr Spock!!!
 
Vimto said:
By flighty do you mean unstable?
Click to expand...
Flighty was how I described my Interceptor, when riding at interstate speeds. Bridgestones, and dropping the front tubes, helped steady it. But it's still unpleasant. Without a windshield, the wind blast is fierce. Add a bit of a headwind, and it's like being slapped around.

I don't remember earlier bikes being like that. Although...
Age may have something to do with it.
 
StefArmstg said:
Without a windshield, the wind blast is fierce. Add a bit of a headwind, and it's like being slapped around.
Click to expand...
Same with the classic650 - the bike itself is stable enough, and it's weight helps a bit - but the rider catches a lot of air. Being "slapped around" while hanging on the bars, is a good description.

So above 110 kph I don't wave (back) to other riders, afraid that taking my left hand of the bar will let my fly off in the other direction.
Taking both hands of the bars will surely blow me off the seat into the traffic behind.
In short: it feels like riding while wearing an open parachute 😄
 
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