It’s hard to believe that the famous cross-country motorcycle race known as the Big Bear Run was first held more than 100 years ago, back in 1921. Legend has it that the race began when two guys in a bar made a bet on who could ride the hundred miles from Los Angeles up to the mountain town of Big Bear Lake the fastest. Over time, more and more riders took up the challenge until it became an organized race, typically running from the desert floor in Lucerne Valley up to Big Bear Lake at 7,000 feet of elevation, covering roughly 150 miles of rugged trails.

By the 1950s, the Big Bear Run had grown into one of the world’s largest motorized sporting events, attracting nearly a thousand riders, including legendary competitors like Bud Ekins, Aub LeBard, and Vern Robison. The bikes were typically 500-650cc scrambler-style machines from brands that remain iconic today, such as Royal Enfield, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, and Indian, as well as others that have faded into history, like Matchless, BSA, and AJS.

The 1960 race—the last official running—proved to be its most dramatic. An unknown 16-year-old named Eddie Mulder entered the competition on a Royal Enfield Fury 500, facing off against 765 other racers. The event included three grueling loops, covering 150 miles, with the final segment winding up the mountain toward Big Bear. 

Against all odds, Mulder overcame multiple setbacks—including starting in last place, snapping off a footpeg, and a crash that damaged his exhaust and rear suspension just miles from the finish. Through sheer determination, he passed hundreds of competitors on his way to an overall victory, becoming the youngest winner of all time and securing perhaps the most memorable underdog finish in desert racing history.

To honor that historic win, Royal Enfield recently introduced the Bear 650, a tribute to “Fast” Eddie Mulder. The bike exudes classic scrambler styling reminiscent of the late ’50s and early ’60s, featuring dual rear shocks, a teardrop fuel tank, and a rumbling exhaust powered by a 650cc inline twin, delivering 47 horsepower and 41.6 ft-lbs of torque. Blending heritage with modern tech, the Bear 650 boasts ABS disc brakes, fuel injection, a six-speed transmission, 43mm upside-down forks, and a TFT display. It rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels, wrapped in MRF Nylorex dual-sport tires, ensuring balanced performance on both street and dirt.

We had the opportunity to ride the Bear 650 at the end of 2024, though it was primarily a street test due to a wildfire in the San Bernardino Mountains that forced us to relocate from Big Bear to Palm Springs at the last minute.

With the Bear 650 finally arriving on U.S. showrooms, Royal Enfield decided to host a homecoming event for the bike in the region that inspired its name. A select group of motorcycle journalists and social media influencers was invited to Big Bear for several days of riding. Given our love for the area—and the promise of more seat time on dirt—we eagerly accepted the opportunity to revisit the Bear 650.

Big Bear Ride

Our journey began at The Outpost, a rustic glamping property used for corporate events, weddings, and weekend getaways. Nestled on Big Bear’s north shore in Fawnskin, this wooded retreat offers a quiet escape just across the lake from the bustling Big Bear Village. Fawnskin was once the primary tourist hub of Big Bear Lake, but after a road was built across the dam, traffic shifted to the south shore, leaving Fawnskin a sleepy town with only a single general store.

The Outpost is a motorcycle-friendly business owned by brother-and-sister duo Billy and Jolene Van Vugt. Jolene, known for her time on MTV’s Nitro Circus, holds the title of the first woman to backflip a full-sized motorcycle. Billy, who joined us on our ride, is a former motocross racer and freestyle motocross athlete—he’s also the current Mayor of Fawnskin.

For dual-sport riders and off-roaders, Fawnskin serves as the gateway to major trail networks throughout the San Bernardino Mountains. Within a mile of The Outpost, riders can hit dirt trails, but on this perfect sunny morning, we set off into town with a small group of Bear 650 riders mixed in with a couple of Himalayan 450s.

My first impression of the Bear 650 was that it has much different ergos than the adventure bikes I’m used to. The wide handlebars and plush, couch-like seat made for a commanding riding position, one I quickly grew accustomed to.

Cruising down the highway toward the main town of Big Bear Lake, the Bear 650 proved it wasn’t a high-revving screamer like some mid-displacement twins—its power delivery was all about low-end torque right off idle. Just as I was getting acquainted with the bike’s smooth power delivery, we made our first stop at Mystic Moto, a motorcycle-themed gift shop and candle bar. I’d never heard of it before, but once inside, the eclectic decor made perfect sense—packed with moto gadgets, unique trinkets, and an arts-and-crafts experience fit for the whole family.

Back on the road, we pointed east toward Baldwin Dry Lake, where dense forests give way to stubby trees and high-desert brush. As we descended Highway 18’s twisty curves, big desert vistas soon began to come into view. The Bear 650 was right at home leaning deep into turns with precise handling and a planted feel in the corners. The wide handlebars offered plenty of leverage, which made turning and line changes effortless. 

On the long straights, beyond the confines of town, we got a chance to stretch the legs of the 650cc twin. It’s not going to yank any arms off but it has a muscular feel to the acceleration and cruises comfortably above 70 mph, especially with the optional accessory fly screen that was effective at reducing wind on my chest. The 270-degree crank design offers a satisfying exhaust note as well.

One of the most fascinating aspects of riding around Big Bear is how quickly the terrain changes. In just 15 minutes, you drop nearly 4,000 feet in elevation, transitioning from alpine forest to open desert—a shift in extremes that made the original Big Bear Run such a unique race. As we descended fast on our way to Lucerne Valley, the braking capability of the Bear 650 came into focus. The 320mm front disc and 240mm rear delivered good stopping power without fade, while the MRF Nylorex tires offered reliable, consistent grip.

Cafe 247 off Old Woman Springs road was our next stop, a popular place to grab a burger, breakfast burrito or beer out in the desert on your way or going home from off-roading in the desert. We grabbed a quick bite and checked out the unique decor before heading back up the hill to the main course, a nice helping of dirt.

Transitioning onto Van Dusen Road, a historic path first built in 1861 to service Holcomb Valley’s gold mines, we finally hit dirt where the main test could begin. The Bear 650 immediately felt like a flat-track machine, happy to slide the rear with aggressive throttle inputs. Its torque-laden engine delivered predictable power, making the bike easy to control without surprises. On smoother terrain, the short, firm suspension felt taut and responsive. Although, when tackling larger bumps and drop-offs, the suspension worked through its stroke rather quickly, but resisted bottoming out on every hit.

We spent the afternoon weaving through Big Bear’s northern mountain trails, exploring Holcomb Valley’s historic mining sites before descending back to Fawnskin via Polique Canyon Road. The terrain was primarily smooth dirt roads with a few high-clearance vehicle sections, which suited the Bear 650 well. The 19” front wheel gets bounced around more in the rocks than a 21” and with roughly 5 inches of suspension travel, it’s not enough for any technical sections, but it’s great for casual off-road exploration.

Fast Eddie Mulder likely would’ve given a kidney for the reliability and capability of the Bear 650 during his historic Big Bear Run victory, a reminder that while this scrambler is a nostalgia-invoking machine, it’s more than ready to get a little dirty and be pushed, if you’ve got the skills to match. For many riders though, exploring a forest road, on a bike you enjoy riding, is all you really need to put a smile on your face.

What Happened To The Old Big Bear Run?

The increasing popularity of the Big Bear Run leading into the 1960s ultimately led to its downfall. As participation grew, so did its reputation for rowdy motorcycle gangs causing trouble both on and off the course. Despite attempts to clean up its image, the event became notorious for dangerous conditions, prompting law enforcement crackdowns and stricter regulations.

The final race took place in 1961, but not without controversy. A false-start debacle caused chaos that led to the race being cancelled and ultimately, the entire event was suspended for good. Though the original Big Bear Run was discontinued, its legacy would continue to shape desert racing in the Lucerne Valley area for decades to come.

The Big Bear Run would live on in name as well. Around the mid-1990s, the Big Bear Run was revived—this time as a Dual Sport Ride around the Big Bear Lake area. Although the modern AMA-sanctioned event is no longer a race, the challenge of completing its grueling 200-mile course remains a badge of honor for off-road riders.

While today’s Big Bear Run no longer descends to the desert floor, we recently uncovered old maps of the course from its early years. This spurred the idea of taking the Bear 650 for a more intense off-road excursion—retracing the original racecourse from Lucerne Valley up the mountain to Big Bear Lake. 

Stay tuned for our upcoming story where we attempt to ride in the footsteps of desert racing history!

Photos by Mike Luci, Rob Dabney and Manuele Letto.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.