Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

Detailed Review by Maxabout Team

Overview

Royal Enfield has introduced the Continental GT 650 after being observed testing in the Indian countryside. Royal Enfield debuted the Continental GT 650 in India after updating it for 2024. The latest edition of the café-racer-style middleweight motorbike improves on its predecessor. In the country, the café-racer-style GT 650 is offered in different colour schemes. The company is now working on a new fleet of 650cc bikes to supplement the current portfolio. Long-awaited improvements, such as alloy wheels for the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, are now available with the new bike.

Design and Style of Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

The cafe racer-style Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 has a distinct personality. The Continental GT 650, like all other Royal Enfield motorcycles, has a traditional appearance. But it also includes many high-end current components. This motorcycle sports a rectangular turn signal and a round headlamp with chrome surrounds up front. The fact that the motorcycle's headlamp is LED, it has an excellent beam spread. Even on the road, you will not be unsatisfied with the motorcycle's lighting performance. Because it gives appropriate illuminating power. Because it is a cafe racer, the handlebars of the motorcycle face the rider. Because it is a retro motorcycle, it has rear-view mirrors with chrome highlights that look terrific.

The Continental GT 650 sports a very clean design with few graphics on the body panels. The Continental GT 650 has a single-piece seat with a seat cowl, which befits a cafe racer. The motorcycle's distinctive seat contributes to its visual appeal. The engine case, mudguards and chrome-finished dual exhausts are adorned with an excess of chrome. It gets a rectangle-shaped halogen tail lamp at the back. The new Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 BS6 is currently available in a variety of colour options.

The dimensions of the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 are 2119 mm in length, 780 mm in width, and 1067 mm in height. A tubular steel structure with bolted trussing supports it. This vintage cafe racer has a wheelbase of 1398 mm and a seat height of 804 mm, making it appropriate for both short and tall riders. The new BS6 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650's massive 174 mm ground clearance is more than enough to withstand speed bumps. The motorcycle has a 12.5-litre gasoline tank and weighs 214 kg (kerb weight).

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Engine and Gearbox

The new Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is powered by a 648cc parallel-twin, air-cooled engine. This is a BS6-compliant engine and comes with electronic fuel-injection technology. Its BS6 motor produces a max power of 46.8 horsepower at 7250 rpm and a peak torque of 52.3 Nm at 5150 rpm. The engine is paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox, and this motorbike also has a slipper clutch. The Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 did not lose power and torque while transitioning to meet the BS6 standards.

The BS6 modification has made the motorcycle more environment-friendly. The engine appears even more polished than before. The Continental GT 650 performs, and because it is a cafe racer, it rides and handles better than the Interceptor 650. It has a strong low-end punch and a good mid-range performance. The motorcycle shines on highways and can reach speeds of over 100 km/h. The bike's counterbalanced engine allows it to maintain triple-digit speeds while minimising vibration. The engine on this bike does not overheat or appear to be stressed. Real-world riding on this motorbike yields a mileage of 24 km/l and it can reach a top speed of 170 km/h.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

The tyres on this retro motorcycle are 18-inch tubeless radial. The Continental GT finally receives alloy wheels with the 2024 upgrade. The front tyre on the motorcycle is 100/90-R18, while the rear is a 130/70 section R18. Both ends of the new Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 are equipped with disc brakes. A 41mm telescopic forks and rear dual gas-charged shock absorbers with adjustable preload handle the suspension duties. The bike has a single 240mm rear disc brake and a single 320mm front disc brake. Both of these are connected to ByBre four-piston callipers with Dual-channel ABS. The Continental GT 650 features a comfortable and enjoyable ride.

The frame is far superior to what we've come to expect from a Royal Enfield. The Continental GT 650 is a mature handler with stiffness, compliance, and feedback that makes you smile. It's not the type of motorcycle that will turn at the slightest hint of steering input, but it's forgiving and eager to go.

Key Features of RE Continental GT 650

The Continental GT 650 comes standard with a single seat with a race cowl, clip-on handlebars, and new alloy wheels. The Continental GT 650's twin-pod analogue instrument panel features a speedometer and tachometer. It also has a little multi-information display (MID) in the centre that incorporates trip metres, an odometer, a fuel gauge, and a clock. The Continental GT's headlamp is LED, while the taillight and indicators are all powered by standard bulbs rather than LEDs.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Competitors

Harley-Davidson Street 750, Hyosung Aquila 650, and Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 are some similar bikes that rival the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 in the Indian market.

Harley-Davidson Street 750

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 is the company's first new motorcycle platform in 13 years, following the V-Rod. Major enhancements were done in the 2017 model line-up for Harley-Davidson. It includes the new Street 750 which has been improved with ABS and a two-tone paint job. This improved one aspect of Street 750 that was lacking. The ABS bites hard yet around turns, keeping everything on the safe side of physics. Apart from the inclusion of ABS and a new colour scheme, the bike remains unchanged.

A Revolution X 60-degree V-twin engine that displaces 749cc powers the bike. It produces 59 Nm of peak torque at 3,750rpm. Harley doesn't usually reveal power figures, but the Street feels nice for an estimated 55 to 60 hp. Its power is delivered to the back wheel using a standard Harley-Davidson belt drive.

At 233kg, the Street 750 is far from a lightweight motorcycle. Despite the tight urban conditions, it feels manageable. At the same time, it provides a rather nice riding quality. Street 750 is outfitted with MRF tyres made for the bike, which provide adequate traction in most circumstances. In reality, the Street 750 is the most agile-handling vehicle in the current Harley-Davidson lineup.

The Street 750 continues to provide excellent value as it did when it was introduced in 2014. And now that it has ABS, it has the much-needed safety that the prior bike lacked. If you've been looking for a mid-capacity cruiser motorbike, the Harley-Davidson Street 750 is a great option.

Hyosung Aquila 650

The Hyosung Aquila Pro650 is the largest and most powerful of Hyosung's Aquila series available in India. The design language is reminiscent of classic cruisers, and it is the second most costly Hyosung motorcycle in India. DSK Motowheels manufactures it in India at their factory in Maharashtra.

The Aquila Pro650 is powered by a 647cc 8-valve engine with 5-speed transmission. This engine produces a max power of 74 bhp and a peak torque of 62 Nm. It measures 2330mm long, 840mm broad, and 1150mm height, and has a 1670mm wheelbase. The motorcycle weighs about 240kg.

The motorcycle is based on a perimeter tubular steel chassis. It features an upside-down telescopic front suspension and rear hydraulic double shock absorbers. Dual-piston callipers bite into two 300mm discs at the front and a single-piston calliper 270mm disc at the back to provide stopping force. It rides on 120/70 ZR18 front tyres and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres.

Hyosung's Aquila Pro 650 is a middleweight cruiser. It is well-known for its design and comfortable seat height. Due to the brand's lack of presence in India, this bike is the least aspirational.

Kawasaki Vulcan S 650

Kawasaki India has introduced the arrival of the Vulcan S in our market in 2023. This Japanese manufacturer's RE 650 competitor is offered in a single version and one paint choice for 2023.

The alterations to the 2023 model are restricted to the inclusion of the new colour theme. The style of the 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S stays unchanged. The long and low posture, single-pod headlight, and curving design for the fuel tank. Rider-only saddle and compact exhaust remain unchanged.

The 649cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine still powers the Kawasaki Vulcan S. This motor with a six-speed gearbox produces 59.9 bhp at 7,500rpm and 62.4 Nm at 6,600rpm.

The 2023 model has a perimeter frame, 41mm telescopic front forks, and a preload-adjustable rear mono-shock. A 300mm single disc at the front and a 250mm single rotor at the rear handle braking duties, and the safety net includes dual-channel ABS. The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan S also has a 14-litre gasoline tank, a kerb weight of 235kg, a seat height of 705mm, and a ground clearance of 130mm.

Conclusion

The prior owners will be relieved of their obligations once delivery of the new model begins. Because alloy wheels are now available as an OEM option. As a result, the new upgrade is a win-win situation for RE in India and throughout the world. It is a terrific pick for anyone looking for a sporty yet classic middleweight. All with cafe racer styling and committed ergonomics. This is a sophisticated, modern product that will reward everyone. From the inexperienced rider in a developed market to the born-again motorcyclist looking to relive his childhood with something that looks beautiful but isn't over-committed.