[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/44611918010/[/flickr]
Might not feel but rides like a bigger bike
Verdict – The Continental GT 650 is the top-of-the-line offering from Royal Enfield. While being at a stellar price, the GT 650 hasn’t attracted as many people as the Interceptor has. Under Rs. 3.5 lakhs, the Continental GT 650 is the best you can get if you are looking for a sporty parallel twin motorcycle. The dynamics are just feedback-rich, the engine offers mind-blowing performance and the Continental look like a proper cafe racer! This motorcycle does not feel like a Royal Enfield at all. It actually gives all the parallel-twin engined motorcycles in India a run for their money.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/46378083782/[/flickr]
Those twin pipes just steal the show!
What’s Cool
* Looks brilliant, attracts a lot of attention
* Engine feels very refined for a Royal Enfield
* Riding dynamics are perfect, the handling is feedback rich
* Very affordable, gives the other parallel twins a run for their money
What’s Not So Cool
* Braking performance isn’t up to the mark
* Halogens all over and gets a basic instrument cluster
* Royal Enfield thump is missing, doesn’t feel like one
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/44611918970/[/flickr]
This is a Royal Enfield which does not feel like one!
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Specifications
* Engine: 648cc, Oil-Cooled, Parallel-Twin
* Power: 47 BHP @ 7250 RPM
* Torque: 52 Nm @ 5250 RPM
* Transmission: 6-Speed With Slipper Clutch
* Top Speed: 161 km/hr
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Fuel Consumption: 25-28 km/l
* Frame: Steel Tubular Double Cradle Frame
* Suspension: 41 mm Telescopic Forks (Front), Twin Gas Charged Shocks (Rear)
* Tyres: 100/90/18 (Front), 130/70/18 (Rear), MRF Zapper
* Brakes: 320 mm Disc (Front), 240 mm Disc (Rear), Dual-Channel ABS
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2122 mm x 744 mm x 1024 mm
* Wheelbase: 1400 mm
* Seat Height: 804 mm
* Ground Clearance: 174 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.5-litres
* Kerb weight: 198 kgs (dry)
Testers’ Note:
“While most people are going gaga over the Interceptor, I somehow like the Continental GT 650 more although I wasn’t a big fan of the committed ergonomics of the Continental GT 535. The CGT 650 offers smooth performance and engaging handling, it looks cafe racer cool but Royal Enfield should have offered a higher variant with essentials like a more loaded cluster (even the one on the Thunderbird would have sufficed) and a better headlight.” – Faisal Khan, Editor, MotorBeam.
[wp-review id=”228044″]
