Which Royal Enfield 650cc Bike Is For You?

Royal Enfield has four bikes in its 650cc parallel-twin lineup: Super Meteor 650, Shotgun 650, Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. But which one among them will suit you the best? Let’s take a look: 

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

Royal Enfield’s 650cc cruiser offers a blend of smooth yet spirited performance and a comfortable riding experience. It can handle speeds of 100-120kmph all day without any hassle and the relaxed riding posture with the forward-set footpegs means you can cruise at those speeds in the lap of comfort as well. The shock absorbers are on the firmer side, so bumps and potholes can be felt when you go over them. But, if you opt in for the comfy touring seat and minimise the windblast by adding the windshield, long distance touring feels like a breeze with the Super Meteor 650. And the bike feels agile despite weighing 241kg and leans over quite well. So, if you are in the market for a 650cc bike and plan to go cruising on the highway and most importantly, want the authentic cruiser aesthetics, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is the one for you. 

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650

Based on the Super Meteor 650, the Shotgun 650 has a unique positioning in the market as the only 650cc bobber in the segment. It is a very good-looking bike and gets vibrant colour schemes that make heads turn wherever it gets. The chopped rear fender, single seat setup and the slightly upswept peashooter exhausts give the bobber a good road presence as well. The engine is still just as sweet and the Shotgun handles well too, but the Shotgun’s highlight is definitely the bobber looks. It looks like no other bike in the segment and if an authentic bobber look is what you want, the Shotgun 650 is the one to get.   

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is one of the first two bikes (the other being the Continental GT 650) to be powered by the 648cc air-/oil-cooled parallel-twin engine. The motor’s performance is quite refined and smooth and provides fast acceleration as well. It can handle triple-digit speeds all day long quite easily. The motor is quite tractable as well, making it easy to ride in the city. The roadster feels quite stable at high speeds, which makes it suitable for touring as well. Having said that, the seat is too soft and narrow which can make you feel uncomfortable while touring over long distances. Opting for the optional touring seat is a good workaround for that issue. The upright riding posture with the easily accessible handlebar and mid-set footpegs keeps you relaxed for most of the time. The soft suspension setup allows the Interceptor to handle uneven road conditions at high speeds quite well but has a tendency to bottom out on sharp bumps and potholes. The roadster received a few updates last in the form of an LED headlight, new colour schemes and alloy wheels, making it easier to own an Interceptor especially because of the tubeless tyres. The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is the one for you if you want a 650cc roadster that offers spirited performance, oozes retro charm all day and is a good option to go touring with. 

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

If you have always been fascinated by retro cafe racers and the culture surrounding them, then the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is the one for you. The performance of the parallel-twin motor is smooth, refined and spirited at the same time like that of the Interceptor. The major difference between the two is the more aggressive riding posture of the Continental with the clip-on handlebars and the slightly rear set footpegs. This makes the cafe racer quite fun to ride in a spirited manner on an open stretch of road or on the mountain twisties. The bike feels quite agile and tips into corners very well while remaining steady and composed at the same time. The posture might make it a bit uncomfortable to ride at slow speeds in the city at first but once you get used to it, it won’t be that much of a hassle. The suspension does a good job of handling bumps and potholes. If this kind of a riding experience is what you are looking for, then you should consider the 650cc cafe racer.