Why Is Royal Enfield Testing The Super Meteor 650 Again?

Quick Read: 

• Super Meteor 650 has been spied testing 

• Gets a revised rear suspension setup and a new rider’s seat 

• Expected to be launched sometime early next year 

Ever since its launch in January 2023, the Super Meteor 650 has been the Chennai-based bikemakers' flagship product. The Super Meteor gets the same engine as the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650, but in a different cruiser chassis. While the bike has received many positive reviews, there was only one aspect that made it inconvenient for our Indian riding conditions: the super stiff suspension setup. The bike has now been spotted testing abroad, and it appears that Royal Enfield is set to revamp the suspension setup, making the largest cruiser it has to offer more desirable than ever before.  

Comfier Than Before

Being a cruiser, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 had less suspension travel to work with in the first place, as there’s only so much one can do in an inherently low-slung cruiser. While the stiff suspension setup made perfect sense on the smooth European and American roads, in India, it was very uncomfortable. To solve this issue, Royal Enfield has been spotted testing the Super Meteor 650 with an updated suspension setup. 

It is visible that the rear dual-shock absorbers are different as compared to the current ones. They have more loops in the spring than the ones currently on sale. Apart from that, it looks like even the front suspension will be tweaked. Even though it looks like the same inverted fork setup as the current bike, measurement devices have been attached, which suggests that Royal Enfield may make some changes to what’s inside - perhaps a different spring rate or a different suspension fluid. 

Another noticeable change is the new seat on the spied model. It appears to be thicker and well-padded. Mind you, this isn’t the optional touring seat that’s available now since that one is a single-piece unit. 

Will the revised suspension setup and a different seat affect the ride quality, handling and the seat height of the cruiser? This is something we will be able to tell once we get to swing our leg over it. 

When Will It Arrive?

As this is the first time the Super Meteor 650 has been spotted testing, it will be poetic if Royal Enfield launches the updated model in January 2026, exactly 3 years after the bike was originally launched. With six more months to go, we hope this is ample time for Royal Enfield to perfect the overall ride quality. 

The Super Meteor is an important product for Royal Enfield, not only in the markets abroad (a more affordable cruiser alternative for Harleys) but also in the Indian market. In fact, in the last two financial years, it averaged around 12,000 units, which is by no means a small number, especially for Royal Enfield’s most expensive motorcycle. After paying attention to the ride quality of the Hunter 350, its most affordable motorcycle, it’s only natural that the brand now focuses on the most premium one.

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