2022 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

[Hugh Janus]

Royal Enfield’s Continental GT 650 is the best of both worlds: modern reliability and performance with classic cafe racer styling. (Royal Enfield/)

Ups

• Modern parallel-twin engine with EFI
• Three-year unlimited-mile warranty
• More color choices than a bag of M&Ms

Downs

• Spoked rims have tubes. Now what do I do?
• Nonadjustable suspension
• Relatively firm seat

Verdict

Many would consider the 2022 Continental GT 650 an entry-level bike due to its user-friendly performance and awesomely low, sub-seven-grand price tag, yet the bike punches well above its weight in terms of performance and rideability.

Those concerned with past rumors regarding Royal Enfield’s Indian manufacturing origin, take note: The build quality is nice with good detailing, and is head and shoulders above any other Indian motorcycle manufacturer (Royal Enfield completely revamped its manufacturing and QC methods when it first came to market with the GT 650 and its counterpart, the Interceptor 650).

The Continental GT 650’s engine may look more retro than any other current “classic” bike, but there’s plenty of modern technology behind the covers. (Royal Enfield/)

Overview

Royal Enfield is one of the oldest motorcycle brands in the world, dating back to 1901 when it was founded in England. The history of the Continental GT goes all the way back to 1964; that bike was one of last bikes to be built in Royal Enfield’s Redditch factory, before it and the Bradford on Avon factory shuttered the doors for good in 1967 and 1970, respectively. With licensed motorcycles like the 350cc single-cylinder Bullet model already being built in India since 1955, the brand survived and then later thrived after Madras Motors merged with the Eicher Group in 1994.

When the current generation of the Conti GT 650 was released back in 2019, it was a completely new platform with a brand-new and totally modern engine. Introduced alongside the Interceptor 650, the GT was designed to fill a void in the US market. One where the terms “inexpensive,” “simple,” and “fun” coexist with “cool” and “user-friendly.” “We’re not looking to take market share from anyone,” RE CEO Siddhartha Lal said, “We are here to grow the market by creating our own category.”

The engine and steel double-downtube cradle frame may look old-tech, but the performance of both is anything but. In the case of the engine, there are plenty of modern components throughout. An interesting fact is that RE purchased famed British chassis builder Harris Performance back in 2015, which means the Conti GT delivers in spades when it comes to handling dynamics. Wheels measure 18-inch front and rear while ByBre (an abbreviation of “By Brembo,” Brembo’s Indian subsidiary) brakes handle stopping duty.

This bike is all about style, and with a variety of colors and accessories available, something is sure to grab your fancy.

Fire up the Royal Enfield and you’re immediately greeted by a nice, melodious twin-cylinder rumble from the upswept mufflers. (Royal Enfield/)

Updates for 2022

The benefit of creating a capable, fun, and affordable motorcycle right out of the gate is that it needs little to no updates in its first years on the road. That is to say that there are no noteworthy changes to the 2022 Continental GT 650, which has stuck to its guns since rolling onto the scene in 2019.

Pricing and Variants

While there are no variations to choose from, Royal Enfield has made the 2022 Continental GT 650 available in no less than five color options, which is important when you consider that much of the competition is available in just one or two colorways.

Although there’s been a slight price increase since the GT 650 was unveiled in 2019, the bike is still competitively priced at $6,199 for the solid color schemes, $6,499 for the multicolored versions, and $6,999 for the chrome-tanked edition.

Wheels and tires are vintage spec, with a spoked 2.50 x 18-inch rim with a 100/90-18 Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tire in front, and a spoked 3.50 x 18-inch rim shod with a 130/70-18 Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp in the rear (both tires have inner tubes due to the conventional spoked wheels). (Royal Enfield/)

Competition

While Royal Enfield claims its goal was to fill a void in the US market, it would be wrong to say there aren’t other models fighting a similar fight as the GT 650. The cafe racer style of bike remains extremely popular, meaning there are now a few options within this space.

At the top of the list you’ll find Triumph’s Bonneville series, which is somewhat fitting as Royal Enfield and Triumph were foes in the ‘60s, and remain so to this day. Another superlogical choice is the Kawasaki W800 Cafe, which Cycle World pitted against the Conti GT a few years back. BMW’s R nineT is a German interpretation of the style, or if you lean south toward Italy, Moto Guzzi’s V7 fits the bill. Looking for a more modern take? You could make the argument that Yamaha’s XSR900 and Husqvarna’s Vitpilen 401 count as cafe racers too.

Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Power comes from the retro-styled, air/oil-cooled, SOHC, 648cc, parallel-twin, four-valve-per-cylinder engine with a 270-degree crankshaft and EFI. Claimed power is 47 hp at 7,250 rpm and 38 pound-feet of torque at 5,250 rpm.

The air/oil-cooled SOHC vertical twin may certainly look old tech on the outside, but it’s modern internally, and its performance is surprisingly good. In a first ride review of the GT 650, Cycle World noted that, “The 270-degree crank provides gobs of quick-revving torque that makes the engine surprisingly fun to use, whether it’s zipping you out of tight traffic spots or blasting down your favorite twisty road. Plentiful low-end power means pulling away from a stop is very novice-friendly, and the six-speed gearbox has a nice, positive action.”

The praise (mostly) continues as the road opens up. “Paying attention to the tach is basically superfluous, as the twin’s wide spread of power extends from just off idle to around 7,000 rpm, where it begins to run out of breath,” Cycle World added.

Smooth, predictable throttle response is mandatory on a bike that can be used by newer riders, and the GT 650 delivers in that realm too.

The 320mm disc and twin-piston floating ByBre caliper do an admirable job of slowing the GT 650 down on a fun ride through the canyons, providing decent feel without being overly responsive. (Royal Enfield/)

Handling

Steering is light and neutral, the GT 650 holding a line without asking much of the rider. That’s just a small part of the story, however. Proving once again that the GT is more capable than its modest bones suggest, Cycle World wrote, “Steering is delightfully light but neutral, with enough stability to keep things from ever feeling flighty or nervous.”

The nonadjustable suspension (save for seven-step rear spring preload) has fairly soft spring/damping rates to provide a smooth ride over nasty pavement, but ramping up the pace in the canyons doesn’t cause it to come unraveled. In fact, the bike’s Gabriel fork and shocks are impressive in their ability to keep the chassis stable despite bottoming out on some of the bigger hits at a spirited pace.

Brakes

The Conti GT has a single 320mm disc/twin-piston caliper up front and a 240mm/single-piston rear setup, and this too is an area where the customer must look past the design. “The 320mm disc and two-piston ByBre caliper were easily up to the task of slowing the Continental GT during aggressive riding,” Cycle World said. “The brakes provide enough feel and feedback for experienced riders while not being overly responsive and progressive for novice hands. And the standard Bosch ABS works well, with no real overt intervention even during hard braking situations in the canyons,” the review added.

The GT 650’s twin reservoir-equipped shocks are from famed automotive aftermarket company Gabriel. Adjustment is limited to spring preload, but the shocks do a good job of keeping the chassis stable. (Royal Enfield/)

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

In a comparison test against the W800, the Continental GT recorded an excellent average fuel economy of 47.4 mpg.

Ergonomics: Comfort and Utility

Ergonomics are toward the sporty end of the spectrum without being too committed, with clubman-styled clip-ons that rise up above the top triple clamp, and pegs that are more rear-set than the ones on the Interceptor 650.

Vibration is minimal, with just a hint of vibes in the midrange that barely fuzz out the images in the mirrors.

Electronics

Staying true to the theme, a tachometer and speedometer duo dominate the cockpit view, while a small LCD screen on the tach displays the fuel gauge and odometer.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Royal Enfield offers an almost unheard of three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and roadside assistance, the latter of which may come in handy with those inner-tube wheels.

Royal Enfield continues to offer the Continental GT 650 in a variety of color options. Dux Deluxe (shown here) is among the two-tone offerings. (Royal Enfield/)

Quality

Royal Enfield’s reputation has improved dramatically over the years, and the aforementioned warranty seems to prove that it has a lot of confidence. And with an almost unprecedented duration, there isn’t much to worry about. Go for it.

2022 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Claimed Specifications

MSRP:	$6,199 (solid colors)/$6,499 (multicolors)/$6,999 (chrome)
Engine:	648cc, SOHC, air/oil-cooled parallel twin; 4 valves/cyl.
Bore x Stroke:	78.0 x 67.8mm
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Fuel Delivery:	Electronic fuel injection w/ 34mm throttle bodies
Clutch:	Wet, multiple disc; cable operation
Engine Management/Ignition:	TCI
Frame:	Tubular steel, double cradle
Front Suspension:	41mm telescopic fork; 4.3 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Twin shocks w/ adjustable preload; 3.5 in. travel
Front Brake:	2-piston caliper, single 320mm discs w/ ABS
Rear Brake:	1-piston floating caliper, 240mm disc w/ ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Spoked wheels w/ aluminum rims; 18 in./18 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	100/90-18 / 130/70-18
Rake/Trail:	24.0°/4.1 in.
Wheelbase:	55.1 in.
Seat Height:	31.7 in.
Fuel Capacity:	3.6 gal.
Claimed Curb Weight:	445 lb. (all fluids, no fuel)
Contact:	royalenfield.com

Cycle World Tested Specifications

Rear-Wheel Horsepower:	44.4 hp @ 6,800 rpm
Rear-Wheel Torque:	38.3 lb.-ft. 5,100 rpm
Fuel Consumption:	47.4 mpg
0–60 mph:	5.53 sec.
1/4-mile:	13.89 sec. @ 96.46 mph
Braking 30–0 mph:	38.1 ft.
Braking 60–0 mph:	150.65 ft.

Source

[Buckster]

What a pile of shite.

[XTreme]

56 minutes ago, Buckster said:

What a pile of shite.

There's a market for them......the Twat Market!

[Buckster]

Just now, XTreme said:

There's a market for them......the Twat Market!

I understand it got a rave review on the famous internet motorcycle show, Mawsley and reluctant friends.