Right Royal cruiser makes a comeback
If you had the impression there are a lot of beautifully restored Royal Enfield motorcycles on the roads, you’re right … sort of.
Once a rare sight on our roads, sightings of classically styled Royal Enfield motorcycles have become more common in recent years, with the brand rocketing into the top three of the mid-size motorcycle segment since launching here just over five years ago.
The appeal of Royal Enfield is driven in large part by throwback styling, brand heritage and value for money.
It’s a combination that has seen the brand experience 150% growth in the Asia Pacific motorcycle market over the past five years.
With a two-wheeled lineage stretching back to 1901, Royal Enfield has a rich back catalogue of beautifully crafted motorcycles from which to draw styling inspiration and its latest offering the Super Meteor 650 highway cruiser is no exception.
The slick new cruiser landed recently in Australian dealerships with an introductory price of $10,640 (MRLP) and is the top-of-the-line premium motorcycle in Royal Enfield’s portfolio, boasting cool retro styling infused with recognisable Royal Enfield DNA.
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Royal Enfield claims the new model combines uncluttered controls and instrumentation with relaxed rider ergonomics, steady highway stability, and predictable handling courtesy of a new frame and swingarm, the latter designed to provide a low centre of gravity for high-speed stability and easy manoeuvrability.
The Super Meteor 650 also sees Royal Enfield’s first use of Showa USD (UpSide Down) forks, with a 120mm stroke and premium rear shocks with five-step preload and 101mm travel, a combination which is claimed to provide stable and rewarding riding dynamics.
Stylistically, the Super Meteor 650 rocks a classic cruiser silhouette, with a low stance, 740mm seat height, wide hips and narrow waist, perched on wide CEAT tubeless tyres wrapped around 16-inch rear and 19-inch front alloy rims.
The fully feet-forward controls and raised, wide handlebars provide a relaxed rising position, while the 15.7-litre fuel tank ensures a generous touring range.
The instrument cluster combines an analogue speedometer with LCD display for essentials such as revs, gear indicator, fuel gauge, clock and tripmeter, and a navigation pod can be linked to the rider’s smartphone via Bluetooth.
Barrel-profile hand grips integrate the Royal Enfield logo, while plated aluminium switch cubes with rotary switches provide a chic design element.
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Powered by a 650cc version of Royal Enfield’s well-established four-stroke, SOHC, parallel-twin, the engine produces a competitive 34.6kW at 7250 rpm, and 52.3Nm at 5650 rpm.
It’s claimed to be a flexible and smooth unit, with its generous torque making for the easy riding performance expected of a Cruiser. A 241kg wet weight and low centre of gravity also makes for easy urban riding.
Available in three variants, the Super Meteor 650 Astral starts from $10,640, with a modest bump in price and specification to the Super Meteor 650 Interstellar costing $10,840, and finally the top-spec Super Meteor 650 Celestial costing $11,190.
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