Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

Royal Enfield offers several bikes in the 650cc range; here are our top 3 picks

What is the Continental GT650 price?

The cheapest Continental GT650 variant price is Rs 3,19,000 whereas the top-end variant price is Rs 3,45,000 (both ex-showroom, Delhi).

How many types of Continental GT650 are there?

The Royal Enfield Continental GT650 is available in different colour options at different price points. The Apex Grey and Slipstream Blue colour variants are equipped with alloy wheels with tubeless tyres whereas the rest of the colour variants get spoke wheels with tubed tyres. Apart from the difference in the colours, and wheels and tyres, the rest of the features and mechanical bits of the bike are the same across all variants.

What are the colours of the Continental GT650?

The base British Racing Green and Rocker Red are priced at Rs 3,19,000 whereas the Dux Deluxe is priced at Rs 3,29,000. The mid-spec Apex Grey, and Slipstream Blue variants are available at Rs 3,39,000. The costliest Continental GT650 variant, called Mr. Clean, is priced at Rs 3,45,000 (all prices are ex-showroom Delhi). The Continental GT 650's best colour in our opinion would be British Racing Green as it goes really well with the retro cafe racer theme of the bike. The Apex Grey is also good, especially for those who want an elegant cafe racer with the added convenience of tubeless tyres.

Is Continental GT650 powerful? 

With 47.45PS and 52Nm, the Continental GT650 may not be as powerful as other liquid-cooled 650cc bikes, but what makes the Continental GT special is that the engine offers plenty of torque lower down the rev range, and its pickup is pretty good too, in case you push the bike. With a 0-100kmph pickup time of just 6.61 seconds, the Continental GT is a pretty fast bike. It can even go from 30kmph to 70kmph in third gear in just 4.30 seconds. So you won’t have to worry about quick overtakes either. 

What is the mileage of Continental GT650?

The real-world tested mileage of Continental GT650 is 22.03kmpl in the city and 29.14kmpl on the highway. These are decent numbers for a heavy, air-oil-cooled 650cc parallel twin bike. That said, the fuel tank capacity is somewhat small, at 12.5 litres. So you’ll have to refuel more often.

Is the Continental GT650 good for daily use?

The Continental GT650 has a committed riding posture, so unless you’re used to riding sportsbikes, it may not be comfortable for daily commutes. This is because the clip-on handlebars are low, and most of the body weight ends up falling on the wrists if not ridden properly. You’ll have to ‘hold’ the bike with your thighs and will have to use your core strength to support yourself while riding, so that there’s not much strain on your wrists and back. While the engine doesn’t heat up that much in traffic, you can still feel the heat on your shin or calves when you put your feet down while being stationary. You won’t feel the heat as much while you’re riding, especially because the footpegs are rear-set, away from the engine.

Is Continental GT650 heavy?

At 214kg kerb, the Continental GT650 is a heavy bike. Thankfully, the 805mm seat height isn’t that tall and its narrow profile allows riders of most statures to place their feet firmly on the ground. This should help in moving the bike physically from tight spaces despite the heavyweight. 

Is the Continental GT650 good for long rides?

The Continental GT650’s engine is excellent for long rides as it feels refined even at triple-digit speeds, thanks to its twin-cylinder construction. You can cruise even at 120-130kmph on the highway without the engine sounding stressed. However, the aggressive riding posture and the relatively smaller fuel tank may make it unsuitable for long rides. If you’re really looking to go for long rides in your Continental GT 650, then invest in the Black Premium Touring Dual Seat, available as an official accessory at a price of Rs 3,255. This should make long distance travel on the Continental GT a little more comfortable than the stock seat. 

Royal Enfield Continental GT650 features:

The Continental GT650 has an LED headlight, bulb indicators and tail light. It gets assist and slipper clutch, in which the assist function reduces the lever affort whereas the slipper clutch prevents the rear wheel from hopping while engine braking aggressively. Certain variants also get alloy wheels with tubeless tyres, which can handle punctures much better than the tubed ones. The instrument cluster is pretty simple with an analogue speedometer and tachometer, along with a digital inset for fuel gauge, odometer and tripmeter readings. There’s also a USB port which should come in handy to charge your phone.

Best accessories for Continental GT650:

The best Continental GT650 accessory in our opinion would be the Compact Engine Guard from the official accessory list, priced at Rs 2,800. It will prevent the engine from getting damaged in case of a fall. It also looks pretty subtle and doesn’t intrude into the clean, cafe racer aesthetics of the bike. To complete the cafe racer look, we’d also recommend the Black Premium Touring Rider Seat with the cowl (Rs 3,500). However, this is strictly for those who ride solo. If you ride often with a pillion, then you may go for the Black Premium Touring Dual Seat (3,255). 

Is it worth buying the Continental GT650?

If you’re looking for a proper cafe racer in the big bike segment that doesn’t cost a bomb, then the Continental GT 650 is the only option available in India.

Royal Enfield Continental GT650 alternatives in India

There are no real alternatives to the Continental GT 650 in India. But if you’re looking for a sporty faired bike, then the KTM RC390 is a good option in its price bracket. It may not be as refined as the Continental GT 650 but offers better performance, better handling, and is packed with features, including height-adjustable handlebars to make everyday commutes or weekend track rides all the more easy.