Essay – Royal Enfield Meteor 650 – cruiser for everyone

Knowing that there are not many mid-size cruiser motorcycles on the market, and at an affordable price – despite there being many fans of this type of machines – Royal Enfield wisely chose to launch a new model, equipped with a proven twin-cylinder engine in the Interceptor and Continental GT.

The world’s oldest motorcycle brand (producing motorcycles without interruption) considers this a true mid-size cruiser (or custom), in which the parallel twin-cylinder engine air/oil cooled fits well with the model’s intentions. A quality proposal, which Royal considers to be premium compared to everything it has produced in the past, and yet still offers a very attractive final price. And it is called Super Meteor because there was already (and will continue to be) a Meteor in the range, although the motorcycle on these pages has a typically more cruiser style than the simpler and more urban single-cylinder Meteor, with clear differences also in ergonomics for the rider. However, these names are not new at Royal Enfield, as in the 50s we could already find the Meteor and Super Meteor, with 700 cc engines that already had interesting performance, although in a more naked format, according to the time, and less custom than the current motorcycle. Still, at the time, specific motorcycles were produced for the USA, with much larger and stylized handlebars, in good American fashion. But let’s focus on the novelty.

FEATURES

To create an “authentic” cruiser, Royal Enfield opted for traditional components: a teardrop-shaped tank, a wide and curved handlebar, a low seat, and a larger front wheel than the rear, in this case 19 inches at the front and 16” at the rear, both in lightweight alloy. The engine is a parallel twin 648 cc that delivers 47 hp at 7,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 52 Nm at 5,650 rpm, with a 6-speed gearbox. Compared to the known 650 naked models, this engine has intake and exhaust modifications for better performance. In terms of chassis, some highlights include a new tubular steel frame developed with Harris Performance in line with the model’s philosophy, and a front suspension featuring a 43 mm 120 mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork, marking the first time the brand has used an inverted unit in a production model. The suspensions were developed in conjunction with the seat and Ceat tires for the best possible performance and comfort.On the rear, the two Showa mono-shock absorbers have 81 mm of travel and adjustable spring preload. The rear tire 150/80B-16 is also the widest in the range, and in terms of brakes, Bybre units (a Brembo brand) with a disc on each axle and Bosch two-channel ABS are mounted. The seat is placed just 740 mm from the ground, the tank has a capacity of 15.7 liters, and the Super Meteor weighs 241 kg in running order, which, it must be said, seems much lower when riding. This model can be found in monochrome or two-tone versions, and in the latter case, we can also opt for a Tourer version, equipped with a Touring seat (one-piece), windshield, and passenger backrest, all for an interesting price and more inviting than purchasing the accessories separately. Speaking of these genuine Royal Enfield accessories, they are varied and can not only alter the Super Meteor in aesthetic terms but also enhance comfort and versatility, through various types of luggage. Even different types of rims are available, showing the care that the Indian brand is taking in this important market segment. FOR EVERYONE 

Intending to be an affordable motorcycle for everyone, in both riding and purchasing, we still like to see good details such as the analog-digital instrumentation with turn by turn navigation, LED headlight and taillight, new controls with aluminum finishes, the wide range of accessories mentioned, and even a USB port behind one of the side panels.

With all these features, Royal Enfield aims to reach a wide range of users, such as new riders with an A2 license, female riders, traditional fans of the brand, and even more experienced riders looking for a simple motorcycle for pleasant rides.

IN THE CITY

The meeting point was at the beautiful brand dealership in the city of Valencia, where we had a more detailed presentation of the model and were able to see the Tourer version, in my opinion less attractive in terms of aesthetics (less purity in the lines) but with its natural advantages in terms of comfort and versatility. And the first impressions of the Super Meteor were very positive, even before engaging the first gear. The model has good finishes, and if we compare it with the Interceptor and Continental GT (which were present in the store) the evolution is noticeable in terms of controls, handlebars, and various finishes. The design of the engine covers is very interesting and except for some simpler plastics, the Super Meteor is well built and has very pleasant lines, in a more retro construction (even because of the type of air/oil-cooled engine) than its Japanese rivals Honda CMX500 Rebel and Kawasaki Vulcan S, although Royal Enfield officials do not consider them direct competitors… The sound of the exhausts is also very attractive, a kind of “bubbling” that totally matches the characteristics of the model, equipped with an engine that is really smooth, linear, and powerful, perfect for the city! Super “round”, with few vibrations and a good gearbox, it is really a delight to ride this bike in the city, even if we ride with our feet forward as the cruiser segment “demands”. The position is comfortable, the handlebar has the correct dimensions, and in terms of ergonomics, the Super Meteor can accommodate riders of varied heights (and experience). ON THE ROADThe twin-cylinder also allows you to ride at 60 km/h in 6th gear, but it is in the intermediate rev ranges that it feels most comfortable, although we cannot check the rpm on a very nice but too simple instrumentation, as it does not even give us information about the average consumption. On open road, the engine remains pleasant, but at this point we wouldn’t mind if it were slightly more powerful. And we feel this because the chassis and suspensions are another strong point of the Super Meteor, allowing for some good cornering at high speeds without the whole setup becoming unbalanced. And in slower corners, the ground clearance allows for good lean angles without any element touching the ground, which only happens when we push a little for the photos. In terms of absorbing irregularities, the suspensions also deliver, with a good mix of comfort and performance, which is on par with the best cruiser proposals, at least when riding solo. In the faster zones, we reached 150 km/h without reaching the limit, all while trying to keep our boots on the respective footrests…The brakes also passed the test, with the rear being powerful and more sensitive than the front, so we may feel the ABS kick in. The front braking power is sufficient and not scary, just press the lever harder if needed. To put it on the center stand, some force is required. A component that is not often seen but ends up being useful, if only for the maintenance of the transmission kit and rear wheel. Dynamically, we have nothing to point out about the Ceat tires “made in India”, so the Super Meteor passed this test with a good grade! Royal Enfield has been evolving in the quality of their products, and this is noticeable in this model, a very easy and pleasant bike to ride, excellent even in the city, but will also please fans of feet-forward riding. Whether through the Tourer version or with the inclusion of various accessories, this bike can make good road trips, initially at a calm pace, but with the certainty that the chassis allows for a lively pace. And there are decorations for all tastes, so for those who like it, it’s best to visit the brand’s website or go to one of the beautiful Royal Enfield stores, in various parts of the country. **ROYAL ENFIELD SUPER METEOR 650**  MOTOR 2 PARALLEL CYLINDERS, AIR/OIL COOLING

DISPLACEMENT 648 CC

POWER 34.6 KW (47 HP) @ 7,250 RPM

TORQUE 52.3 NM @5,650 RPM

6-SPEED GEARBOX

STEEL TUBULAR FRAME

FUEL TANK 15.7 LITERS

FRONT SUSPENSION SHOWA 43 MM INVERTED TELESCOPIC FORK, 120 MM TRAVEL

REAR SUSPENSION DOUBLE ADJUSTABLE SPRING PRE-LOAD DAMPER, 101 MM TRAVEL

FRONT BRAKE 320 MM DISC, 2-PISTON CALIPER

REAR BRAKE 300 MM DISC, 2-PISTON CALIPER

FRONT TIRE 100/90-19

REAR TIRE 150/80 B16

WHEELBASE 1,500 MM

SEAT HEIGHT 740 MM

WEIGHT 241 KG

MSRP (FROM) €7,647