How much we have waited for this right? The first proper cruiser from Royal Enfield, the Super Meteor 650. From crappy spy shots and pixelated videos we finally got to ride it and here is what I think about it.
First things first, what a looker this is! Especially the top end versions with the dual tone colours. Yes, that version is going to be costlier than the other versions, but then for anything else that looks as good as this, you need to shell out many lakhs more. If you are on the look out for a cruiser that looks the part, not too heavy on the pocket, is decently quick and most importantly easy to maintain, then look no further.
There that’s it, that’s our review right?
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 variants and prices
- Astral – 3.49L ex-showroom
- Interstellar – 3.64L ex-showroom
- Celestial – 3.79L ex-showroom
Well, No! A motorcycle is much more than how it looks. For me especially it’s also majorly about how I feel when I ride it. The one thing that does feel familiar and familiar in a good way is the platform on which the Super Meteor 650 is based on. We loved it on the Interceptor, we loved it on the Continental and we love it here. The twin cylinder firing away is as pleasant as we remember it, although on the Super Meteor I just wish the exhaust had a bit more drama. By drama I mean a little bit louder and it would have suited the personality of the Super Meteor 650 just right.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 specifications
- 648 cc air cooled parallel twin
- 47 Ps @ 7250 rpm
- 52.3 Nm @ 5650 rpm
- 43mm USD Fork with 120mm travel
- 241 kg kerb weight
- 15.7 l tank
- Dual channel ABS
- 150/80 16 inch rear tyre
- 100/90 19 inch front tyre
- 740 mm seat height
- 135 mm ground clearance
The one thing that worried me more than seeing other journalists riding it before me was whether I would be comfortable on it. Thanks to some incredible patience and over a month of waiting I finally am happy to say that I am a proper fit on it. And incase you are wondering I am 5 ft 11 inches. Same cannot be said for a pillion though. Truth be told, you really do not want a pillion on this bike, the Super Meteor 650 is just for you, the rider. Sit free with your chest to the wind and cruise away. The refinement and sheer feel of it is addictive and it’s best not shared.
Typical cruiser woes are there though, primary of which are the weight, ground clearance and hard suspensions. After about the first 15-20 mins the weight and ground clearance was under control, as in you can quickly adapt your style to it. But the cruiser design forcing a rear suspension with less travel, you will need to take all the bad roads at low speeds than you are used to. Not complaining though, this one is meant for the open roads, get on that highway, get away from the madness of the city and there is not a moment that is boring.
No complaints from my side regarding the braking and tyres, they do their job well. The stock LED headlights also had decent enough throw and spread for night riding speeds.
So yes, now we are finally close to the end of it. Is the Super Meteor 650 for you? Well, if you are planning to use it just for long rides and short stints withing the city, then, for sure, go for it. It CAN do the daily grind of commute, but honestly you will not enjoy this beast in slow moving or heavy traffic. Either ways why do you want to cruise in city traffic right? Get this one out on the highway and cruise away in style and be prepared to answer a lot of questions from curious onlookers, that’s the Super Meteor 650 for you!
