If there’s one bike in Royal Enfield’s line-up that is sporty or close to being so, it’s the Continental GT 650. And the contributing factors to it are its ergonomics. Moreover, the bike had recently received a mechanical makeover with new wheels, a headlight unit, and more. So, after spending a few days with the 2023 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, here’s what we think about it.
For 2023, the Continental GT 650 has received a small cosmetic update. It now comes in a new paint scheme of black with shades of blue on the tank. The engine and twin exhaust pipes are covered in black and add a nice contrasting effect. While the overall styling remains unchanged, Royal Enfield has also equipped the bike with a new LED headlight unit.
The overall quality of the updated Continental GT 650 is also up to the mark. From the switch cubes to the adjustable levers and the welds, pretty much everything reflects good quality.
Royal Enfield has powered the 2023 model with the same 648cc, parallel-twin, air/oil-cooled motor and linked it to a six-speed gearbox. The engine dishes out 47bhp and 52Nm and is quite refined, thereby enhancing the riding experience.
The Continental GT 650 has the adequate grunt to clock triple-digit speeds very quickly and then keeps gunning for further speeds if the conditions allow. That said, it is extremely tractable and doesn’t shudder even if you ride it at slow speeds in higher gears.
However, the clutch feels a little heavy like the ones on the other Royal Enfield bikes. This makes riding the bike in traffic a tad difficult since there’s a notable amount of pressure on your left hand.
On the other hand, one of the most significant updates comes in the form of alloys with Vredestein tubeless tyres. This adds to the ease of repair in case of a puncture, and the rubber is quite grippy and inspires confidence while cornering. We experienced the same during our road test and were impressed with the bike’s handling even though it weighs 211kg.
While the rider triangle is on the aggressive side, it’s quite engaging and makes for a fun experience. Then, although the bike does feel agile, tipping it in the corners at first needs a little effort. But once leaned over, the Continental GT holds its lines very well.
Its braking setup, too, inspires confidence and helps you reduce the speed notably quicker. That said, the lever could use a little more feedback, but even in its current setting, the unit isn’t a deal-breaker.
Apart from LED illumination, Royal Enfield has equipped the Continental GT 650 with a twin-pod analogue console. It gets a small LCD inset for fuel level and other readouts but the overall instrumentation is very basic. That said, the USB charging slot is a welcome addition.
But what about the 2023 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650’s fuel efficiency, practicality, comfort, and overall ride quality? Should you spend around Rs. 4 lakh on it? Read our road-test review of the updated Continental GT 650 to find your answers.
