Royal Enfield Continental GT: First Look & Short Review

This might be the machine that all fast-moving-motorcycle lovers wanted from Royal Enfield. The Continental GT, a niche in the cafe racer series. Perfected by RE and followed by generations. You may get hooked up to the bike at the first sight you make your stare on it and find hard yourself to take back your eyes. Being crafted to be something between the past generations and the present, the Continental GT lives out every true RE speed loving crazies mind.



Looks
This is something dashing that can merely standout among the crowd. Wherever you pull this bike, whether it's a street, market, shopping mall, event or a race track, it's for sure the RE machine is affiliated with all kits to tempt the guys who glimpse on it. The cafe racer is coupled with the same round-headlamp. Hope, none gonna get distracted. The round-shaped torch calls back the traditional footage of the company. Along with the alloy steering brace, it is showcased more like an epic. The old school, clip-on handlebars and the bar end mounted rear view mirrors become embroideries for the ultimate cafe racing profile. Its dual sleek backlit instrument cluster read things distinctly both in day and night.The classic Café racer styling fuel tank that is recessed for a rider,s knees gives a brilliant atmosphere for the rider to keep moving in all terrains. And you could see "Continental GT" branded on the above face of the tank.

The classic cafe racer silhouette exhaust designed by Xenophya Design, UK is the another highlight of the Continental GT. The chrome finished metal plate that is sloped up for off-roading and rough purpose makes you to feel like a real rider while you're on it. Oh gorgeous! Its bump stop seat built for one heck of a rocker is something mind-blowing. Tail lamp is the other kep place we need to look at. It really enhances a classic touch, while the turn indicators do the same job.



Engine and Performance
The Continental GT comes with a massive 535cc, Single Cylinder, 4 stroke, Air cooled engine, which is currently the biggest engine in the production line-up of RE. This gigantic heart is adequate to to develop a gorgeous power of 29.1 bhp @ 5100 rpm and a tremendous torque of 44 Nm @ 4000 rpm. It's coupled with the same 5-speed constant mesh 1-down 4-up gear transmission.

Believe it or not, this cafe racer can take you to 60 mph within 5 seconds from standstill (0-98 kph in 5 sec), which is really incredible as far as an RE is concerned. Not letting down anyone, the top speed of the Continental GT is 160 kph, which makes it the fastest RE in production.

Any idea about the mileage? The Continental GT is expected to deliver an average of 30 kmpl.



Ergonomics and Riding Comfy
The machine is manufactured to be racer to meet cafes. It's ergonomics might not be pleasing cruiser riders or even classic riders. It owns something sporty and the ergonomics has been designed in such atmosphere. The bike comes with solo seat, which is standard and with dual seat, which is optional. Layered with rich saddle, the bi-wheeler provides better couching to the rider.

Rather than the Classic, Standard, and Cruiser series, the Cafe Racer machine tags a racing ambiance. With short handlebar, that compels to lean down and the footrests, which are slightly dragged backward unlike the left RE machines, indeed provoke the rider to race and gives a sports motorbike's spirit. Still, the bike is not uncomfortable for long journeys. But, you can't enjoy as you make it on Thunderbird or a Classic machine.



Pricing
The Continental GT is priced GBP 5200 (Rs. 5.21 lakh) in the UK, Eur 6350 (5.36 lakh) in Europe and USD 7200 (Rs. 4.58 lakh) in the USA. Though the rumoured on road price of the bike was around Rs. 2 lakh in India, now its ex-showroom price itself is expected to climb something around Rs. 2.25 lakh.



Verdict
Royal Enfield Continental GT is certainly the lone warrior in the global motorcycle market. This machine doesn't have even a right rival. You may find motorcycles in its price category, but you could hardly find wheelies that provide its comfy, leisure, and heritage. RE has a long inheritance, which is primary enigma that tempts everyone to reach RE store and to own one. The looks, engine, power, ergonomics, and riding comfy look cool. Even if the price tag goes higher than the calculation, if this is the only species in its class and RE feels very precious to you, what's wrong in spending few more coins to own your dream machine.