Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is a contemporary cafe racer based on the 1960s British biking subculture. It is a blend of retro appearance, a modern-day engine and high-quality construction making it one of the most thrilling mid-weight motorcycles. The GT 650 delivers a performance, sporty and heritage experience all in one package with its parallel-twin 648cc engine, aggressive riding position, and sporty handling. There will be a comprehensive review as we will discuss all the design, engine performance, features, comfort, mileage, pricing, and comparisons to provide you with a comprehensive overview of this café racer.
Continental GT 650: Overview
The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is a cafe racer designed in the retro style and constructed under the Eicher Motors. It debuted at EICMA in 2017 together with the Interceptor 650 and was introduced in India officially on 14 November 2018. It has since enjoyed widespread popularity among middleweight bikes, due to its 648 cc parallel-twin power, traditional appearance, and involving rideability. Royal enfield made some updates over the years, the most significant one being the March 2023 update, which included alloy wheels, new colours, and additions to the features. The mechanical base has been maintained without any alteration and it still has the same 46.8 bhp and 52 Nm torque output. In 2025, the Continental GT 650 remains one of the main points in the world range of Royal Enfield.
| Item | Detail |
| Model | Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 |
| Global unveil | November 2017 (EICMA) |
| India launch | 14 November 2018 (Goa) |
| Latest update | March 2023: alloy wheels, new colours |
| Manufacturer | Royal Enfield (Eicher Motors) |
| Parent company | Eicher Motors Limited |
| Key leader | Siddhartha Lal (Executive Chairman) |
| Engine | 648 cc parallel-twin, 6-speed |
| Power/Torque | 46.8 bhp / 52 Nm |
| Weight | ~211 kg |
| Seat height | ~804 mm |
| Fuel tank | 12.5 L |
| Market role | Middleweight retro café racer |
| Current status (2025) | On sale with 2023 updates |
Design and Styling
One of the most desirable attributes of the Continental GT 650 is its design. It is inspired by the retro café racers and comes with:
- Clip-on handlebars for an aggressive stance.
- Teardrop-shaped fuel tank with knee recesses.
- Twin upsweated exhausts with an athletic touch.
- Round halogen/LED headlamp (assuming variant).
- Single-seat version scooped out in the back with a rear cowl to give it the true coffee-racer appearance.
Engine and Performance
The Continental GT 650 features a parallel-twin, air/oil-cooled 648cc engine that is tuned to:
- Power Output: 47 bhp @ 7250 rpm
- Torque: 52 Nm @ 5250 rpm
- Transmission: Smooth-shifting 6-speed gearbox
This engine provides great mid-range performance where it is easy to overtake in the city traffic and highway cruising. It has a 0-100 km/h time of less than 6.5 seconds, and a top speed of 169 km/h, thus making it one of the fastest Royal Enfields ever made.
Engine Specs
| Engine Parameter | Details |
| Displacement | 648 cc |
| Cooling | Air/Oil Cooled |
| Cylinders | 2 (Parallel Twin) |
| Max Power | 47 bhp @ 7250 rpm |
| Max Torque | 52 Nm @ 5250 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed, manual |
| Fuel System | Fuel Injection |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
Continental GT 650 Variants and Pricing
The Continental GT 650 comes in three main variants in India.
| Variant | Ex-Showroom Price | Features |
| Standard | ₹3,25,653 | Spoke wheels, halogen headlamp |
| Alloy Wheel | ₹3,46,330 | Alloy wheels, LED headlamp, tubeless tyres |
| Chrome | ₹3,52,183 | Premium chrome finish, spoke wheels |
On-Road Prices of Continental GT
| City | On-Road Price |
| Delhi | ₹3,76,201 |
| Mumbai | ₹4,23,010 |
| Bangalore | ₹4,14,461 |
| Pune | ₹3,97,775 |
| Hyderabad | ₹3,89,237 |
| Chennai | ₹3,87,400 |
| Kolkata | ₹3,82,719 |
| Lucknow | ₹3,80,406 |
Comfort and Ergonomics
The ergonomics of the Continental GT 650 lean towards sporty riding. The clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs give a crouched aggressive riding position that:
Fun on the curvy roads and on racetracks.
May does not like long highway touring because of pressure on the wrists and back. It has a seat height of 804 mm, which is manageable by most riders.
The Royal Enfield has improved the 2023 model to be more comfortable by providing a redesigned saddle and practical by providing a USB charging port.
Suspension, Brakes and Handling
GT 650 is constructed on a steel tubular double-cradle frame and has:
- Front Suspension: 41mm telescopic forks (110mm travel)
- Rear Suspension: Twin coil-over shocks with preload adjustment (88mm travel)
- Brakes: 320 mm disc (front), 240 mm disc (rear), dual-channel ABS
- Thanks to its sporty geometry and preload-adjusted rear suspension, the GT 650 feels more agile than the Interceptor 650. The Vredestein tyres in the alloy wheels enhance handling and give confidence when going round corners.
Dimensions and Weight
Although the GT 650 is heavy, it handles well when it is in motion, and maneuvering it at low speeds may feel heavy.
| Dimension | Value |
| Kerb Weight | 211 kg |
| Seat Height | 804 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 174 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1398 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 12.5 litres |
| Top Speed | 169 kmph |
Mileage and Fuel Efficiency
Continental GT 650 has an average mileage of about 22-25 kmpl, which is very fair considering that the bike has a 650cc twin-cylinder.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.5 litres
- Riding Range: ~300–320 km on a full tank
Features and Technology
The GT 650 blends retro charm with modern features.
- LED headlamp (new in 2023 on alloy version only)
- USB charging port
- Alloy wheels having tubeless tyres (in some variants)
- Semi-digital twin-pod instrument cluster
- Dual-channel ABS
- Super Meteor-style rotary switches
- Could Be Improved
- No gear position indicator
- No TFT or Bluetooth connectivity
- Clutch is congested.
Colours Available
Continental GT 650 comes in five glamorous colours:
- British Racing Green
- Rocker Red
- Mr Clean (Chrome)
- Apex Grey
- Slipstream Blue
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Refined parallel-twin engine | On the heavier side |
| Sporty café-racer styling | Aggressive riding stance not comfortable for all |
| Excellent build quality | Instrument cluster feels outdated |
| Strong brakes with ABS | Engine heat noticeable in traffic |
| Alloy wheel option with tubeless tyres | Clutch is slightly heavy |
Service & Maintenance
Royal Enfield provides a 3-year / 40,000 km warranty with the GT 650.
| Service | Interval |
| 1st Service | 500 km / 45 days |
| 2nd Service | 5000 km / 180 days |
| 3rd Service | 10000 km / 365 days |
| 4th Service | 15000 km |
Continental GT 650 Competitors in India
The closest rivals are Interceptor 650 and Shotgun 650, but the GT 650 stands out with its pure café-racer styling.
| Model | Engine | Power | Mileage | Price |
| Triumph Thruxton 400 | 398 cc | 41.4 bhp | 27 kmpl | ₹2.74 Lakh |
| Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 | 648 cc | 47 bhp | 24 kmpl | ₹3.09 Lakh |
| Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 | 249 cc | 30.57 bhp | 34.5 kmpl | ₹2.31 Lakh |
| BMW R 12 nineT | 1170 cc | 107.5 bhp | – | ₹21.1 Lakh |
| Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 | 648 cc | 46.3 bhp | 23 kmpl | ₹3.67 Lakh |
| Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 | 648 cc | 46.3 bhp | 25 kmpl | ₹3.71 Lakh |
Conclusion
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is not merely a bike, it is a declaration. It delivers:
- A powerful and refined engine suitable for both city rides and highways.
- Retro beauty featuring a tribute to the era of the cafe-racer.
- Modern updates like LED headlamps, alloy wheels, and USB charging.
However, it’s not for everyone. In case of easy going comfort then you may choose the Interceptor 650. However, in case you wish to have a sporty, stylish motorbike that would bring you in touch with the sheer exhilaration of riding, theGT 650 is among the best in the price range of 3-4 lakh.
