Now that the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 cruiser is finally out in the open, there’s a lot to unpack. We break it down into 5 important things you need to know about RE’s latest.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: A number of RE firsts
Don’t think that just because this bike uses an engine that debuted in 2017, it’s lacking freshness. In fact, the Super Meteor brings in a number of firsts for Royal Enfield, the most prominent of these being that upside-down fork. It’s a rather beefy unit with 43mm fork legs that features Showa branding underneath the rubber fork top covers, so it should help this bike plug one of the few chinks in the armour of the current 650cc models.
The other first is an LED headlight – something we haven’t seen RE offer as standard in the past. The accessories catalogue has also taken a step forward, now featuring auxiliary lights for the first time.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Most modern RE 650
Despite being the largest motorcycles in the Royal Enfield line-up, the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT have in many ways lagged behind the company’s smaller single-cylinder models. The Super Meteor 650 makes amends, firmly establishing itself as the flagship model and bringing a great deal of newer technology to the 650 range. This is most evident in things like the presence of alloy wheels and tubeless tyres, as well as the Tripper navigation pod (a first for a 650cc RE).
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: All-new chassis and ergonomics
The engine may be a familiar one, but the chassis built around it is all new, and the main frame is not shared with the other RE 650s. Ergonomics are also significantly different, with a cruiser-typical laid-back seating posture. Characterising this are the forward-set foot pegs, scooped-out seat and wide handlebar. While seat height is a very accessible 740mm, one compromise to this format is ground clearance, which stands at a worrying 135mm. It’s also a good deal heavier than its siblings, tipping the scales at 241kg once fuelled up.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Variants and accessories
As has been the case with recent Royal Enfields, the Super Meteor will be available in a host of variants and colour options. There are two variants – the standard Super Meteor 650 and the Super Meteor 650 Tourer – as well as three colour groupings – Astral, Celestial and Interstellar – each containing a number of different colour schemes within. The Astral and Celestial colour options are available on the standard version, while the Interstellar colours are available on the Tourer.
The customisation options are further enhanced by the vast accessories catalogue that Royal Enfield will offer. This includes things we’ve seen on other REs before, like touring seats and mirrors, and crash protection, as well as some new items, such as machined wheels, a rear luggage rack and auxiliary lights. For a full breakdown of the accessories available, click here.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Expected pricing and launch date
Of course, the question on everyone’s lips is when the bike will be available to purchase, and how much it will cost. Considering that it packs in a good deal more than the current 650cc models, expect it to sit considerably higher as well, in the Rs 3.5 lakh-4 lakh window (ex-showroom).
Royal Enfield says it will be available in Europe from spring 2023, so we will probably start seeing it on Indian roads in the first couple of months of next year. Our first look at the motorcycle in our homeland will come at Rider Mania 2022 in just over a week’s time, with an official launch expected soon thereafter.
Rishaad Mody
Azaman Chothia
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
