The much awaited 650cc motorcycles will finally be launched in India in November 2018.
Royal Enfield motorcycles need no introduction in India. The company has long been producing motorcycles that enjoy a cult following in the 350cc-500cc bike segment. But the company is now widening its portfolio with two new 650cc motorcycles that will be introduced in India by November this year.
Royal Enfield currently produces the Classic, Bullet and Thunderbird models, all of which come with either a 350cc engine or a 500cc engine. But with the launch of the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650, it will now enter the 650cc middle-weight bike segment.
While the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 can be called as an upgrade of the now discontinued Continental GT model, the Interceptor 650 will be a first for the company (in post Eicher ownership times). However, both the bikes have been made on a single platform and will even see a considerable amount of part sharing taking place.
The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is a café-racer with low-slung bars and gets a single seat by default. We are expecting the old-school manufacturer to offer a longer seat as an option to comfortably accommodate a pillion too. The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 will however get a more traditional upright seating position. The two will even get a twin exhaust setup which is again a first for the company.
Both the Royal Enfield 650 motorcycles will be powered by the all-new 650cc, parallel-twin, oil-cooled motor that produces 47.04 HP and 52 Nm of peak torque. Like its 350cc and 500cc engines, this too will provide good pulling power and achieve good speeds for cruising. Along with the new engine, the company will also debut a 6-speed gearbox for the first time in any of their bikes.
Price of the new Royal Enfield 650 motorcycles is expected to be in the range of Rs. 3-4 lakhs. The two bikes have long been under development and the upcoming festive season already has big manufacturers banking on it for increased sales and new launches.
Royal Enfield 650 Motorcycles
– These will be the Continental GT 650 and the Interceptor 650
– They use an all-new 650cc, parallel-twin, oil-cooled motor
– India launch is expected around November this year
