EICMA 2022: Royal Enfield unveils the Super Meteor 650

This is RE’s third offering in the 650cc segment after the Interceptor and Continental GT, which were showcased in EICMA 2018

After a bunch of spy-images in the past few months, Royal Enfield has finally taken the covers off its latest offering, the Super Meteor 650 at the EICMA 2022. The motorcycle will be showcased in India at the Rider Mania in November 18-20 in Goa.

As the pictures reveal, this is a cruiser motorcycle with hints of bobber styling. It looks gorgeous from all angles, but my personal favourite is the rear three quarters. The motorcycle is powered by the same 650cc parallel-twin, air-cooled mill with oil-cooler that does duty in the Interceptor 650 and the Conti GT. Power and torque figures are identical at 46.4bhp and 52.3Nm. The kerb weight is 241kg, making it the heaviest motorcycle in RE’s line-up! Fret not, all is not bad news, as in a first, the RE gets a LED headlamp! Other nice bits include the cast aluminium treatment for the switchgear, brushed aluminium bits for the headlamp mounts, front mudguard brace and the throttle body cover. Few parts are similar to the Meteor 350 too, like the triangular side panels, the mudguard and the rear subframe.

The ergonomics are true cruiser style with the foot pegs moved forward, the raked out front suspension, high set handlebars and a low seat height of 740mm. Wheelbase is 1500mm ground clearance is a low 135mm, so it makes for a great touring motorcycle at least on paper, the low ground clearance notwithstanding.

To go with its laidback cruiser attitude, peak torque comes 400Nm later and peak power too, comes 100Nm later when compared to the Interceptor 650’s peak torque and power figures. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The bike is built around a steel tubular frame and the 15.7L teardrop shaped fuel tank is indeed gorgeous, with the Super Meteor 650 logo flanking on both sides.

For the first time, RE has opted for USDs for front suspension (!) in the Super Meteor 650, which is a welcome addition. The 43mm Showa USD forks offer 120mm of travel. The rear suspension is a basic twin-shock setup that are preload adjustable with 101mm of travel. The Super Meteor 650 comes with 19 inch alloy wheel upfront and 16-inch alloy at the rear, shod with a pair of CEAT Zoom Cruz tyres. The 150 section rear tyre is the widest used by RE to date. Braking duties are carried out by a single 320mm disc upfront and a 300mm disc for the rear. The bike gets dual channel ABS as well. The dual exhausts not as wide as in the 650 twins and this should be of use while motoring in urban conditions.

The motorcycle will be available in two variants – standard and tourer and each of the two variants will have its own colour schemes. The tourer variant gets a windscreen, backrest and comfier seats. With RE’s “Make It Yours” customisation program, expect more colour schemes in the future. Expect the bike to be priced at around Rs 4 lakh (ex-showroom), positioning it above the 650 twins and in a space where there is no competition, price-wise at least, in this category.

By the looks of the Super Meteor 650, RE has made a product that will be a disruptor, much like how the Interceptor 650 and Conti GT had impressed the world media back in 2018. The ingredients are simple, but only RE seems to have perfected it – great quality, strong basics and value for money. Couple this to its phenomenal brand following and its ever growing community, RE has the power to draw customers from a segment or two above. What so you think of the latest from RE? Leave your comments below!