Royal Enfield Continental GT Review - Cafe Racer 535cc

Updated: Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 9:11 [IST]

As the year draws to a close, Royal Enfield is looking to set ablaze the Indian roads with the all-new 535cc Cafe Racer ‘Continental GT'. My first impression of this red thumper was how it's one of the best versions of a perfectly tailored modern bike with an antique-like appeal. Very regal, indeed.

When it comes to cruisers in India, there really isn't anyone who does it better than Royal Enfield. They have been at it from the 19th century. Here's a quick history lesson - The Bullet was first produced in 1933, making it the oldest motorcycle in the world that has been in continuous production till date.

As with any other majestic ride that is rolled out of the Royal Enfield stable, you have to earn it to ride it. As for me, Christmas came early this year (Oh, how I love my job).

Proud and excited, I arrive in colourful ol' Goa. From the very first moment she revved without any hiccups, I got curious. Suited-up in RE retro-styled gear, I realised it was now time to experience Goa and the Royal Enfield Continental GT in a unique concoction - Cafe Racer Style!

Appease your mind with gripping visuals of the beauty while we take you on tour of the Royal Enfield Cafe Racer Review - 535 Continental GT.

The story continues in the next section. Click through the slides for more:

Royal Enfield Continental GT Review - Cafe Racer 535cc

The Royal Enfield Continental GT Cafe Racer 535cc was launched in India on November 26, 2013. Browse through the featured slides for the review.

"Made like a Gun"

For us: "We need Bullet Control"
The lightest, fastest and most powerful Royal Enfield in production awaits you at INR 2.05 Lakhs On-road [New-Delhi].

It is a machine with a story. The Continental GT roots run deep, which is possibly why it led to the re-birth of the cafe racer cultural phenomenon.

Race to the Cafe

Cafe Racing was a popular culture that evolved during the 1960's that involved motorcycle enthusiasts riding from one cafe to another in their customised stripped down motorcycles. The culture quickly became a rage.

Royal Enfield Cafe Racer - Allow us to fade away and delve into the details of this royal offering.

Design

Xenophya Design, UK has worked on this new generation cafe racer. Being the stunner that she is, we had passersby drink in her glorious image with great curiosity. We were stopped and quizzed on several occasions. Some even begged for a ride!

The designers have replicated the classic cafe racer silhouette. Five stars on that front!

Engine

The one part that received maximum attention and maximum criticism was the heart of the GT. The Continental GT engine is not going to give you the KTM 390 or Yamaha RD350 power rush, if you are expecting it.

Considering it churns out 29.1 bhp @ 5100 rpm from a 535cc single cylinder, the engine has potential to deliver more if worked on.

The RE 535 is a bored-out 500cc alloy unit construction engine with fuel injection. Internals of the engine are definitely in a different league when compared to the older Enfields'. The oldies carry, outdated and non-performance driven parts which sadly do not merit a mention. The Cafe Racer's torque however, does.

At 44 Nm @ 4000 rpm torque the motor felt at ease at low-end rpms. The GT comes with a 5 speed constant mesh gearbox.

While you won't disappear with torrent speed, all you have to do is drop a gear and overtake with ease.

The GT is best ride-able between 2500 rpm to 4000 rpm. Anything more and my spine began to give way. But the intent, I'm told was to retain that character - a 1960s feeling, vibrations and all. Still, we managed a top-whack of 130 km/hr on the speedometer.

Ride & Handling

After years of complaints about the terrible handling and braking of their Bullets, Royal Enfield has positively taken notes.

They have got it right with the Cafe Racer. The culprit has been the chassis, suspension, brakes and tyres. With the Continental GT, they have dumped them all and replaced the chassis with a twin down tube cradle frame and 41mm telescopic, 110mm travel front suspension.

As for the rear suspension, Royal Enfield has opted for Paioli, twin gas charged shock absorbers with adjustable preload with 80mm travel.

Still, my favourite came in the form of Pirelli Sport tyres and Brembo front and rear disc brakes.

Tyres:

100/90 x 18, 56 H Pirelli Sport Demon (Front)
130/70 x 18, 63 H Pirelli Sport Demon (Rear)

Disc Brakes:

300mm Floating disc, 2-Piston floating caliper (Front)
240mm Disc, Single piston floating caliper (Rear)

Fuel Thirst

Royal Enfield was generous enough to tank-up (13.5 litres) every time we ran low. The fuel is supplied via a Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection.

Much like the old saying, ‘When in Rome...' we decided to honour Goa for all that she had to offer. Throttling away from one shack to the next, we even took her for a quick ride on the beach.

Looking at my notes, a rough estimation tells me the bike managed to deliver 18-20 kilometres per liter on whacked open throttle conditions. On a more fuel cautious run, the motorcycle delivered nearly 25 kmpl.

Versions

On day one in Goa, we were introduced to the fiery red cafe racers that roared in visual delight. With the lights turning green, we were a frenzied bunch all racing to grab our piece for the next four days.

However, on day two of the launch, Siddarth Lal MD & CEO, Eichers Motors Ltd., the parent company of Royal Enfield, surprised all of us with a new livery - Yellow.

What do you think of the two colours? Pick a favourite, tell us.

The Cafe Racer featured in the photo is a dual seat Continental GT 535cc. Notice the rear foot-rests and the Fibre Cowl covering the pillion seat.

The one we tested is a single seat Continental GT 535cc. You will have the option to choose from a single seat or dual seat cafe racer. Not sure about the comfort-level of the rear passenger, as we did not get to review this motorcycle.

Model Tested

2013 Royal Enfield Continental GT 535cc

Price during launch: 2.05 lakhs on-road Delhi

Launched in India: November 26, 2013

Kilometers Tested: 350 kms in Goa

Bike Tested by: Jobo Kuruvilla [Chief Editor]

Deliveries: January, 2014

Waiting Period: As per bookings

Verdict

Pros

Brilliant paint-job, fit and finish

Rock Solid - takes potholes, road-humps with ease

Spot-on handling, braking and suspension

Torquey engine and has potential if worked-on for power-addicts

Cons

Not your regular lazy-boy cruiser, will cramp-up on long runs

Maximum power 29.1 bhp. (should have targeted 35 bhp+)

Vibrations from the clip-on handlebars

Heat shield on the exhaust does not keep the heat away efficiently. If you are riding in track pants, get ready for some melting & hot-spots.

X-Factor

Visual beauty that is reminiscent of the 1960s.

GT Apparel

What's a good-looking bike without an equally stunning rider? RE's range of rugged apparel is without a doubt the icing on the cake. Leather riding jackets, half/ full face helmets; riding boots and gloves, buffs, and a whole range of clothing are signature Royal Enfield pieces.

For more on the ‘Burn-up Wear' from RE click here

About Royal Enfield

To give you an idea of the lineage involved, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901, making it the oldest company in the world that is still in production.

With its latest Indian manufacturing unit in Chennai, RE has seen a 50% growth each year for the last three years. With 11 stores and 250 dealers in the country, RE is quickly emerging as a key player in the global mid-size motorcycle market.

Exporting to countries across the world, favourites including the Bullet, Classic and Thunderbird are only proof of the vast expanse of Royal Enfield's reach and product line-up.