Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

The Super Meteor 650 by Royal Enfield stands out as a remarkable cruiser, primarily due to its exceptional powerplant. It's driven by a 650cc parallel-twin engine that's air and oil-cooled, fuel-injected, and capable of producing 46.3 bhp and 52.3 Nm of peak torque. This engine, also found in the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650, offers a refined and effortless riding experience. The Super Meteor 650 excels as a long-distance cruiser, comfortably maintaining speeds between 80-120 kmph on extended highway journeys. Its performance was tested on a round trip from Delhi to Agra within 16 hours, resulting in a memorable ride. The Super Meteor 650 lives up to its marketing tagline, "Cruising at its purest," offering a comfortable riding posture that's perfect for cross-country rides. However, despite its numerous strengths, this motorcycle has its fair share of flaws, which will be discussed later in this review. The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 boasts an exquisite and eye-catching design, turning heads wherever it goes. Its charismatic persona and handsome appearance garner a lot of attention from passersby. The top-spec Celestial Blue variant, equipped with a deluxe touring seat, pillion backrest, and windscreen as standard, exudes a distinctive charm. In terms of features, the Super Meteor 650 breaks the mold of Royal Enfield's traditionally feature-limited motorcycles. It includes an all-LED headlamp that effectively illuminates the road in both high and low beams. The analog instrument cluster incorporates a small multi-information display (MID) with an odometer, twin trip meters, a clock, a fuel gauge, and a gear-position indicator. Additionally, it features Royal Enfield's Tripper navigation system, providing turn-by-turn navigation, a valuable feature for riders navigating unfamiliar routes. Despite its many merits, the Super Meteor 650 has its downsides. The most significant drawback is its stiff suspension setup, which impacts the ride quality, especially at higher speeds. The stiff rear suspension results in a bumpy ride, making the motorcycle uncomfortable on uneven surfaces. The weight of the bike is also a concern, with a kerb weight of 241 kg and a long wheelbase, making it challenging to maneuver in tight spaces and during sharp U-turns. On the fuel-efficiency front, the Super Meteor 650 tends to be thirsty, with city mileage ranging from 20-22 kmpl and highway mileage around 24-26 kmpl. Additionally, the fuel gauge may occasionally display inconsistent readings. In terms of pricing, the 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 comes in three variants with prices ranging from Rs 3.54 lakh to Rs 3.84 lakh (ex-showroom). After extensive testing and over 1,400 km of riding, the Super Meteor 650 emerges as a highly desirable cruiser, with its positives outweighing the negatives.