Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 reaches dealerships in Australia ahead of impending launch

Royal Enfield has launched the new Interceptor INT 650 and the Continental GT 650 in the North American market. The motorcycles will roll out into other countries very soon while the Indian launch will happen by the end of 2018 or January 2019, Royal Enfield’s President, Rudratej Singh, has told IAB.

IAB reader Nikhil Kulkarni has spotted the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 at a showroom in Australia. The cafe racer, as told by Nikhil, is expected to arrive in the AUD 10,500-11,000 (INR 5.51 lakh to 5.78 lakh) price range there. For reference, the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 was launched in North America at USD 5,799 (INR 4.21 lakh) for the Standard colourways, USD 6,249 (INR 4.53 lakh) for the Custom colourways and USD 6,749 (INR 4.89 lakh) for the Chrome colourways.

Speaking on the launch of the Royal Enfield Twin motorcycles, Siddhartha Lal, CEO, Royal Enfield, said, "The Twins are our first truly global line of products and will play a very strategic role in ushering the next set of Royal Enfield owners across the world."

The Continental GT 650, similar to the Interceptor INT 650, uses a twin-cradle, tubular steel frame. The motorcycle features a cafe-racer style design that is inspired by the original Continental GT 250 cafe racer. Thus, it comes equipped with clip-on style handlebar, rider only seat, and a rear cowl. The cafe racer will be available in five colour options – Black Magic, Ventura Blue, Mister Clean, Dr. Mayhem and Ice Queen.

Optional, Genuine Motorcycle Accessories for the Continental GT 650, which were announced during the North American launch, include engine guards, lifting handle, pannier mounts, auxiliary electrical port, chrome and stainless steel silencer slip-on, acrylic fly screen, single and twin seat cowls, and soft canvas panniers. All the accessories will be available in the markets where the new Royal Enfield Twins are launched.

Mechanical specifications are identical to the Interceptor INT 650. Thus, the Continental GT 650, too, uses the brand new 648cc, parallel-twin cylinder, air & oil cooled engine that delivers 47 bhp of power at 7,250 rpm and 52 Nm of peak torque at 5,250 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox – a first on a Royal Enfield. The six-speed gearbox benefits from slipper and assist clutch.

A 320mm single disc at the front and a 240mm single disc at the rear provide the stopping power. A Bosch dual-channel ABS comes as standard.

Also read: Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 spotted with accessories

The Royal Enfield 650 Twin will reportedly arrive in the INR 3 lakh (ex-showroom) price range in the Indian market. We’re yet to hear the launch date officially.