Knowing that there aren’t many medium-cylinder cruiser bikes on the market at an affordable price – even though there are many fans of this type of machine – Royal Enfield has rightly chosen to launch a new model, equipped with a twin-cylinder engine that has already been proven in the Interceptor and Continental GT.
The oldest motorcycle brand in the world (producing motorcycles without interruption) considers this to be a true medium-cylinder cruiser (or custom), in which the two-cylinder parallel air/oil-cooled engine is well suited to the model’s pretensions. It’s a quality proposition, which Royal considers to be premium compared to anything it has produced in the past, and which still has a very attractive final price. And it’s called the Super Meteor because there already was (and will continue to be) a Meteor in the range, although the bike on these pages is typically more cruiser in style than the simpler, city single-cylinder Meteor, with clear differences in rider ergonomics too. However, these names are nothing new at Royal Enfield, as in the 1950s we could already find the Meteor and Super Meteor, with 700 cc engines that already offered interesting performance, albeit in a more naked format, in keeping with the times, and less custom than the current bike. Even so, at the time, specific bikes were produced for the USA, with much larger and stylized handlebars, in true American fashion. But let’s focus on the novelty.
FEATURES
To make an “authentic” cruiser, Royal Enfield opted for traditional components: a teardrop-shaped tank, wide, curved handlebars, a low seat and a front wheel that was larger than the rear, in this case 19 inches at the front and 16” at the rear, both made of light alloy The engine is a 648 cc parallel twin cylinder that produces 47 hp at 7,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 52 Nm at 5,650 rpm, and the gearbox is a 6-speed gearbox. An engine that, compared to the 650 naked bikes already known, has changes to the intake and exhaust for better performance. There are a few highlights on the bike: the tubular steel frame is new, developed in conjunction with Harris Performance in line with the model’s philosophy, and the front end features a Showa SFF-BP inverted fork, with 43 mm and 120 mm of travel, which is the first time the brand has used an inverted unit on a production model. The suspension was developed in conjunction with the seat and Ceat tires for the best possible performance and comfort.
At the rear, the two Showa monoshock units have 81 mm of travel and spring preload adjustment. The 150/80B-16 rear tire is also the widest in the entire range, and in terms of brakes, Bybre units (a Brembo brand) are fitted with a disc on each axle and Bosch two-channel ABS. The seat is placed just 740 mm from the ground, the tank has a capacity of 15.7 liters and the Super Meteor weighs 241 kg in running order, which, let’s face it, feels a lot lower when you ride it. This model can be found in monochrome or two-tone versions, and in the latter case we can also opt for a Tourer version, i.e. equipped with a Touring seat (one-piece), windshield and backrest for the passenger, all for an interesting and more inviting price than buying the accessories separately. Speaking of these genuine Royal Enfield accessories, they are varied and can not only change the Super Meteor in aesthetic terms, but also benefit comfort and versatility through various types of luggage. Even other types of rims are available, revealing the care that the Indian brand is taking in this important market segment.
FOR EVERYONE
Intended to be an accessible motorcycle for everyone, when riding and when buying, we still like to see good details such as the analog-digital instrumentation with turn-by-turn navigation, LED headlight and taillight, new controls with aluminum finishes, the aforementioned wide range of accessories and even a USB port behind one of the side panels.
With all these features, Royal Enfield aims to reach a wide range of users, such as new riders with A2 licenses, women, traditional fans of the brand and even more experienced riders who want a simple bike for pleasant trips.
IN THE CITY
The meeting point was the brand’s beautiful dealership in the city of Valencia, where we had a more detailed presentation of the model and were able to see the Tourer version, in my opinion less attractive in aesthetic terms (less purity in the lines) but with its natural added value in terms of comfort and versatility. And our first impressions of the Super Meteor were very positive, even before we started our first relationship. The model has good finishes, and if we compare it with the Interceptor and Continental GT (which were present in the store) the evolution is noticeable in terms of controls, steering tables and various finishes. The design of the engine covers is very interesting and, with the exception of a few simple plastics, the Super Meteor is well built and has very pleasing lines, in a more retro construction (not least because of the type of air/oil-cooled engine) than the Japanese rivals Honda CMX500 Rebel and Kawasaki Vulcan S, although those responsible at Royal Enfield don’t exactly consider them rivals… The sound of the exhausts is also very attractive, a kind of “bubbling” that totally matches the characteristics of the model, equipped with an engine that is really smooth, linear and full, perfect for the city! Super “round”, with few vibrations and a good gearbox, it really is a delight to ride this bike around town, even if we’re going with our feet forward as the cruiser segment “demands”. The position is pleasant, the handlebars are the right size, and in terms of ergonomics the Super Meteor can accommodate riders of varying statures (and experience).
ON THE ROAD
The two-cylinder can also be ridden in 6th gear at 60 km/h, but it’s in the middle gears that it feels most at home, although we can’t check the rpm on the pretty but overly simple instrumentation, as it doesn’t even give us information about average consumption. On the open road, the engine is still pleasant, but here we wouldn’t mind if it were slightly more powerful. And we feel that way because the bike’s handling is another of the Super Meteor’s strong points, with the frame and suspension allowing for some cornering at good speeds without the whole thing feeling out of balance. And in the slower corners, the ground clearance allows for good gradients without any element touching the ground, which does happen, but only when you push it a bit for the photos. In terms of absorbing irregularities, the suspension also delivers, with a good mix of comfort and performance that is in no way inferior to the best cruisers, at least when riding solo. In the fastest areas, we reached 150 km/h without running out of steam, while trying to keep our boots on their landings…
The brakes also passed the test, the rear being powerful and more sensitive than the front, so we could feel the ABS coming into play. At the front, the decelerating power is sufficient and doesn’t scare you, you just have to squeeze the lever harder if necessary. To put it on the center stand, you do need to apply some force. It’s a component that’s not usually seen, but it does come in handy, if only for servicing the transmission kit and rear wheel.
Dynamically, there’s nothing to fault with the “made in India” Ceat tires, so the Super Meteor passed this test with flying colors! Royal Enfield has been evolving the quality of its products, and this can be seen in this model, a very easy and pleasant bike to ride, excellent even in the city, but which will not fail to please fans of front-foot riding. And whether it’s with the Tourer version or with the inclusion of various accessories, this bike will be able to make good road trips, at a calm pace from the start, but with the certainty that the cycling allows for a lively pace. And there are decorations to suit all tastes, so for those who like it, the best thing is to visit the brand’s website or go to one of the beautiful Royal Enfield stores in various parts of the country.