Royal Enfield continues to enjoy very healthy sales here in the UK.
That’s no surprise – the firm produces excellent models with just the right blend of retro coolness and contemporary technology, the name comes with a bags of history and heritage, and the bikes are fantastic value for money.
The Indian-owned company stopped production of its iconic but outdated 500cc singles a while ago and has replaced them with some superb twins.
Figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association show that in March this year, Enfield’s Super Meteor 650 was the top selling model in the “Custom” category.
Don’t be confused, custom essentially means “cruiser” as the MCIA states, adding any bike with “high handlebars, low seat and forward footrests”.
Topping that category is pretty impressive when you consider that almost every major manufacturer offers at least one cruiser and others, including Harley, a whole range.
The bike comes in two variants – standard and touring – and a range of seven striking colourways.
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It’s a great-looking bike, somehow combining a classic British feel with Harley Sportster-esque lines.
It feels sturdy and well-built – plenty of metal as opposed to plastic – but there’s a refinement and quality to it too.
I tested the standard model and on board the ride position is comfortable and relaxed without being as laidback as some cruisers.
It’s low to the ground and despite weighing in at just over 240kg, feels perfectly manageable.
The cockpit consists of a single round clock with analogue speedo and an LCD panel showing gear selected, fuel level etc.
There is no rev counter.
You also get Enfield’s turn-by-turn Tripper navigation system (developed with Google) which connects to your smartphone, and there’s a USB socket too.
The 648cc air-oil cooled parallel twin is taken from the Continental GT and Interceptor models, and, with a few mapping tweaks and a different airbox and intake, it makes the perfect cruiser motor.
Power delivery is smooth but responsive through the throttle as you whiz up to 70mph through the five gears, with sixth as an overdrive, ideal for motorway cruising.
Shifting feels easy but precise, aided by the light-action slip-assist clutch.
The beauty of the engine is that it has so much torque available at low and mid speeds – with 80% of the max 38ft lb on tap from as low as 2,000rpm.
The Super Meteor features an all-new frame, developed at Enfield’s Bruntingthorpe, Lecs, facility alongside Harris Performance.
That, combined with a new swingarm, 43mm Showa upside down forks and twin Showa shocks at the rear, make for assured and stable handling through the bends.
Braking is via Brembo subsidiary BryBe, with a single 320mm disc up front and a 300mm on the rear.
The feel through the lever is positive and progressive, but you’ll need to bring that rear into play if you need to haul it up sharpish.
Overall, the Super Meteor is a stylish, well-built, easy-to-ride, fun-to-ride and great-value-for-money cruiser.
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