Cycle News

FIRST RIDE P64 ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT Continental GT's top speed (even with the freer flowing aftermarket exhaust fitted to the test bike - surely not 'for track use only'?) is an indicated 75 mph on level ground, with the tach needle parked at 4200 rpm. Even crouching down flat on the tank delivers no added benefit, because the pushrod motor long ago ran out of breath, but the main thing is that the bike will go fast enough to keep up with traffic on a four-lane highway. Just. But it's the way in which the Royal Enfield delivers the somewhat restricted performance it comes with, which is its real charm. Swinging through Warwickshire country lanes aboard it on a British summer day, is the key to a memorable but relaxing ride providing a heady dose of nostalgia - as well as proving that taking turns at 50 mph on a bike like this is just as much fun as doing so half as fast again on some- thing five times more powerful. It's not what the Royal Enfield does, so much as the way that it does it. At 50 mph, it's a relaxing mileater with added style. There's quite capable handling within the limits of the bike's performance, although the restricted wheel travel and ensuing poor ride quality of the Paioli shocks is a disappointment, especially in town. Even out in the countryside a series of undulations – let alone successive harsh bumps – will result in a jiggling ride that makes you question the Italian shocks' level of compliance. No such criticism of the Indianmade fork, however, which rides well over road rash and plays its part in the bike's pinpoint steering at low speeds. There's a hint of understeer on faster turns, but the wide handlebars make this easy to correct. The Brembo front brake was also a little disappointing; with a rather wooden feel that might be down to pad choice. The smaller, cheaper Indian-made rear stopper is much better, so at least the Continental GT stops okay, which wasn't always the case with previous drum-braked Bullet models. The Continental GT is that rare thing. It's an authentic modern classic with an unbroken heritage dating back to the debut of the Royal Enfield Bullet in 500cc guise in 1953. The Royal Enfield Continental GT is the product of a continuous manufacturing tradition, complete with retro design cues delivered at a price that's hard to argue against. "We believe there's room for a different kind of motorcycle in today's global markets," says Lal. "Something that doesn't cost the earth and is fun and engaging to ride at real world speeds." Although it's possible to nitpick a few areas that need attention – the frame welding is occasionally rough and there was weld splatter on some A-surfaces that should have been cleaned off before painting – the new Royal Enfield still represents fine value for money in delivering period functionality, but with added style. The Continental GT does represent an affordable entry into the nostalgia stakes, but with the added cachet of period authenticity. The chap I met outside the post office got it right: this is just like the Royal Enfield he used to own – just a little bit more sporty, but no less authentic. It's history on wheels. CN

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