This 2023 update gives the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 a much-needed shot in the arm and brings it up to date
First showcased in the UK last month, the updated Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 has now been launched in India. Starting at ₹3.19 lakh, prices go up to ₹3.45 lakh for the top-end Mr. Clean Chrome variant (which gets wire-spoke wheels), while the alloy wheel-equipped versions cost ₹3.39 lakh (all prices ex- Showroom, India).
The Continental GT 650 was an impressive motorcycle when it was first launched in 2017, and has remained a potent value-for-money package over the years. However, the lack of any major updates means the bike is showing its age, outdoing even the RE’s more affordable single-cylinder models in terms of features and attention to detail.
Now, this 2023 update gives the GT a much-needed shot in the arm and brings it up to date. It replaces its halogen reflector headlight with an LED unit from the Super Meteor 650, and borrows its new switchgear design from bikes like the Super Meteor. Like the Cruiser, the switch cubes are crafted from aluminum, seriously upping its premium quotient.
And finally, the most sought-after update makes its way on the GT as well in the form of alloy wheels. However, the alloy is only offered on two of the six color options (many of which are new for 2023) – Apex Gray and Slipstream Blue. Even Royal Enfield’s MIY configurator doesn’t allow you to equip the alloys over any of the other color options.
The size will remain the same – 18-inches at either end – but the wheels are now wrapped in new Vredestein tyres, as opposed to the earlier Ceats. The last new feature is the addition of a USB charging port on the left handlebar.
Apart from these changes, the core elements remain the same, so the 648cc parallel-twin remains untouched, and continues to produce 47.5hp and 52Nm. The chassis around it is also unchanged as is the suspension.
The effect of all these changes is a price hike of ₹14,000 across the line-up, which seems reasonable. Prices previously ranged from ₹3.05 to ₹3.31 lakh, and now sit between ₹3.19 and ₹3.45 lakh. The Interceptor 650 has also received a similar update.