BIKE TEST ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT

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OUT OF THE BOX WORDS STUART WOODBURY PHOTOS THE BEAR

If heritage and staying true to form are what motorcycles are all about, then no company has this down pat better than Royal Enfield. The company’s roots date back to the 19th century, and its Bullet – whose engine that of the fl ash new looking Continental GT is based upon, was first produced in 1933. That (technically) makes the Bullet the oldest motorcycle in the world in continuous production. In 1967, the original Royal Enfield shut its plant in Redditch, England. By then, its subsidiary in India had already been producing four stroke Bullets for years, for use not only by the Indian Police and military, but for upscale civilians (like you and me) as well.

In India, where there are millions of 125 and 250cc bikes providing transportation for 1.2 billion people, the Bullet in 350 and 500cc sizes is an aspirational motorcycle.

The rise of the Indian middle class has driven demand for its bikes through the roof lately, says Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director and CEO of Eicher Motors Ltd., Royal Enfield’s parent company. In 2010, Lal says, Royal Enfield sold 50,000 motorcycles. By 2012, the number had doubled to 100,000. This led the company to build a new state-of-the-art factory near Madras, which just came on line in April. This Oragadam plant has a production capacity of 175,000 bikes and gives Royal Enfield the ability to scale up to 500,000 per year. And just recently, Royal Enfield purchased a 50 acre plot at Vallam Vadakal near Chennai to set up another brand new plant, which is claimed to see production hit upwards of 600,000

units per year!

With all that going on, it seemed like a good time to come out with a new Royal Enfield – the Continental GT, mostly new and carrying over no running gear from the original Bullet. With its classic looks the Continental GT has proved to be a huge success worldwide.

Bolted in four places into the Continental GT’s Harris Performance designed tubular steel frame is the same 535cc unit that powers the EFI Bullet single, mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

The big single has a distinct beat and draws plenty of onlookers when you ride it. Hit the electric starter (or kick the kickstarter) and the air-cooled, fuel injected thumper rumbles to life. Torque down around 2000 to 3000 rpm is good, but this is not a big go-fast machine, it’s about the appeal of a true classic bike.

When the Conti GT is parked it brings the most onlookers. The beautiful bodywork, courtesy of Xenophya Design is finished well in bright red.

The list of quality components doesn’t stop there. You have brakes by Brembo which work well, you get alloy Excel rims with fat spokes, Paioli rear adjustable shocks and 41mm fork tubes. Of course this is all intended to fit into the right “café racer” design style.

Nicely compliant suspension will feel just about right for most riders; the seat is thick and comfy if pretty narrow; the rear of the tank is a good shape; and the clip-ons are mounted on top of the triple-clamps so you’re left with a near-standard type riding position.

There are a number of accessories available for the Conti GT. Our particular bike had a different tail light and “GT” decals on the side covers.

You can also get bar end mirrors, a dual seat and of course exhausts to release a louder beat.

The Continental GT is a hugely significant motorcycle for the Royal Enfield brand. You could customise it further, but it has the right look out of the box for most. It is not surprising that the Continental GT’s release has seen Royal Enfield sales increase enormously. I bet there’ll be more tasty models coming out of the Royal Enfield plant very shortly – especially now that they have employed gun bike designer Pierre Terblanche.

SPECS ROYAL ENFIELD CONTINENTAL GT

PRICE: $8695 (plus on-road charges)

WARRANTY: Two years, unlimited distance

SERVICING INTERVALS: Every 6000km or 12 months

ENGINE: Air-cooled single cylinder, 4-stroke, OHV

BORE x STROKE: 87 x 90mm

DISPLACEMENT: 535cc

COMPRESSION: 8.5:1

POWER: 21.4kW @ 5100rpm

TORQUE: 44Nm @ 4000rpm

TRANSMISSION: 5-speed, wet multi-plate clutch, chain final drive

SUSPENSION: Front, 41mm telescopic fork, non-adjustable, travel 110mm. Rear, twin-shock, adjustable preload, travel 80mm.

DIMENSIONS: Seat height 800mm, weight 184kg (wet), fuel capacity 13.5 litres, wheelbase 1360mm

TYRES: Front, 100/90/18. Rear, 130/70/18

FRAME: Tubular steel cradle

BRAKES: Front, single 300mm disc with twin-piston caliper. Rear, 240mm disc, single-piston caliper.

FUEL CONSUMPTION: N/A

THEORETICAL RANGE: N/A

COLOURS: GT Red

VERDICT: ATTENTION SEEKER

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