I hope this review helps you with your decision. If the GT interests you, follow me on Instagram @royalenfieldgtsydney.
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It’s been 5 months since I purchased my GT back in January so I feel it has given me enough time to write my thoughts and experience about this beautiful machine. The search After selling my Suzuki Intruder five years ago for a car when I got married, my wife finally gave the okay for me to get a bike to commute with. Hooray! I had been daydreaming of buying a café racer for so long and I particularly wanted to buy a vintage style bike but without the pains that come with an older model. |
So after much research, I decided to test ride the brand new Royal Enfield Continental GT (with sports exhaust) and instantly fell in love! Its era-perfect retro looks and clean lines, its low end torque power, classic single thumper rumble and exhaust note, its light weight, and slight vibrations made me feel so alive!
What other motorcycle options did I have?
Out of scope (features)
Out of scope budget (these are Australian-based prices)
What other motorcycle options did I have?
Out of scope (features)
- Yamaha SR400 – it only has a kick-start, so for me that was a deal breaker
- Suzuki Boulevard S40 (LS650) – I really like this bike but it's more a cruiser. There is a café racer kit avail for this however.
- Mercury BRAAAP – only 250cc, I wanted more grunt (good option for beginners)
- Suzuki TU250x – only 250cc, I wanted more grunt (good option for beginners)
Out of scope budget (these are Australian-based prices)
- Harley Davidson 883 or 1200cc Sportster – around $16k+
- Triumph Bonneville / Thruxton – around $15k+
- Deus bikes – around $15k+
- Norton Commando – around $30k+/-
- Moto Guzzi – around $14k+
My purchasing criteria were that the bike had to be brand new, over 250cc in power, under 200kg in wet weight (i.e. full tank), and for me to be able to place both feet on the ground (I am 5’6”), with the whole package costing less than $10,000 AUD. Note that I had the stock suspensions changed and lowered by half an inch from the back. Now both my feet are truly flat on the ground. |
The Royal Enfield Continental GT was the clear winner for me against these criteria. As a café racer, there is not much you need to customise because it’s already designed with true-to-form café racer looks. You can simply take it from the showroom floor and enjoy the ride.
Running it in
Don’t worry about the negative comments you may have heard or read somewhere about the vibrations, and how you have to take two or more tries to start it. Those reviewers test rode brand new demo bikes which still needed to be run in. After running in my Continental GT for about 500-600kms, these things are not a problem. To be honest, they were never an issue for me to begin with.
There are also a number of others who simply comment without ever having ridden the bike. Don’t listen to them, not just about the Royal Enfield, but on any bike you may want to purchase. If you want facts, nothing beats going for a test ride yourself.
Now that I’ve done over 1,500kms, the ride is smoother, it starts every time, and (unfortunately) the vibrations it once had have softened. This is probably a plus for some, but a pity for me because I actually wanted the vibrations to stay. It’s what made me feel so alive when I test rode it. Otherwise, so far so good: I haven’t come across any issues. Fingers crossed! |
Speed
The GT’s speed is just about right for me. Not too slow, not too fast. It’s a happy medium for a 63kg guy like me who’s light on the GT. The bike’s torque pulls on me easily every time. It’s quick to go from 0-60, and it’s comfortable at 100 km/h.
I’ve seen other riders (mostly sports bikes) take off at the traffic light. If I had the same horsepower, I’d probably find it hard to fight off the urge myself. But this is also one of the reasons why I love this bike. What’s the rush? The Continental GT gives you a different mindset when on the road. It makes you want to take your time and smell the roses. Besides, people want to look at it, so slow down and let them. It will probably save your life, too!
The GT’s speed is just about right for me. Not too slow, not too fast. It’s a happy medium for a 63kg guy like me who’s light on the GT. The bike’s torque pulls on me easily every time. It’s quick to go from 0-60, and it’s comfortable at 100 km/h.
I’ve seen other riders (mostly sports bikes) take off at the traffic light. If I had the same horsepower, I’d probably find it hard to fight off the urge myself. But this is also one of the reasons why I love this bike. What’s the rush? The Continental GT gives you a different mindset when on the road. It makes you want to take your time and smell the roses. Besides, people want to look at it, so slow down and let them. It will probably save your life, too!
So how does the GT make me feel? Like a rock star! I’ve lost count of how many times people turn heads when I’m riding out and about, taking pictures, or approaching me to simply compliment on a beautiful bike. Even my wife’s begging to go riding with me. Two weeks ago, a gentleman approached me at the petrol station to talk with me about my café racer instead of the guy next to me who had a brand new Audi TT roadster (which is probably at least eight times the price of my GT). |
Things I hear include, “Wow, it’s an Enfield. I haven’t seen one of these in decades,” and “My dad used to have one of these back in the day,” to “This is beautifully restored”. It’s amusing to hear that, because the GT may look classic, but the bike is totally brand new and I often have to explain that this is a reproduction of the old Royal Enfield Continental GT’s from way back when in the 60s! I don’t deserve the credit, but these are the kind of comments and compliments I hear from people all the time (thanks RE!).
There is something about these bikes that makes people happy. Its nostalgic charm and classic character take us back to a time when things were simple and uncomplicated. This is why the Continental GT is the real deal for me, and I didn’t even have to spend a fortune for it.
There is something about these bikes that makes people happy. Its nostalgic charm and classic character take us back to a time when things were simple and uncomplicated. This is why the Continental GT is the real deal for me, and I didn’t even have to spend a fortune for it.
Quick history of Royal Enfield
What I love about the Royal Enfield is that it has an awesome history. Originally, the Royal Enfield was a British company which made its first RE motorcycle in 1901. Then the Enfields were supplied during WW1 to the British War department and also won a contract for the Russian government. By the second world war, the RE ‘Flying Flea’ motorcycles were commissioned and designed to be dropped by parachute with its paratroopers. Now that is so cool!
What I love about the Royal Enfield is that it has an awesome history. Originally, the Royal Enfield was a British company which made its first RE motorcycle in 1901. Then the Enfields were supplied during WW1 to the British War department and also won a contract for the Russian government. By the second world war, the RE ‘Flying Flea’ motorcycles were commissioned and designed to be dropped by parachute with its paratroopers. Now that is so cool!
In the mid-1950s, RE started assembling some of their motorcycles in India, then Unfortunately the British had finance issues and closed down production back home in the late 60s. Thankfully, Enfield of India stepped into to the rescue and kept the spirit alive by building all components there moving forward. I’m glad these bikes are still made in India today. Indians now make this bike. If it was still in the British hands, the GT might as well be out of my budget too. |
Videos to inspire you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QKTBdigs5M – probably the best café racer ad commercial ever made by any manufacturer, period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jREt5Zayx0o – watch a souped up Continental GT make a land speed record at 157km/h!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QKTBdigs5M – probably the best café racer ad commercial ever made by any manufacturer, period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jREt5Zayx0o – watch a souped up Continental GT make a land speed record at 157km/h!
What other bikes would I like to have in my garage?
Well if my wife (and finance) would allow me, I dream of having one bike of each kind. It’s not too much to ask for, right? So apart from my cafe racer..
- Cruiser – probably a Harley Sportster.
- Sportsbike – Ducati Panigale 899 or an MV Augusta F3.
- Moped – like an old vintage Vespa scooter with a sidecar.
That’s it folks!
For more Royal Enfield Continental GT inspiration, check me out on Instagram @royalenfieldgtsydney.
Photos are taken from my café racer adventures, moments when I meet other riders and share stories from sunny Sydney, Australia. I also share and tag inspirational shots by others, so feel free to tag me! Otherwise, contact me if you have any further questions or want to collaborate. Joel Davies Sydney, Australia |