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Continental GT: Retro bikers rejoice

December 07, 2013 14:13 IST
Royal Enfield Continental GT

If you are an enthusiast and like to feel different from others, then this cafe racer is made for you.

Finally, India gets the most advanced and the lightest Royal Enfield motorcycle. After launching the bike at home, the British manufacturer has launched the Continental GT 535 aka Cafe Racer bike in India. Priced at Rs 2.05 lakh (ex- showroom, New Delhi) it is available in two sporty colours, red and yellow.

By launching this bike, the company has brought the 'Continental GT' badge back almost after six decades. Way back in 1965, the company had launched a 250cc Cafe Racer in Britain, named Continental GT 250.

The bike was honoured with the title of 'Britain's Fastest 250'. At that time, the cafe racer was a style statement and every customer felt honoured to own this bike.

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Continental GT: Retro bikers rejoice

December 07, 2013 14:13 IST
Royal Enfield Continental GT

Cafe racer culture was started when the rockers rode their bikes at 100 mph to reach the next cafe and get back before a song playing on a jukebox ended. Eventually, this became the inspiration for the company to make a retro cafe racer bike.

The new model of the bike has been derived from the previous one; it follows almost similar design elements like long fuel tank with large scoops for thigh support and conventional cafe racer seat.

Continental GT: Retro bikers rejoice

December 07, 2013 14:13 IST

Its chrome finished round headlamp gives it a retro look, while the chrome finish on other parts of the bike enhances this look. Front mudguard has been kept short for enhancing the sporty look of the bike. Handle end mounted rear view mirrors also received the chrome touch and its mounting makes it look unique from others.

Continental GT: Retro bikers rejoice

December 07, 2013 14:13 IST

The bike sports a new 535cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder engine, which is the biggest RE power mill in the current range. Using the advanced fuel injection technology, it is capable of churning out a maximum power of 29.1bhp @5100rpm and a peak torque of 44Nm @4000rpm. With a 5-speed gear-box, it reaches from 0-100kmph without any effort and goes over 140kmph.

Royal Enfield Continental GT Cafe Racer has been bolted on a double cradle chassis, made by a light weight alloy, which makes it the lightest RE and it weighs only 184kg with the fuel tank 90 per cent full.

You can manoeuvre it easily on both highways and city roads. The overall dimensions of the bike are 2060mm X 760mm X 1070mm (length X width X height) and the wheelbase is 1360mm.

Continental GT: Retro bikers rejoice

December 07, 2013 14:13 IST

The masculine fuel tank of the bike with Royal Enfield moniker on both the sides and Continental GT moniker on the top has a capacity of 13.5 litres. Clip-on handle bars along with the backward mounted foot pegs give a perfect racing ride posture.

The two pod instrument console of the bike looks great and gives all the required information using a combination of analog and digital gauges.

Continental GT: Retro bikers rejoice

December 07, 2013 14:13 IST

The retro racer features the conventional telescopic forks of 41mm diameter at the front, while advance preload adjustable, twin gas charged shock absorbers from Paioli can be found at the rear. This combination of the suspension unit performs quite well and gives great riding comfort. The bike has 18-inch spoke wheels in chrome finish, which are covered by Pirelli Sport Demon tyres (100/90 56H at the front and 130/70 63H at the rear).

Continental GT comes with quick response Brembo 300mm floating disc brake with two piston floating calliper at the front and 240 mm disc with single piston floating calliper. This advance braking system gives excellent control over the bike.

The overall deal of the unique Royal Enfield Continental GT with such advanced features at just Rs 2.05 lakh, is quite worthwhile. If you are an enthusiast and like to feel different from others, then this cafe racer is made for you.