By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic vs Cruiser
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 (MY2018) vs Super Meteor 650 (MY2023)
Tip the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 into a bend and it's turning almost before you've pushed the bar. The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 steers in without hurry.
So which one do you buy?
The Continental GT 650 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Inches ahead: Continental GT 650
Through rush hour, the Continental GT 650 is a little easier to live with. Credit lighter steering.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: Continental GT 650
In the twisties, the Continental GT 650 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. The difference is more feel through the bars and a sportier chassis. Call it a modest edge.
What makes each one tick
Continental GT 650
There's a fruity thrum in the Continental GT 650's twin, and it keeps pulling as you rev it out. At 445 lb (202 kg) wet, the slim chassis slices through gaps in traffic. Those clip-ons fold you low over the long tank, which you'll feel by day's end.
Super Meteor 650
The Super Meteor 650's twin pulls cleanly from low revs and doesn't nag you for downshifts. The seat's only 29.1 in (740 mm) off the road, with the bars rising to an upright reach. The heft shows at walking pace, and the footpegs touch down early in corners. Smooth inputs hold it on line.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Super Meteor 650 has the lower seat: 29.1 in (740 mm) vs 31.2 in (793 mm).
- The Continental GT 650 has the lower wet weight: 445 lb (202 kg) vs 531 lb (241 kg).
- The Super Meteor 650 has the larger fuel tank: 4.1 US gal (15.6 L) vs 3.3 US gal (12.5 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not suited: Super Meteor 650
Too much motor for a beginner: the Super Meteor 650 sits this one out.
Look at running costs and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Continental GT 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Authentic café racer styling
- Excellent value for money
- Lively, characterful engine
- Lightweight and nimble handling
Trade-offs
- Budget‑grade switchgear and finish
- Compromised comfort for café racer ergonomics
Super Meteor 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Classic cruiser styling with modern finish
- Excellent value for money
- Torquey, unstressed engine
Trade-offs
- Heavy for its engine size
- Budget switchgear and no tachometer
- Limited ground clearance
Known problems to check before you buy
Continental GT 650
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Super Meteor 650
- Sixth gear engagement difficulty A few riders note that engaging sixth gear can be notchy, especially when the engine is cold, occasionally resulting in false neutrals or dropping back to fifth.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 3-year-old Continental GT 650 with a 3-year-old Super Meteor 650.
- Continental GT 650
- about $4,800
- Super Meteor 650
- about $5,300
At three years old, the Continental GT 650 sits around $4,800 while the Super Meteor 650 runs about $5,300. That's a $500 gap in the GT's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Displacement
- 648 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Air/oil-cooled
- Power
- 47 hp (35 kW)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| Continental GT 650 | Super Meteor 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.2 in (793 mm) | 29.1 in (740 mm) |
| Wet weight | 445 lb (202 kg) | 531 lb (241 kg) |
| Continental GT 650 | Super Meteor 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak power at | 7,150 rpm | 7,250 rpm |
| Torque | 38 lb-ft (52 Nm) | 39 lb-ft (52 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,250 rpm | 5,650 rpm |
| Continental GT 650 | Super Meteor 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 56 mpg (US) / 4.21 L/100 km | 55 mpg (US) / 4.3 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 US gal (12.5 L) | 4.1 US gal (15.6 L) |
| Continental GT 650 | Super Meteor 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Telescopic | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front tire | 100/90-18 | 100/90-19 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-18 | 150/80-16 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Continental GT 650 | Super Meteor 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
