By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 (MY2018) vs Triumph Bonneville T100 (DB01A)
Rolling into a bend, the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650's twin doesn't go quiet but keeps up a fruity thrum. The Triumph Bonneville T100 tips in on light steering. Once it's leaned over, it doesn't wander off line.
So which one do you buy?
The Bonneville T100 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: Bonneville T100
On a twisty road, the Bonneville T100 edges ahead. Credit harder acceleration and better suspension. Not by enough to settle it alone.
Character, looks and sound
Slight edge: Bonneville T100
On sound and soul, the Bonneville T100 comes out a touch ahead. Thank a better engine note and more engine character for that. Your own eyes and ears outrank this verdict.
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: Bonneville T100
Through rush hour, the Bonneville T100 is a little easier to live with. Put it down to easier everyday riding and easier maneuvering in tight spots.
Keeping running costs low
By a nose: Bonneville T100
For the money you spend after the purchase, the Bonneville T100 nudges ahead. The gap is too small to plan a budget around.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
The price gap doesn't produce a clear winner.
What makes each one tick
Continental GT 650
The Continental GT 650's motor pulls hard as the tach needle climbs and doesn't roughen up near the top. There's little mass to haul down on the brake lever, and the slim chassis darts back into gaps in traffic. Clip-ons fold you forward. Your chin hovers over a long tank.
Bonneville T100
The Bonneville T100's motor shoves from low revs, and a crack of the throttle punches it hard out of corners. There's no need to chase revs, since the motor's relaxed throb covers easy cruising. Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, its low center of gravity keeps the bike steady through each sweeper.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville T100 makes more peak power: 54 hp (40 kW) vs 47 hp (35 kW).
- The Bonneville T100 makes more peak torque: 59 lb-ft (80 Nm) vs 38 lb-ft (52 Nm).
- The Bonneville T100 has the larger engine: 900 cc vs 648 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
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
Bonneville T100
What owners say
Strengths
- Classic British roadster styling
- Torquey and charismatic parallel-twin engine
What they cost used
These prices compare a 6-year-old Continental GT 650 with a 6-year-old Bonneville T100.
- Continental GT 650
- about $4,100
- Bonneville T100
- about $7,500
At six years old, the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 sits around $4,100 while the Triumph Bonneville T100 runs about $7,500. That's a $3,400 gap in the US market. These are estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Front tire
- 100/90-18
Where the spec sheets split
| Continental GT 650 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.2 in (793 mm) | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Continental GT 650 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 648 cc | 900 cc |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 47 hp (35 kW) | 54 hp (40 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,150 rpm | 5,900 rpm |
| Torque | 38 lb-ft (52 Nm) | 59 lb-ft (80 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 5,250 rpm | 3,230 rpm |
| Continental GT 650 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 US gal (12.5 L) | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) |
| Continental GT 650 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Rear tire | 130/70-18 | 150/70-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Continental GT 650 | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Option |
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
