2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 has launched in India. But, before you head to buy one for yourself; we tell you what's missing in it as a package.
- Super Meteor is priced between Rs 3.49 - 3.79 lakh
- It is available in three variants
- Bookings are open, and deliveries are to start soon
The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is here for Rs 3.49 lakh (starting price). This new cruiser has also become the flagship model for the cult bike manufacturer. However, with its large size and some first-ever features; there are some if's & but's. If you're planning to buy one of these, we tell you what's missing from it. Read below.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 - Missing Features
While the Super Meteor has become the most well-equipped bike from RE, it certainly lacks some essentials. For example, the semi-digital instrument pod is taken straightway from the Meteor 350. It looks good but it doesn't have a tachometer. The Continental GT 650, which is considerably cheap than it, has a tachometer. Additionally, the semi-digital console displays only limited info like 2 trips, a gear position indicator, & an ECO mode light. However, it could've been provided with essential info like the average fuel economy, distance to empty, etc.
Just Adequate Engine Power
Meanwhile, the Super Meteor uses the tried & tested 648cc parallel-twin engine from RE. It is the most refined and powerful engine setup from RE. Hence, RE decided to throw it on the Super Meteor as well. However, the SM 650 weighs 241 kg which is by far the heaviest RE ever made. While the engine makes a peak power of 47bhp & 52.1 Nm of peak torque, it still feels just adequate. The performance of the bike is respectable but not mind-blowing. Moreover, being a cruiser it is not supposed to be a fast bike but the engine could've been tuned further. A higher state of tune might have helped in making it quicker at triple-digit speeds. For now, it remains comfortable around 90-100 kmph but after that, the engine becomes lethargic when compared with the other 650 siblings.
Stiff Suspension & Seat Design
RE has used SHOWA USD forks at the front and spring-type suspension at the rear. However, the performance of the suspension is not at par with the specs sheet. Why so? Because of the rake angle and the low ground clearance of 135mm, the USD setup feels stiff. No matter that one switches the preload to the softest; it still feels stiff. Every crack & highway joint is felt directly on the tailbone and rider's back. Moreover, the rear suspension is even stiffer than the front. Hence, the ride quality suffers a lot on uneven roads and bad patches. In contrast, it becomes enjoyable on smooth tarmac and curvy roads. Similarly, the OEM seat feels inadequate in terms of size as well as comfort. However, the touring seat makes a strong case for itself due to its added comfort.
Verdict - Why Should You Buy It?
The missing points on the Super Meteor do not make it a bad deal. It is a flagship model that has the best ever quality from RE. It uses top-notch materials, it has the most expensive equipment, & yes it looks jaw-dropping. Hence, it is made for people who love to cruise sedately but prefer feel & style over functionality. It is made for customers who have loved cruisers all of their life. It is the proper Western cruiser dream draped in ethnic clothing & brand name. Just in case, if you're confused about the SM 650 & the Interceptor 650 we've made a dedicated comparison video that you can watch below.