DOSSIER

ROYAL ENFIELD

Super Meteor 650 ... Until now Royal Enfield had focused on creating a range of motorcycles that has a support point in its history. The British origin firm has been centered on the production of monocylindrical bullets, whose design has endured until the arrival of the Euro5

However, beyond these mythical motorcycles, years ago that the range has been expanding and renewing until the current situation, in which all its models have a current mechanic based on two motor families, on the one hand the 350 cc monocylindrical to 411 cc that equip the Himalayan from the meteor, and on the other the two -cylinder propellers presented in the 2018 Milan Hall that equips the interceptor and continental GT.

Hard motorcycles ... The common characteristic of the entire range is that of models with a simple mechanic prepared to resist almost eternally thanks to robust mechanics that do not have large solicitations, the Royal Enfield are hard motorcycles as corresponds to a vehicle whose main market It follows that of India, but that has long been designed in its British Development Center and that they have more and more with the same components as Western brands in regard to their equipment.

With the arrival of the Super Meteor 650, which is the main novelty of this year in the brand, a new way is opened in the history of the current Royal Enfield, that of the custom models. And also with a philosophy of the most traditional, because for the brand this segment is orphan in the middle category. The multiplication of custom ranges that make up Cruiser, Bagger, Tourer, Chopper and even Dragster has left a hole that Royal Enfield wants to cover.

New segment ... In any case, the Super Meteor cannot be considered as the first custom of the firm, although it must be searched in its history while it was an English brand and comparing it with what was then considered a motorcycle of this type . In fact, both the 700 1952 original bicylindric meteor, derived from the 500 Twin, and the 700 of 1956 were conventional road motorcycles. Later, versions adapted to the US market with higher handle and advanced stirrups were created.

Now, the new super meteor goes several steps beyond adapting to the style of American motorcycles, because it has been designed from scratch with this purpose, and also adopting all the classic concepts of this type of motorcycles, from the length to the position of driving, through an architecture in which the components descend from the front to the rear.

Common motor ... The heart of the Custom is already well known, in this sense there is no novelty, since the almost vertical online bicylindrical that the propulsa is identical to the employee on the conventional road motorcycles of the brand. It is an engine that has a totally traditional style, but at the same time has adopted some new solutions, such as crankshaft draft at 270 degrees instead of 360 degrees that have been the classic solution of British motorcycles.

With this configuration a pulse is achieved in the engine similar to that of a V2 to 90 degrees, and it is the alternative that is currently more used by all manufacturers. Beyond this license, the truth is that the aspect of this propeller houses perfectly with the classic spirit that is intended. It is air refrigerated, it has a crankcase of rounded shapes and monoinder butt that corresponds to these times include four valves each.

Valid for A2 ... Independent escapes with catalysts and the injection system are licenses in order to comply with emission standards. Another aspect that remains in the super meteor is the engine performance, the 35 kW of maximum power not only allow it to integrate it into the A2 card, but also, taking into account its almost 650 cc of capacity, ensure soft and quiet operation, and a total resistance to any test.

We must not look for solutions such as an adaptable electronics, since it does not have driving modes or electronic aids, what you see is what there is, but in the end the operation of this engine is perfect for what is intended. First because it has a certain pulse, but without annoying vibrations. If you upload it from a regime looking for the limit, something with little sense because you are pair from half a regime, you will notice to protest, but in the area of normal use, and also when you circulate slowly at a very low regime, it fulfills perfectly.

Relax ... the change is quite precise and although the controls are advanced, it is easily operated. You can opt for a lever with a heal between the long list of accessories if you want to take care of your shoes, but it is not necessary for your drive. The clutch is also soft and progressive once it gets a bit, something that is good because you will have to use it in the reductions.

If the engine is no novelty, the rest of the motorcycle has been designed from scratch, including its solid frame. Royal Enfield bought the famous British chassis company Harris, and now takes advantage of his experience in the design and manufacture of his racks, as has been the case of this model. The steel tubular structure forms a double crib, which is interrupted at medium height, with the right crossing screwed to extract the engine easily.

Very low ... the rear, as was the case with the monocylindrical, forms a loop that allows you to reduce the height of the seat. Regarding other motorcycles, this posterior area has been widened so that the swinging allows a wider tire than usual in the brand, in addition to a 16 ”tire to lower more height of the seat without having to further reduce the suspension route rear, which is 81 mm, something scarce, but also in line with the custom segment.

The baster components have been taken care of, for example the suspensions are Showa, with an inverted fork in the front train that can even disregard the general classicism of the motorcycle, but which ensures proper functioning. The management levels are not exaggeratedly open, about 27 ° of angle and 120 mm of advance, which result in a motorcycle that moves quite well even when you force it to make sudden changes of direction.

Ratonera ... In fact, a good part of the route on which we have had the opportunity to make this first contact, was formed by mouse curves and areas with a worse asphalt than regular, and the super meteor has fulfilled perfectly. Perhaps a second front album would not have to have to support the braking both on the back disc, which in any case, has 300 mm in diameter, which ensures its performance.

The driving position combines all the requirements of the sector, a low seat, a high handlebar and advanced stirrups. The conclusion is that you are slightly displaced backwards, but without needing to support your arms to maintain the position. The pineapples are quite classic, but there are not much to play with no more.

Navigator ... what does notice is in the frame, which combines analog information with digital, although without incorporating a tachometer. What has been installed again is the clock that officiates as a browser with the application of the firm that connects to the mobile phone and that due to component supply problems had been suppressed in the last models.

The possible passenger still has its place in the design of the motorcycle, with a worthy seat, but can be improved with various options, as well as the load capacity of the motorcycle. A “Touring” version has also been created, more oriented to those who want to make kilometers with the motorcycle, which includes a larger piza seat, a support for the passenger and a dome to improve aerodynamic protection.

Several options ... The Super Meteor initially has two options of colors, smooth or bitonos, which differ in € 200. The basic has achieved a price of € 7,247, that supplement in the two -color version and € 400 more on the touring. Without being able to verify its benefits, what is clear is that the new Royal Enfield is a motorcycle that maintains the philosophy of its sisters, in search of a quiet and comfortable driving, even if it is surprisingly effective among curves, in which the height to the height of the Land marks the limit, and is beyond what you expect.

The declared weight is 241 kg full of gasoline, which is not little, although it is also true that savings have not been sought in this regard, but the dough is well placed and to the already mentioned agility there is a really good fork operation , even in braking, although helped because the operation of the front brake never becomes abrupt. The rear, with a shorter route, is less able to combine comfort effectively, especially in potholes.

DATA SHEET...Price: € 7,247; Motor: 2 cyl. online. Ref. by air; Distribution: SOHC 8 V; Diameter X Carrera: 78.0 x 67.8 mm; Displacement: 648 cc; Compression: 9.5: 1; Max. Dec.: 35 kW (47 hp) at 7,250 rpm; Max. Dec.: 52 Nm at 5,650 rpm; Food: 2 injectors. 34 mm nozzles; Driving modes: does not have; Acc. Clutch: cable; Change: 6 relationships; SEC transmission: chain; CHASSIS: Tubular of crib open in steel; Slipping: double steel arm; Geometry: 27.5 °/ 119 mm suspension of the: inverted fork; Diam. Bars / Tour: 43 mm / 120 mm; Adjustments: does not have; SUSPENSION AFTER. Adjustments: preload; Brake: a 320 mm album; Clashes: 2 pistons; Brake after.: A 300 mm album; Callech: 2 pistons; ABS type / disconnect.: Standard / no; Wheel of the.: 100/90-19 ". Tire 2.50"; Wheel after.: 150/80-16 ". Tire 3.50"; Measures. Chap. Deposit: 15.7 L; Full weight: 241 kg; Dist. Entre axes: 1,500 mm; Seat height: 740 mm.

Reporting: Pepe Burgaleta