Royal Enfield motorcycles are becoming a more common sight on American streets. With more than 150 dealers in North America, the brand hit a milestone of 10,000 motorcycles sold in its most recent fiscal year. With that kind of momentum, Royal Enfield has released the classic cruiser-style 2023 Super Meteor 650 to U.S. customers.
The Super Meteor 650 is a big step forward for Royal Enfield, and if this is an indication of where the company is headed, we’re looking forward to what the brand will do next. It’s Royal Enfield’s first proper cruiser and the company’s first model with LED lighting and an inverted fork. The styling is inspired by classic British Royal Enfield models, and while it’s a big bike in its home market in India, it slots nicely into the mid-sized cruiser segment in America next to models like the Kawasaki Vulcan S or Honda Shadow but with a lower MSRP of $6,999.
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We were invited to the U.S. press launch in Dallas, Texas, to try out the Super Meteor, and while we were there, we also got a tour of Royal Enfield’s new Technical Training Center. The center provides support and training for dealers so they can better serve their customers, further demonstrating Royal Enfield’s dedication to expanding its presence in North America. Another treat during our test ride day was the custom Super Meteor parked in the training center’s entrance, the Roland Sands Design x Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Chopper. If you haven’t seen it, check out the detailed shots on the Roland Sands Design website.
The Dallas area doesn’t have many curvy roads, but what it lacks in curves, it makes up for in open roads and highways, and that’s where the Super Meteor shines. Its long and low ergonomics and thumpy parallel-Twin made for pleasant cruising and comfortable long hours. The model is also available with Solo Tourer and Grand Tourer accessories packages for more touring capability.
Step Up
The Super Meteor is powered by the same engine found in the Royal Enfield INT650 roadster and Continental GT cafe racer: an air/oil-cooled 648cc parallel-Twin with SOHC and four valves per cylinder, which makes a claimed 46.4 hp at 7,250 rpm and 38.6 lb-ft of torque at 5,250 rpm. On the Super Meteor, the Twin gets new engine covers and darker finishes.
The Super Meteor’s new chassis was designed by Harris Performance, which is owned by Royal Enfield’s parent company, Eicher Motors Ltd. It has a tubular-steel frame, a wheelbase of 59.1 inches, rake of 27.6 degrees, and trail of 4.7 inches. The seat height is 29.1 inches. Suspension up front comes in the form of a nonadjustable 43mm Showa Big Piston inverted fork with 4.7 inches of travel. In the rear are dual shocks with five-position preload adjustment and 4 inches of travel. It rides on 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels, and it’s also equipped with a centerstand.
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The Super Meteor 650 was an ideal mount for open roads through flat Texas countryside. On the Super Meteor, the name of the game is comfort and stability. While the engine’s output is modest, the bike is more than capable of cruising at highway speeds. During our test, we rode up to 85 mph without any unwanted vibration. The suspension felt plush and soaked up all road impurities that we encountered, and the seat was still comfortable after a full day of riding.
Gear Up
- Helmet: HJC RPHA 91
- Jacket: Joe Rocket Turbulent Women’s Jacket
- Gloves: Joe Rocket Ballistic Ultra Women’s Gloves
- Pants: Alpinestars Daisy V2 Women’s Riding Denim
- Boots: Highway 21 Axle Leather Waterproof
Like we’d expect of a classic cruiser, the footpegs are in a forward position, adding more comfort and reducing ache that can result from long hours with bent knees. The seating position is neutral and upright. Although the seat height is taller than many cruisers, its 531-lb claimed wet weight is carried low, and turning into parking lots or onto other roads felt stable and easy. When it was time to slow things down, the single discs front (320mm) and rear (300mm) with 2-piston floating calipers got the job done just fine, and ABS comes standard.
Classic is Classy
One of the joys of riding the Super Meteor 650 comes in the form of its quality fit and finish. For a low-priced model, the Super Meteor features impressive quality, from the rich paint to the aluminum-plated switch cubes. The hand levers are adjustable, and the Royal Enfield badge on the 4.2-gallon teardrop tank adds a shiny and classy touch of chrome. It’s a bike that feels more expensive than its price tag indicates.
Instrumentation is provided by two round units. The larger unit on the left is an analog speedometer with an inset digital screen that allows the rider to flip through revs, gear indicator, fuel gauge, clock, and a tripmeter. On the right is a smaller round unit that provides turn-by-turn navigation and connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The navigation pod, along with a USB socket, make those longer trips even more practical.
My overall impression of the Super Meteor is that this is a bike on which I would happily log 300-plus miles a day, several days in a row. It wants to be out on the open road, eating miles and glistening in the sun, and it wants you to be comfortable while it does. The parallel-Twin is more than capable of performing at U.S. highway speeds, and the vintage style gives the Super Meteor a presence that I find myself drawn to. And now with Royal Enfield’s larger dealer network and the Technical Training Center educating dealers, I’d be confident that support would be available.
Options Galore
During our test ride, I rode the Astral variant of the Super Meteor 650, which is the standard option, and I found it well-suited for long hours in the saddle. The Interstellar variant is also focused on the needs of a solo tourer but comes with a two-tone paint job. For those wanting even more touring capabilities, the Celestial variant offers a deluxe touring seat, a passenger backrest, and a windshield. Royal Enfield also offers an extensive range of accessories grouped under the Solo Tourer and Grand Tourer themes. Our test bike was fitted with the optional windshield, which provided good wind protection.
The 2023 Super Meteor 650 starts at $6,999 for the Astral variant available in green, black, and blue. The Interstellar variant with two-toned paint in green or gray has an MSRP of $7,299, and the Celestial option in red or blue is available for $7,499.
Royal Enfield has made a smart move of leveraging its momentum in the U.S. market by producing a cruiser (America’s most popular motorcycle style) that fits into the mid-sized segment and then pricing it lower than the competition. With the Super Meteor, Royal Enfield retains its reputation of affordability while stepping up in terms of quality. Add in a three-year, unlimited-mile warranty with roadside assistance, and the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 could be just the mid-sized cruiser you’ve been looking for.
Check out more motorcycle reviews by Woman Rider.
2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Specs
- Base Price: $6,999
- Website: RoyalEnfield.com
- Warranty: 3 yrs., unltd. miles w/ roadside assistance
- Engine Type: Air/oil-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, SOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 648cc
- Bore x Stroke: 78.0 x 67.8mm
- Horsepower: 46.4 @ 7,250 rpm (factory claim)
- Torque: 38.6 lb-ft @ 5,650 rpm (factory claim)
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable actuated slip/assist wet clutch
- Final Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 59.1 in.
- Rake/Trail: 27.6 degrees/4.7 in.
- Seat Height: 29.1 in.
- Wet Weight: 531.3 lb (90% fuel, factory claim)
- Fuel Capacity: 4.1 gal.
