We've just taken delivery of our latest long termer, a new Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650. Join Axel Martin on his journey from dirt to tarmac as he finds his freedom on the open roads...
Hi everyone, I’m Axel, a new contributor to BikeReview. I’m 19 and starting my road riding journey. I have been surrounded by bikes, racing and adrenaline my whole life as my father Steve raced in multiple world championships and I grew up in the pits or in the shed.
Axel picked up our BikeReview Super Meteor 650 from Royal Enfield’s Mal Jarrett and is starting his on-road journey on the bike. Axel will give us monthly updates as he goes from dirt to tarmac track and now to public roads…
Both of my parents have held a motorcycle licence since they were teenagers, so you can imagine how easy I thought it was going to be to convince them to let me get mine – but no, my dreams were cut short by a simple, “Do as we say not as we do”. So I did what any normal teenager would do, I booked myself in for my licence test because it’s easier to ask for forgiveness rather than permission. After passing the test I was itching to ride and that is when I got this amazing opportunity to look after the BikeReview long term Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650.
“What stood out to me the most was when I fired it up – the deep sound of the parallel-twin engine. It was love at first sight and sound!”
I drove non-stop to pick up our brand new Astral Black Super Meteor. I had seen photos of the bike on the Royal Enfield website and Simon and Jeff’s reviews from the global and the local launch, but nothing could prepare me for seeing it in person. Its sleek body lines, more chrome than a Low Rider, I just can’t believe how good it looks, especially for a LAMS approved bike.
What stood out to me the most was when I fired it up – the deep sound of the parallel-twin engine. It was love at first sight and sound! The handover went smoothly and all I could do was think about how I wanted to ride it home, but there was a small voice in my head that argued against having my first ride on the road in peak hour traffic, so I did the smart thing and loaded the bike into the van.
“Getting to experience the freedom on the roads that driving a car just can’t give was a special moment.”
Soon enough the time came for my first ever ride public road ride. I put on all of my gear and off I went. Any nerves I had quickly washed away. Getting to experience the freedom on the roads that driving a car just can’t give was a special moment. The bike felt stable and corners like a dream, the throttle response is smooth as butter making it the perfect bike for learners.
You definitely can’t sleep on the 52.3Nm of torque the parallel-twin puts out, having any decent punch in the LAMS approved class is a rarity and well appreciated. Not only was the bike absolutely perfect on my first ride but also I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and go on longer trips on more unfamiliar roads.
As a learner I am not allowed to use my phone as a GPS on a mounting system which can make things very complicated for navigating. Luckily Royal Enfield thought of learner riders, with the Tripper pod, the small L plate legal device that can be purchased as an option with the bike. This made navigation simple. It only took me three minutes to set up on the Royal Enfield app and before I knew it I was on my way on an adventure.
The longer journey was a challenge but I kept in mind what I had learned at my course and that was to make sure I had a large distance between the cars and ride defensively. It all sounds simple when you’re in the compound but when you’re out on the highway doing 100km/h you really get a sense of what could go wrong. In the end I made it to my destination and enjoyed every second of it but it is necessary to know and understand the dangers of the road and what could go wrong – you need to stay alert and ride responsibly.
My background is racing motocross and I also have a Ninja 400 track bike. But I have found that riding out on the open road is a special, different feeling. I love the open road because of the freedom and the wind blasting my body and it gives me an opportunity to take in the sights and smells.
Things that seem tedious in a car such as getting lost or windy roads become an adventure on a bike because it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. This is the philosophy of Royal Enfield, with the Super Meteor 650 being the definition of this…
“You can ask any rider what they think about their first road going bike and they will usually remember it with a smile clouded by nostalgia.”
You can ask any rider what they think about their first road going bike and they will usually remember it with a smile clouded by nostalgia. And you will be correct in saying I will be doing the exact same thing about this bike when I’m older.
There’s a special connection between a rider and their first bike, in my opinion there was no better candidate than the SM 650. So what’s my plan now? My plan now is to continue riding this amazing bike and continue to make memories that last a lifetime and take you guys and girls along for the ride with me. Next month, it is first service time already!
Tech Talk, Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650
The Super Meteor 650 is centred around the award-winning 648cc twin platform that’s been rigorously tested and, since 2018, enjoyed worldwide acclaim within the multi-award-winning Interceptor INT 650 and Continental GT 650.
Royal Enfield unveiled the new Super Meteor 650 at ECIMA 2023. Check out the latest creation from the historic brand…
The Super Meteor 650 is powered by the same first modern Royal Enfield 650 twin engine that is seen in the Continental/Interceptor 650. Created in the 2018, the platform is a single overhead cam, 8 valve, air/oil-cooled, 648cc parallel twin, producing 47bhp and 52Nm. The engine has a strong low and mid-range performance, retaining the Royal Enfield character of accessible torque through the rev range.
Also shared with the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, is the six speed gearbox, especially developed for Royal Enfield. The gearbox is augmented by it’s ‘slip/assist’ clutch, that facilitates easy riding in traffic with a light feel, and prevents wheel-hop when downshifting gears – this was actually a first for Royal Enfield back in 2018.
Created at the UK Technology Centre in conjunction with Harris Performance, the frame and swingarm are entirely new and meet the design brief of a motorcycle with a low centre of gravity for high-speed stability and easy manoeuvrability. Fabricated in steel with optimised forgings, investment castings, pressings and extrusions, the chassis incorporates a new cylinder-head mount for additional stiffness.
Fabricated in steel with optimised forgings, investment castings, pressings and extrusions, the chassis incorporates a new cylinder-head mount for additional stiffness.
Royal Enfield’s first USD forks, with 120mm of travel, premium rear shocks with 5-step preload and 101mm travel, complement the new frame, ensuring the Super Meteor is both stable and rewarding to ride on the open road, yet does not suffer from heavy or wallowing steering through the curves.
The Super Meteor 650 has the dimensions of a cruiser, with a low stance and a narrow-waisted seat, which allows a comfortable stand over. The riding position is one of the key differentiators of any cruiser and the Super Meteor nails this with its feet-forward foot controls and raised wide handlebars. A large tank gives extended range and wide tubeless tyres on 16in rear and 19in front alloy rims are said to provide dependability and peace of mind at highway speeds.
The instrument cluster combines the classic feel of an analogue speedometer with the functionality of an LCD display for essentials such as revs, gear indicator, fuel gauge, clock and trip meter. Adjustable clutch and brake levers offer a smooth operation along, while ergonomically designed barrel profile grips integrate the Royal Enfield logo.
The Super Meteor’s paint finish is excellent while its distinctive tank badges, inspired by historic Royal Enfield designs, are faceted in chrome and accented with two colours of tinted infill
There is Royal Enfield’s celebrated TBT (Turn-By-Turn) navigation pod, known as the Royal Enfield Tripper. A first on any Indian-made motorcycle when introduced on the Meteor 350, this highly-focused tool, developed in collaboration with Google, links to the rider’s smartphone via Bluetooth.
A discreet USB socket is located beneath the left side panel. Further attention-grabbing features on include a LED headlamp, a first for Royal Enfield, which is carefully designed to deliver old-school charm but provide all the benefits of LED technology.
Finally, the Super Meteor’s paint finish is excellent while its distinctive tank badges, inspired by historic Royal Enfield designs, are faceted in chrome and accented with two colours of tinted infill that results in a gorgeous, jewel-like finish.
2025 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Specifications
Price: From $11,990 ride away (as tested).
Warranty: 3 year factory warranty & 3 year roadside assistance
Colours: Interstellar Green, Interstellar Grey, Celestial Red, Astral Green, Astral Black, Astral Blue, Celestial Blue
Claimed power: 35kW [47hp]@7250rpm
Claimed torque: 52Nm [38ft-lbs]@5650rpm
Weight: 241kg wet
Fuel capacity: 15.7L
Fuel Consumption Claimed: N/A
Fuel Consumption (measured): N/A
Engine: SOHC air and oil-cooled 648cc parallel twin four-stroke, eight-valve, 78mm x 67.8mm bore x stroke, 9.5:1 compression, 270º firing order crankshaft, Bosch EMS/EFI
Gearbox: Six-speed constant mesh Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper clutch, cable actuation
Chassis: Steel tubular spine frame
Rake: N/A Trail: N/A
Suspension: 43mm Upside Down Telescopic Fork, Twin Shocks, 101mm travel, preload adjustable.
Brakes: 320mm disc, twin piston floating caliper (f), ABS, two-piston, 300mm rotor, twin piston floating caliper (r) Tyres: 100/90 – 19 M/C 57H (f) 150/80 B16 M/C 71H (r)
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1500mm
Seat height: 740mm
Ground clearance: 135mm
Overall width: 890mm
Overall Length: 2260mm
Overall height: 740mm
Instruments & electronics: Dual clocks, tacho, speedo, dual trip, warning lights/fuel.
Electronics: Bosch Two-Channel ABS, Bosch EMS.
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