autoX Awards 2023: Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Performance, Quality and Value for Money Ranked

autoX Awards 2023: In recent years, Royal Enfield has embarked on a trajectory towards making bigger motorcycles, and the first product to come out of this was the Super Meteor 650. Now, the notion of ‘bigger’ is not limited to just dimensions in this context; in fact, it also includes better quality, for bigger motorcycles usually have superior quality components – a paradigm that the Super Meteor 650 seamlessly embodies.
 
At the heart of the Super Meteor is RE’s 649cc parallel-twin motor, renowned for making oodles of torque and for its willingness to be pushed to the limits. In fact, RE has tuned this engine especially for the Super Meteor in such a way that more torque is available lower in the rev range than its 650 counterparts. Another aspect in which the Super Meteor stands out is the quality of materials used on the motorcycle. The USD Showa forks, the excellently finished handlebars, and even the overall paint quality collectively make the Super Meteor 650 stand out among its rivals.
 
The SM650, however, is not without a few shortcomings. For instance, its stiff rear suspension – a problem often associated with the cruiser format. However, in Indian conditions, this issue becomes conspicuously pronounced because of our ever-changing road conditions. Another issue is that it’s quite heavy, although the weight only becomes apparent when you try and move it around in the parking lot. Both these problems, however, go for a toss when you show the Super Meteor 650 a smooth stretch of tarmac – the Yamuna Expressway, for instance – and simply let its motor rev at highway speeds. It’s then that you realise its true capabilities. Despite being a cruiser, the SM650 exhibits an impressive ability to swiftly cover distances, especially when placed in an environment that complements its strengths.

Also Read: RE Super Meteor 650 vs KTM 390 Adventure vs BMW G310 RR: Pick Your Poison

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, then, is a bit of a mixed bag. It excels in certain aspects and manages to be just about adequate in others. As for its lap time, we already knew that it wouldn’t set the lap time chart on fire, but with a lap time of 01.22.8, the Super Meteor just about manages to hold its ground.

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