Tuesday, July 20, 2021

It's back to the 60s on Royal Enfield's affordable cafe racer (warning: Nudity!)

Source Website: https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/biker-boy/its-back-60s-royal-enfields-affordable-cafe-racer
By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof, zaihan@sph.com.sg, Columnist, The New Paper, 19 July 2021 at 06:00 am


The cafe racer has a low seat height, so both feet can easily touch the tarmac.
PHOTO: The cafe racer has a low seat height, so both feet can easily touch the tarmac.
TNP PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Picture posted by Zaihan Mohamed Yusof, zaihan@sph.com.sg, Columnist, The New Paper on 19 July 2021 at 06:00 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFHeVYxFsDvBM7T-ieeD0k-IXVOJ5ntPwccX4bmf2HeXu4DMMNRBvC47XqyRit29ht6uNSqV32V4zCMaUFaDKoHM74Y0Uq2s7Dti4rWq3HzBRgD_KeJBXSsmgGZZ4FxBpEye_JY-Rn74/s780/NP_20210719_BIKER19VKS8_6703519.jpg
https://www.tnp.sg/sites/default/files/styles/rl780/public/articles/2021/07/19/NP_20210719_BIKER19VKS8_6703519.jpg?itok=j0X8glOU
https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/biker-boy/its-back-60s-royal-enfields-affordable-cafe-racer


Royal Enfield's 2021 Continental GT 650 boasts sporty handling, has sufficient power, is affordable.

It does not have a cornering anti-lock braking system, different ride modes, a quickshifter or upside-down forks. Not even a digital clock.

But the 2021 Continental GT 650 from Royal Enfield - the world's oldest motorcycle-maker, founded in 1901 - is still a winner in the cafe-racer segment because of its simplicity.


Royal Enfield's 2021 Continental GT 650 (above) handles like a sports motorcycle, brakes robustly and sports a retro design.
PHOTO: Royal Enfield's 2021 Continental GT 650 (above) handles like a sports motorcycle, brakes robustly and sports a retro design.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Picture posted by Zaihan Mohamed Yusof, zaihan@sph.com.sg, Columnist, The Straits Times on 17 July 2021 at 05:00 am SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnOYKhxaNMhH7-sMFwP7QKBwuKylDqdnAfMHt_KagMWV_knJrPU0a85ZmccPWWwcg0tH9AnW91Javm0kCNpmyEgx6vR_GVeIdGpBOC89YbVZsSnqNKjd4TzWh_C_SHrUTQj_28INVDHg/s1536/ST_20210717_ZYENFIELD_6697432.jpg
https://static.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/articles/2021/07/17/ST_20210717_ZYENFIELD_6697432.jpg
https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/affordable-cafe-racer-takes-you-on-the-retro-road


Cafe racers originated in London and were popular in the 1960s. The GT 650's reasonable price tag, sufficient power for Singapore roads, sporty handling and retro design are palatable traits.

At around ＄20,000 with a certificate of entitlement (COE) and a three-year unlimited warranty, the GT 650 makes good sense at a time when COE premiums for motorcycles are at a high of more than ＄8,000.

Its unsophisticated looks and beefy exhaust sound originating from a parallel-twin 648cc engine will take you back to the 1960s, when motorcycles were stripped down and optimised for speed.


Cafe racers originated in London and were popular in the 1960s.
PHOTO: Cafe racers originated in London and were popular in the 1960s. Back in the 1960s, motorcycles were stripped down and optimised for speed.
Picture posted by Tony Blazier on 09 November 2008 - Dianna Dahlgren 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD0dLQEGjDzip78DbNJWIjBNSCqKIbKyt1SNzhw3ZIc7oevrQTSjpXw3VX5iBJxvnbLvsPmc3ITX9Tr9yalaYMCD77CDtElddK1VoSaVbyF5Sheue6G_0hEa4R49pwiQ7B6KvLRkE_00/s800/13880236954_14650f618e_c.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/7391/13880236954_14650f618e_c.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tblazier/13880236954/


The slender 13.7-litre fuel tank, clip-on handlebars and megaphone dual-exhaust pipes link it to the cafe-racing fraternity. Basic controls allow you to focus on riding and on the road.

With a low seat height, both feet can touch the tarmac effortlessly.

A dual chrome-trimmed analogue speedometer (with a digital trip-meter window) and rev counter complement the bike's old-school design.


The slender 13.7-litre fuel tank, clip-on handlebars and megaphone dual-exhaust pipes link it to the cafe-racing fraternity. Basic controls allow you to focus on riding and on the road.
PHOTO: The slender 13.7-litre fuel tank, clip-on handlebars and megaphone dual-exhaust pipes link it to the cafe-racing fraternity. Basic controls allow you to focus on riding and on the road.
With a low seat height, both feet can touch the tarmac effortlessly.
Picture posted by Iron and air
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8RhW9-SYWnQeE_yzbTdGUJPGROu4uG-KWA2kjcbjwc_ttU7shEP3jXqMOCkNRSYKTBd2vDKiLYaixSiAMrrh3xeh3pKg1q14sFMv0prSBgR69oCulLDtX1Cw8hZ8xm_7RGWi9m4-hMU/s1600/REINTERCEPTOR-4.webp
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1997/4275/files/REINTERCEPTOR-4.jpg?v=1553799792
https://ironandair.com/blogs/news/royal-enfield-twins


The passenger-seat cowl, which can be removed with an Allen key, adds racing flavour despite the motorcycle giving a relatively modest output of 47bhp and 52Nm.

While its performance figures are humble, the six-speed GT 650's tall first gear ratio and low-end torque (about 80 per cent available from 2,500rpm) ensure you will not be the last to pull away at the traffic light.

When you have to crouch over the fuel tank, which is long and narrow at the rear, you know you are on a cafe racer.


Caprice in Enfield bullet
PHOTO: Caprice in Enfield bullet
When you have to crouch over the fuel tank, which is long and narrow at the rear, you know you are on a cafe racer.
Picture posted by Motherlessmedia
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvdo02tC6QsbznYssBP2cWgUXu5J_1YV7MIaqMMkk6Ag3s98_zyLO-Ycq-rqpMrI0Qc1Ywm-rnL8kkgu071Xosu7LmLL5HZ3kqmC4LupZ7EnwUeVWRsz-YX3CciCe2IGajk8GPXFibew/s2048/5BCE6A3.jpg
https://cdn5-images.motherlessmedia.com/images/5BCE6A3.jpg
https://motherless.com/GCC31CB7/5BCE6A3


But on hard acceleration, you might be jolted onto the rear-seat cowl.

Taller riders will find their knees gripping the engine cylinder heat grilles, which is clearly less painful than gripping hot engine fins.


On hard acceleration, you might be jolted onto the rear-seat cowl.
PHOTO: Taller riders will find their knees gripping the engine cylinder heat grilles, which is clearly less painful than gripping hot engine fins.
Picture posted by Sportbike Rider
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV9yG4RxdruUvfkQp0YzhImLIuFNkwwcoca8g4PQMlg7nV_yp40Pn_oLK5mMfm3izzJyOD87ZSbBTg65LTgBr-92IjiaNoYO0D2nhGN-idCnO2-9nXbuepjyiqy_fBHto3huSFW7fD0U/s2048/Motorcycle-Babe-Yamaha-YZF-R1-553396-GP_1.JPG
https://www.sportbikerider.us/Women3/Motorcycle-Babe-Yamaha-YZF-R1-553396-GP.JPG
https://www.sportbikerider.us/SP/553396?FB=1


CUSHIONING
Non-adjustable 41mm telescopic forks and five-way preload dual shocks handle the suspension duties. They give plush cushioning for most road conditions, but the forks lack rebound damping over square-edged road bumps.

Despite the GT 650's dry weight of about 200kg, it still handles like a sports motorcycle.

Braking is robust, courtesy of twin piston anti-lock ByBre brakes. Likewise, the 18-inch tyres offer enough lean angle and grip on dry surfaces.


Plush cushioning for most road conditions. Preload dual shocks handle the suspension duties.
PHOTO: Plush cushioning for most road conditions. Preload dual shocks handle the suspension duties. Braking is robust, courtesy of twin piston anti-lock ByBre brakes.
Picture posted by vlc-uk on 11 May 2014 - MODELING A ROYAL ENFIELD
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_qjF8AcMqgG9RLBmJjyHniCt_vE4dPRg2_7XpJTdKlKob8GKEBmcT49QBSBNlLcF1H1riNsU17yBsCOJWG7JkXwUNaB7_T0ZobI_Ej2_fho0EZDSB6ij8Gg8uDEkdyZFrPv7kuIfY9U/s794/tumblr_inline_nm2j74KYcw1safd2x_1280.jpg
https://64.media.tumblr.com/66f4444b30291b37d80b94d96ae154e4/tumblr_inline_nm2j74KYcw1safd2x_1280.jpg
https://vlc-uk.tumblr.com/post/85390921883/england-geographically


Turns are negotiated without a quickshifter, so you have to blip the throttle during downshifts, followed quickly by the sound of the occasional exhaust "burp", before powering out of bends.

It is a lovely sound, especially from a modern fuel-injected, middle-class motorcycle.

Bringing more riding enthusiasts to this category is the brand's priority, Mr Vimal Sumbly, Royal Enfield's head of business markets in Asia-Pacific, told The Straits Times.


Sound should be lovely, especially from a modern fuel-injected, middle-class motorcycle.
PHOTO: Sound should be lovely, especially from a modern fuel-injected, middle-class motorcycle.
Picture posted by Pixels
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8_sbYqCD0hDANYf4SfyCysKDwAkitLuwPMpp4j2JSu6MPqVcNr-6kri81cEYAHQUCfNOdYHv3lZ7NzMMgCabmskYbFJk6SCdlx2XVcnWqw_RIFtrTjj58aDMjdpmoZRpNg4bDUOJH4g/s800/4c87d24a19ce1.jpg
https://i.pixxxels.cc/135075H5/4c87d24a19ce1.jpg
https://pixxxels.cc/rK3tKT3v


It is eyeing riders who intend to upgrade to bigger, affordably priced motorcycles that are capable of going everywhere.

The GT 650 should have quite a few converts.


It is eyeing riders who intend to upgrade to bigger, affordably priced motorcycles that are capable of going everywhere.
By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof, zaihan@sph.com.sg, Columnist, The New Paper, 19 July 2021 at 06:00 am
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Reference
[1] Zaihan Mohamed Yusof, zaihan@sph.com.sg, Columnist, The New Paper, It's back to the 60s on Royal Enfield's affordable cafe racer, posted on 19 July 2021 at 06:00 am, https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/biker-boy/its-back-60s-royal-enfields-affordable-cafe-racer


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