Royal Enfield is well-versed in crafting factory-built cafe racers. In 1963, Triumph Motor Company revolutionized the scene by launching its inaugural manufacturing café racer, the iconic Continental GT 250. Since then, the producer has unveiled numerous fashion-forward models that embody the Continental identity and its characteristic cafe racer styling. Let’s revisit the storied history of the Royal Enfield Continental GT café racer, tracing its origins and remarkable evolution over time.
The 1963 Royal Enfield Continental GT 250: A Rare Breed.
Royal Enfield debuted the Continental GT 250 at the height of the cult following surrounding cafe racers. Recognizing a gap in the market, they seized the opportunity to create a learner-approved motorcycle that combined impressive performance with an affordable price point, poised to captivate young riders. The Continental GT 250’s evolution sparked whispers that Enfield extended an olive branch to its younger apprentices, encouraging them to submit innovative ideas throughout the design process. Noticing an opportunity to tap into the previously untapped market of youthful, fashion-forward riders, they made it work.
The Continental GT 250’s design checked all the cafe racer styling boxes, boasting a sleek and sporty aesthetic that paid homage to its iconic predecessors. The GT’s fiberglass gasoline tank was sleekly proportioned, its lengthiness and low profile secured by a humble rubber strap reminiscent of racing bikes from that era. The twin Smith gauges were housed in a custom-designed compartment on the yoke, providing at-a-glance access to vital information regarding speed and revolutions per minute. The seat offered ample space for two riders, featuring a subtle hump at the rear, reminiscent of classic racing designs. The clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs further evoked a sense of motorsport heritage in the seating arrangement. A set of sleek cooling discs adorns the entrance drum, enhancing its appearance but serving little functional purpose beyond aesthetic appeal; meanwhile, the low-profile exhaust pipe is topped with a prominent megaphone-style silencer.
The 1963 Triumph Continental GT 250 was propelled by a 250cc single-cylinder engine, which drew from existing designs in Enfield’s inventory. Built on the success of the corporation’s lucrative Crusader Sports platform, the 250 engine boasted an increased compression ratio of 9.5:1, a uniquely crafted crankcase breather, and a 5-speed transmission featuring an added gear in its fifth gear setting. The modifications enabled the GT to surpass the Crusader’s top speed by 5mph, achieving a verified pace of 85mph. Which determined the bike’s title as Britain’s quickest 250?
Prior to the launch of the new Royal Enfield model, the company boldly embarked on a long-distance ride for a group of street riders, starting in northern Scotland and concluding on the southern coast of Britain. After more than 22 hours of grueling and arduous bike riding, they finally arrived at their much-needed vacation destination. Enfield arranged for a rider to complete eight high-speed laps at the renowned Silverstone raceway. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the GT successfully completed its task, achieving impressive average speeds without hesitation. The Continental GT 250’s winning formula emerged from a perfect blend of people’s applause for its design, accomplishments that set it apart, and a pace that left the competition in its rearview mirror, making it an instant sensation. Considered a potential lifeline by many for the floundering Royal Enfield brand.
As was often the case with British motorcycles built during the 1950s and 1960s, the Continental GT 250 possessed its fair share of quirks. Notwithstanding its original status as a relic of Sixties British motorcycle heritage, this particular model has since been rebranded as an iconic symbol of the era’s café racer culture, renowned for being one of the first factory-built café racers made available to the public.
The iconic 2013 Royal Enfield Continental GT 535: a sleek and rugged motorcycle that exudes the essence of nostalgia and adventure. Its slender silhouette and gleaming chrome accents evoke the spirit of free-spirited travel, while its powerful V-twin engine ensures an exhilarating ride. Whether navigating city streets or venturing off-road, this machine is sure to captivate with its classic charm and dependable performance.
Fifty years on from the iconic Continental GT 250’s departure, the cafe racer phenomenon underwent a remarkable revival. With Royal Enfield now firmly under Indian ownership, the company seized the opportunity to reboot its brand and made a bold move to tap into the market’s growth momentum. The resulting model was the Continental GT 535.
The 2013 Royal Enfield Continental GT 535 debuted as a game-changer in the manufacturer’s lineup, boasting a unique identity that diverged from its predecessors while still reflecting the brand’s heritage. Enlisting the expertise of renowned bike body specialists Harris Efficiency Merchandise and esteemed UK design agency Xenophya Design, Enfield collaborated on the design of its GT 535 model. Notably, this tribute paid homage to a British icon, while simultaneously collaborating with British companies to bring it to life.
While sharing a striking similarity with the 1963 GT 250, the GT 535 exuded a heightened level of sophistication and fashion sense, its refined features setting it apart from its predecessor. The metal gas tank, despite its modern construction, eerily replicated the vintage original’s distinct character. The saddle terminates in a streamlined, racer-inspired hump, crafted from durable ABS plastic. The sprint featured dual clocks displaying pace and revolutions, while the relatively more laid-back riding position was attributed to the addition of clip-on handlebars and rear-set foot controls. The 535’s upswept exhaust shared a remarkably similar aesthetic with the GT 250, while its lighting design was inspired by that of the iconic model, mirroring its distinctive style. Enfield further accelerated the production of its innovative new model. To achieve their ambitious goal of significantly increasing global revenue, the company placed a premium on exceptional management practices. In reality, one of the most striking differences lay in the dramatic upgrade to engine performance capabilities.
At its core, the Continental GT’s 535 twin-loop tubular metal body housed the manufacturer’s most powerful and robust engine to date. The 535cc single-cylinder engine produced 30 horsepower and 44 Nm of torque. While not comparable to Triumph’s 900cc Thruxton in terms of power output, this model still marked a significant achievement for Indian manufacturers.
With its bespoke engine and exceptional build quality, the Continental GT 535 boasted an impressive array of advanced features. Although the standard fork entries are typically non-adjustable, the rear shocks from Paoli do offer adjustability. The dual-disc brake setup features Brembo components, while the hubs are meticulously wrapped in premium Excel rims for exceptional performance.
To pay homage to the origins of the cafe racer movement and the iconic Continental GT 250, Royal Enfield introduced the GT 535 to the UK market. The testers also evaluated the 535’s dependability by conducting a cross-country road test, spanning over 870 miles from John o’Groats in the north to Land’s End in the south, replicating real-world driving conditions. The system operated flawlessly, completing its task without any issues.
The 2017 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650: a motorbike that embodies the spirit of adventure and freedom. With its sleek design and powerful engine, this bike is perfect for those who crave the open road. Its retro-style aesthetic pays homage to the classic motorcycles of yesteryear, while its modern features ensure a smooth ride. Whether you’re cruising down a winding highway or carving through the city streets, this bike is sure to turn heads.
At the 2017 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Royal Enfield debuted a brand-new 648cc parallel-twin powerplant. With a bold strategy to dominate the global middle-weight motorcycle market, the company unveiled two fresh designs featuring its innovative powerplant, the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. Following the event, news emerged that production of the Continental GT 535 was coming to a halt. Despite being disheartened by that data, it couldn’t compare to the excitement generated by Enfield’s groundbreaking decision to introduce its inaugural twin-cylinder engine, a cutting-edge design poised to revolutionize the motorcycling landscape.
Royal Enfield stuck to its tried-and-true Continental GT heritage. Unbeatable quality and unwavering reliability at an affordable price. Below $6,000 USD, the brand-new GT 650 was an incredibly enticing option. A revolutionary new engine was conceived and developed by a team of experienced engineers, formerly of Triumph, in a state-of-the-art research and development facility located in the UK. The chassis and suspension were designed by Harris Efficient Systems, now a subsidiary of Royal Enfield. This bike had a harmonious blend of modern components and traditional design elements.
The latest Continental GT boasts a 648cc, 8-valve, 270-degree crankshaft, single overhead cam, parallel-twin engine that generates 47 horsepower and 52 Newton-meters of torque. As the flagship model, the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Twin emerged as the most powerful and popular engine in the brand’s history, solidifying its position as a trendsetter among motorcyclists. On top of its efficiency, Royal Enfield devoted special attention to the aesthetic appeal of its new motorcycle. Unlike Triumph, which adopted a conventional approach to meet stricter emissions regulations through water cooling, Enfield instead employed an innovative air/oil cooling system. Unlike many trendy designs currently on offer, the Enfield’s parallel twin fins are more than just a visual statement. The air-oil cooling system’s advantage lies in its ability to showcase the mechanics of the GT 650, with the oil cooler situated at the entrance, boasting a design half the size of those found on the latest Triumph Bonneville models, allowing for an unobstructed view of the motorcycle’s mechanical prowess.
The Continental GT 650 presents a familiar yet refined aesthetic, echoing the design DNA of its predecessors with renewed sophistication. The bike opts for all the quintessential cafe racer design elements: clip-on handlebars, an elongated fuel tank featuring pronounced knee dents, a raised seat hump, and pipes terminating in distinctive megaphone mufflers that sweep upwards. The Continental GT 650 boasts a bold pink hue, reminiscent of past fashion statements, while Enfield introduces several retro-inspired colour schemes, including an eye-catching chrome-tanked variant. The Continental GT 650’s blend of spoked rims, vintage-inspired twin gauges, plush seat, and stylish lighting features – all quintessential Continental design cues – harmonize to create a visually stunning retro bike that stands out in today’s market.
This cafe racer’s appeal is amplified by an array of modern conveniences added to its already alluring design. The vehicle features a comprehensive suite of advanced security technologies, including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), dual-disc brake systems for enhanced stopping power at both the front and rear axles, a six-speed manual transmission providing seamless gear shifts, and cutting-edge digital fuel injection for optimal engine performance. While the Continental GT 650 may not boast the fastest acceleration among its cafe racer peers, it undoubtedly offers the most impressive value for money in the market. Don’t miss this incredible offer – the vehicle is backed by a comprehensive three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty that provides unparalleled peace of mind. (sure, you learn that proper)
With a rich history spanning more than five decades, I consider the Royal Enfield Continental GT to be the most authentic café racer that any manufacturer has ever created? While the original GT 250 appealed to youthful Rockers in the 1950s, today’s upgraded version remains steadfastly faithful to its heritage. Since its inception in 1963, Royal Enfield has earned top marks for maintaining its unwavering commitment to consistency and authenticity throughout the years. Whether you’re a novice cyclist seeking a reliable, affordable, and straightforward commuter or an experienced rider looking to scale back to a bike that embodies simplicity, the Continental GT is an exceptional choice, offering unparalleled value for its price.
