Six things you need to know about the 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

Royal Enfield has added a third model to its popular 650 Twins range, with the 2023 Super Meteor 650 coming nearly five years after the original Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650.

We attended the international media launch for the Super Meteor 650 in India earlier this year, and were impressed with the all-new machine’s comfort, ease-of-use, and fun factor.

More recently, we were invited to the Australian media launch on the Great Ocean Road, and while our opinion of the bike hasn’t changed, there few key points that prospective Australian customers must know. Here are six things you need to know about the Super Meteor 650.

The Super Meteor 650 is third model to use Royal Enfield’s lauded 649cc parallel-twin platform that puts out 47hp at 7250rpm and 52Nm at 5650rpm. It joins the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650, but it adds an all-new chassis and upside-down suspension for the first time on a Royal Enfield model. The bike also features LED lighting and Tripper navigation as standard.

The Super Meteor 650 is a cruiser-style motorcycle which contrasts with the Interceptor 650’s scrambler style and the Continental GT 650’s café racer stance. The Super Meteor 650 takes inspiration from the Meteor 350 cruiser, which is a single-cylinder retro-style cruiser motorcycle. But naturally the Super Meteor is bigger, heavier, and more substantial than its single-cylinder cousin. The bike weighs in at 241kg wet, which is quite heavy, but its tubular steel frame, 740mm seat height, and user-friendly ergonomics make it quite easy and comfortable to ride.

We did notice a few differences from the bikes we rode in India. Firstly, there is no heel-toe shifter on the Australian versions. On the launch in India, the bikes were fitted with heel-toe shifters, which took a bit of getting used to, but in the end proved to be a welcome novelty. However, not everyone is a fan of the system and the bikes we tested on the Australian launch had the standard toe shift lever. It is unclear if the heel-toe shifter was removed from the bike globally, or just for Australia.

Another difference was that the suspension felt a lot harsher, particularly at the rear. Ironically, the roads in India were a lot rougher, but the suspension seemed to soak everything up. Here in Australia, where the roads are smoother, the suspension didn’t work quite as well (although it is still more than adequate). On paper, the setup is the same, but it did feel like there might be a slightly different tune to the machines ridden in India. Fortunately, the rear shocks are adjustable.

Like the other 650 Twins models, the Super Meteor 650 is learner-friendly and LAMS-approved. LAMS (or Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) is an Australian initiative which limits riders holding a motorcycle learner permit to machines under 660cc. All current Royal Enfield models qualify under the LAMS scheme, with the Indian-based company focusing its attention on small- and mid-capacity bikes over large capacity and high-performance motorcycles. The 650 models are currently the biggest bikes in the brand’s line-up.

The 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is on sale now in Australia with a starting price tag of $11,990 ride away. The bike comes in two levels of trim – a basic version, and a Touring version which adds a windshield and a pillion backrest. There are also three available colour schemes. The Touring version (which is sold exclusively with the Celestial colourway) checks in at $12,540 ride away, making it the most expensive model in Royal Enfield’s range.

While a case could be made for both the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650, there is no denying that the Super Meteor 650 is one of the best Royal Enfield models to date. While it is learner-friendly and fairly basic, the Super Meteor is comfortable, practical, and whole lot of fun. The engine is very solid and has more than enough oomph for riding the open road, while the bike feels a lot lighter than its weight suggests. After a couple of days riding along the spectacular Great Ocean Road, it was clear that this is the perfect motorcycle for leisurely tarmac touring.