Recently, I became interested
in typical 1960s 'Classic
Style' motorcycles and the
Royal Enfield Continental GT Motorcycle
is one I am considering. Its a bike that can be retro fitted with
numerous accessories and a choice of optional tank paint schemes to make it
your own.
I committed to a great deal of research on the Continental GT and the
Unofficial Royal Enfield Forum is
well worth a visit. Another site worth a visit is
Stuart Fillingham
who owns and posts videos relating to his ownership of the Royal Enfield
Interceptor 650 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT.
Contents:
The Heritage
The Heritage of
the current 2021 Royal Enfield Continental GT stretches all the way back to
1963 and the bikes remain very similar in looks. The image below is the 1960s Royal Enfield
Continental with a 250cc engine -
The Dux Deluxe colour has wheel rims (shown above) which match
the original 1960 bike but the Mr Clean Tank version below and the
British Racing Green version, both with the
black wheels, are also very nice.
Other colours include the Rocker Red and Ventura Storm -
Mudguard Extensions
I notice from the Continental GT images above
and on the Royal Enfield Website, that the 2021 model seems to have
those horrible mudguard extensions removed. The rear mudguard extension
which stuck out under the number plate was particularly horrible and the
one on the rear of the front mudguard was no better - the bike is much
more neater and aesthetically pleasing without them. However, the front and rear mudguard
extensions can easily be removed. Then, all that is
required is a (very slightly) smaller rear number plate from
Fancy Plates.
The Glory Days of British Motorbikes
The Continental GT harks back to the 1960s and to a certain extent has kept
true to the 'classic' tradition of a 1960s motorcycle, albeit the kick
starter which has been replaced by an electric start. Hopefully, one day the kick
starter will make a comeback on 'classic' retro styled motorbikes.
Technical Data
The
Technical Data includes a nice 820mm seat height and a wet weight of
212Kg. The performance from its 648cc air cooled twin cylinder
engine delivers 34.9 kW (109 hp) at 7,150 rpm and 52.3 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm.
I am thinking that 648cc is enough for an easy ride through the
countryside and to enjoy the burble of the exhaust note.
Servicing
The service interval is every 6,000
miles or 12 Months, whatever comes first. The valve clearances or
tappets required checked every 6,000 miles and adjusted if necessary.
Royal Enfield recommend a pre-ride check 3,000 miles after a
service but most owners do a pre-ride check before they go out on the
bike.
If you wish to do your own servicing, Hitchcocks supply a
Service Kit
for the bike and all you require to add to the kit is the 3.1litres of
oil from a local supplier or purchase a 4 litre container of
Silkolene Pro 4 10W-50
from Hitchcocks.
Stuart Fillingham has produced a
few videos on installing the above shocks -
I think if I purchased the Continental GT, I would start with just a couple
of accessories. I would purchase the optional centre stand, and consider changing the
stock mirrors for black bar end Royal Enfield mirrors
Cleaning & Polishing
Engine Casing
Stuart Fillingham has produced videos on cleaning his Royal Enfield
motorbike -
I would like a very basic 'Classic' motorcycle without all the bells and
whistles. I want to feel that the riding limits are decided by me and
not governed by electronics.
Of all the 'Classical Style' motorcycles that I have looked at, the
Continental GT has maintained the original visual appeal coupled with a
basic build. It is not perfect
but a modern frame which offers better handling is not a bad thing.
I like the clip-on handlebars and the long seat with the grab rail at
the back. The foot peg positions are further back than the Interceptor to get my legs and knees
slightly tucked up more and with a more forward leaning reach to the
handlebars.
The Royal Enfield Continental GT is devoid of traction control and is a
'bare bones' motorcycle with no rider aids, other than ABS which in
today's traffic is essential, especially on wet roads. It comes as
standard with a side stand and there is an
optional
centre stand which is great for getting the rear wheel up and oiling the
chain. Its a motorbike that I could service myself, perhaps not in the
warranty period but certainly thereafter.
Suspension
Apparently the Continental GT suspension is a step up from the
Interceptor and offers a firmer ride with better handling but if
necessary, I could change the stock rear suspension from the
Continental GT parts section at
Wemoto Royal Enfield Continental GT and purchase
Rear YSS G-Series Twin Shocks (AG9368).
Wemoto have other parts for the Continental GT, so their parts list is
worth exploring.
I think a pair of Royal Enfield pannier rails and bags would prove ideal and save using a backpack -
A video on fitting Royal Enfield Bar End Mirrors -
Accessory Links & Bike Cover & Premium Touring
Seat
Numerous accessories
are available
from
Royal Enfield Accessories Page and the
Continental GT could be classed as a bargain, considering just how
inexpensive it is, compared to other 'classic' motorcycles.
For winter storage in my garage, I would purchases an
Oxford Indoor Cover in black. Other
colours tend to show up any oil marks which are almost unavoidable when
putting on the cover, especially down at the chain.
R&G
also supply a list of Continental GT accessories.
Stuart Fillingham produced a very good video on a Premium Touring Seat,
with links to the supplier -
Shoei & Bell Open Face Helmets & Halcyon Goggles
One item that I will definitely consider is a open face helmet and
Shoei J-O Helmets
are probably the best ones on the market and they come with a flip down
visor. There is also the
Shoei RJ-Platinum-R
style that has a top fitting small sun visor peak that
can be removed to allow you to fit a standard 5-snap GT visor design to stay compatible with other
aftermarket compatible visors and shields. Of course you can stay with
the stock top sun visor peak and opt to wear goggles or ballistic lens
sunglasses.
Bell
is another helmet manufacturer which provides a great range of open face
helmets and is worth considering. Their
Bell Custom 500
range as well as their
Bell Scout Air
range is worth checking.
Halcyon probably make the best range of quality goggles and
they can be purchased from
Halcyon Classic Parts.
See the videos on Shoei and Bell helmets below -
A video on the Shoei J-O Helmets -
A video on the Shoei RJ-Platinum R Helmets -
A video on the Bell Scout Air Helmets -
A video on the Bell Custom 500 Helmets -
Scorpion Red Power Exhausts
Perhaps at a later date, a pair of stainless steel Scorpion Red Power Exhausts
from
Manhattan Bikes or
MotoGB would improve
the performance -
