Royal Enfield, the longest-surviving motorbike brand in the world, hasn’t been made in the UK since 1967, but it continues to attract new devotees with its Chennai-built products. The new Continental GT is the latest offering from Royal Enfield India, bearing many of the hallmarks of its British ancestors. But what does Britain’s motorcycle press think of the new model?
Pistonheads.com
The Pistonheads review gives us a long and interesting history of Royal Enfield, before moving on to the review proper. The GT’s performance fails to impress here, but the design is praised for its quirky coolness. The Pistonheads review questions whether or not the £5,199 price tag offers good value-for-money. It recommends opting for the higher spec £5,499 version – which comes with single seat, bar-end mirrors and race exhaust. Buyers are unlikely to call their motorbike breakdown cover provider too often, says the reviewer, since the GT should “run and run”.
Telegraph Motoring
The Telegraph’s Roland Brown also highlights the bike’s lack of performance, but points out that it will be a big hit among more nostalgic riders. The “pleasantly old-style feel” of the bike is backed up with improved reliability born of better quality control. The bike is praised for its fuel economy and its affordable price. The Telegraph gives the GT four out five stars.
www.motorbiketimes.com
Daniel Cartright of Motorbike Times describes his excitement at being one of the journalists given the chance to test the new GT. For Cartright, the unique, iconic look of the GT is one of the major selling points – drawing heavily on the 1965 British bike of the same name. The classic is supplemented with the modern, says the reviewer, with fuel injection, Brembo front callipers and gas rear shocks bringing the GT into the 21st Century. The lack of performance takes some getting used to, suggests Cartright, but overall the bike is lauded for its fun characteristics and its ‘retro-bike’ look and feel.
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