Royal Enfield - The Continental GT Story | Promotion | Motorcyclenews.com

With the much publicised launch of Royal Enfield's new, Continental GT yesterday (goo.gl/0WRG4L) - it offered us a chance to delve deeper into the history of the brand and the evocative memories of the original 'Cafe Racer'.
View more great motorcycling videos on the MCN channel: / motorcyclenewsdotcom
Get the latest motorcycle news at www.motorcyclen...
Join us on Facebook at / motorcyclenews
Motor Cycle News on Twitter: / mcnnews
MCN sport on Twitter: / mcnsport
Love this video? Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel: bit.ly/2dMl0sx
Get the best of biking EVERY day...
Stay up to date with the latest from MCN:
Latest motorcycle news: www.motorcyclen...
Facebook: / motorcyclenews
Follow @MCNnews on Twitter: / mcnnews
Follow @MCNsport on Twitter: / mcnsport
Welcome to the official KZbin channel of the world’s biggest print and online motorcycle publication. All the greatest motorcycle video content from the world’s
most respected motorcycling media brand. Since 1955 MCN is available weekly in
both print and digital editions and 24/7 on motorcyclenews.com

[@ShiphamThakeham]

Reading some of the comments here, insulting one another, threatening one another, for Christ's sake! Get a grip! We are all motorcyclists at heart, if someone wants to buy an Enfield and potter round, bloody well let them! I ride a Kawasaki ZZR600, plenty fast enough for me, but I would like an Enfield Continental 535, I have owned and ridden on the road a DBD34 Gold Star and a 1957 short stroke Manx Norton Model 30, also on the road. As long as people keep riding motorcycles, surely this is the most important thing? I couldn't really give a monkeys fart what anyone thinks about the bikes I ride, live and let live I say!

[@busawulf]

Had a 250 Continental GT in1967, my first bike. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Never in my wildest dreams did I think that 51 years later that I would have a 200 +mph certificate for the standing mile and a 400bhp turbo Hayabusa! Just as well they weren't around then, I'd never have made my 21st birthday....ha ha. A LOVELY vid. Thank you.

[@notwocdivad]

Whoa hold the bus here boys. "Back in the day" how many road going 500 singles would crack the ton? Two spring to mind The Goldie, and that was a racer with lights! and ,the VeloThruxton any more? Compare the power figures of the RE and the bikes of that era and see what you find. how quick was an ES2? B33? A Model 18 AJS or it's Matchless stable mate the G80 They were all in the same ball park regarding power. The RE is a slow revving 500 push rod single for Gods sake not a 1000cc monster from Japan. I'm sure if you want to go that quickly there are loads of bikes to choose so don't expect the Bullet to be something it's not and accept it for what it is instead. or pay a bit extra and buy the bits to make it quicker it's your choice. Ask Mr Lal nicely and he may re make the Mk2 Interceptor, Oh and i'm 63 I was there "back in the day" Dave UK

[@jeremyatkinson4976]

They weren't actually. The Enfield and Ariel 500 were a fair bit faster than the Norton and Matchless My 54 early Bullet would do more than 65 in third. My 52 AJS was at least ten miles an hour slower. The Bullet revved better. I agree with the Goldie and the Thruxton, maybe a good Venom. I've never owned a Velo

[@LakshayaBaliyan]

Well, yeah a Continental GT even in the present day, with 535 down the chassis can't reach the Ton (100 Miles an hour). It can touch 93 Mph, but not 100!

[@paulmeads802]

@@LakshayaBaliyan Vincent Comet 500 single would do a ton

[@randhalljoss6762]

i do own an 535 cgt made in india lovely great bike for rider know about cafe racer history back in time i did own and ride a t120 all alloy triton,got to sale it beacause i was job less @ that's time,the re 535 cgt made in india is the only real cafe racer on the market to day,cafe racer is not a style.is a way of live

[@anirbandey9718]

Has any harley ever conquered the khardungla? Royal Enfield does it every year.

[@Lone_wolf_31]

If people don't like the continental gt ,it's best for them not to post bullshit about it .If they don't like it, let em go for thruxtons and guzzis...the GT is a mid sized cafe racer not for achieving over 100 mile an hour or do a ton,but for classic nostalgia and heritage with a modern touch and attention to detail...well I like it and i'm getting me one !

[@TheRobynhud]

phalgun rao i got one ,its a beauty to behold .

[@sefton1972]

This is brilliant. I’m currently awaiting my bike test & in turn trying to decide on my first proper bike for when I pass. 🤞🏻This single cylinder 500cc GT is top of my list. I’m 48. Not interested in top end clout. I’m all about low revving tourque & sheer class. This bike oozes it. Simple in design. Simple to work on & maintain. The correct Café lines. Perfect.

[@jyotiprakashnanda5653]

Try GT 650 , refined twin cylinder less viby same style

[@bharatbhagyabidhata5187]

This is a great byke by most standards and believe me when I say it that it wont leak oil like some other REs in the past did even at prolonged constant speed of 130 kmph. I can understand the comments by some of my european friends here that it lacks the power and punch that cafe racers used to have but the simple logic must be understood that the byke's biggest market is gonna be in India so it is made keeping in mind the Indian requirements at large.

[@bharatbhagyabidhata5187]

One more thing to know for my european friends is that this byke is gonna be available in India for some where around 2400 euros for which not Harley or Triumph can be purchased. And a crash or accident wont be as futile to the pocket as compared to some of its european competitors. One more thing would be its suspension and handling is tuned to Indian road conditions which are truely pathetic(so lesser high speeding) but flip side of the coin is it gives this byke a multiple terrain advantage.

[@notwocdivad]

Further to my post, when I said compare the power figures of the RE and the bikes of that era, I meant COMPARABLE bikes of that era ie 500 singles, Of course the Bonnies, RGS' Vincents' Tritons etc were faster but even they are now consigned to the old fogie brigade because the Japanese bikes are so much faster, However not everyone wants to travel at warp speed (if you can find enough road without cameras) What about Harleys? are they not show ponies? and they sell plenty of them (and no, I am not comparing Bullets and Harleys) Dave UK

[@samuelalexanderharve]

a good video by mcn been a long time coming keep it up

[@001Rupes]

I like it. I would buy one.

[@meetvignesh]

Great to see Royal Enfield searching the roots for inspiration.

[@883superlow1]

Would like to test one of these for sure.

[@sefton1972]

Still a brilliant, inspiring watch. I’d love a 535 GT.

[@MrTriaxiom]

There is no plastic on this bike.

[@883superlow1]

Used to have a 250GT, tried to buy it earlier this year it was sold for £3500.00

[@johnbrereton5229]

Shame, I thought this was about the original Redditch 250cc Continental GT and its development, not the modern Indian 500cc incarnation.

[@davidgibbons3753]

When I first seen this bike it was on a platform in kings of oxfords window I went every day to look at it wishing I could afford one it was the best bike in the 60s David bolton

[@katana258]

plastic is plastic any where you build it ...fades, decals peel ,and electrics fail ..and in 3 years it's all gone for the better new ones ....gee I thought they had mt's in india .. some of the real big ones ..

[@solomonsanchez79]

Does anyone realize that Royal Enfield has been made in India since the late 1940's?

[@starscream1457]

It used to be official bikes of indian army in 50s and 60s.... Now that concept is outdated in all over the world of using motorbikes in millitary

[@ALTMED]

please come and sell it in my country

[@starscream1457]

Paxtan?

[@leesamlee]

Just bought one for myself. The tragedy is that this cafe racer can't do a ton up... Top speed is around 130 km

[@Lone_wolf_31]

Naturally dude ! You cant expect more power from it its just a show pony ! If uou need power think of triumph but any way beautiful bike there even I was thinking of getting me one

[@manuddeepkarri2145]

Sam Lee hitchcock

[@LakshayaBaliyan]

I have touched 150 Kmph!

[@katana258]

build quality , sure maybe not but at 1/4 the cost . I could get 4 of them to your 1

[@steveemerson-cn1hn]

Awesome, really enjoyed this video,

[@Lone_wolf_31]

Beautiful looking bike ! But I'm more intended towards buying a ktm instead ! Let's see how it feels in real life ! The power figures of continental get is not so great though ! Only time will tell when I take s test drive

[@Billbothebear14]

And, my man it is NOTHING to be proud of.. An OLD mans bike, OK for Asia and chaotic roads of India.. but a Cafe Racer.? 29bhp.! Cafe' means nothing, it has no value.. just place to place.. BUT.. Racer is EVERYTHING.. and your proud 29bhp.. it will rebound on RE everywhere unless they put in a decent 40bhp motor. Watch this space. And no venom comments please..

[@Billbothebear14]

Are you blind or just slow.. Look at the words.. Unsafe.. needs more power, performance shortfall.. would NOT buy one..Every magazine the same.! Get real.. as I have said repeatedly.. RE have missed the point totally.. this is a SHOW PONY not a Cafe' Racer. They have designed the style and very nice too. But NO performance whatsoever.!! And THAT my man is the whole POINT of Cafe' Racers. Geddit.. I think not.. you are just defending RE. BUT IT IS NOT IN ANY WAY GOOD ENOUGH.!!

[@Billbothebear14]

Mr Patel.. I have looked at this again today. How DARE you speak to me in such a rude manner when you can't even speak, or indeed write. English. YOU are of the 3rd world.. and with your manners Mr Patel.. you should stay there. What did India ever give the west.? well it certainly wasn't this lot of old rubbish. Every magazine in the west has "quietly" slammed it. The old guys might buy it.. that's where it belongs. End.! Bad mistake.. Goodbye Royal Enfield.?

[@MSVHYBRIDZ]

made in india :)

[@vijaynair2853]

some likes it, some give their opinions, suggestions and why do we quarrel here? in european american standards it it may be underpowered, but for india, well many want it but cannot afford it. but the truth is that royal enfield hasnt grown up in 50 years. they could have made better R&D and came up with more fun to ride bikes. now that they are cashiering on the old people's nostalgia (like me) and thats all. by the by i am a fan of RE from my childhood, cause i can afford it and not the harle

[@devilsdad7787]

This is crazy its made in India and still we dont have it available for test rides! I love Royal Enfield's and have one my self from the past 5 years , also have a KTM Duke 200. RE's are not very efficient but very reliable . Not much electronics and yeah not much power either. the in this case has only 30bhp and 44nm torque with a Kerb weight of 183.

[@AskioXT]

So it's italian for a half: brembo brakes, Pirelli tires and paioli suspension... Not bad.

[@starscream1457]

No. Its a global product.. ... In todays world nothing is italian or british or japanese.... Individual comoanies exist today instead of countrys name... For example.. Yamaha yzf r1 is made by japanese technology with italian brakes with other countryes tyre brand with engine oil of some other compa y from some other country..... So bY ur logic japanese bikes are also half european..... Parts are sourced from all over the world...... Like lamborghini murcealago was designed by an argentinian guy with italian engine.... And mclaren f1 is british designed car with german bmw engine and different parts from all over the world

[@katana258]

ya and h.d. is being made there also and we know they can not pull them selves also .high cost of labor will not mean a better machine .. look at G.M ..

[@TRUFFLEHOUNDEXPRESS]

Err ....I don't think it's me who is slow here. I was in fact agreeing with you to an extent, but making the point that it is not universally being "crucified". See CBG and MCN. I have to say the subect matter here is of interest but I'm not obssesed so won't be engaging further.

[@katana258]

yes that's what I said in reply to so fool , metal that last where his plastic will fade and crack ..that's why this is a better bike

[@jonathanpardoe558]

Surely the continental GT was a 250cc and was the best most purposeful looking of all the 250cc bikes available in 1967. The BSA starfire was bicycle like compared and the Matchless was big and clumsy, I believe Royal Enfield had planned a four valve head for 1968 which would have least have been fashionable. Fantastic to see Royal Enfield survive and prosper. Why couldn't it have been done in UK ??

[@starscream1457]

Bcause of ww2, british RE went bankrupt... The current RE is actually made by enfeild india, when the british RE went bankruot.. Enfeild india or madras motors bought the rights to use the name Royal enfeild on their models in india... And hence madras motors or enfeild india is name RE now

[@Mikelikesbikes01]

What, the same 'plastic junk...crap' that will take you thousands of miles across every conceivable terrain? Wouldn't call that 'make believe' there pal...This new Enfield is great looking and I hope that it sells but the build quality won't be a scratch on the KTMs and BMWs that you're so ready to disdain

[@starscream1457]

Its build quality is as good as ktms bro.. Ktms are also build in india.. These bikes do trips to khardungla everyday easily while BMW is one of the most unreliabke brands in world todya if you search up the list of most unreliabke brands... And also see fortnines video on which companies bikes produce more cleaner smoke.. RE is on top... Chinese bikes are lowest, italian brands are second lowest, harley is somewhere in mid.. KTM is on the upper side too.... Fortnine aint indian so no biassed reports.. And that dsta was scientifically calcluated by measuring particles in laboratory

[@tomination32]

The last I heard, Royal Enfield had no UK importer.. How are we meant to get our hands on one ?

[@jerryx2000]

Brembo???

[@harshjivani]

The song towards the end, does anyone know that ?

[@TRUFFLEHOUNDEXPRESS]

Motor Cycle News Senior Road Tester commented "....in many ways I really like it and would love to have one tucked away for sunny afternoons and darting aound on the country lanes." RE are not going to get generally "crucified" for this bike but the performance shortfall is why I would not buy one. I like to access the countryside quickly via the M25,M3 etc. A bike needIing a tail wind to hit 80MPH is simply unsafe for motorway work.It does need more power to be widely desireable. Safe Riding.

[@1000sofusernames]

5 years later you finally have the 650 twin!

[@SamCordery]

You sure that will crack the ton?

[@truantray]

Oh please, enough with the fake cafe racers. These bikes are now poorly made in India with cheap labor, and couldn't pull the skin off of a custard, at ridiculous prices.

[@anmolnageshk8053]

okleydokley and it sold out like an ocean....compared to old shit..of eng bikes.....heavy engines like elephant without power...

[@bigrobnz]

you make it sound like a bad thing.....

[@SteveFiford]

too much talking not enough bike

[@hadye]

I think they are doing a good job, personally I like it

[@speedcitycyclellc7019]

Great video. Thanks for sharing the history.

[@Billbothebear14]

Mr Divray, A quick look at your thumbnail pic' tells me who and what you are.. Gaming videos.. not big on bikes then. You asian guys clearly have no past knowledge of the issues here and no understanding of now! Today.. If RE continue with this bike as is, it would be like VW offering a GTI with a dismal motor and performance.. they'd get crucified.. So will RE. At my age I've had all the attention I'll ever need. And I don't need toy games either. A grown up Anglo.. NOT British. Geddit.?

[@starscream1457]

Well i dont think RE is still a british company building motorcycles for british market sir... all RE bikes are built for asian markets particularly indian market and is exported in UK, and most people in india see motorcycles as city commuters for small grocery shopping and stuff.. Practical stuff... Nobody sees em as a tool to get relaxed or gain "freedom" 😂.

[@starscream1457]

If u want more power u have triumph.. Its a nice companu

[@ashdivay3584]

someone's looking for attention ! lol

[@Billbothebear14]

FGS.. GROW UP.!!

[@BillCompo]

Rockers Rule !!! (]8^ )

[@willbrum9180]

Looks promising

[@johna6968]

Great little video..

[@bramdesaedeleer8358]

This is so tempting.

[@Runeguy33]

Is the rear seat cowl on the new continental gt removable?

[@manuddeepkarri2145]

Runeguy33 yes,it actually looks even better without it

[@Winnecaferacer]

👍👀 geil,geiler am geilsten 👀👍.das hat was 👌

[@anmolnageshk8053]

Winne Maas ich finde das motoradd sehr gut..

[@aeronwilliams94]

hmmm they still leak oil everywhere

[@gitaneVYS491R]

@Paul Boobier 10.000 on mine, no leaks.

[@TheRobynhud]

10,000 km no leaks ,starts everytime ,runs well.

[@potatis97]

only thing you need is to put on som real ölins shocks

[@katana258]

strange there is no britt that kept it alive ..it's back and will sell .. keep your plastic junk adventure over priced make believe electric crap.