Royal Enfield’s new Euro5 650cc twin models are on the way to Kiwi dealers, with the popular bikes getting new paint and more for 2022.
It is fair to say that the parallel-twin Interceptor 650 and Continental GT models have been a boon for the Royal Enfield brand since their release in 2018. With genuine British design thanks to Royal Enfield's design centre in the UK and an engine and chassis widely regarded as a fun combination for all kinds of riders, it is hardly surprising that they are Royal Enfield's top-selling models.
For 2022 the Royal Enfield twins gain stunning new paint schemes inspired by the brand's links with California (with the most popular original colours staying on) while the 650cc parallel-twin engines have a host of changes to bring them up to Euro5 emissions standard.
While outwardly the 650s don't appear all that different, internally Royal Enfield has enacted a number of changes. Physical changes to the engine include new camshaft profiles and throttle bodies, a redesigned magneto rotor and catalytic converter, plus the removal of the secondary air injection system.
Electronically the 2022 models also have a number of changes from the 2021 models. The wiring harness is new and accommodates a number of new electronic sensors including a new MAP sensor for the right-hand cylinder, a new 02 sensor and new high power ignition coil. The new 650s also make use of an OBD-2 port and a different ECU which moves from a 122 pin Bosche unit to a 64 pin ECU supplied by Continental.
Despite all those changes, Royal Enfield states that the power output of the bikes remains the same at 47hp and 52.3Nm respectively.
An interesting omission from the 2022 Royal Enfield 650 models is the new Tripper Navigation system which debuted on the Meteor 350 and was announced for the 2022 Himalayan. While we had expected this to become more widely used on Royal Enfield products, the classic twin clock design of the current 650s would make implementing the additional pod of the Tripper a bit of a visual mess on the dash.
Pricing for New Zealand remains competitive as ever in the modern classic market, with the Interceptor 650 kicking things off at $10,490 while the Continental GT cafe racer starts from $10,790. Both feature a range of colour options (7 for the Interceptor and 5 for the Continental GT) with the range peaking price-wise with the stunning chrome paint variants at $10,990 and $11,190 respectively.
The first examples of the new Royal Enfield 650 classics are expected to arrive in New Zealand dealers in early November 2021.