The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is one of the finest mid-capacity cruisers money can buy. And given how popular cruisers are here, it’d fit the American market like a glove. Yet, there’s been barely any update on the bike’s launch, leaving fans like us high and dry for nearly a year. Lucky for you, there’s finally good news.
The company will add the cruiser to its American lineup for the 2024 model year. It’ll serve duty as the flagship product here, joining the Interceptor and Continental GT 650. To make matters sweeter, RE also has another cruiser for the States. More on that in a bit.
Royal Enfield Has Certified The Super Meteor 650 With The EPA
The confirmation comes via Royal Enfield’s filing with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To no one’s surprise, the 650cc cruiser has received the green light for the upcoming year and the data confirms there are no changes compared to the model sold elsewhere (Europe, Britain, or India). So you’ll get RE’s popular 648cc, parallel twin powerhouse that produces 46 horsepower (at 7,250 RPM) and 38 pound-feet (at 5,650 RPM). All the juice reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission, paired with a slipper clutch.
Before you think the output isn’t impressive, allow us to tell you the engine left us pleasantly impressed when we rode the cruiser. Be it freeway speeds (65-70mph) or city speeds (30-35mph), the mill had enough thump at all times and felt butter-smooth (read refined) most of the time. Our only gripe was the engine heat, since it still misses out on liquid cooling, just like its other 650 siblings. You read more about it in our first ride review.
There’s Also Another Royal Enfield 650cc Cruiser Coming To America
While the Super Meteor’s confirmed arrival is good news as it is, there’s more coming our way. And by more, we mean another 650cc cruiser from Royal Enfield. It goes by the name ‘Shotgun 650’ and the company has certified it with the EPA for 2024. Think you’ve heard the RE and Shotgun in the same sentence before? Well, you have, because Royal Enfield presented the ‘SG650’ (short for Shotgun 650) concept two years ago at the ‘21 EICMA.
The motorcycle showed a hunky 650cc bobber-like cruiser, with all things extra. Chunky Metzeler rubber, disc wheels, and a ravishing triple-tone livery made it a hit among fans. Speaking on it, Mark Wells (RE's Chief of Design) defined it as “A ‘neo-retro’ interpretation that pushes the boundaries of what a Royal Enfield motorcycle could look like, but at its core still celebrating that iconic Royal Enfield DNA”. As impressive as this is, not much of it will make its way onto the production-spec Shotgun 650.
You should know the motorcycle has been seen testing in India a handful of times. The spy shots revealed new ergonomics, with a flat-ish handlebar, mid-set footpegs, and taller seat, to create a more upright riding triangle than the Super Meteor. The aesthetic elements (alloy wheels, bodywork, fenders) appeared different as well, making the motorcycle more neo than retro. However, the upside-down forks, dual shock absorbers, and engine looked straight from the SM. Same for the features package, comprising a semi-digital instrument cluster, USB port, LED lights, and rotary switches.
The Super Meteor And Shotgun 650 Will Be The Most Expensive RE Bikes In America
So when can we see the Super Meteor and Shotgun 650 in American dealerships? Well, there are two different timelines. The Meteor will arrive first, and an official price announcement should happen in the near future. This will be followed by an imminent dispatch, considering some examples of the SM650 are already here (Roland Sands’ even did a custom based on the cruiser).
Our calculations (based on the price differences elsewhere) suggest the Super Meteor will start from around $6,900 in America. This will put it bang in the middle of its rivals - the $6,449 Honda Rebel 500 and the $7,349 Kawasaki Vulcan S. The new-for-2023 $6,949 Kawasaki Eliminator ABS will also be a key rival. Oh, and the INT and GT will receive an update around the same time, where they’ll gain alloy wheels, new switchgear, a USB port, and an LED headlight.
Meanwhile, the Shotgun 650 will come later since it’s yet to break cover. We expect Royal Enfield to debut it at the upcoming 2023 EICMA, followed by an imminent launch in Europe, Britain, and India. Only then will it set foot on American shores, possibly in the first half of 2024. The price point should be between the GT and Super Meteor, making it the second most expensive RE here.