Unbeknownst to many, Royal Enfield has had its toes dipped in the cruiser segment for over half a century. It introduced its first cruiser decades before the segment was defined: the Super Meteor twin, which was produced in Redditch and exported to the US. The company also introduced the cruiser segment to India with bikes like the Lightning 535 and successive Thunderbird 350/500 models. The latter was replaced by the Meteor 350.
Today, RE offers an array of cruisers, from the gorgeous Goan Classic 350 to the stylish Shotgun 650, but nothing takes the cake away from the Super Meteor 650. This bike has everything you’d expect from your cruiser: a lovely character, plenty of low-end torque, laid-back comfort, and big-bike style. And the best part? It offers this at a surprisingly affordable price, which makes it worth buying in 2025 despite the tough competition it faces. Here’s how.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Royal Enfield.
Why The Royal Enfield Super Meteor Might Be The Best Budget Cruiser In The Game
A cruiser that is high on old-school charm without being expensive
An Affordable Cruiser With Traditional Cruiser Styling And Lovely Character
Starting Price: $7,899
The Royal Enfield Super Meteor is a thoroughbred cruiser in every sense of the word, and according to the company, it’s tried and tested to deliver on its promise. RE says the bike was rigorously tested on highways, bylanes, and in cities across India, the UK, and Spain before reaching dealerships. This extensive testing has allowed RE to produce a retro cruiser that feels like a complete package.
We have to start with the acclaimed parallel-twin engine, which is known for its easy-going character, rich exhaust note, and smooth refinement. It’s complemented by a Harris Performance frame and Showa suspension, promising a planted ride on the highway and engagement in the corners. Finally, there’s the laid-back cruiser design, which isn’t a copycat of American cruisers but is authentic to RE’s heritage. Put simply, the Super Meteor 650 offers a proper big-bike experience for the price of a beginner cruiser.
The bike faces a lot of competition from other new and old cruisers, though. Its closest rival in terms of displacement and price is the Honda Shadow Aero, which has been in the game for a long time, offering an authentic V-twin experience. However, this Honda cruiser is too old-school and barebones. Other rivals, like the Moto Morini Calibro 700, Kawasaki Vulcan S, and Kawasaki Eliminator, offer a more modern, sporty experience that may not win over fans of traditional, laid-back cruisers.
Powered By The Acclaimed Parallel-Twin Engine That’s Smooth And Refined
Power Output: 46.4 HP @ 7,250 RPM
The crown jewel of the Super Meteor is the tried-and-tested parallel-twin engine, which has earned worldwide recognition in models like the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650. We love this engine on the Interceptor 650, and the experience shouldn’t be much different on the cruiser. It’s a relaxed engine with plenty of low-end torque and linear performance. Even beginner motorcyclists won’t feel overwhelmed by the performance, though experienced riders may feel the performance lacking on the highway.
Performance aside, what will win you over for sure is the engine’s character. The 270-degree crank pin gives it a proper V-twin exhaust note, a quality that defines the cruiser segment. Unlike older Royal Enfields, the engine is said to be pretty smooth and free of vibes, except for what feels pleasurable, so you don’t have to worry about the engine rattling everything loose on the bike. With a fuel economy of over 50 MPG, you can expect a decent range of over 200 miles between fill-ups. For the price, few motorcycles promise to offer a similar character, except for V-twin-powered Japanese cruisers.
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Harris Performance Frame And Showa Suspension Make For A Planted Ride
Frame Type: Steel Tubular Spine
The Super Meteor 650 is underpinned by a Harris Performance chassis designed for a low-slung stance, high-speed stability, and easy, confidence-inspiring handling. It’s accompanied by Showa USD forks with big-piston damping and twin rear shocks, the latter offering preload adjustment. Then there are tubeless alloy wheels and relatively thick rubber. While this may not look like much on paper, you must remember two things: it’s an affordable cruiser, and it’s not designed for sporty performance.
Nonetheless, Royal Enfield says this combination of chassis and suspension offers confidence-inspiring stability on the highway, thanks to its low center of gravity. Even in the corners, the bike is said to be responsive to steering inputs without getting unsettled. While the suspension is claimed to be tuned for a planted, plush ride, some owners complain that the rear suspension lacks sufficient travel and plushness to soak up urban road bumps.
Relaxed Riding Position And Uncluttered Controls For A Pure Riding Pleasure
Seat Height: 29.1 in.
A cruiser is only as good as its comfort, and that’s where the Super Meteor 650 shouldn’t disappoint most riders. It features a low stance, which gives it a relatively low seat height. This should let most riders flat-foot easily at a standstill while providing commanding control of the bike at low speeds. Meanwhile, full feet-forward controls, wide handlebars, and a wide seat give it proper traditional cruiser ergos.
In its standard variant, the Super Meteor is comfortable but not ready for the long haul. If you wish to take on more highway rides, go for the Celestial model, which adds a few much-needed touring niceties. It features a large touring windscreen that provides wind protection on the highway. Meanwhile, the touring seat should feel easier on your underside during long stints on the highway. This variant also features a pillion backrest.
Royal Enfield has paid special attention to the controls, too. Since weight savings is not a concern for this old-school cruiser, RE has opted for plated aluminum switch cubes that house unique rotary switches. Then there is the instrument cluster that combines the timeless elegance of an analog speedo with a small LCD and a Tripper navigation pod. You also get a discreet USB socket and LED headlights. RE also offers an extensive list of accessories, including touring handlebars, LED aux lights, bar-end mirrors, sump guards, and much more, allowing you to customize your ride.
Why The Royal Enfield Super Meteor Is A Game-Changing Cruiser For Couples Who Ride
This is the most well-rounded and affordable cruiser bike, offering comfort, style, and mile-munching capabilities for couples who ride together.
Unmistakable Big Bike Feel That Doesn’t Look Like A Harley Imitation
Let’s be honest, there’s a problem with most affordable cruisers: they try to be something they are not. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are undeniably cool (and expensive), and many metric cruisers under $10,000 try to offer a similar style on a budget. The Super Meteor 650 is different. While it draws on old-school American cruisers, it adds a dash of British twin-cylinder heritage and modern essentials, like USD forks. It’s a fresh take on the classic cruiser style, and it feels like an evolution of older RE cruisers.
Across the bike, Royal Enfield has sprinkled plenty of design elements that raise the bar for budget cruisers. For example, the teardrop fuel tank flows smoothly into the low seat, and it features a distinctive tank badge. The switch cubes look premium, while engine fins draw your attention to the old-school parallel-twin engine. Finally, there are three stunning color options: Astral Black, Interstellar Green, and Celestial Blue. We just wish RE offered the Celestial Red in the US.
The Super Meteor 650 is by no means a perfect cruiser, but it does its best for the price. You can either sit and count the shortcomings, like the lack of high-speed highway performance, hefty curb weight, and stiff rear suspension, that may leave you wanting more. But you can’t deny that finding such an old-school, yet refined package at this price point is pretty difficult. We’re not surprised, though; if anyone could do it, it had to be Royal Enfield. The company is not looking back into the past as much as it is simply living it. And that’s what makes the Super Meteor a superb classic cruiser in 2025.