Royal Enfield’s big-selling 650 café racer has been breathed on for a new, one-make race series which kicks off in India later this month.
Dubbed the GT-R650, it’s a factory tuned, lightened and faired version of the road-going Continental GT, which was already the sportier, ace-barred, café racer version of the Interceptor roadster.
Similar to the UK’s early 1980s Yamaha Pro-Am series for the then RD350LC, the GT Cup is open to both novice and experienced racers. And, with the old LC and new GT both boasting, in stock trim, 47bhp and their grids in identical spec, the Cup promises similarly dramatic racing.
Along with a specially-developed fairing and belly pan, the racing GT-Rs also feature a special, stainless race exhaust which boosts power by 12% from 47 to 53bhp.
Weight has been slashed by 24kg thanks to the removal of road equipment such as the lights and rear mudguard, although by racing standards, at 174kg dry it’s still no featherweight.
There’s also stiffer, race-tuned suspension front and rear, with both now adjustable; new clip-on bars and new rear-sets to give a racier riding position as well as increased ground clearance. The tyres are a specially-developed, softer race compound by Indian manufacturer JK Tyre.
Riders need to be over 18 and have at least attended a track school or trackday. Applications were via Royal Enfield’s website with a shortlist of 100 whittled down to 18 successful participants.
No word yet on whether the kit will be available in the UK – but if there’s a positive response then it’s surely only a matter of time
