Royal Enfield is reportedly planning to introduce a
Flat Tracker motorcycle based on the Continental GT 650. New images shared by
Sideburn and Jim West purportedly reveal the Flat Tracker 650’s existence. Royal Enfield has been known to
be interested in producing more products based on the 650 Twins. A flat tracker
will not only allow the brand to get back to competitive racing but also open a
new segment to its customers in India. The prototype of the motorcycle was
spotted recently at Leicester Speedway track, UK, a location very close to
Royal Enfield’s Bruntingthorpe testing facility.
The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650-based Royal
Enfield Flat Tracker 650 was seen being ridden by Royal Enfield’s test rider
Paul Young which adds further spice to the theory. The frame appears to have
been stiffened to take on the difficult terrain a Flat Tracker is usually
subjected to. This chassis is built by Harris Performance, which is owned by
Royal Enfield. Besides that, it has a special S&S exhaust system.
Royal Enfield seems to be leaving no stone unturned
in its attempt to dominate the global middleweight motorcycle market. The
upcoming Royal Enfield Flat Tracker 650 will feature an updated handlebar as
well. The suspension setup comprises a conventional telescopic front fork and a
rear monoshock in a familiar style. Also, the blacked-out alloy wheels add to
the charm.
The Royal Enfield Flat Tracker 650 test mule's
wheels are apparently shod with fat, knobby tyres. In comparison, the stock
motorcycle is fitted with Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp rubber. The powertrain in
the test unit is the same 648 cc parallel-twin, SOHC, 8-valve, oil-cooled
engine. In stock form, this engine produces 47.5 PS of power and 52 Nm of
torque.
Royal Enfield will use the Flat Tracker 650 to
compete with Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycle in American Flat Tracker
championship.
