The launch of the RE Continental GT 650 marks the third attempt by an Indian manufacturer to introduce café racers into the country. What is a café racer? What makes it so special? Read on to find out.

According to Wikipedia, “a Café Racer is a lightweight, lightly powered motorcycle optimized for speed and handling rather than comfort – and for quick rides over short distances.”

Known for putting performance before their aesthetic appeal, café racers are often reminiscent of the 1960s Grand Prix motorcycles with their flat tanks and their low-slung handlebars and indented fuel tanks with knee recesses. These motorcycles earned the name “café racers” because they were often used for short, quick rides between cafés in Britain. Café racers represented speed, status and rebellion back then and they still do.

In India, café racers never really took off. They were seen as somewhat of a niche category of motorcycles, something that were just expensive toys rather than practical machines. Despite the early stages of motorcycling in India being more performance oriented with beautiful machines such as the Yamaha RD350 and the Yezdi Roadking, the market quickly turned over to machines that were frugal and inexpensive to run and maintain. The market still remains primarily fixated on mileage and low running costs – motorcycling is something that is more of a necessity than a hobby or interest in India and it is only in recent years that the market has slowly begun to turn to more purpose-oriented machines rather than two wheels that take a person from point A to B.

With all that said, Royal Enfield did make an attempt to introduce café racer culture in India. Sometime in 2013, these funky and (mostly) bright coloured machines began appearing on the roads. Something about them was different, but they were still recognizable as a Royal Enfield. This motorcycle was none other than the Continental GT 535.

This motorcycle needs no introduction – its low slung handlebars and tank made it instantly recognizable as a café racer. The engine was a reworked 500cc unit that was also used in the Classic/Bullet 500. It now displaced 535cc and had a slightly higher power output. Coupled with the lighter bodywork, this motorcycle was capable of hitting much higher speeds.

The Indian market had never seen a machine like this. While most people did not warm up to the bike, thinking that it was nothing more than a glorified Bullet, some did see that it had potential. One such group of people are based in Chennai and go by the name “Madras Café Racers.”

Madras Café Racers is an owners group for the RE Continental GT 535 (and now 650). The group consists of approximately 40 members, with new members being added every now and then. They share experiences, updates, news, service experiences and anything and everything related to the Continental GT! These are a group of people who have embraced the café racer culture in India and are more than happy to own this machine, especially considering how Royal Enfields are notorious for giving trouble.

The “father” of the group, Bharadwaj Balaji purchased the first yellow GT in Tamil Nadu in 2014 and has used it for commuting, touring, off-roading, and for almost every reason imaginable! He says he was always fascinated by café racers and loved the culture – he flipped the handlebars on a 1972 classic to replicate the same! The bike has been faithful to him despite malfunctions and refusing to run in rainy weather. He always carries spares and tools and says that all you want is the confidence that you are, for sure, reaching your destination.

Rushad Confectioner, a member says that the appreciates the design and the quality equipment that the GT comes loaded with. Despite it missing out on features like ABS and not having more power, he still finds his machine more than satisfactory. He also says the number of girls that talk to him have increased after he purchased the bike! Not surprising, really. He says the machine is ideal for cruising and the engine has a good amount of torque. He does mention that the motorcycle has its share of pros and cons, but at the end of the day it has served him and it has served him well.

Ajurish owns a 2017 GT in black and says you have to keep your wallet loaded, and that you have to carry a toolkit around, always. He also says the motorcycle was fantastic till the 20,000 mark, post which the problems began to crop up. He tells us that he rode to Pondicherry and back with no brake pads! Sounds crazy but that is what café racers are all about. He also mentioned that the quicker you look into a blossoming issue on the bike, the more affordable the maintenance costs are.

“Batman” says that the GT has great styling and awesome low-end power. He disagrees about the café racer aesthetics but still loves it because it is the fastest, cleanest and sexiest Royal Enfield yet!

Chester Rozario, the “R&D” guy of the group explained in detail. He says that he used to hate Royal Enfields because they were slow and that he loved the modern, tech-laden Japanese bikes. The day he rode his brother-in-law’s Classic 350 changed everything. He felt that speed did not always matter and it was the feel and the character that the bike has that matters. He fell in love with Royal Enfield and soon, the GT caught his attention. The 535cc motor and the Harris Performance chassis, along with big names such as Paioli shocks and Brembo brake calipers made him feel that the bike had everything. It was unlike all the technology that modern Japanese bikes had. The torque it produced was the icing on the cake. The bike had great handling and stopping power and is an eye turner and he is proud to be have a part of the rich café racer heritage in his name.

He mentions that the bike taught him a lot about mechanics and that he can ride it anywhere without fearing any malfunctions. He says it is almost like the bike and he have a connection.

Coming to the cons, he says it is just regular quality issues that all Enfield owners face. He has had his share of crazy stunts on this bike, rev bombs and taking a pillion on that trademark single seat being some of them. He is glad to have made so many friends and have met so many riders and that he is happy to be a part of this café racer culture.

The launch of the GT 650 has seen and will continue to see more members joining the group. There are certainly more groups like this across the country, but café racer culture is and will continue to be more of a cult rather than being part of the mainstream, and that is what it is all about – sticking out and not being afraid to play by your own rules.