[Ashwin Surya D]

Before entering the subject, I'd like to wish everyone and their family a
Happy New Year

Now, let's begin. Meet AYRA. My very own Continental GT 650. Brought her home back in June of 2023 and have been my daily ride ever since. She currently reads 11,650 kms on the odo and has completed her 4th service recently.


A lot has been happening with her the past two months, and I thought it's about time I share an update. And so, here we are.

Why I picked the Continental GT 650 from Royal Enfield ?

I'm 25/M and this is my 2nd ride, 1s one being my dad's OG pulsar 150 (2001) which i really loved. As the pulsar got too old, we decided to give it away and that landed my in the market for a new motorcycle. I have a thing for cafe racers and the 1st motorcycle to show up in my radar was the Honda CB350RS. It had the looks for a retro cafe racer and was under my budget. I moved ahead and took a test drive and almost went ahead with booking one. But, something held me back. Then came across the ads for the 2024 Continental GT 650 and that's when I knew what my next ride is gonna be.

Went to the showroom to take a look at the new versions and even took one for a spin. Man, were they fun to ride. Smooth engine, effortless acceleration, great throttle response, loads of torque and a real eye turner too. Had some doubts regarding the budget but, since I'll not be buying a new motorcycle for years to come, why not go with the one the heart desires.

Initially, I had my eyes on the all chrome Mr. Clean but the spoke wheels (tube tyres) and the chrome being a fingerprint magnet made me go for the Blue. Booked the Slipstream Blue and took delivery of it 2 months later in June, 2023. Now, after a year and a half and 4 services later, zero regrets. And you know what, it grew on me. If you ask me now, I'd pick the blue one over the chrome one any day.


Updates over the previous models :

⦁ Blacked out engine and exhaust from the factory on the Slipstream blue and Apex grey versions
⦁ Alloy wheels with tubeless tyres
⦁ New Vredestein tyres replacing the old CEATs
⦁ New switch gear
⦁ USB charging port
⦁ LED headlights

User Review :

Engine & performance :

Producing 47bhp and 52Nm of torque might seem underpowered for a 650cc engine but, let me remind you that this is an undersquare engine. Meaning, the primary motive of this engine is to not make a lot of power but to provide a butt load of torque. I hate to see this machine drag racing against KTM 390s and Aprilia 457s and being called the slowest 650. Those machines are purpose built for max power while the RE's 650 is more of a relaxed cruiser.

This engine loves to stay in the middle of the rev band offering a relaxing ride. This doesn't mean it's a slow machine in any way. If there be a need, she can easily shoot forward at the twist of the throttle. On stock conditions, you can hit 160kmph effortlessly (Included a screenshot of my GPS app showing 151kmph, while the motorcycle speedo read 160kmph). With a bit of tuning and some performance mods, you can even make it hit the 200kmph mark.


For those looking for a machine to cruise long distances in the highway in this segment, the RE's 650 is a beautiful engine.

Transmission :

This is RE's 1st 6-speed transmission and they pretty much nailed it. The gearbox is coupled with an assisted slipper clutch. The shifts are buttery smooth and over the past one and a half years, I've never had a hiccup. One thing I've noticed is that while upshifting from 1st gear, occasionally I land up in neutral instead of the second gear. I know it's my fault for not pulling the gear rod hard enough, but I wish RE still used their version the positive neutral finders as they did in the 50s. It wouldn't allow me to shift into neutral during motion and wouldn't allow me into 2nd gear while stationary. The only manufacturer that still makes it is Kawasaki, and I respect them for that.

Build quality :

Let me be honest. I've been riding this motorcycle for almost a year and a half now and I've had my fair share of mishaps now and then. Dogs crossing the road, dumb drivers making a blind turn, even accidentally dropping the motorcycle myself a few times, and after all that, there was zero damage. I mean none. There were accidents that I was sure that my wallet's gonna burn, but the most that has ever happened was a broken mirror. I remember a time when the original ad for their scram 411 showed something break off from the bike on a trail and with reports of the new Himalayan 450 chassis braking, RE's reputation is taking a big hit. RE, at least for their 650ccc segment have uped their build game. Of Course, they are not perfect but for the price they are built solid. Those welds might look messy but they ain't gonna give in that easy.


Design Language :

For a retro cafe racer, RE sure did justice to the name. From the round headlights to the clip-on style handlebars, all metal body, analogue clusters, ride by cable, lack of fancy electronics... it just raw and that's how it's supposed to be. Sure, the fit and finish can be improved, and the cables can be better managed but, for a cafe racer at this price segment, I can give it a thumbs up. This is a good-looking motorcycle and nobody can deny that.

Seating & Comfort :

It's a cafe racer and cafe racers don't mean comfort. This is my 1st ride with clip-ons and I had to get used to them. My dad still cusses me for not going with the Super meteor as I ruined his chances of riding a 650cc and sticks to his 350cc as he finds this motorcycle extremely uncomfortable.

The stock seat has a squishy high-density form covered in leather which is nice to sit on. For the single seat, you get the same foam seat but, the top layer is just fabric. The seat height comes in at 810mm for both the options. So, if you are a short rider like me, this is a blessing. I'm 5'5" and 820mm is my limit. Anything above that and I can't have both my feet touching the ground simultaneously and will be a hassle moving around Indian traffic.

In short,

• if you are young and want to feel sporty while riding your bike, the GT would be your choice.
• If you want to have a relaxed bike for commuting, I'd suggest the Interceptor.
• If you are heavy or prefer cruising long distances with a pillion/luggage, then the super meteor or shotgun might fit your needs.

I always recommend taking an extensive test ride to make sure what machine fits your needs.

Mileage :

Speaking of mileage, you must bring yourself to understand that being a comparatively high displacement engine, she will be thirsty a lot. I've extensively calculated the gas mileage my ride over a period of three months under various riding styles and the results are as follows:

• City traffic + Hard accelerations : 14-16kmpl
• City traffic + smooth rides : 18-20kmpl
• Rural roads + Hard accelerations : 15-18kmpl
• Rural roads + linear acceleration (on higher gears): 24-26 kmpl
• Long highway ride + 6th gear + maintaining RPM on the higher end : 18 - 22
• Long highway ride + 6th gear maintaining 80kmph : 30-33 kmpl (Believe me, I've tested this one multiple times)

On an average, for 800 rupees, which gets me 7.90 litres of petrol, I get cover a distance of 160-170 kms before needing to top up again.

(For better accuracy, I topped up fuel from the same bunk every time and maintained tyre pressures at manufacturer recommended levels to reduce variability)

Instrument Cluster & Switch gear :

Sticking to the retro nature of the motorcycle, it comes with an analogue speedo & tachometer. A small monochrome LCD panel in the tachometer includes the odometer and the fuel gauge.

To talk about the new switch gear, I don't really find them to be comfortable. I have trouble reaching the indicator and the pass switch. Hate not having the pas switch near my pointing finger.



Braking :

Comes stock with BYBREs (short for By Brembo). Both the front and the rear get discs with dual channel ABS as standard. For a motorcycle that weighs well above 200kgs, the breaking performance is remarkable. Have to warn you though, those brake pads are quite expensive.

Wheel & Tyres :

This generation of the OG 650 twins have an option for alloy wheels, but is limited only to the blacked-out models. They are simple looking 7 spoke wheels. Nothing fancy. But, I'll take that any day over a tubed tyre.

For the tyres, RE decided to go with Vredsteins replacing the old CEATs. I can without a doubt say that they improve the grip and handling. Still miss the original Pirellis though. RE should have sticked with them.



Pros & Cons :

Let's begin with the Pros

1. It’s a big, bold, hunk of metal that demands road presence. Probably not gonna impress many girls but a real sweet eye candy for the more mature population. I’ve had a lotta people asking me about my motorcycle here and there.
2. Over the 6 years since the engine’s intro into the market, RE truly refined it to its best. This torqy 650 is buttery smooth and the power delivery is linear across the band. It provides a calm and relaxed riding experience but still is always ready for some aggressive overtakes. A really well-made engine for triple digit cruising. I have to say this too, it can be fast, but it’s not built to be a sport machine.
3. This is REs 1st 6-speed transmission with assisted slipper clutch, and they have nailed it. Never had any trouble with them ever since. Don’t hear it from me. Hear it from Ryan in his review (time stamp: 7 mins 48 secs) in his YouTube channel Fortnine. (For those who haven’t heard about Fortnine, they are like wizards when it comes to the world of motorcycles. Do check ‘em out.)
4. This version of the OG 650 twins comes with alloy wheels & tubeless tyres but limited to certain colour options. I appreciate the move but limiting them to certain colours seems unfair. I’ve had my fair share of trouble with tubed tyres and I sure don’t wanna get stranded in the middle of nowhere with a busted tube again (a lesson learnt the hard way).
5. Goodbye old CEATs. Welcome new VREDSTEINS. New set of tyres with better traction and grip that is fairly suitable for all-weather conditions. I’ve tried the old CEATs on an older machine and this one proved to be better in the rain.
6. Being a retro, RE still sticked with ride-by-cable. No fancy electronics or traction control system or ride modes. No throttle lags. Instant response at the blip of the throttle. Just raw control at the tip of your fingers. Makes you be more aware of your machine.
7. Wide service network across India. Every major city will have a proper equipped service station. Experience with the personnel there might vary. Recommend befriending a technician there. Drastically improved my experience. For minor issues, almost every decent local mech will have experience with an RE engine and that’s more than enough for a quick fix.
8. HUGE, I mean HUGE potential for aftermarket modifications across all budget ranges. RE is like build-a-bear but for motorcycles in India.

Coming to the Cons

1. Stock LED headlights could have been better. Low beam performance is decent for city rides, but the high beam performance in rural backroads and the highways is outright poor.
2. Lack of a dedicated DRL. Even entry level motorcycles from other manufacturers offer them. I understand that it hinders the retro look but I’ll pick having a dedicated DRL over the low beam running always.
3. Fuel gauge accuracy or to be more specific, the lack of it. I started using the trip meter now. Once it hits 170kms, that’s my indication to refuel.
4. A clock. A Feature which I through would be a no big deal a the beginning but constantly find it missing. RE could have easily packed a clock feature into the LCD panel.
5. No top Leather finish for the single touring seat. It’s highly prone to getting damaged from the metal rivets from my jeans and also soaks water. Had to order a seat cover from Raw&Rugged.
6. No tubeless tyre option for the spoke models. RE came up with tubeless spoke rims for the himmy 450 and even the goan 350, but their 650 lineup is left in the dark. One major dealbreaker for me from choosing the Mr.Clean variant.
7. Old school Halogen bulbs for indicators and taillight. I envy the CB350s taillights. It still looks retro but with a modern touch.
8. The new switchgear never sat well with me. I have trouble reaching the indicators and pass switch sometimes. I really miss having the pass light switch near my pointing finger.
9. This is applicable only for a few. Being a cafe racer, the riding posture is gonna be on the aggressive side owing to the clip-on style handle bars. I might suggest switching to the Interceptor’s handle bar or even go with the Interceptor as your motorcycle if that’s an issue. Even the new BSA 650 is a good option if you’re in the market for a retro 650
10. Being an air & oil cooled engine, you will feel the heat radiating to your legs while moving through slow traffic/signal stops.

Modifications & Customizations:
In this section, I'll be sharing about every modification and the story behind them in detail along with the expenses incurred.

The Headlight Saga :

I appreciate RE for going with LED headlights with this generation, but I find them to be underperforming for my needs. One thing I wasn't happy about was the new plug they have for the headlights. They resemble the old Harley 4-pin coupler and this makes it a hassle to install aftermarket headlights.

For my 1st aftermarket headlight I custom made a coupler by extending wires from the H4 plug to the OEM socket. This was troublesome as I did not want to modify the original plug so I can revert back to OEM headlights in the future if there be a need. Though it was good, i though the high beam performance could be better and wanted to switch to a different one. This time, I had no patience to make any custom couplers and outright added a H4 socket to the OEM harness. I've added a picture to understand what i mean. Now, I have both the OEM socket and a H4 socket for aftermarket options.


I purchased my second aftermarket headlight based on popular internet opinions but found the high beam performance to be bad. Was looking for a replacement and landed with the 3rd one. I definitely would have settled with it if not for one issue. The high beam was good and all but the beam was too strong and too wide that it literally blinded everyone in-front of me. Many may not consider this to be an issue at all but I cuss at people for using blindingly strong lights and I don't want people cussing me for the same.


I was in the market for headlights again and that's when a friend suggested I look into Vaishnu's LED projectors. Though they were pricey, the YouTube reviews were promising and after 1 week, I had it in my machine. Lo and behold, this was just perfect. I've attached several images of the headlight's performance and I believe the pictures would speak for themselves. And you know what, they had a version that plugs into the original harness. A win-win situation for me. Remember to adjust the dome elevation if you too plan on installing this headlight.





Vaishnu projector headlight : 8k-9k (depending on the model)

Pros :

1. Brilliant road illumination.
2. The cut-off level for low beam doesn't disturb oncoming vehicles. This one I love.
3. The power consumption level is similar to that of the OEM headlights, meaning they won't take a toll on the battery.
4. Comes with a DRL, so the projectors don't have to be running all the time (BS6 compliance).
5. The high beam is focused to a spot. No unnecessary spreading.
6. Comes with 3 colour modes. Pure white, yellow and Mixed.
7. Comes with its own harness and it's direct plug and play. No cutting of wires necessary.

Cons :

1. The price. Many won't find it logical to spend close to 10k on a motorcycle headlight.
2. The high beam performance on the pure white only mode lacks range. The yellow mode doesn't have this issue.
3. Make sure the controller relay connectors don't get exposed to water (during water washing) as those aren't water tight and can lead to a short (personal experience).

Auxiliary lights :

Sometimes, I find myself riding through deep and dark forests all alone and would have a difficult time trying to visualize the periphery of the road. There a no street lights, it's pitch black surrounded by a dense forest. Road visibility wasn't an issue but I preferred to have some peripheral illumination too. This led me into the market for some good auxiliary lights. I wanted to go with projector type lenses instead of the more common reflector type lights as I can have better control over the direction of the light beam.

After some surfing, I landed with the HJG Megadrive fog lights (locally known as the HJG mercedes / Y fog lights). This too came with two sets of LEDs, pure white and yellow. The perfect match for my headlights. Check attached image for the performance.





MotoTorque fog light mounts : 800/-
HJG MegaDrive Fog Lights : 3800/- locally, 4500/- on amazon
Fog lights without the harness : 2000/-

Pros :

1. Being a projector type lens, beam direction can be adjusted according to requirement.
2. Three different modes. Pure white only, yellow only and both running simultaneously.
3. Comes with its own harness. No wire cutting necessary. (There is also a version without the harness but I wouldn't recommend it as the power draw puts a strain on the original harness. Will only suggest for people with an already existing auxiliary light harness)

Cons :

1. This is one thirsty set of lights. Each unit is rated at 60W max and you get two in a box. Make sure your alternator output is sufficient enough so you don't drain your batteries on extended use.
2. Never, I repeat, never use it when there is oncoming traffic. The guy in the opposite vehicle would not only cuss you but your entire ancestry. These are lights that are meant to be used in heavy fog and in some cases like mine and not for general road use.
3. While running both colours simultaneously, the brightness is lower than running them individually. Maybe a power limitation.
4. For some reason, there is a button for strobe light function. These lights are already too bright and this will just annoy other vehicles even more. Just forget that it exists.
5. It's bulky. This restricts where it can be mounted

Flyscreen :

This is an aesthetic win but a functional loss. Picked the short flyscreen from RE as it improves the look of the motorcycle. The original kit came with a silvery metal front frame which I painted black to match the motorcycle. The installation required me to dismantle the entire headlight doom and it was a hassle. Took me about an hour to fix it and was excited to take my ride for a spin to check out how well it performs as a flyscreen/windshield. My excitement turned into disappointment as I felt my face getting blasted by the wind from the flyscreen when i reached speeds of around 60kmph. The air that gets pushed up by the flyscreen gets directed exactly where my eyes are and this makes 'em get watery, making it hard to ride. For long rides, I use a full face helmet and there is no issue then, but for local commutes, i prefer using a faceless helmet (the free one you get on the purchase of a motorcycle) and this restricts how fast I ride (this does indirectly make me maintain the speed limit within city limits though, so no complaints). The large flyscreen does not have this issue.


RE OEM flyscreen (large) : 1800/-

Pros :

1. Looks good on my bike (others may think differently. It's a mattery of personal opinion)

Cons :

1. Bad at performing what it's supposed to do. Haven't had the opportunity to ride into a swarm of flies yet, but, hoping I don't.
2. RE could have come with an easier way to install it. Removing the entire headlight along with the dome in a bit too much.

Black Front Fender :

For some reason, RE thought it was a good idea to go with white fenders for an all blacked-out machine. Never really got used to it. Took matter into my own hands. Got myself a can of black spray paint and clear coat. 24 hours later, a gloss black fender that actually matches the aesthetics of the motorcycle was created. Not to toot my own horn, but the paint job turned out better that I could have ever expected.


Sand paper : 20/-
black spray paint : 120/-
clear coat spray : 210/-


Pros :

1. Finally, my fender looks like it actually belongs to my motorcycle.

Cons :

1. Nothing actually. Maybe waiting 24 hours for the paint to dry, just to mention something.

Sequential Front Indicators :

Having LED headlights alongside halogen indicator bulbs didn't sit with me well. Wanted something small but with good visibility too. Found a pair of sequential LED indicators which fit my requirements from Flipkart. Instead of mounting it on the regular spot, I thought why not go a bit higher instead and mounted it on the flyscreen frame and it fits like it was meant to go there. I've attached a GIF on how it looks. There is a chance that I might have subconsciously taken inspiration from the Guerilla. Whatever it may that put the idea in me, I'm grateful for it.


Sequential Indicators : 350/- a pair

Pros :

1. It's small, black and goes along with the design.
2. It being a sequential is an added benefit.

Cons :

1. Unfortunately, the stock harness wires have to be cut if you don't find a the same type of connectors. I couldn't find them locally and the internet tried to rip me off.

Bar end Mirrors :

RE's own bar end mirrors felt like a rip-off for me. I couldn't bring myself to dish out 7000/- for a pair of mirrors. Even the triumph ones are cheaper. For that amount, investing on an aftermarket air filter from BMC or K&N would be the logical choice for me personally. Found a set of replica mirrors for 900/- on amazon and they work just as fine as the OEM's. The finish may not be as good as the originals but from a distance you can't tell them apart and I am OK with that.


Replica bar end mirrors : 900/-

Pros :

1. A lot cheaper than the ones RE sell.
2. The mirror quality is as good as the originals.

Cons :

1. If you are buying from amazon, found several models with plane mirrors instead of concave ones and some with really really poor build quality. DO CHECK THE REVIEWS.
2. The paint finish may not be as clean as the OEM mirrors.

MotoTorque crash guard :

I've been using the stock crash guards from RE for quite a while until I met with a dog that decided to run infront of my motorcycle in the middle of the night on an empty road. Broke my clutch lever and the left bar end mirror and the crash guard got pretty banged. Thankfully, I came out with just a few scrapes. Tried to touch-up the crash guard with paint but the grooves were pretty deep and still could be seen. Planned to get them replaced and after some surfing on the internet, I chose to go with the MotoTorque crash guard.



They were pretty robust and came with two frame sliders on each side. I installed it myself and it took just about half an hour. They go well with the blacked out engine. Never had the chance to see how they hold out in a real life scenario, but also hoping that I don't.

MotoTorque crash guards : 3800/-

Pros :

1. All metal crash guard that's robust
2. The black colour goes along with the blacked out engine.
3. In case of an accident, the damaged frame sliders can be replaced for cheap.

Cons :

1. Installation required some specific tools that add to the overall cost of the mod.

RE Touring single seat & Cowl :

Paying homage to the cafe racer community, I had to do this. The sponge is as good as the default seat if not better, but instead of leather, you get a fabric top. So, water does seep into it. There is a drain port on the bottom but it drains directly where the ECU and the electricals are. Have to remember this when parking in the rain/water washing. I've ordered a leather seat cover from Raw & Rugged which would help minimize the issue.



Single Touring Seat: 3500/-
Single seat Cowl : 2650/-
Raw&Rugged single seat cover : 2300/-

Pros :

1. Makes the cafe racer the way it's supposed to be.
2. Softer cushion than the stock seat.

Cons :

1. It's cool and all but, if you got a girlfriend, forget taking her out on a ride.
2. No more carrying luggage too
3. If soaked, the water drains directly into the ECU compartment. May lead to rusting and corrosion on the long run but if you are really unlucky, an electrical short is still on the list. Make sure you get a cover.

Bolts for the Mirror mounts :

Being a clip-on handle bar, there is little to no space to mount any accessories. Be it a phone holder or the switches for the head & aux lights, the only mounting point I could find was the socket for the OEM mirrors. Found these on Fc-Moto and had to import them from China. One bolt is threaded clockwise and the other anti-clockwise and the threads for mounting accessories on both bolts are clockwise. So, that gives me a total of four mounting points, two of which is currently used my phone holder and the headlight switch. I've currently added a plastic dummy bolt shaped like a bullet just to screw something into it.


M10 to M10 bolts : 150/- [shipping charges : 800]
Dummy toy bolts : 20/-

Pros :

1. For the lack of a full handle bar like the interceptor, these provide a several points for mounting stuff.

Cons :

1. Did not find any local sellers. Had to import it paying 5 times the cost for shipping.

Rear Short Frame :

This mod was one of my long term wishes for my motorcycle. Many adviced me against this as it not a practical mod and you can't have pillions anymore and so so. But, being a hardcore fanboy of cafe racers and the GT being not a comfortable choice for pillions to begin with, I just went for it.

I did make a bad move at one step though. Choosing the right shorty tail frame vendor. Long story short, I regret going with JD customs, should have gone for the MK designs one.

If you don't wanna know the full story, skip the next couple of paragraphs.

So, made up my mind to chop my frame. Found two online stores who make custom shorty tail kits for the 650 twins, MK designs and JD customs. What made me go with JD customs were these things.

• The photo on their website showed a flush set-up with no gap between the cowl and the frame.
• I liked having the rear lights on the frame rather than having it sit on a separate frame.
• It was 500/- cheaper than the MK designs one.

Also, I confirmed through a WhatsApp conversation with JD customs that whether the lights are plug and play type with their own harness plug and he said "YES", but did it actually come with it. You guessed it, IT DOESN'T. Just blunt tips from the LED strip.

The frame chopping part took only a couple of minutes and the installing the shorty kit was quick. Drilled a few more holes on the kit for the numberplate frame too. But, as soon as I put back the seat on, that's when I knew I got screwed. A huge gap between the frame and the cowl base. Believe me, it did not look good at all. Verified if I was missing something or doing something wrong and No, I wasn't. Had to weld in a piece of metal and spray paint it to match the body. Check out the added pics to see why I'm mad. Now I understand why MK designs made a separate frame for the LED strip. Knowing I have to cut the harness, I actually bought an extra from RE and chopped it up.




JD Customs Shorty kit : 6000/-
MK Designs shorty kit : 6500/-
Additional costs incurred for installation and welding : 600/-
OEM Taillight harness from RE : 850/-

Pros :

1. The shorty frame kit does look good from a distance.
2. The LED taillight strip is bright enough, even for daytime use.
3. Would recommend only for committed cafe racer fans (also recommending to go with the MK Designs shorty kit). If you have second thoughts, maybe you best wait.

Cons :

1. No backsies. Once you've chopped the frame, you have to live with it. You can switch for a longer frame if you want the longer seat but a cut frame is still a cut frame.
2. The pictures on JD custom's website were misleading. That gap between the frame and the cowl is bad.
3. Without the welded piece, Dust and debris don't have any trouble making it under the cowl and seat.
4. No plug and play stuff. You have to tamper the harness and solder it.

Custom Number plate frame :

Found this on amazon and it even came with it's own number plate illuminator. The OEM tallight uses the halogen bulb's light to illuminate the numberplate. A cost cutting measure for an inexpensive part. What confuses me is that a 4 lakh+ bike doesn't even have a feature their entry level hunter has.

The frame has two levels of length adjustment and the angle at which the number plates are displayed is also adjustable. I also added two more bright red LEDs to function as brake lights. These have a very narrow throw and can only be seen from the rear. This makes it so that anybody exactly behind can never miss it and anybody not behind me wouldn't be bothered. The frame also has mounts for turn signal indicators too. It's an all-in-one package. As I was going through the mod I changed the indicators & repositioned the Brake lights.



Number plate frame + LED numberplate illuminator: 700/-
Bullet LED Bulbs (Red) : 280/-

Pros :

1. Its metal. solid.
2. The frame is adjustable at multiple levels. Can be made to fit any motorcycle.
3. Has turn signal mounts. One less problem to worry about for me.
4. Numberplate illuminator is included in the package.

Cons :

1. This one is completely my fault. While installing, I was so dumb that I completely forgot my bike has a rear suspension and the rear tyre is gonna move upwards when I ride over a speed breaker or hit a pothole. I installed it so low and my rear wheel came in contact with the frame and almost made me trip. Should have thought about this beforehand but it's a minor adjustment. No worries now.

Slip-On Exhausts :

This was one of my very first mods and unfortunately, as per the law, an illegal one. Went along with Red Roosters as I really liked the way they sound. They bring out the "650" in the Continental GT.

I used a decibel meter to record how loud they were too and the figures are as follows

• Stock exhausts @ idle RPM : 73 - 75dB
• Stock exhaust @ 4000 RPM : 80 - 84dB
• Red Rooster Perf WITH dB KILLER @ idle RPM : 78 - 82 dB
• Red Rooster Perf WITH dB KILLER @ 4000 rpm : 85 - 88 dB
• Red Rooster Perf WITHOUT dB KILLER @ idle RPM : 80-84 dB
• Red Rooster Perf WITHOUT dB KILLER @ 4000 RPM : 86- 92dB

I ran with RRP for quite a while and a lotta people noticed it. It was majorly a positive response but still this made me wonder, people do note the exhaust sound and recognize me for it. Will this land me trouble later? I mean, i love the way my motorcycle sounds but I don't want the cops loving it more. I don't plan on getting my motorcycle getting ceased and fined. I feel that a rule from 1986 should at least get a re-look or at least allow aftermarket exhausts with dB killers but, I live in India and I know this ain't the country for motorheads. Anyways, switched back to the OEM ones and now my motorcycle feels muted. I still sometimes switch to the RRPs when I'm planning on a long highway ride but, run it with the dB killers to not draw attention.


Red Rooster Performance ( Matte black ) : 19,000 /-

Pros :

1. Sounds so much better than the stock exhausts
2. Weigh significantly lower, reducing the net kerb weight
3. RRP is the only one I could find to be matte black back when I bought it

Cons :

1. Not legal in our country

Rear Mud guards :

It rains frequently here and the roads are wet and muddy. As i have chopped the frame, it isn't long enough to cover the mud thrown from the tyres and this leads to the back of my shirt getting muddy whenever I go out for a ride. The original fenders can no longer be mounted and so, had to think of a different solution. This one was a completely custom made by myself. Brought a generic brand mudguard online and cut it up myself to make it fit my machine. Mounted the Brake light LEDs on it too.


Generic mudguard : 600/-

Pros :

1. No more mud getting thrown on my back

Cons :

1. When I accidentally hit a deep pothole or a bump without slowing down, sometimes(very rarely) the mudguard slightly scrapes with the rear tyre due to the suspension travel. Doesn't happen when I'm careful but still, worth mentioning.

Before I end my post, I have to include a word about my tools..

I have to thank all my tools as they have immensely helped me in this project. Without them none of this would have been possible. Two months ago, I started with only the toolkit included with the motorcycle and now I have a whole drawer full of 'em. We may not use them very frequently but, I believe everyone who works on their own vehicles, be it a 4 wheeler or a 2 wheeler will truly appreciate their tool sets when the need comes. Be it a 4mm allen key or a 13mm box spanner, you'll never know when you'll have a need for them, but they will have their time to shine and you'd feel blessed that you have them with you (my personal case). I will cherish them forever.


P.S : For those looking into buying a toolset for the 1st time, don't go with the cheaper chinese aluminium made ones you find online. Go the extra mile and get quality ones.

Finally, I end this post thanking everyone who took their valuable time reading this and would really love to hear your thoughts on it. For any questions/queries/suggestions, find me at ash771999@gmail.com

And I wish you all once again a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

[KarthikK]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[happymover]

Your bike looks amazing with all the mods !!

Nice to know that you too got delivered your GT in Jun 2023 like me. I echo with most of the characteristics described by you about GT. Except RRP, I have not planned any other mods in the near future.

Happy Riding.

[CrusingSoul]

Thanks for sharing the details. This is a perfect thread when I am looking for headlight upgrade for my Meteor 350.

Vaishnu projector headlight : 8k-9k (depending on the model)

Now I can see the dual tone headlight price has increased to 12k . Now I am confused where to go for Vaishnu's touring headlight or keep the stock one (Non LED one ) and add Aux lights .

[WalterWhite]

The mods you’ve done on AYRA are amazing! It looks absolutely stunning with this paint scheme and all the upgrades. I can see you’ve put in a lot of effort to get these mods done, and even more effort to explain everything so well, with all the pros and cons. Great job on the review of both AYRA and the mods! Wishing you many happy rides and long journeys with your AYRA!

[Ashwin Surya D]

Originally Posted by CrusingSoul

Thanks for sharing the details. This is a perfect thread when I am looking for headlight upgrade for my Meteor 350.

Now I can see the dual tone headlight price has increased to 12k . Now I am confused where to go for Vaishnu's touring headlight or keep the stock one (Non LED one ) and add Aux lights .

Checked the pricing myself after reading your comment, Sir. Yes, the price for the newer Type C DRL is a jaw dropping ₹11,900 . The older type A & B are now at ₹9k & 10k respectively. If they are not to your liking, you can definitely go for a good set of aux lights which would only cost you half as much.

[Rohitthebest]

I have promised my nephew Contiental GT 650 once he cracks the IIT. Eagerly looking forward to the same as this will be our first RE and would love to take it for a spin now and then. Beautiful pictures, amazing write up and terrific mods.

[tasty911]

Great review and love what you have done with the bike.

[amol4184]

So many 650 models from RE but the original CGT looks the best among all, in my opinion. Great useful mods on an already great bike. Fantastic choice of color too, good luck and keep riding!

[sab3r2th]

I wish people would stop bringing up engine heat on this bike (or rather any motorcycle that is not a commuter). Heat is just something you live with on any enthusiast motorcycle. Ducatis are liquid cooled and surprise surprise, they heat up too. If anything, the stock bike does not heat up enough because RE is leaving performance on the table with those restrictive double walled headers.

Regarding the headlight upgrade, Vaishnu was the first and only upgrade I considered because it was the only projector option when I got it (still is afaik). And it was definitely brilliant as you said.

The touring seat has a suede-y material on it which prevents the buttocks from slipping. In the long run, I found that to be of greater utility than the waterproofing of the seat covers. I debated the solo seat for a while but ended up keeping the dual seat as I wanted to mount tailbags instead.

You could just get rid of the metal plate on the flyscreen. I hadn't thought of that when I got mine in black from a RE showroom but my brother removed it from his, and I must say, I was kinda jealous of the smoked aesthetic.

Can't agree with you more on the tools. Just get one of them oil filter removal tools and then you can actually service the bike all by yourself.

[sandeepmohan]

Really well executed modifications. They are subtle and the give your bike a unique identity.

I don't suppose the exhausts are all that louder "to the ear" with the db killer in place and when you are casually riding around. Even if you go hard on the gas, its should not be ear splitting. Will be so without the DB killer.

For the Halogen bulb connector, did you strip the original wiring loom insulation and join the wires to that? Do you have photos or color codes for the positive and neutral connections? I do want to attempt this modification. Not that I ride at night or need brighter lights. Just for the heck of fiddling around and learning the process.

[Ashwin Surya D]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Really well executed modifications. They are subtle and the give your bike a unique identity.

I don't suppose the exhausts are all that louder "to the ear" with the db killer in place and when you are casually riding around. Even if you go hard on the gas, its should not be ear splitting. Will be so without the DB killer.

For the Halogen bulb connector, did you strip the original wiring loom insulation and join the wires to that? Do you have photos or color codes for the positive and neutral connections? I do want to attempt this modification. Not that I ride at night or need brighter lights. Just for the heck of fiddling around and learning the process.

With the dB killers installed, it sounds just a tad bit louder than the stock,but is still low enough for people to not notice. Without the dB killers, it's definitely 'a lot louder'. You'll definitely grab the attention of everybody on the road.

For the lights, yes I stripped the insulation from the original harness and connected the wires. I don't exactly remember the colours, but I'll share the pin config. ( This is the config as far as I remember, but just to be safe, please do test it yourself if the connections are correct before finalising the set-up. )