The café racer phase has lengthy stood as a logo of favor, heritage, and the unfiltered pleasure of motorcycling. It’s much less about practicality and extra about emotion — a selection made by the center. In India, two bikes at the moment reignite this ardour: the Triumph Thruxton 400 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. Both channel the spirit of the Nineteen Sixties café racer tradition however take completely different routes when it comes to energy, expertise, and general expertise.

The essential beauty distinction between the 2 cafe racers is of the cowl, the Continental GT 650 doesn’t get one.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 vs Triumph Thruxton 400: Specification comparability

SpecificationsRoyal Enfield Continental GT 650Triumph Thruxton 400
Engine 648 cc air-oil cooled, parallel-twin 398 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder
Power 47 hp at 7,250 rpm 42 hp at 9,000 rpm
Torque 52 Nm at 5,650 rpm 37.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm
Gearbox 6-speed gearbox 6-speed gearbox
Front suspension telescopic forks twin rear shocks
Rear suspension USD forks rear monoshock
Brakes 320 mm (entrance) and 240 mm (rear) 300 mm (entrance) and 230 mm (rear)
Tyres 100/90 entrance 130/70 (rear) 110/70 (entrance) 150/60 (rear)
Price 3.50 lakh ex-showroom onwards 2.74 lakh ex-showroom

Engine and Performance: Single vs Twin

At the core of the Triumph Thruxton 400 lies a 398 cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 42 hp at 9,000 rpm and 37.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm, coupled with a 6-speed gearbox. This compact and rev-happy motor guarantees vigorous efficiency and sharp dealing with — splendid for city rides and twisty roads. However, it does get fairly vibey within the top-end.

The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, in distinction, packs a 648 cc parallel-twin engine that churns out 47 hp at 7,250 rpm and 52 Nm at 5,650 rpm, additionally paired with a 6-speed transmission. It gives stronger low-end torque and smoother energy supply, making it extra suited to long-distance cruising. While the GT 650 wins on outright efficiency, the Thruxton’s lighter construct enhances agility and responsiveness.

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Weight, Dimensions, and Ergonomics

The Thruxton 400 weighs 183 kg, making it 31 kg lighter than the Continental GT 650 at 214 kg. Seat heights are almost equivalent — 795 mm for the Triumph and 793 mm for the Enfield — guaranteeing an accessible seat peak for many riders.

When it involves practicality, the GT 650 gives 174 mm of floor clearance and a 12.5-litre tank, whereas the Thruxton gives 158 mm of clearance with a barely bigger 13-litre gas capability.

Triumph Thruxton 400 is the brand new flagship bike within the model’s 400 cc portfolio.

Chassis, Suspension, and Braking

Triumph has engineered the Thruxton for a sportier really feel, equipping it with USD entrance forks, a rear monoshock, and 17-inch wheels fitted with 110/70 (entrance) and 150/60 (rear) tyres.

Royal Enfield stays nearer to its roots with telescopic entrance forks, twin rear shock absorbers, and 18-inch wheels operating on 100/90 (entrance) and 130/70 (rear) tyres.

In phrases of braking, the GT 650 options 320 mm entrance and 240 mm rear discs, whereas the Thruxton 400 makes use of 300 mm and 230 mm items respectively. However, the Triumph’s decrease weight might translate into equally efficient stopping energy. However, the suggestions from the present Speed 400 house owners has been that the brake pads don’t final lengthy.

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Features and Technology

The Thruxton 400 blends retro allure with fashionable tech — providing all-LED lighting, ride-by-wire throttle, traction management, USB charging, and a slip-and-assist clutch. Its semi-digital console combines an analogue dial with an LCD show for important journey data.

The Continental GT 650, then again, stays true to its minimalist ethos with a twin-pod analogue cluster and primary aids like dual-channel ABS. It misses out on digital rider assists equivalent to traction management, conserving the expertise extra mechanical and uncooked.

The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 will get the likeable 648 cc parallel-twin mill that has a robust rumble coming from its twin silencers

Price and Verdict

The Triumph Thruxton 400 is priced at round 2.74 lakh (ex-showroom), whereas the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 begins at 3.50 lakh (ex-showroom).

In the top, the Thruxton 400 is for many who desire a light-weight, agile, and tech-equipped café racer with a contemporary twist. The Continental GT 650, in the meantime, appeals to purists who crave a muscular twin-cylinder expertise wrapped in timeless British design. Both bikes have fun café racer tradition — one by way of innovation, the opposite by way of nostalgia.