Royal Enfield lets a lot of reporters wage war aboard its Continental GT-R 650 race bike. Happily, though, this year, Royal Enfield was daring adequate to let a grid complete of motoring journalists battle it out against each other for one race, aboard the very exact same Continental GT-R 650 race bikes that the experts complete on.Once once again, the concept fills me with glee. A little more thought reminds me that regardless of the significant weight decrease that has actually been made to get this bike race ready, its still a 190kg machine, and one that demands to be treated with respect. On Saturday, the 13 of us can only utilize the 5 extra bikes in batches, for practice and certifying– its just after the championship covers up on Sunday that RE will let us loose on the bikes used by the racers (a decision that will later prove prudent). See why RE didnt trust us with the racers bikes on Saturday?Despite the serious face, it was an incredibly enjoyable weekend.Mess cleared up, we go racing once again.

Royal Enfield lets a bunch of reporters wage war aboard its Continental GT-R 650 race bike. Heres how things pan out.Published On Jan 29, 2023 07:00:00 AMSharing the pits with familiar faces is an extremely pleasurable mix of work and play… Out on track, its each guy for himself.As exciting as the concept of sharing a racetrack with nationwide champion rivals sounds, in truth, its a relatively unimpressive event, with an inevitable conclusion. No motoring reporter can wish to blend it with professional racers– both in regards to skill and willingness to risk all of it in the chase for glory. This implied that my wildcard appearance at the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup in 2015, though a completely pleasurable affair, felt more like a solo track day experience than a race. Gladly, though, this year, Royal Enfield was daring adequate to let a grid complete of motoring journalists fight it out versus each other for one race, aboard the extremely exact same Continental GT-R 650 race bikes that the specialists contend on.Once again, the idea fills me with glee. A little further thought advises me that despite the substantial weight reduction that has been made to get this bike race all set, its still a 190kg maker, and one that requires to be treated with respect. What we journos do not have to the pro racers in terms of strategy, we more than offset in competitiveness. The perfect ingredients for a harmful mixed drink called Getting brought away. A very first trial of this years sharper ergos.Thankfully, the weekend begins sedately enough. On Saturday, the 13 of us can just use the 5 spare bikes in batches, for practice and certifying– its just after the championship wraps up on Sunday that RE will let us loose on the bikes used by the racers (a choice that will later on show prudent). So, genuine estate on track is easy to come by. Track time, however, is not. With just 10 minutes each of practice and certifying, Im barely beginning to reacquaint myself with the idiosyncrasies of a 190kg race bike, when I see my final chequered flag for the day. Nonetheless, my 20 minutes of floundering are excellent enough for a fourth-place start the next day. Not fantastic, but not awful either.I awaken content in the understanding that as one of the lightest riders on the grid, I have a good opportunity of making up some places at the start, so long as I can get off the line well. Lots of hours of minimizing my anxiousness later on, thats precisely what happens as the lights go out. The elation is short-term, as pole-sitter Jehan pieces past me at turn 3. The deflation is brief, as he suffers a bike issue simply 20 seconds later, returning the result in me. The race is short-lived, with a nasty crash behind us drawing out a warning. See why RE didnt trust us with the racers bikes on Saturday?Despite the serious face, it was a very fun weekend.Mess cleared up, we go racing as soon as again. And I luck out with a second excellent start, only to when again lose the lead a few corners later, this time to Varun. That leaves me warding off Jehan behind (who was lucky enough to repair his bike under the warning and rejoin). It is not a comfy location to be, what with him having been the fastest male on track the previous day. But hey, its a new day. So I put my head down and dig as deep as I can. I do my finest to use my weight (or absence of it) to my advantage, focusing on exiting the important corners in addition to I can. A new obstacle presents itself.You see, the other days extra bikes all had fresh tyres fitted. Today, were looking for traction from battered old tyres that have actually suffered a weekends worth of abuse at the hands of the best in the business. With a nice, long wheelbase and friendly, smooth power delivery, the GT proves to be a friendly giant, predictably squirming around when traction runs out, rather than snapping violently like a more focused race bike would. Self-confidence and comfort build quickly with each lap, and in spite of extremely earnest efforts by some backmarkers to wreak havoc in the closing laps, I manage to bring home a hard-earned second place.Sure, its all in the name of fun, however it doesnt injured to take house a trophy at the end of it.Think of high-octane fun on a racetrack, and you probably dont believe of getting on a huge retro Royal Enfield coffee shop racer. However there is a distinct delight in racing makers that were never born with the intention of racing (check out the King of the Baggers class at MotoAmerica), and the media race at the GT Cup was a few of the most satisfying track time Ive had in a while.Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights reserved.