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The journey started early in the morning from Manali, with cool air and almost empty roads setting the perfect mood. I covered around 120 km till Batal in the first half, and it felt quite smooth and enjoyable. The roads were in good condition, and there was very little traffic, which made the ride even more relaxing.
Riding the Royal Enfield Meteor 650 during this stretch felt effortless. I cruised comfortably at around 70–80 km/h without any pressure. The engine felt very smooth and refined throughout, and there were hardly any vibrations at steady speeds. Overall, it felt like a calm and easy start before the real mountain challenges began.
After crossing Gramphu, the road conditions changed very quickly, and the smooth tarmac disappeared. The route turned into rough mountain trails filled with stones and uneven patches. This is where the Meteor 650 really started showing its strength. I mostly stayed in second and third gear while climbing, and the bike handled it well.
In fact, this felt like the point where it performed at its best. The low-end torque helped a lot on steep uphill sections, and the bike kept pulling smoothly without any struggle. Even at higher altitudes, the power delivery remained consistent, and the engine never once felt weak or underpowered.
The last 14 km from Batal to Chandratal felt the hardest. This section took almost one hour to complete. The road had loose stones, sharp rocks, and water crossings. At some points, there was no proper road at all.
Here, the weight of 241 kg of the bike became noticeable. Handling slow speeds on uneven terrain felt slightly difficult. However, the wide handlebar helped maintain balance. I had to stay focused and ride carefully throughout. In addition, standing on footpegs helped during rough patches. The suspension managed small bumps, but big rocks felt harsh.
There were a few tricky water crossings along the route, and they needed extra attention. The tyres slipped a little on the wet stones, which made things slightly challenging. At one point, I had to slow down completely to stay in control. The weight of the Royal Enfield Meteor 650 made quick corrections a bit difficult in such conditions.
However, by maintaining a steady throttle and staying calm, I managed to get through without any issues. The bike stayed composed and never felt like giving up, even in those tough moments. Perhaps a lighter motorcycle would have felt easier here, but overall, the Meteor 650 handled the situation quite well.
I took a few breaks during the ride, and honestly, each stop felt special in its own way. Every time I paused, the view looked different and even more beautiful than before. As I climbed higher, the snow-covered peaks started coming closer. The cold winds added a raw and refreshing touch to the experience.
In addition, I came across small streams flowing across the road, and the sound of water made everything feel calm and peaceful. Finally, when I reached Chandratal Lake, it looked absolutely stunning, with still water perfectly reflecting the mountains around it.
The return journey covered around 130 km back to Manali. Interestingly, the ride felt easier while coming back. I felt more confident handling the bike on rough roads. The downhill ride required careful braking and control. However, the brakes performed reliably throughout. The bike stayed stable even on tricky descents.
The Meteor 650 performed best on highways and climbs. It offered smooth power, comfort, and strong road presence. However, it struggled slightly on extreme off-road sections. The weight and suspension limits became noticeable there. Still, it completed the journey without any major issues. Perhaps that makes it a capable touring machine.
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