Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S: Which retro cruiser bike is best for Indian riders?

In recent years, the popularity of retro cruiser motorcycles has grown significantly among Indian riders. As competition in this segment grows, many brands are offering strong options to attract buyers. Among them, Royal Enfield and Kawasaki have also fielded their own powerful cruiser motorcycles to compete with each other in the market.

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, priced between Rs 4.06 lakh and Rs 4.40 lakh (ex showroom), and the Kawasaki Vulcan S, priced at Rs 8.13 lakh (ex showroom), are aimed at riders looking for a relaxed, feet forward cruiser rather than a naked or adventure motorcycle. While both belong to the same segment, they offer very different riding experiences. The Super Meteor 650 focuses on affordability, strong low end torque, and long distance comfort, whereas the Vulcan S brings more power, modern features, and better overall performance. So, if you are confused between these two cruisers, here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which one suits your needs better.

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S: The price gap

This isn't really a close fight on paper. The Kawasaki Vulcan S costs almost double the top spec Super Meteor 650 Celestial. That price difference comes with a liquid cooled engine, traction control, cruise control, and sharper performance numbers, but it also puts the Vulcan S out of reach for most first time 650cc buyers in India, who are usually stepping up from a 350cc Royal Enfield. For someone paying an EMI of around Rs 24,000 plus a month for the Vulcan S versus roughly half that for the Super Meteor, the Royal Enfield remains the more realistic option for a much wider set of buyers.

Key Specs Compared

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S: Engine and Power

The Super Meteor 650 runs the familiar 648cc, air oil cooled parallel twin shared with the Interceptor 650, tuned for 47 PS at 7,250 rpm and 52.3 Nm of torque at 5,650 rpm. It's not a fast engine by spec sheet standards, but the torque arrives early and stays flat, which suits relaxed highway cruising and easy overtakes without constant gear changes.

The Kawasaki Vulcan S uses a 649cc liquid cooled parallel twin that makes considerably more, 61 PS at 7,500 rpm and 61 Nm at 6,600 rpm, and Kawasaki claims a top speed of 186 kmph against the Super Meteor's 150 kmph. On paper, the Vulcan S has the quicker, more athletic engine. 

However, in daily use, most Indian riders won't be going just for the bike's top speed. Considering this, the Super Meteor's lower price could make more sense to buyers.

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S: Weight, Comfort, and City Usability

Both bikes come in a similar weight class. The Super Meteor 650 weighs 241 kg (kerb) with a 740mm seat height, while the Vulcan S is lighter at 235 kg with a notably lower 705mm seat. That lower seat makes the Vulcan S easier for shorter riders to keep both feet flat, a real advantage in stop and go traffic. The Super Meteor counters with a bigger 15.7 litre fuel tank against the Vulcan's 14 litres, meaning fewer fuel stops on long rides, and its suspension setup (USD forks up front and twin shocks at the rear) is tuned more for cruiser comfort than outright sharpness.

Features That Matter Day to Day

Here's where the price gap between Royal Enfield and Kawasaki bike becomes easier to understand. The Vulcan S comes with traction control and cruise control, both genuinely useful on long expressway stretches, plus a mostly LED lighting setup. The Super Meteor 650 sticks to the basics: an LED headlamp, dual channel ABS, and Royal Enfield's Tripper turn by turn navigation pod, but no traction control or cruise control at this price point. If electronic rider aids matter to you, the Vulcan S is worth its higher price. If you just want a comfortable cruiser to ride to work and take on weekend highway runs, the Royal Enfield bike could be a smart choice.

Which One Should You Actually Buy?

If you have a budget of around Rs 4 to 4.5 lakh, the Super Meteor 650 could be a better choice, and it doesn't feel like a compromise for that money. It has more fuel range, a proven engine platform that OEM has refined for years, and a large dealer and service network across India, which matters when you are 500 km from home on a highway run.

The Vulcan S makes sense for a narrower group of buyers, someone who wants a cruiser that rides more aggressively, values traction control and cruise control on long expressway trips, and has the budget.

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