The R.E. Continental 650 was my first time on anything that could be considered a "sport" bike and the riding position geometry was not as bad as everybody says, even for an old heavy guy like me who is used to classic cruisers with forward foot controls. The 650cc parallel twin engine had plenty of power to carry my 300+ pound weight up significant hills as long as I kept the RPMs at or above 3000. The bike has a "slipper clutch" -- I've never even heard of this invention before but it seem to work well like a conventional clutch, only more forgiving if you downshifted while still moving FWD and let the clutch out too quickly. One odd thing: I sometimes have trouble finding 1st gear after I stopped at red lights or stop signs. Tapping the gearshift lever down several times EXPECTING the transmission TO GO all the way into first gear didn't always put me in First. Sometimes I thought I was in first gear but when I tried to go it turns out I was really in 2nd. Upshifting was 100% reliable and with a positive click that you could hear and feel as long as you pulled up with a decent amount of force like you should on this bike and all other Royal Enfields, I hear. I got between 60 and 70 mpg on my trip which require three fill-ups (with 93 octane premium gas per the bike's owner's instruction). That's amazing MPG considering I'm a heavy guy and was riding in hilly terrain sometimes, including the Tail of the Dragon / Deals Gap, taking each turn very slow in first or second gear. Yet at other times buzzing down the interstate highway at 80 miles an hour on the way home. As you would expect for a bike with this type of steering geometry it was very nimble and I'm sure "FLICK-ABLE" in tight turns, but I never even got close to approaching the bikes potential when it came to tight turns. Never had to lean over enough to potentially scrape foot-pegs.

Jitendra was easy to work with accommodating of my last-minute reservation was understanding of the delays that I had due to my experience with the twisted road website and how to navigate through it on my smart phone. I asked him a couple of questions via text messaging while I was out on the road, and he answered them promptly. This was a 24-hour rental: I met him to pick up the bike at 8 PM and I returned it to him at his house at 8 PM the following evening.

I enjoyed this bike. My first time on a Royal Enfield. It has a nice sporty position without requiring me to lay on the tank. Just what I needed. I would certainly rent again.

Jitendra was an excellent host. He responded promptly and was very helpful.