Since its introduction, the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 has been a popular motorcycle among both retro motorcycle fans and custom bike shops. Its simple construction allows these shops to go all in without setbacks, and that’s exactly what Australia’s Skunk Machine has now done. The result is a stunning carbon fiber-loaded GT 650 racer with sportbike aesthetics and serious performance.
Royal Enfield Continental GT “Cerra 865” By Skunk Machine
Though Skunk Machine is a relatively new shop, its founder, Carl Cerra, is well-versed in automotive design. The Continental GT 650 build began with pen-paper sketches, followed by clay modeling, 3D scanning of the model, and then bringing it all to reality. As easy as it sounds, the design took months to finalize (partially thanks to the pandemic) with a large chunk of inspiration coming from old-school race bikes which looked gorgeous and a bit awkward at the same time. This is also evident in the final build.
Unlike its naked avatar, the Continental GT 650 now flaunts full fairings built out of carbon fiber accompanied by a charming headlight cover. The latter houses an all-LED headlight and a tinted, retro-style visor to limit the wind blast that comes with the extra performance. As its name suggests, the Cerra 865 has an 865cc, twin-cylinder heart, courtesy of an aftermarket big-bore kit. Complementing this are two SC-Project end cans and bigger throttle bodies, all claimed to double the Continental GT 650’s 47.5-horsepower output.
In the underpinnings department, the Cerra 865 now boasts upside-down forks (drawn from a GSX-R), Ohlins shock absorbers, and Brembo brakes. Meanwhile, a sportier suede seat, machined triple clamp, and lower clip-on handlebars coupled with Pirelli Supercorsa rubber ensure utmost fun in the twisties. And once you’re aboard this custom GT 650, you’re greeted by a digital instrument cluster that doubles up as an onboard camera.
Can You Buy It?
Yes, you can. Skunk Machine is planning to create 25 examples of the Cerra 865. The price is yet to come out, though, and there’s a high chance you’ll have to bear the freight charges from across the pond, so add that to your budget. Nevertheless, there’s no denying that this is a commendable custom Royal Enfield and showcases what Skunk Machine can produce.