Royal Enfield has a new motorcycle in its stable. The Chennai-based maker of the iconic Bullet on Tuesday launched the Continental GT, modelled on its legendary namesake that was popular in Britain in the 1950s before the samurai overran the biking world.

The 535-cc bike, priced at Rs. 205,000 (US$ 3,291), ex-showroom, Delhi, is based on the 'cafe racer' concept of that period of racing modified bikes from cafe to cafe.

"We're launching an idea, not a bike," said Sidhartha Lal, the company's CEO and MD. "It does not end with the bike. That is just the beginning."

While Ryoal Enfield showcased the Continental GT in the New Delhi auto expo last year, it has taken all these months coming, as it was built completely new, ground up. The company has also launched a range of accessories built around it.

Royal Enfield is pushing the Continental GT as an international product. It unveiled it first in London in the end of August, priced at £ 5,200 in the UK, € 6,350 in Europe and US$ 7,200 in the US.

"We want to bring back the fun into biking," said Lal. "Not something that will take you round and round a track super quick... We believe there is space for usable, fun bikes. That is what we aim to bring."