Best photos from the Royal Enfield 650 twins launch

On stage is Royal Enfield boss Siddhartha Lal introducing
a video about the new Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650.
To hear what he told the press watch this video.

Royal Enfield provided transportation, accommodation, food, drink, entertainment and keepsakes to me at last week's product launch for its 650 twins in California. Here are my photos of some memorable moments during the event.

Chrome was a must. Designers of the new bikes put notes  on a bulletin board.
This label was stuck to a photo of the original Interceptors.

And here it is, the new Interceptor 650 in chrome.

...and here is the new Continental GT 650 in chrome.

Siddhartha Lal, left, author Gordon May and Chris Overton (in yellow)
tell the press about Chris's original 1966 Continental GT cafe racer,
inspiration for the new Continental GT 650.

Another fantastic Royal Enfield of the past on display.
This is a Big Head Bullet Fury, a fast bike of the 1960s.

The Royal Enfield that did 150-plus at Bonneville Salt Flats.
S&S rider Cayla Rivas was at the event but I didn't get to meet her. 

Royal Enfield 650 twins take over all there is of downtown Pescadero, Calif.,
just two miles off legendary California State Route 1.

Our ride guides rode 650 twins with accessories.
This Interceptor 650 has the fly screen.

OK, see how the little arm on the gearshift lever isn't nearly as wide as the footrest?
Sometimes my boot barely hit it, giving the momentary feeling I'd missed a shift.

The setting: The press hears about the Royal Enfield 650 twins
with the Santa Cruz, Calif. beach and pier in the background.

The Continental GT 650, left, and Interceptor 650 on the beach
for the bonfire-lit press conference introducing them.

Big sand sculptures of the 650 twins carved on the beach
outside the launch hotel left no doubt Royal Enfield was the host.