It was through the Himalayan that many motorcyclists around the world discovered Royal Enfield. Now, risking displeasing the purists, the Indian brand has launched a new model that, in short, is better in every way!
The Indian brand, with roots in the UK, has been known for launching “out-of-the-box” products, at least considering European tastes. This was the case with the first version of the Himalayan launched in 2016, a small adventure bike, ready to go to the highest places of the Earth if necessary (after all, the Himalayas are a mountain range that spans five countries: Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, and Pakistan). However, for many, it remained too simple in design, construction, and performance. We didn’t test it in the Himalayas (that trip of a lifetime will have to wait), but we rode it around the outskirts of Lisbon, on all kinds of terrain.
Gear used: Shoei Ex-Zero helmet / LS2 Brighton jacket / Alpinestars Engine gloves / Ixon Mike pants / Gaerne Stone boots
SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
Little remains from the previous version other than the name. But the spirit of adventure is still there, now with a huge evolution in all components. For example, the engine, the Sherpa 450 single-cylinder, is Royal Enfield’s first liquid-cooled engine. It now has a new 6-speed gearbox, ride-by-wire throttle with driving modes, and now delivers 40 horsepower. As expected, some purists may not appreciate these modern touches, but all other motorcyclists will greatly appreciate these improvements.
The brand’s connection to mountains and adventure is more than evident, which is why this model was developed under the most challenging conditions. The ground clearance is high, the suspension by Showa (even with few adjustments and only in the rear) is good and offers 200 mm of travel. We even count with GPS navigation on the TFT screen, built on the Google Maps platform. The frame is new, more robust, and narrower between the legs for better stand-up riding, and even the intake was carefully designed, under the fuel tank, so we can cross rivers with ease!
MORE FEATURES
For sure aesthetically the improvements are clearly visible, in a model with much more universally appealing lines. It is still a bike that will likely appeal to older ages, riders in their 40s and 50s, although the riding experience is now much more versatile, from city use to weekend rides and, of course, off-road adventures.
There’s a new LED headlight and a fuel tank that guarantees massive range since it holds 17 liters of gasoline, and our average consumption was 3.3 L/100 km! There are five paint schemes to suit all tastes, and the Kamet White version comes with tubeless tires, which many may find advantageous.
OUR VEREDICT
We highlight the 21’’ and 17’’ wheels, front and rear respectively, which are fitted with Ceat tyres that we liked (at least in dry conditions). The riding position is quite comfortable, also thanks to the wide handlebars mounted in just the right place. The seats are separate (825 mm above the ground for the rider, which is an accessible height), but it’s worth noting that the rider’s seat, although soft, is slightly tilted, which can cause some discomfort after a while.
In terms of dynamics, you quickly feel at ease with this motorcycle. The levers are not adjustable but have an excellent feel, and we benefit from an assisted and slipper clutch. Everything seems built to last a long time, and we can say that we rode more on asphalt than off-road, but the dynamics are good in both scenarios. The performance is quite acceptable, with the single-cylinder engine being very linear; and while it seems to be under some strain at 120 km/h, it actually reaches 164 km/h thanks to well-spaced gear ratios and an adequate final drive. Of course, being a single-cylinder engine, it will always produce some vibrations, and the exhaust sound is not particularly thrilling, but the throttle feel is very good, and the rides are always pleasant. And naturally, with competent suspensions, reliable brakes, and a riding position that’s comfortable both on asphalt and dirt, you can switch between pavement and trails whenever you want without any stress, and that’s the best thing we can say about a trail bike.
- The best: Easy and enjoyable riding / Economy / Chassis
- To improve: Some vibrations / Riding feelings
To make it even better, we would like the instrumentation to be more readable, while both types of stands are not perfect: the side stand is stable but allows the bike leaning too much, requiring a lot of effort to lift it, while the center stand also requires a lot of force to operate. This bike is said to be for rugged men who want to cross the Himalayas! For everyone else, who simply wants to enjoy good rides, this bike also fits well, as it can serve both the most demanding adventure tourism enthusiasts and the newly licensed riders who want to start exploring trails. The price is also well-aligned with the goals of this model!
ROYAL ENFIELD Himalayan 450
- ENGINE single-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooling
- DISPLACEMENT 451 cc
- POWER 40 cv (29.4 kw) @8,000 rpm
- TORQUE 40 Nm @5,500 rpm
- GEARBOX 6-speed
- FRAME Steel double cradle
- FUEL TANK 17 liters
- FRONT SUSPENSION 43 mm inverted fork, 200 mm travel
- REAR SUSPENSION single shock, 200 mm travel
- FRONT BRAKE 320 mm disc, 2-piston caliper
- REAR BRAKE 270 mm disc, 1-piston caliper
- FRONT TYRE 90/90-21
- REAR TYRE 140/80 R17
- WHEELBASE 1,510 mm
- SEAT HEIGHT 825 mm
- WEIGHT 181 kg (dry)
- PRICE from £6,250 / $5,799 / € 6,440
