Ride a KTM long enough, and you start looking at the world through orange-colored glasses. Everything’s tame, especially a Royal Enfield, best known for its old-school, unbothered motorcycles that never got the memo for modernization. That’s why the first-gen Himalayan was such a surprise. It was still a slow and old-school ADV, but it carved a niche for itself with its serious off-road ability.
Now, the current-gen Himalayan 450 carries the baton forward into the modern world. It’s still the Himalayan we’ve always loved. But what’s more, it’s the most off-road capable motorcycle Royal Enfield has ever built, and one that finally puts the brand in the same conversation as its rivals.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Royal Enfield.
Tested In The Himalayas To Conquer All Kinds Of Roads And More
Starting Price: $5,999
A motorcycle performs best in the road conditions where it’s tested the most. For the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, that testing ground was the Himalayan mountain range, which features some of the most challenging road conditions in the world. Think broken or non-existent roads, high-altitude thin air, cold temperatures, and plenty of river crossings along the way. So, you can rest assured, the Himalayan 450 can handle most things that will come its way around the world, whether it’s soft sand, rocky trails, or muck.
We don’t say that just for its namesake, though. Royal Enfield has truly designed the bike to be great at off-roading. Remember the old Himalayan 411? It was a terrific off-roader that could tackle rough terrain with a tractor-like talent. The new one retains that charm while adding significantly more modern performance and features to the formula. It’s still a very versatile, capable ADV that focuses on the simplicity of motorcycling. At least now, the Himalayan can stand toe-to-toe with its rivals!
Royal Enfield has managed to achieve this in a few ways, starting with the tractable yet peppy Sherpa single-cylinder engine. That’s paired with an agile Harris Performance frame and long-travel Showa suspension, along with a 21/17-inch wheel setup. Meanwhile, the ergos are neutral, with a relatively low seat height and wide handlebars. The result is an ADV that can genuinely keep up with some bigger ADVs while off-roading. On the road, too, it manages to be pretty decent.
Like Its Namesake, The Sherpa Engine Will Guide You Through The Roughest Terrain
Power Output: 39.5 HP @ 8,000 RPM
Royal Enfield’s first liquid-cooled engine, Sherpa, is named after the ethnic group from the Himalayan region known for their mountaineering skills. That’s a hint at Royal Enfield’s confidence in the engine and its ability to go over the roughest terrains. Unlike its predecessor, this engine is modern, with ride-by-wire, short stroke, high compression ratio, and minimal vibes. It even produces power and torque figures that are appropriate for the segment.
How does this modernity translate off the road? The engine produces peak torque and power at 2,500 RPM apart, making it a pretty flexible engine. As a result, you get to enjoy a smooth throttle response with a decent pull in the mid-range. The low- to mid-range torque is enough to pull the bike through most conditions with minimal struggle. RE even claims the engine can pull out of a sandy hollow at 5,000 meters above sea level.
On the road, the engine is predictable and peachy, with no surprises anywhere. It’s still quick, but unlike the frantic KTM 390 Adventure, it feels calmer and more composed. Don’t worry, unlike the older Himmy, this one can hold highway speeds without trying to rattle your bones to dust. Royal Enfield says the engine is also tuned for fuel efficiency, which is claimed to be at 65 miles per gallon. Thanks to its 4.49-gallon fuel tank, expect a fuel range of around 290 miles between fuel stops, depending on your riding style.
Performance Specs
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled single-cylinder, DOHC |
|---|---|
|
Bore x Stroke |
84 mm vs. 81.5 mm |
|
Displacement |
452cc |
|
Compression Ratio |
11.5:1 |
|
Torque Output |
29.5 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Clutch |
Wet multiplate, slip and assist |
|
Gearbox |
Six speed |
Underpinnings That Get More Than Just The Basics Right
Suspension Travel: 7.87 in / 7.87 in. (Front/Back)
The Himalayan 450 features a Harris Performance-designed twin-spar frame, giving the bike better stability and handling than its predecessor. This frame is paired with long-travel Showa suspension; USD at the front and a linkage-type monoshock with preload adjustment at the back. While we’d have liked to see more adjustability to the suspension, it’s not a bad unit per se. The package is rounded out with a 21/17-inch wire-spoke wheel setup. A pair of tubeless spoke wheels is present on Kamet White and optional on Hanle Black color options.
These underpinnings come together to make the motorcycle an excellent off-roader. The frame is designed to be light and easy to maneuver, while keeping the seat height low and the ground clearance high. The suspension soaks everything up with little drama, and the tires keep the bike sure-footed even when you’re getting frisky with the traction. It’s a bike that makes off-roading easy even for beginner motorcyclists by being predictable and approachable, which makes it an excellent gateway into adventure riding. Heck, even the air intake is placed high up to give the bike good water wading capabilities!
For all its awesomeness, you can’t deny the bike’s high curb weight, at least on paper. For reference, its direct rival, the KTM 390 Adventure R, weighs a whopping 68 pounds less. So, picking the bike up after dropping it may require two backs and four legs. Still, Royal Enfield has managed to make the bike’s handling light, with the weight only being felt at a standstill. Rounding out the package are a pair of ByBre brakes on both ends, which offer decent stopping power.
Chassis And Dimensions Specs
|
Frame Type |
Steel, twin spar tubular |
|---|---|
|
Front Suspension |
43 mm USD |
|
Rear Suspension |
Linkage type monoshoch, preload adjustable |
|
Ground Clearance |
9 in. |
|
Dry Weight |
399 LBS |
|
Curb Weight |
432 LBS |
|
Front Tire |
90/90-21 in. |
|
Rear Tire |
140/80 R 17 in. |
Ergonomically Designed For Off-Road Leverage And Long-Distance Comfort
Seat Height: 31.7 inches (Lowest Position)
Being a Himalayan, the bike looks unlike anything else on the market. It takes design cues neither from insects nor from Sci-Fi movies. Instead, it focuses on minimalism and function, which gives it a very rugged, utilitarian look. For instance, the tank braces are there to protect the fuel tank during a tipover and take on a pair of jerry cans or bags for the long haul. Similarly, the slim tail-end features an integrated tail lamp and indicators, saving weight and keeping the back of the bike cleaner. It’s a clever take on simplicity that stands out in the line of other modern ADVs.
Speaking of functional design, it doesn’t let go of ergonomic comfort, either. The fuel tank and adjustable seat are narrow, allowing you to get a firm grip on the ground when crawling through challenging terrain. When the speeds increase, enduro pegs give you assurance, wide handlebars give you leverage, and the tank offers decent grip while saddling. These aspects also translate to pretty good comfort on the road, which Royal Enfield claims is good enough for a five-day ride.
Nothing You Don’t Need, In RE’s Words
Compared to its fancier rivals, the Himalayan 450 looks minimalistic with its tech package. However, it nails the basics well. Its highlight has to be the Tripper dash, offering full-map navigation on a circular display with the Google Maps platform. You no longer have to rely on utterly confusing turn-by-turn navigation. The dash offers phone connectivity and controls for music and calls. It features a joystick control on the left switchgear, switchable ABS, and ride modes. Royal Enfield also offers a bunch of optional accessories, including engine and hand guards, a larger windscreen, more seat options, and a rally mudguard and seat.
Royal Enfield says the Himalayan 450 offers “nothing you don’t need and everything that you do for changing times.” This might be one of those instances where marketing-speak speaks a bit of truth. The bike takes a minimalist approach to adventure riding, focusing on perfecting the essentials instead of cramming itself with bells and whistles. The result is a terrific all-rounder with a special knack for off-roading and the capability for everything else, from commuting to touring and more.