In recent times, tourers have become the vogue and a lot of budding riders are looking for a capable bike that can munch miles effortlessly and look good while doing it. Royal Enfield was monopolising this segment, but no more! Manufacturers are becoming aware of this 'Touring' trend and are now offering the best of their products to satiate the rider's need for adventure. Two most-talked about tourers are Royal Enfield Himalayan and Mahindra Mojo. We have already discussed about the Himalayan launch [URL="https://www.zigwheels.com/forum/topics/car-and-bike-research/bikes-in-india/3912-royal-enfield-himalayan-launched-at-1-55-lacs-ex-showroom-mumbai"]here.[/URL] There has also been some confusion in deciding [URL="https://www.zigwheels.com/forum/topics/car-and-bike-research/bikes-in-india/6191-royal-enfield-classic-500-vs-royal-enfield-himalayan-vs-um-renegade-commando"]which bike to buy[/URL] with the [URL="https://www.zigwheels.com/forum/topics/car-and-bike-research/bikes-in-india/4109-auto-expo-2016-um-renegade-series-unveiled"]UM Renegade[/URL] slowly coming into the picture. But that's for another time. Let's talk about the two of the most capable tourers in the current market- The Himalayan and the Mojo.
[B]Himalayan Vs. Mojo- What you need to know:[/B] [TABLE="class: text_table"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 50%"][B]Royal Enfield Himalayan[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 50%"][B]Mahindra Mojo[/B][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 50%"]Adventure/ touring bike[/TD]
[TD="width: 50%"]Touring bike[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 50%"]On-off road capable[/TD]
[TD="width: 50%"]Designed for on-road usage[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 50%"]Good low end torque[/TD]
[TD="width: 50%"]More power and top speed, better cruising speed[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 50%"]Comes with the 'Royal Enfield' tag[/TD]
[TD="width: 50%"]A promising bike, but yet to establish in the market[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
The Himalayan is the fruit of years of research and development by Royal Enfield on building the perfect machine which can conquer pretty much everything. Many riding veterans were involved in the testing and developing of the bike. Royal Enfield knew that the Classic, Bullet and the Thunderbird range alone are not going to cut it in the future market scenario. They wanted something that is modern, yet could give out the old-school vibe associated with the Himalayas. That is how the Himalayan was born.
I got to know about the development of the Himalayan about a year before its unveil. A friend of mine saw it being tested in his company. Later, lots of images started surfacing on the internet which gave us aficionados a rough idea about how the product was tempered.
Mojo, similar to the Himalayan, took its own time to nurture and evolve into a proper product. Though both the bikes took their own sweet time, the result have finally lived up to the expectations and the hype. Let's see how both fare in a spec comparo:
[B]Price:[/B] [TABLE="class: text_table"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 50%"][B]Royal Enfield Himalayan[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 50%"][B]Mahindra Mojo[/B][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 50%"]Price: Rs. [COLOR=#008000]1.56 Lacs[/COLOR] (ex-showroom, Delhi)[/TD]
[TD="width: 50%"]Price: Rs. [COLOR=#000000]1.63 Lacs[/COLOR] (ex-showroom, Delhi)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
In a price sensitive market like India, it is crucial for the manufacturers to price their products right. The Mojo undercuts Himalayan by 10,000 rupees and is clearly the better deal, considering all the goodies you get in the bike. But, if you want a no-nonsense hardcore adventure bike, then Himalayan is the answer for you. [CENTER] [CENTER] [LEFT] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8016[/ATTACH]
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[LEFT] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8017[/ATTACH]
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[/CENTER]
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[B]Engine & Transmission:[/B] [TABLE="class: text_table"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 196"][B]Bikes[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 197"][B]Royal Enfield Himalayan[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 198"][B]Mahindra Mojo[/B][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 196"][B]Engine[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 197"]Long Stroke [COLOR=#009900]410cc[/COLOR], SOHC, Oil cooled[/TD]
[TD="width: 198"]295cc, [COLOR=#009900]liquid cooled[/COLOR], [COLOR=#009900]DOHC[/COLOR][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 196"][B]Power[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 197"]24.5 bhp @6500 rpm[/TD]
[TD="width: 198"][COLOR=#009900]26.8 bhp @8000 rpm[/COLOR][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 196"][B]Torque[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 197"][COLOR=#009900]32 Nm @4000-4500 rpm[/COLOR][/TD]
[TD="width: 198"]30 Nm @5500 rpm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 196"][B]Gearbox[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 197"]5-speed manual[/TD]
[TD="width: 198"][COLOR=#009900]6-speed manual[/COLOR][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 196"][B]Fuel Supply[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 197"]Carburetted[/TD]
[TD="width: 198"][COLOR=#009900]Fuel Injected[/COLOR][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 196"][B]Compression Ratio[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 197"]9.5:1[/TD]
[TD="width: 198"]11:01[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 196"][B]Ignition System[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 197"]TCI, multicurve[/TD]
[TD="width: 198"][COLOR=#009900]ECU based digital electronic[/COLOR][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
The Himalayan gets a bigger engine than the Mojo, but it's complexity is less than Mojo's engine. The Himalayan's engine which is a long stroke 410cc is built to last, mainly due to fewer moving parts. Oil cooling has also helped in bringing the maintenance of the bike down to once in every 10,000+ km! The longer stroke helps it generate maximum torque at lower rpms, which in turn helps the bike pull at lower speeds efficiently. On the other hand, Mojo comes with a liquid cooled 295 cc engine, which is more efficient in terms of power delivery. This engine is more suited to highway rides rather than off-road ones and is more free revving when compared to the Himalayan. Moreover, the Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC) help the engine breathe better owing to more valves than the ones with the Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC). [CENTER] [LEFT]Himalayan's new LS 410 engine has been designed from ground up. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8164[/ATTACH]
[LEFT]
300cc liquid cooled engine is the fruit of years of R&D.[/LEFT]
[/LEFT]
[LEFT] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8165[/ATTACH]
[/LEFT]
[/CENTER]
The Himalayan is equipped with a carburetted engine whereas Mojo comes with a fuel injected unit. Technically, fuel injection wins because it injects finer and more accurate amount of fuel to the engine and is electronically controlled as well. But, when something goes wrong with the injector when you're in the middle of nowhere, that's when you'll see the Himalayan bravely chugging along. Its carburetor is simple and easy to tune under varying altitudes. [I]Jugaad [/I]is one thing Royal Enfield is constantly associated with and it does work when you're in umm, 'difficult' situations. It truly lives up to Siddhartha Lal, the CEO of Royal Enfield comment- "Our single biggest insight was that the best motorcycle for the Himalayas is not one that tries to dominate its landscape, but one that is able to go with its flow." Transmission duties are taken care by a five speeder in the Himalayan whereas the Mojo has got a six-speed gearbox. Overall, in terms of technical jargon, the Mojo is more like a purpose built machine ready to take down miles of tarmac whereas, the Himalayan exudes character, particularly humility and the bike feels right at home in the mighty Himalayas.
[B]Suspension and Chassis:[/B] [TABLE="class: text_table"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 89"] [/TD]
[TD="width: 221"][B]Royal Enfield Himalayan[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 340"][B]Mahindra Mojo[/B][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 89"][B]Frame[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 221"]Half duplex split cradle frame[/TD]
[TD="width: 340"]Twin tube exposed frame with coaxial engine mount[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 89"][B]Front Suspension[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 221"]Telescopic with 41mm forks and [COLOR=#009900]200mm travel[/COLOR][/TD]
[TD="width: 340"][COLOR=#009900]Upside Down Forks[/COLOR] with 143.5mm travel[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 89"][B]Rear Suspension[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 221"]Monoshock with linkage, [COLOR=#009900]180mm wheel travel[/COLOR][/TD]
[TD="width: 340"][COLOR=#009900]Gas charged monoshock[/COLOR] with 143mm travel[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
As you can see from the table, the Himalayan is more off-road ready with its long-travel suspension. The Mojo more comfortable in its natural habitat, which is tarmac. [CENTER] [LEFT]
The suspension is all beefed up to tackle the 'roads' of India and beyond! [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8167[/ATTACH]
[/LEFT]
[LEFT]The Mojo looks more like a power cruiser, in a budget[/LEFT]
[LEFT] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8166[/ATTACH]
[/LEFT]
[/CENTER]
[B]Dimensions:[/B] [TABLE="class: text_table"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 133"] [/TD]
[TD="width: 181"][B]Royal Enfield Himalayan[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 122"][B]Mahindra Mojo[/B][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 133"][B]Wheelbase[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 181"]1465mm[/TD]
[TD="width: 122"]1465mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 133"][B]Seat Height[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 181"][COLOR=#009900]800mm[/COLOR][/TD]
[TD="width: 122"]814.5mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 133"][B]Ground Clearance[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 181"][COLOR=#009900]220mm[/COLOR][/TD]
[TD="width: 122"]173.5mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 133"][B]Fuel Capacity[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 181"]15 L[/TD]
[TD="width: 122"][COLOR=#009900]21 L[/COLOR][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 133"][B]Weight[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 181"]182 Kg[/TD]
[TD="width: 122"][COLOR=#009900]165 Kg[/COLOR][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
From the dimensions, the Mojo feels more like a long distance highway 'cruiser' whereas Himalayan feels like it's a hardcore adventure bike. Note that despite the considerably larger fuel tank, the Mojo is still lighter than the Himalayan.
[B]Brakes And Tyres:[/B] [TABLE="class: text_table"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 109"] [/TD]
[TD="width: 248"][B]Royal Enfield Himalayan[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 205"][B]Mahindra Mojo[/B][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 109"][B]Front Brakes[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 248"]300mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper[/TD]
[TD="width: 205"][COLOR=#009900]320mm disc, Radial Caliper[/COLOR][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 109"][B]Rear Brakes[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 248"]240mm disc, 1-piston floating caliper[/TD]
[TD="width: 205"]240mm disc, Floating caliper[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 109"][B]Front Tyre[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 248"]90/90 – [COLOR=#009900]21 inches[/COLOR][/TD]
[TD="width: 205"][COLOR=#009900]110/70[/COLOR] – 17 inches[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 109"][B]Rear Tyre[/B][/TD]
[TD="width: 248"]120/90 – 17 inches[/TD]
[TD="width: 205"][COLOR=#009900]150/60[/COLOR] – 17 inches[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
The Himalayan gets a large 300mm Brybre disc [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8168[/ATTACH]
Mojo gets a larger 320mm petal disc which aids in better heat dissipation. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n8169[/ATTACH]
When it comes it brakes and tires, the Mojo gets slightly bigger brakes and Mahindra also has an ABS version on the cards. The tires are also wider than Himalayan, which aids in better handling. The Himalayan gets bigger front wheels than the front which aids in handling rough terrains better. Also, Mojo gets alloys and the Himalayan gets Spoke wheels. That means, Mojo also comes with a tubeless whereas the Himalayan comes with a tubed tire. The reason why tubeless tires can't be installed in spoke rims is explained [URL="https://www.zigwheels.com/forum/topics/global-auto-news/trending-worldwide/2098-motorcycle-wheels-spoke-and-alloy"]here[/URL].
[B]My opinion:[/B]
Both the bikes are ideal for a rider who is looking for an affordable tourer. On paper, the Himalayan definitely looks more capable owing to its off-road credentials whereas Mojo is road-biased and is clearly more advanced of the lot. It also offers a lot of tech loaded features at a lesser price. But how does it fare in the real-world conditions against the Himalayan? Watch out for this space to know more! Personally, I'd go for the Mojo as my touring requirement is mostly for on-road purposes. The Mojo is apt for that. Make no mistake, it [I]can [/I]handle the occasional off-roading as well!