Has Yezdi Built A RE Himalayan Killer?

Yezdi has finally launched the Adventure, the brand’s Himalayan-looking ADV. But is the Classic Legends-owned bikemaker’s new ADV just aping the Royal Enfield bike, or has it perfected the recipe? Let’s find out:

Engine

Just one glance at the engine specifications, and you know both motorcycles have nothing in common. Despite the smaller capacity, the Yezdi’s Jawa Perak-derived engine packs more than the Himalayan. Adding to the Adventure’s advantage is the liquid-cooling and a 6-speed gearbox to aid the engine stretch its legs on the highways.

While Royal Enfield’s long-stroke engine may seem archaic, it delivers peak performance much earlier in the rev range, something you’d expect from an ADV to save you in tricky situations.

Underpinnings

While both bikes have completely different engine architecture, the two have some commonalities in underpinnings. Like true-blue ADVs, the Yezdi Adventure and the Royal Enfield Himalayan flaunt long-travel suspension with a link-type monoshock at the rear to iron out minor undulations. Both bikes even have the same 21/17-inch wheel setup with wire-spoke rims. Where these bikes differ is in their braking setup. The bigger disc coupled with the 11kg weight difference should result in better stopping force for the Yezdi. Also, its ABS system is a bit more sophisticated, but more on that later.

Dimensions

The similarities between the Yezdi and Himalayan are more interesting in this aspect. These bikes share the same wheelbase and ground clearance. However, with 11kg less to lug around, the Yezdi Adventure should be the better handler of the two. That said, the low seat height on the Himalayan makes it more accessible (for shorter riders) and easier to maneuver.

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 Features

The Yezdi Adventure features LED illumination all around and ABS with three modes: Road, Off-road, and Rain. The Himalayan, on the other hand, relies on halogen bulbs and gets a simpler switchable ABS module. While its Tripper navigation pod is a welcome addition, it doesn’t come integrated with the console – it’s placed on the right. Sort of sticks out like a sore thumb, we say.

The Adventure not only features navigation and phone alerts but also allows the rider to tilt the console for better visibility when straddling.Furthermore, there’s a USB and Type-C charger as standard.

Price And Verdict

(all prices ex-showroom Delhi)

The tried-and-tested formula of the Himalayan has worked so far, but the frequent price hikes have made it a costly offering. The Yezdi ADV, on the other hand, is a tempting proposition, thanks to its powerful and sophisticated engine and more features. Plus, it’s 11kg more lightweight and Rs 5,000 more affordable than the Himalayan.

But can it match the RE’s quality? We shall find that out in a full-blown comparison test. So stay tuned!