All-New Royal Enfield Himalayan Review: An Adventure Redefined

Adventure – a word that ignites excitement and trepidation in the hearts of many. When it comes to adventure bikes, they often seem daunting. However, seven years ago, Royal Enfield embarked on a mission to change that perception with the Himalayan. A bike that was simple, accessible, and most importantly, friendly.

Fast forward seven years, and the evolution of this iconic machine has brought us to the mountains once again for a taste of a new and even more exciting flavour of adventure - the all-new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. But does it stay true to the unique idea that made the original Himalayan revolutionary?

A Visual Delight

Born from simplicity and functionality, the all-new Himalayan enhances the rugged appeal of its predecessor. It boasts a more flowing and muscular fuel tank with a beak-like front fender, giving it a closer resemblance to adventure bikes while maintaining its distinct character. It's bigger, more muscular, and more charming, but the idea remains the same – simple and effective.

What’s Bigger and More Exciting?

Let's dive into how you'll embark on adventures with the all-new 452cc liquid-cooled engine called Sherpa 450. This marks Royal Enfield's first foray into liquid-cooled engines, and it's nothing short of impressive. With 40 horsepower ready to spring into action, this engine produces 40Nm at a low 5500rpm, offering commendable low-end performance, particularly for off-roading.

In line with the original Himalayan's philosophy of accessibility, this engine is more potent yet not intimidating. It's a humble companion, ready to adapt to your needs. Despite not being the most refined, it's smooth, easygoing, and unafraid to pick up the pace. The claimed top speed is over 150kmph, and while we haven't tested it, this engine seems ideal for touring.

Keep in mind that we've only ridden the bike at high altitudes and in cold temperatures, so we'll need a proper road test to fully gauge its performance and explore its two ride modes.

Smooth Shifting (Gearbox & Clutch)

Unlike typical Royal Enfield bikes, the Himalayan surprises with a light clutch action and smooth gear shifting, thanks to an assist and slipper clutch. Gear changes are a breeze, even while standing, simplifying off-roading. However, there were occasional issues with misshifts during the 1st to 2nd transition.

Deceptive When It Comes to Handling

Despite its larger size – with a longer wheelbase, higher ground clearance, and a 17-litre fuel tank – the new Himalayan manages to shed 3kg, resulting in a kerb weight of 196kg. This, along with the centralised mass, provides a lightweight motorcycle that's agile, flickable, and feels like a 200-250cc bike when manoeuvring.

Hold Up

Brakes are a critical aspect of motorcycling, and the Himalayan doesn't disappoint, whether you're on or off the roads. Both the front and rear brakes offer a sharp bite and smooth progression, instilling confidence to push the bike harder. The rear even features switchable ABS, allowing you to turn it off for controlled sliding during off-roading.

All About Comfort

Comfort has always been the Himalayan's strong suit, and the new iteration maintains this tradition. A wide raised handlebar and an ergonomic seat offer excellent support. The seat height is now taller at 825mm and can be adjusted to 845mm with a straightforward process you can do yourself. There's also an optional accessory seat that brings the height down to 805mm, catering to a broader range of riders.

The suspension, equipped with Showa components, ensures a plush and comfortable ride on various terrains.

A Forgiving Friend (Off-roading)

When you venture off-road, the Himalayan remains a reliable companion, instilling confidence to explore places where roads can't take you. Despite its light weight, the bike offers stability and the 200mm travel suspension is forgiving, making it a great choice for off-roading enthusiasts.

A Clean Departure from Retro (Features)

The all-new Himalayan is Royal Enfield's most feature-packed motorcycle and also gets the most electronic aids. The fully digital TFT console is easy to read under any light conditions and provides two display modes – analogue and digital. It also offers turn-by-turn navigation powered by Google Maps via a smartphone app. That sad bit, however, is that you need to keep your smartphone on at all times for full-fledged navigation, which can quickly drain the battery.

A Wholesome Package - Verdict

The new Royal Enfield Himalayan is like a loyal friend, ready to support you through thick and thin. It's forgiving, easygoing, and a motorcycle that anyone can pick up and ride on any terrain. It's challenging not to admire this bike for retaining the simplicity that made the original Himalayan special.

In conclusion, it's a significant upgrade to an already excellent motorcycle. The first Himalayan had its share of issues, but this new iteration may change your perspective on Royal Enfield's initial production batches.

The price, of course, will be a crucial factor. While it will likely be more expensive than the 411, let's hope it's not too pricey.