The Royal Enfield Himalayan was first introduced in 2018 as a light adventure bike specifically designed for off-road riding and long-distance touring. It was developed over a period of several years and built on a brand new platform featuring a 411 cc single-cylinder engine, which provided a balance of power and fuel efficiency.
The Himalayan was an instant hit with adventure riders and touring enthusiasts, who appreciated its rugged design, comfortable ergonomics, and versatile capabilities. It quickly became one of the most popular adventure bikes on the market, with riders praising its reliability, durability, and performance. It also opened the door to adventure riding to many riders who were restricted on an A2 license in the UK and EU.
Since its introduction, the Royal Enfield Himalayan has received several updates and improvements to help keep the Himalayan at the forefront of the adventure bike market, and it remains a popular choice for riders who want to explore the world beyond the pavement.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Review
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is powered by a 411 cc single-cylinder engine that’s air-cooled and fuel-injected. It can produce up to 24.3 horsepower and 32 Nm of torque, which is pretty average for mid-capacity adventure bike like this.
The engine is designed to be tough and reliable, so you can take it off-road without worrying about it breaking down. It also has a slipper clutch for smoother gear shifts and a counterbalancer shaft to reduce vibrations.
The Himalayan features a half-duplex split cradle frame layout, which provides a strong and stable base for the bike’s other components. It’s steel-tube construction provides durability and resistance to impact, making it suitable for adventures in all terrain.
The bike’s ground clearance of 220mm and the long-travel suspension system complement the frame, providing ample space for the bike to clear obstacles and ride over rough terrain.
The telescopic front forks consists of 41 mm diameter stanchions and 200 mm travel, while the rear suspension features a monoshock with a linkage system and 180 mm travel. These suspension components provide a comfortable ride on rough and uneven terrain, absorbing most of the shocks and vibrations encountered during off-road riding.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan comes with spoked wheels that are designed to handle a variety of terrains and riding conditions. The front wheel is 21 inches in diameter, while the rear wheel is oddly 17 inches in diameter, both help contribute to the impressive ground clearance. The spoked wheels on the Royal Enfield Himalayan are not only functional but also add to the bike’s ruggedness and classic look.
The bike also features a dual-channel switchable ABS system that provides adequate stopping power on different surfaces. The ABS can be turned off on the rear wheel for off-road riding or kept on for on-road riding. The front and rear brakes feature a 300mm and 240mm disc, respectively, which provides sufficient stopping power on most surfaces.
Overall, the braking and suspension system of the Royal Enfield Himalayan is capable and reliable, allowing riders to confidently tackle different terrains and riding conditions. However, some riders may find that the braking system lacks the bite and feedback of some other Adventure bikes, and the suspension may be too soft or inadequate for riders who prefer more aggressive riding.
One of the biggest attractions of the Royal Enfield Himalayan is the seat height. At just 800 mm the low saddle and reasonable wet weight of 200 kg makes it extremely popular with shorter riders who can sit on the bike in comfort with both feet on the ground.
In fact the Himalayan has introduced a great many riders into the world of adventure motorcycling and heading off the tarmac.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Ride Review
As you approach the Himalayan for the first time you will instantly see it’s been built to take some knocks. The second thing you will notice is that it looks old school, almost like the original Honda Africa 750.
Take a step closer and it has probably the best dash setup I’ve seen on a bike. It has a digital compass whilst the speedometer is analogue.
Coupled with the smartphone Royal Enfield app connection that allows you to use the tripper navigation system (which looks very much like a Beeline Moto clone), it is pretty much perfect for those long distanceadventures.
Once you pop off the tarmac and onto the dirt its lightness allows the Himalayan to skip along the tracks quite happily. Having only a short screen and no fairings are no longer noticeable as you make your way along the green lanes.
The suspension felt soft at the front end and stiff at the rear, affecting the handling slightly both on and off-road. Thankfully this is just a simple setup adjustment until the balance is correct.
The engine lacks at the low end and struggles its way up the steeper hills but it’s adequate.
Braking hard I found the front brake to be squishy and it made the back end twitch. Switching out for some decent brake pads before you went too far would probably be a good idea.
Accessories
It can go close to 250 miles on a full tank but among the many aftermarket products available for the Himalayan are bracket kits which allow you to carry up to 2 jerry cans providing another 1.6 gallons of fuel for those heading into the wilderness.
Genuine Royal Enfield accessories includes optional handlebars, silver or black hard luggage and pannier rails and touring seats.
Latest Royal Enfield Himalayan Specs
Engine: Air-cooled SOHC single cylinder four-stroke
Capacity: 411 cc
Max Power: 24.3 bhp / 18 kW @ 6,500rpm
Max Torque: 32 Nm / 23.6 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Top Speed: 75 mph / 120 km/h
Fuel capacity: 15 L / 3.9 US Gal
Seat Height: 800 mm / 31.5 inches
Wet Weight: 200 kg / 439 lbs
Royal Enfield Himalayan Variations
The Royal Enfield Himalayan has received several updates and improvements since the launch of the original 2018 model. Here are some of the notable changes:
Switchable ABS: In 2019, Royal Enfield introduced a switchable Antilock Braking System, which allows the rider to turn off the ABS when venturing off-road.
Updated instrument cluster: The 2020 model received an updated instrument cluster with a new digital screen, including a compass and altitude display.
Improved seat: The 2020 model also featured an improved seat for better rider comfort.
Tripper navigation system: The 2021 model introduced the Tripper navigation system, which uses Google Maps to provide turn-by-turn navigation on the instrument cluster.
Improved brakes: The 2021 model also received improved brakes with a larger 300mm front disc and a redesigned calliper.
Updated colours: In 2021, Royal Enfield added two new colours to the Himalayan line-up – Mirage Silver and Pine Green.
Updated exhaust: The 2022 model received an updated exhaust system for better performance and a more refined exhaust note.
Upgraded suspension: The 2022 model also received upgraded suspension with new 41mm fork tubes and revised damping settings for improved handling and comfort.
How does the Himalayan Compare to its rivals?
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is often compared to other adv bikes in its class, such as the BMW G 310 GS, the Kawasaki Versys-X 300, and the Honda CB500X.
Compared to its rivals, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is relatively affordable, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious riders. It also has a more classic look, which some riders may prefer over the more modern styling of its competitors.
In terms of engine performance, the Himalayan’s 411 cc single-cylinder engine is less powerful than that all three of its rivals, but this is balanced out with the Himalayan producing much more torque, making it more suitable to ride off road.
One of the Himalayan’s key advantages over its rivals is its simplicity. The bike’s air-cooled engine, manual transmission, and basic electronics make for easier maintenance and repair in remote locations.
The Himalayan is also relatively lightweight, which makes it more agile and easier to handle off-road and despite its suspension system being relatively simple, it outperforms it’s rivals when it comes to off road stability and handling.
However, some riders may find the Himalayan’s braking and suspension systems to be less refined and responsive than those of its rivals. The bike may also lack some of the features that are standard on more expensive adventure motorcycles, such as electronic aids like traction control and ride modes.
Overall, the Royal Enfield Himalayan offers a unique combination of affordability, ruggedness, and off-road capability, making it a compelling choice for riders who prioritize versatility and value over cutting-edge technology and performance.
FAQ
What colours is the Himalayan available in?
As of 2023 the Royal Enfield Himalayan is available in Pine Green, Granite Black, Gravel Grey, Glacier Blue, Sleet Black and Dune Brown.
How much does the Royal Enfield Himalayan cost?
The new Royal Enfield Himalayan is priced from £4,699 in the UK and $5,449 in the US.
How fast does the Royal Enfield Himalayan go?
The top speed of the Royal Enfield Himalayan is 75 mph / 120 kph.
Is the Royal Enfield Himalayan reliable?
I’ve spoken to plenty of Himalayan owners and some have gone the distance without any problems, a few have ticked well over 30,000 miles and are still going without any major faults.
I’ve also heard a few horror stories such as headstock cracking and ECU problems, especially from owners of earlier models. Generally though, most are happy and consider it great value for money.
Conclusion
Overall, I enjoyed my day on the Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Would I own one? I don’t think so. Although I was surprised at how good a bike it was, particularly off road, I’m still searching for my perfect Adventure bike.
Don’t let me put you off though, with a starting price of $4,999 (£4649) it’s an absolute bargain.
More info here.