We’re excited to share highly anticipated Royal Enfield Himalayan ‘450’ adventure bike before its official debut. Visordown recently had the opportunity to test ride this new motorcycle in the Himalayan foothills in India. While we can’t provide riding impressions just yet, we’re thrilled to present you with a detailed look at the bike from all angles.
The Himalayan ‘450’ we tested boasts a striking black and yellow color scheme with eye-catching gold wheels, as seen in previously leaked photos. This updated design gives the Himalayan a more contemporary appearance compared to the previous model.
One noticeable change is the ‘beaked’ front end, which aligns the Himalayan ‘450’ with modern adventure bike standards. However, the iconic round headlamp, a feature of the previous Himalayan, remains intact. The new version replaces the traditional fork with a more advanced telescopic unit.
Overall, the Himalayan ‘450’ features a more streamlined design, particularly in the front engine area. The inclusion of a radiator allows for the removal of cooling vanes on the engine block itself. On November 10th, following the bike’s official launch and the release of full technical specifications, we’ll provide you with our riding impressions.
Although details about the Himalayan ‘450’ have been scarce in the past, it is now confirmed that the official launch will take place on November 7th. The new motorcycle has been spotted in action in a pre-production form. Travel YouTuber Itchy Boots had the chance to test ride the bike on Himalayan mountain roads. Her experience highlighted the bike’s ability to handle various terrains, from two-lane asphalt stretches to rocky trails. Notably, she observed a significant increase in power compared to the previous Himalayan model. Keep in mind that the motorcycle Schoenmaker tested was a pre-production version, so there may be revisions and refinements before the final production model is released.
As the launch date nears, a leak has provided several key details about the Royal Enfield Himalayan ‘450.’ The engine capacity is listed as 451.65cc, and it produces 29.44kW (39.5bhp) at 8,000rpm. Interestingly, the bike is homologated as a ‘Himalayan 452,’ matching its rounded-up engine capacity. However, it remains to be seen whether the new model will be marketed as the Himalayan ‘452’ or ‘450.’
In recent images, we get a clear look at the new design, which maintains the Himalayan’s signature style while introducing key updates. The fuel tank is notably larger than the previous model, and the new water-cooled 450 engine features a modern appearance. The right-side engine casing is reminiscent of J-series powered bikes and contributes to a more contemporary design. Additionally, the move to a TFT dash is a welcome addition for modern adventure bike features.
The chassis of the new bike features proper upside-down forks, enhancing its off-road capabilities. While it’s unclear if these forks are adjustable, they appear robust and fall within the 43-45mm range. Other expected features include a 21-inch front wheel, a 17-inch rear wheel, a single rear shock, dual-channel ABS, and a ride-by-wire throttle.
Stay tuned for the official launch on November 7th. We look forward to bringing you in-person coverage from the EICMA show in Milan, providing all the latest news about the Royal Enfield Himalayan ‘450.’ Moreover, there are hints that another bike, possibly an off-road-oriented model, may utilize the same 450cc engine. With its launch date approaching, we anticipate more exciting updates from Royal Enfield.
