Using a Royal Enfield within the Himalayas is a bucket record merchandise for a lot of motorcyclists. This truth shouldn’t be misplaced on the Indian firm—they’ve simply up to date the utilitarian Royal Enfield Himalayan journey bike with refined seems, higher suspension, and a first-ever liquid-cooled engine.
Unveiled at EICMA in Milan this week, the brand new Royal Enfield Himalayan sticks to the identical ethos as its predecessor. It nonetheless has the looks of a easy, strong machine, designed across the firm’s philosophy of “every part you want, and nothing you don’t.” That mentioned, the brand new Himalayan does have some extra frills.
For starters, it now sports activities a radiator behind its entrance wheel. That’s as a result of the Himalayan has traded its 411 cc air-cooled lump for Royal Enfield’s brand-new Sherpa 450 engine. The Sherpa 450 shouldn’t be solely new to the Himalayan—it’s additionally the primary liquid-cooled powerplant that Royal Enfield has ever produced.
The one-cylinder 452 cc mill is nice for 39.5 hp at 5,500 rpm and 40 Nm at 5,500 rpm; an honest bounce over the outgoing mannequin’s 24 hp and 32 Nm. Extra notably, it reached 90% of its torque from 3,000 rpm, giving it tractable energy at low revs—helpful for crawling over gnarly terrain. The ability increase additionally makes the brand new Himalayan extra long-distance-, luggage-, and pillion-friendly.
Different highlights embrace a semi-dry sump, designed with optimum floor clearance in thoughts, an built-in water pump, and a twin-pass radiator setup. The throttle is now a ride-by-wire affair, whereas a cable-actuated slip-and-assist clutch helps cycle by way of the six-speed transmission. (The latter’s revised gear ratios are mentioned to enhance the bike’s freeway capabilities.)
It’s right here that purists may sit back towards the Himalayan’s refinements. Extra energy is unquestionably welcomed, however the famously bare-bones dual-sport now boasts two switchable rider modes and an enormous spherical TFT show. But when this kind of newfangled electrickery doesn’t hassle you, the brand new sprint’s performance is price speaking about.
Referred to as the TripperDash, the brand new show gives full map-style navigation, based mostly on the Google Maps platform. It consists of audio steerage through the system’s Bluetooth connectivity suite, which connects your smartphone, helmet comms, and motorbike, permitting you to handle music, calls, and messages. It’s the kind of stuff that’s generally seen on journey bikes twice this measurement.
The TripperDash additionally has the choice to change between a traditional analog-style show and a extra fashionable structure. A joystick cluster on the left-hand switchgear cycles by way of the system, and there’s additionally the choice to change off the bike’s rear-wheel ABS for off-road shenanigans.
Royal Enfield says that the Himalayan’s enhancements are a direct results of time spent placing the unique bike by way of its paces; within the precise Himalayas, and at testing facilities within the UK, Spain, and India. The goal was to ramp up the bike’s functionality, whereas nonetheless conserving it small and approachable. And that referred to as for adjustments past only a new engine.
The 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan now boasts an all-new twin-spar body, stiffer and stronger than earlier than. Royal Enfield claims that the revised chassis feels higher on twisty mountain passes, matches the elevated energy from the brand new motor, and improves its off-road functionality. At 181 kg [399 lbs] dry, it’s no featherweight—however it’s not unmanageable both.
New Showa cartridge-type upside-down forks sit up entrance, providing elevated journey and higher stability over tough terrain. Suspension journey is as much as 200 mm at every finish, with 230 mm of floor clearance. The Himalayan’s 21F/17R wheels now function up to date aluminum alloy rims, and the rear wheel width has been bumped as much as a width of 140.
There’s a transparent visible distinction between the outdated and new Himalayans. The brand new iteration has misplaced among the outdated one’s blockiness, because of a extra contoured tank, sharper fenders, and a bunch of different visible refinements. It nonetheless feels utilitarian, however we’re now selecting up shades of larger single-cylinder journey bikes—just like the defunct Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré.
The revised bodywork isn’t simply better-looking—Royal Enfield says that all of it serves to enhance the Himalayan’s ergonomics. The 17-liter [4.5-gallon] gas tank is sculpted to supply extra room for the rider’s knees, and the rider’s portion of the break up seat has 20 mm of adjustability. Between that, and the non-compulsory low seat, your alternative of seat peak lies between 805 mm and 845 mm.
Royal Enfield has stored the Himalayan’s quirky fairing crash bars, which not solely shield the plastics but in addition function loops to tie issues to. There are refined issues for tough use too, like an air consumption that’s excessive sufficient to outlive water crossings. Non-compulsory extras embrace every part from hand guards to an upgraded sump guard, fog lights, different seats, and varied baggage choices.
The 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan will launch in India quickly, and ultimately roll out to Europe, the Asia-Pacific area, and the Americas. There are 5 colorways to select from, starting from the plain ‘Kaza Brown’ to the sharp black and gold ‘Hanle Black.’
We’ve had a delicate spot for the Himalayan ever because it hit the scene—each the inventory bike and the myriad methods we’ve seen it custom-made—and these updates have made it that rather more interesting. All we’re left questioning is that if Royal Enfield plans to roll out these adjustments to the Himalayan’s pared-back cousin, the Scram.
Supply: Royal Enfield
