Everyone’s excited about the new Himalayan, and with good reason. Royal Enfield’s affordable, capable and ultra manageable 411cc adventure bike has been a segment darling since it arrived in North America back in 2018, and this next-gen version, due for a reveal at next month’s EICMA, promises even better things.
Up until now there has only been a barrage of unofficial spy shots of the Himalayan 450 prototype and the briefest of ankle and earlobe teaser videos from Royal Enfield to show us what the new bike might look like, but thanks to recent postings across the iconic Indian manufacturer’s social pages, we finally see it in its final form, both in photos and a new video series preview.
We already knew the next-gen Himalayan will be powered by a freshly-cast and liquid-cooled 452cc single and the new video reveals the new engine will act as a stressed member within a newly-designed chassis. That new mill is expected to give the 24-horsepower Himalayan a much- appreciated power increase, expecting a jump to around 40 hp.
We can also assume that because the bump in output involves the dynamics of liquid cooling it will be felt primarily in the mid to high ranges that affect highway speeds. And as anyone who has traveled on the current 411cc version will tell you, enjoying a little more top end while traveling between off-road adventures will be the finest of gifts.
In the official photos we see a Himalayan that is larger and curvier than the super angular original, although the bike doesn’t appear to have lost any of its winning retro flare in the transition. There is a new, less blocky fuel tank, as well as what looks to be a larger round headlamp topped by a reshaped windscreen. Below that assembly is a longer, more tapered front fender.
Behind the screen sits an all-new single element digital instrument pod that will replace the busy cluster of analog and digital gauges found on the current bike. This is perhaps the biggest departure from RE’s typically classic execution, though we’ve seen this type of modernity, entering the picture with the recent addition of the Tripper pod, which uses Bluetooth and an app for trip planning. A switch seen on the bike also hints of the possibility the new model will include rider aids beyond the already available switchable ABS.
The 450 Himalayan features a split seat instead of the modular bench unit on the current bike and we see a lot of new hardware and mounting points intended to accommodate a greater variety of luggage. Lighting on the new models is full LED. In the video clip showing the bike on the production line, we see brake lighting is integrated into the turn signals stocks rather than as a separate, central unit, though this adaptation may not be seen on US models.
The video clip published to Royal Enfield socials and website teases not only the new bike, but a new film series celebrating the model and its intentions. The forthcoming video is called “The Final Test” and features a small pack of freshly built Himalayans riding off from their birth plant near Chennai, India, to — where else? — the Himalayas, specifically a crossing of the world’s highest drivable pass, Umling La, which crests at 19,024 feet.
Royal Enfield’s marketing team of riding enthusiasts loves creating a good video series around the company’s products, as we’ve seen with “90 South,” which followed Himalayan riders as they conquered the South Pole, and this new film appears to be cut from the same high-end cloth.
In the new series we’ll get to ride along with 24 people as they relay-ride a set of freshly-built 450 Himalayans on a journey of 5500 kilometers that seems to involve plenty of adventurous situations. The theme of the film, which reflects this particular dot of Himalayan bike’s timeline, is change. “The all-new Himalayan is a creature of its environment. A profound, mystical space that is always changing.”
So, the countdown is on, both to the full launch of the all-new Himalayan during the kick-off of the annual EICMA in Milan next month, and the video series that celebrates the new bike. You can watch the official time clock for the bike reveal on Royal Enfield’s website, or stay tuned here and we’ll keep you up to date on all things 450 Himalayan.
Please be lighter than a DR650.
No chance for it to be lighter than 160 kg.
You wish….
What a fantastic looking bike. I love what RE is doing. Unfortunately, unless this new Himalayan offer something the new KLR doesn’t – less weight or vibrations, better performance, etc. – then it’s not really offering anything new. That said, I hope it does well.
I hope they upgraded the brakes as well. My wife and I each had RE HImmas, and sold them because they are WAY underpowered and had crappy brakes. If they now have 40 HP, better brakes, and still come in about 435-440lbs (USA) then they have a much more attractive bike.
Looks like Itchy Boots is riding one right now.
She gets paid to review so it’s a biased review.
Jamie, back in 2021 you wrote an article about a 650 Himalayan on the horizon for the end of 2024. Any rumors about that lately?
Rumors, yes, facts, not so far!
650 Adventure tourer based on the Interceptor 650 has been featured in Royal Enfield Investor Presentation.
So, could be a MY2025 launch.
Reprinting an RE news release complete with Indian-English (“indicator stock”). Is this what motorcycle publications have sunk to? OK, you have to pay bills, I know. Hopefully there will be a real, honest test forthcoming at some stage.
There was no news release, thanks. Our reporting is the result of meticulously sifting and studying of imagery that’s either been leaked or teased by the company. RE won’t distribute a press release until the bike is unveiled early next month. And of course, once we get our hands on the bike, there will be the real, honest review ADV Pulse is known for.
Itchy Boots put out her first video of riding a pre-prod 450 Himalayan on 11 October. From Leh north, over Khardung La pass. She’ll probably have more footage and info than the ad shots, plus the website “reveal” isn’t until 7 November.
She got paid to review it
Yet another adventure bike with that stupid “beak” BMW pioneered! Talk about an ugly styling characteristic. Think I’ll continue to ride my slow, under-powered and unattractive ’96 KLR650. It has taken me many places from Labrador to Panama to Prudhoe Bay. There’s little new that I need at my age. 🙂
It wasn’t BMW , but Suzuki Big DR 800 single cylinder in late 80s.
The 1991 Suzuki DR800S “Big” had a beak before BMW adopted it on their GS models. I suppose you could say BWM popularized the beak beginning with the 1994 1100 GS.
The 1988 BIG 750 was the first beaked bike
BMW didn’t pioneer the beak. It was designed by Ichiro Miyata for the big Suzuki DR way back when.
Also, might want to look closer. It’s actually a front license plate holder over a high mud guard like a dirt bike. It doesn’t have a beak.
I wish they would try to make them lighter with a lower seat height. I have seen no specs on that but I fear they don’t care that much about what I consider the biggest drawbacks to most every modern adventure bike.
I didnt really do in depth research about it, but the current model – at least some production years of it – seem to have a really odd electrical system. I read about both gear switch and sidestand switch allowing such a high parasitic current that the battery is emptied within days. Lets hope RE engineers have done their homework. And anybody here who rembers that the footpeg broke off in one of the veey first promotional videos? I am still quite a bit sceptical about build quality of those bikes!
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