A liquid-cooled engine, loads of features, and likable underpinnings make it a solid entry-level ADV
In the last year or so, the rumor mill just hasn’t stopped spinning around Royal Enfield’s new Himalayan. Spy shots and leaked documents have only added fuel to the fire, creating what is easily the most anticipated entry-level adventure bike of 2023. All that ends today, as the Indian giant has finally revealed the full details of its flagship ADV. It goes by the name Himalayan 452 and promises more of everything over the now-seven-year-old 411. The upgrades also make it a serious threat to popular European names, as you’re about to find out.
As revealed in leaked images, the Himalayan 452 has an all-new design. Up top, there’s an all-LED headlight, partnered with a new windscreen and big LED turn signals. This is topped by a muscular MX-inspired fender, chunky fork stanchion protectors, and a bash plate to up the ruggedness.
Moving to the middle, RE has carved up an all-new tank for the 452. It holds 4.5 gallons and has a curvy shape with protrusions, unlike the boxy four-gallon unit of the 411. Also new are the tank protection braces, which now extend to the turn signals and have livery-matched company badges.
Like the front and middle, the rear end is massively different too. A slimmer fender is present, paving the way for a new luggage rack and tail lamps. The latter follows the now-popular three-in-one trend (started by BMW), where the LEDs work as the brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lamps. Also part of the package is a small, stubby exhaust–much more premium and well-finished than the 411.
To round things off, there are several colors on offer, spread across three variants called Base, Pass, and Summit. The Base comes in Kaza Brown, whereas the Pass variant flexes Slate Himalayan Salt and Slate Poppy Blue paint schemes. Summit, meanwhile, has the Hanle Black and Kamet White options.
Since its inception, the Himalayan has had just the basic features. But RE is setting a new benchmark with the 452. The crown jewel here is an all-new (and the company’s first) fully digital four-inch TFT instrument cluster. It comes loaded with:
Another first for RE is rider aids. The Himalayan 452 has two ride modes–Performance and Eco–made possible by a ride-by-wire throttle. Switchable ABS comes standard too–same as the 411. Traction control and cornering ABS remain absent, two bits that are standard on its arch-rival.
Now to the most talked about element – the engine. The Himalayan 452 employs a new-from-the-ground-up 451.6cc, single-cylinder. It boasts liquid cooling, an 11.5:1 compression ratio, and a four-valve head, all good enough for 39.5 horsepower and 29.5 pound-feet. This is nearly 15 and 6 units more than the 411’s output while being right in contention with the 43-HP KTM 390 Adventure. A six-speed transmission, with a slipper clutch, helps put the power to the floor.
As for underpinnings, the 452 has an updated steel twin-spar chassis. It suspends on new, non-adjustable 43 mm upside-down forks and a preload-adjustable monoshock, both with 7.87 inches of travel. Also part of the package is a set of 21/17-inch spoke wheels that wear 90/140-section CEAT dual-purpose rubber. Brakes comprise 320 mm and 270 mm disc brakes fore and aft.
All this while, the Himalayan 452 packs improved dimensions. The curb weight lies at 432 pounds (down from the 411’s 438 figure), while the ground clearance is nine inches (0.4 up from the 411). The seat height is accessible at 32.4 inches, plus you have the option to increase it to 33.2 inches (via an under-seat clamp). Full specs are as follows:
As of now, Royal Enfield hasn’t announced the 452’s price in any market. An official announcement is destined for November 7, 2023–the first day of the 2023 EICMA. Once that happens, we expect to see the 452 in American dealerships by the early months of 2024. Here, the 452’s key rival will be the $7,399 KTM 390 Adventure SW. But capacity-wise, the BMW G 310 GS, Kawasaki Versys-X 300, and the Triumph Scrambler 400 X should be its competitors too.
Do you think the changes are enough to make the Himalayan 452 a key player in the ADV world? Tell us in the comments.
Source – Royal Enfield, MotorcycleNews
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Punya is an avid motorcyclist who’s always up for a ride to the canyons or the racetrack. He insists his riding skills are better than his writing skills, even though he’s worked with some world-renowned automotive websites.
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