Based on the new Himalayan 450, but with a primary focus on road riding shenanigans.
There’s no denying the Himalayan 450 has kickstarted a new chapter in Royal Enfield’s life. A chapter that promises kickass motorcycles built for enthusiasts and armed with modern-day tidbits. Working in the said direction, the Indian company is readying a 450cc roadster based on the new Himalayan. It’s been spied a couple of times already, but the latest spy shots suggest it’s ever closer to hitting the dealerships. We’ll call the roadster the Hunter 450 for now.
To no one’s surprise, the spy shots show the roadster features RE’s newest creation, the Sherpa 450 engine. The engine cases, radiator, and exhaust all remind us of the new Himalayan. As for the engine details, it’s a 452cc, single-cylinder powerhouse, armed with liquid cooling (first time for a Royal Enfield). You get 39.5 horsepower and 29.5 pound-feet at your helm, all of which reach the wheel via a slipper-clutch-equipped six-speed transmission.
These figures are not only a whole lot more than the 411cc, single-cylinder engine (28 horsepower and 23 pound-feet), but they’re also enough to match up with big European names. For reference, the KTM 390 Adventure is good for 43 ponies and 27 pound-feet, whereas the BMW G 310 GS promises 34 horsepower and 20 pound-feet. So it’s safe to say the Hunter 450 would surely worry roadsters like the BMW G 310 R, KTM 390 Duke, and the Yamaha MT-03.
Unlike the engine, the Hunter 450 would differ from the Himalayan in the underpinnings department. The test mule ditches the long-travel Showa USD forks on the ADV to make way for conventional telescopic forks. These are non-adjustable and feature gaiters for an old-school aesthetic (the Hunter 350 has gaiters too). Another big change is the set of alloy wheels. They are reminiscent of the Shotgun 650’s wheels (pattern-wise) while wearing chunky dual-purpose rubber from CEAT. The single disc brakes and monoshock both seem identical to the Himalayan, though.
Design-wise, the Hunter has a neo-retro vibe going. The ‘retro’ elements comprise old-school fork gaiters, the round headlight, and the curvy tank. Whereas, the ‘neo’ bits are the big LED turn signals, sporty alloys, and, our favorite, the multi-purpose tail lamp. A closer look also reveals a likable set of features–all derived from the new Himalayan. The list includes:
We can also spot some ergonomic changes, such as a new single-piece saddle, partnered with a smaller tubular handlebar. These will ensure a neutral, upright riding position, suited for daily duties rather than off-roadability.
When will the Hunter reach dealerships? That remains unclear for now. But what we do know is that RE has global intentions for the roadster. After all, it’s been spotted testing in several places (Europe, Australia, India, Britain). An American launch would happen post the motorcycle reaches these countries. We’re even yet to get the updated Continental GT and Interceptor here, so just be patient.
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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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