2025 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review: Is It Worth Buying

Royal Enfield is gradually making its way to build one of the most successful bikes in terms of good sales and performance. It is known for producing the most affordable, beginner-friendly bikes with old-school styling. Despite being low-priced motorcycles, the Royal Enfield still ensures a decent value for the money and reliable performance.

The recently introduced Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a great step forward by the company towards modern bikes. This restyled adventure bike is very different from the old-style RE Himalayan 411, which has been present since 2016.

Royal Enfield is making every effort to make their bikes capable of delivering the best performance. The company is making many changes to its bikes and lineup to meet the standards of its Japanese, American, and European competitors.

The one bike that has received the most positive reviews and admiration is the Royal Enfield Himalayan. This bike is usually praised for its simplicity, affordability, reliability, value for the money, and decent performance. Considering its price range, the Himalayan 450 doesn’t fall short of what is expected from it.

However, we need to know whether the latest RE Himalayan 450 holds the same popularity and legacy as the previous-gen Himalayan 411. Continue reading this article to learn in detail about the 2025 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and whether it is worth buying or not.

There are many things that you can tell just by looking at the 2025 RE Himalayan 450. This bike is completely different from the previous-gen, old-school Himalayan 411. It is not only the engine upgrade, but almost the whole of the Himalayan ADV bike is redesigned and rebuilt.

The new Himalayan 450 has received a modern look, which is not something common with the Royal Enfield. The company prefers promoting the classic and old vibe in their bikes. So, it was a challenge for the company to make something more adventurous and agile with the new Himalayan 450 without diverting from RE’s usual production strategies.

The design and build of the RE Himalayan 450 is quite smooth and aggressive compared to the Himalayan 411. However, the soul and ideal remain the same. The frame, side view, gas tank, saddle, parts, and vibe are very different from the previous model. Above all, the new engine is liquid-cooled with a radiator towards the front.

For those who don’t know, the premium Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has the liquid-cooled engine technology. Besides being a true ADV bike for most adventures, the RE Himalayan 450 has a slightly sportier vibe, as you will find in most modern ADV bikes.

If you have observed the previous Himalayan 411 model, it was quite an old-school, pretty straight ADV bike with a very basic linear frame. It wasn’t something that could attract a modern ADV bike rider. Though the new RE Himalayan 450 is not something groundbreaking, it is decently modern in terms of its look and design.

The iconic gas tank guard installed on the Himalayan remains on the new model. However, regardless of the old, straight-forward design, it looks quite smooth and curvy now, installed adjacent to the bulbous-looking gas tank.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has also received a newer wheel combination. This includes the 21-inch wire-spoke wheel toward the front and a 17-inch rear wheel. Well, this is not considered to be the ideal ADV bike wheel setup. Usually, a perfect ADV bike has a 21-inch wheel towards the front and an 18-inch wheel in the rear.

The RE Himalayan 450 also features the iconic ADV-style beak towards the front, along with a separate front mudguard.

The RE Himalayan 450 has received a completely redesigned two-piece seat that gives the bike a fairly sporty and modern look. The good thing is that the new seat offers two-position seat height adjustability. In the standard form, the seat reaches a height of 32.5 inches. In the lower position, the seat can be set to 31.7 inches. Meanwhile, if you want the maximum height for true adventure off-roading, the seat height can be set to 33.26 inches.

Comfort-wise, the seat installed in the new RE Himalayan 450 is decently comfortable and well-cushioned. The rider doesn’t feel restricted in one place, which is a good thing on an ADV bike.

On the specs sheet, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 seems quite lighter than it actually feels. It weighs 432 lbs (196 kg) when fully fueled. Meanwhile, it weighs 399 lbs without the fuel. However, as you sit on it and ride, the RE Himalayan 450 feels decently heavier due to being a fairly tall bike.

Being a tall and upright bike doesn’t sound like a downside on a motorbike like the RE Himalayan 450. This is how a true ADV bike should be: tall and upright.

Despite being a low-powered, entry-level bike, the RE Himalayan 450 feels fairly tall and heavy to fit a big and heavy rider. While you sit on this bike and ride it, it doesn’t feel like a small, entry-level bike. If you are a taller rider, reaching up to 6 ft 2’’, you can comfortably sit on it and ride this bike.

The company has made sure that riders of all sizes can control this bike effectively by narrowing down the tank so riders don’t have to spread their legs while riding. The seating position and riding stance allow riders to have a firm grip of the RE Himalayan 450 with their knees. This allows riders to handle and maneuver the bike more skillfully when faced with tough terrains.

The main question here: “How does it feel riding the new RE Himalayan 450?” As we have already established, changing the design of this bike isn’t something groundbreaking. However, it is a great step forward towards the modern Royal Enfield bikes.

Nonetheless, the RE Himalayan 450 must perform well to justify the overhaul it has received. So, let’s get deeper into how the new Himalayan 450 performs in multiple conditions.

Firstly, the RE Himalayan 450 has received a 452 cc Sherpa Single-Cylinder engine, which is not a huge upgrade from its previous-gen model. However, considering the price range and the production history of Royal Enfield, the company is known for its entry-level bikes.

The single-cylinder, thumper engine generates a decent horsepower of 40.02 hp at 8,000 rpm and a torque output of 40 Nm at 5,500 rpm.

On the highway, if you are cruising down at freeway speeds, the engine feels quite smooth. You must not expect this bike to reach high speeds, as a 452 cc engine has some limitations.

The RE Himalayan 450 misses the extra top grunt that you would expect from a middleweight or a top-end premium ADV bike. You can still ride it comfortably on highways at around 70-75 mph without any vibrations felt at the footpegs or handlebars.

The vibrations have always been a major issue with the large single-cylinder engine. However, Royal Enfield has always ensured that they make the single-cylinder engines super smooth. This is something the company does quite effectively.

Though it is only a small change in the size of the engine, the new Himalayan 450’s engine works much smoother and better than the old Himalayan 411. The small power gain, engine responsiveness, and smoothness, coupled with the improved transmission feel, make the new Himalayan 450 a treat to ride.

The 2025 RE Himalayan 450 delivers a decent fuel economy of around 50 mpg. Considering that this bike has a fuel tank size of around 4.5 gallons, this bike offers a pretty decent range of 225 miles on a single full tank. Being a fairly modern ADV bike, the Himalayan 450 comes with an electronic fuel injection.

The stock windscreen on the RE Himalayan 450 is small if you are looking for sufficient wind protection on highways. It is decent enough considering the style of the bike it is. It can block the incoming wind that otherwise would have hit your torso. Don’t expect it to provide wind protection for your upper chest and helmet. You can find a taller adventure screen in the accessory options.

The new RE Himalayan 450 is not a lightweight motorbike. Despite being a low-powered adventure bike, it still weighs 432 lbs in the running order. However, as you start riding it, this bike doesn’t feel heavier. You can easily manage your weight.

Despite being tall and upright, riders can very easily roll, swerve, or maneuver this bike when required. The Himalayan 450 feels quite agile and maneuverable thanks to the narrow build and wide handlebars attached to this bike. Riders feel pretty confident while riding this bike in different conditions.

Being an ADV bike, the RE Himalayan 450 was aimed at focusing more on off-road dirt trails. However, the company also wanted to keep a balance between on- and off-road scenarios. Considering its performance, this bike feels great to ride in an urban environment.

The improved chassis design is much better than the previous-gen Himalayan model. It makes the bike more responsive and handles much better.

The clutch feel on the RE Himalayan 450 may not seem perfect, but the transmission covers it up pretty well. The transmission feels pretty smooth as riders shift up and down. It may not be precise, but it feels quite spot on as you upshift or downshift. There is no disengagement between the transmission and the engine response. It doesn’t lag as you may find in some entry-level, low-cost bike models.

It was not possible with the old Himalayan 411, but you can actually do a wheelie on the new Himalayan 450 in the first and second gear. This makes the bike quite fun.

The RE Himalayan 450 is claimed to be a small adventure bike. It is meant for a decent off-roading performance. However, some riders may confuse it with a dual-sport bike, rather than an ADV bike. To clear the confusion, the RE Himalayan 450 is not a dual-sport bike. It does perform reasonably on off-road terrains. One must not consider it a true off-roader like a dirt bike.

The RE Himalayan 450 can overcome gravel roads, dirt tracks, and even mud and puddles. The suspension installed on this bike also supports this style of riding. Both the front and rear suspension have 200 mm (7.87 in) of wheel travel. It is only capable of riding off-road as an ADV bike would. Riders must not expect more than that.

You can turn on the performance mode and switch off the ABS on the rear wheel before you hit the off-road. Some reviewers may classify the RE Himalayan 450 as an urban commuter, as it performs better on paved roads.

On the other hand, if you are a trained off-road rider, the new Himalayan 450 can be a pretty fun bike for off-roading. You can do almost everything and even ride climbs with the Himalayan 450. This bike has enough ground clearance of 9 inches, making it a pretty tall bike to overcome tough off-road challenges.

However, it is still a heavyweight bike, as most ADV bikes are, and must be used as an ADV bike, not a dirt or dual sport bike. The one thing improved in the new RE Himalayan 450 is the added maneuverability, engine smoothness, and responsiveness, which helps a lot in both on- and off-roading situations.

Despite its ability to perform well on off-road, the new RE Himalayan 450 is still a better daily commuter in urban settings. It offers a perfect balance of on-road and off-road performance, but this bike feels more comfortable while riding within the city. Highway cruising is also pretty manageable on the new Himalayan 450.

The tires installed on the new Himalayan 450 also work effortlessly to provide a great balance on both paved and unpaved terrains. It looks like they are perfectly designed for this bike.

If you are into low-powered, affordable, and entry-level Royal Enfield bikes, the RE Himalayan 450 is a worthwhile small ADV bike. Particularly, if you are looking to upgrade your old Himalayan 411, the new Himalayan 450 is also worth the extra dollars. It not only looks different than its predecessor, but it also performs well.

With its stylish new look, the RE Himalayan 450 suits both on- and off-roading. It is a great bike for daily use and urban commuting. It can also be comfortably used for highway cruising. If you are trained for off-roading, the new Himalayan 450 is a much better off-road bike than the Previous Himalayan 411. The engine on the new model is smoother and more responsive for a fun and thrilling riding experience.