Royal Enfield Himalayan: Specs, Performance, Ergonomics, and More

Talking about the most versatile motorbike class, adventure motorcycles are the most suitable for city traveling, everyday commuting, touring, and off-roading. Some high-end adventure motorcycles are built to perform best on dirt trails and gravel, whilst a few are designed only for light off-roading. However, the most considerable element when looking for an adventure motorbike is its price.

Adventure motorcycles are highly-priced motorcycles due to being versatile and trendy. These motorcycles are fully loaded with dozens of premium features, safety equipment, and gadgets to provide an excellent adventure riding experience. The appealing design, adventurous riding experience, and present-day equipment make adventure bikes one of the most desirable motorcycle categories.

However, one element that could prevent you from buying an adventure motorbike is its excessive price tag. If you are low on a budget and still looking to buy a dependable adventure bike from a trustworthy motorbike company, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is an excellent, yet affordable choice. Read this article to learn in detail about the specs, performance, handling, and ergonomics of the Royal Enfield Himalayan.

Introduced in 2016, the Royal Enfield Himalayan sets a new benchmark of the most decent motorcycle in terms of both performance and looks, available at an affordable price. Despite being a low-cost motorbike, it does not compromise on its reliability, fit, and finish. The Royal Enfield Himalayan comes with a unique stature, which makes it a competitive model in the international market. Being compared with several top adventure bikes, the Royal Enfield Himalayan still ensures a better value for the money.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is different from the rest of the company’s models as they are mostly built around the same RE Bullet frame and chassis. However, the RE Himalayan has a unique aesthetic and build designed by a South African motorcycle, Pierre Terblanche, who has previously worked for big names like Moto Guzzi and Ducati.

After its successful entry into the Indian market, the Royal Enfield Himalayan was released in the international market, starting from the Philippines, U.K., and Australia in the same year.

Though considered underpowered and beginner-friendly, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is not as lightweight as it should be, weighing 439 lbs (199.13 kg). However, it has an overall slim profile, ensuring better control while riding. The fuel tank is also a stylish piece, having a capacity of 4 gal to ensure an uninterrupted touring experience. The RE Himalayan has a retro-style round headlamp, a rally-style windscreen, and side cages installed to protect the fuel tank. It also comes with a two-piece flat saddle for two-up riding with passenger graph rails and a small luggage rack. To improve the retro look, this motorcycle is fitted with knobby tires, wrapped around wire-spoked wheels.

Despite being an adventure bike, the Royal Enfield Himalayan looks like a retro-style motorcycle capable of off-roading. However, the old-school look does not make it any less of a stylish adventure bike. In the adventure bike class, the Royal Enfield Himalayan has one of the lowest seat heights of 31.5 inches, which makes the flat-foot operation possible. However, it does not compromise much on the ground clearance (8.6 in) and ensures a good all-round performance.

The engine installed in the Royal Enfield Himalayan called the LS410, was specially designed for this model. It also features oil lines, along with the air-cooling system to keep the engine cool. The RE Himalayan also features an electric start, electric fuel injection, and a five-speed constant mesh gearbox.

For the American motorcycle market, the Royal Enfield Himalayan may seem like an underpowered and beginner-friendly motorcycle. The 411 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine delivers an adequate horsepower of 24.64 hp at 6,500 rpm and a torque of 32 Nm at 4,000-4,500 rpm.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is not a fast motorcycle and accelerates at its own steady pace. The power is not instantly available with the twist of the throttle. However, the gear-shifting is quite smooth. You can easily cruise at a speed of 60-65 mph on this motorcycle, and it can also reach a top speed of 75 mph; however, it takes time to get there.

Being an adventure bike, a low-powered engine may not be good for touring on paved roads but the 441 cc engine is capable of providing you with a comfortable adventure riding experience. The Royal Enfield Himalayan can easily overcome most obstacles while off-roading.

The engine specs and power figures of the Royal Enfield Himalayan may not be amazing for a professional skilled rider; however, it still ensures a pleasant riding experience and versatile operation on both paved and unpaved terrain. The great ease of the simplicity and good quality of its engine and components make the Royal Enfield Himalayan easy to maintain and repair, ensuring low maintenance and repair charges.

To provide better ground clearance and damping while off-roading, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is fitted with a 21-inch front wheel, knobby off-road tires, and good-quality suspensions. The 41 mm telescopic front forks provide a wheel travel of 7.87 inches and the rear monoshock provides a wheel travel of 7.08 inches.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is not an excellent motorcycle available in the market if you are looking for a motorcycle that can smoothly turn a tight corner. Although it ensures a stable ride on paved and relatively straight roads.

Despite being a simple and easy-to-ride motorcycle, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is one of the heaviest adventure motorcycles in the class. A novice rider can face problems maneuvering this motorbike on tough terrains and lifting this motorcycle when dropped during trail riding. However, for intermediate and professional riders, a wet weight of 439 lbs turns out to be a plus point as it guarantees better stability while cruising.

• The Royal Enfield Himalayan guarantees an upright posture for a plush riding experience on both paved and unpaved terrains.
• The Royal Enfield may not be well-known for its power output, however, it has one of the most adventure-pleasant ergonomics.
• The handlebars are sufficiently wide to guarantee better stability, control, and maneuverability.
• The wide and flat saddle makes it comfortable for the rider to enjoy rides for long hours.
• However, in case you need a more cushioned seat, you can look for it in the accessory catalog.

• Aesthetically appealing
• Old-school look
• Ensures comfortable body posture
• Ensures upright back posture
• Ensures good ride quality
• Adequate off-road capability
• Comes with standard switchable ABS
• Good entry-level motorbike
• Good suspension performance
• Can be customized
• Low-cost model
• Easy to repair and maintain
• Adequate ground clearance
• Low maintenance cost
• Retro design

• Not an ideal off-roader
• The seat is flat and less cushioned
• Low-powered engine
• Relatively heavyweight
• Equipped with a dim halogen headlamp
• The gauges are basic
• Not ideal for shorter riders

Being a well-known motorcycle in the most affordable motorbike category, the Royal Enfield Himalayan comes with a few pre-installed features, including:

• A standard dual-channel switchable ABS
• Tripper
• Electronic fuel injection
• Rally-style windscreen
• Small luggage rack
• Electric starter

From 2021 onwards, the Royal Enfield Himalayan also comes with a tripper, which includes a small round color screen installed with a turn-by-turn Google Maps navigator.

There were a few problems with the Royal Enfield Himalayan reported in the models manufactured between 2017 to 2021, including the failure of the front-end structure and brakes that were later resolved by the company. Apart from these issues, the most common problems that you can face if you own a Royal Enfield Himalayan include:

• Engine oil leak
• Engine stalling
• Engine stops working
• Clunky gear shifting sound
• Engine noise
• The frame starts to crack and rust
• Battery dying quickly
• Braking issues

Good:
The Royal Enfield Himalayan has almost every quality to be considered a good beginner-friendly motorcycle. This motorcycle is basic, easy to ride, easy to maintain and repair, comfortable, and cheap, with a price tag of only $5,449.

Bad:
Being an adventure bike, you can also use the RE Himalayan to learn and enjoy adventure riding on off-road terrains. However, the only drawback that can come your way is its heavy weight. The Royal Enfield Himalayan can be difficult to handle due to being overweight for beginners, and its incapability to lean while turning tight corners.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan may not be the most fun and powerful motorcycle that you will ride, but it makes a good beginner-friendly motorcycle with good value for the money. It is nearly impossible for a newbie to find a motorcycle that is capable of going on- and off-road, has a retro-style look, and is available for $5,449. The 441 cc single-cylinder engine, adequately capable suspensions for good off-road performance, and comfortable ergonomics make the Royal Enfield a good contender in the beginner adventure bike category, which can also be used for long-distance on-roading. If you are on a low budget and learning how to ride a motorcycle, the RE Himalayan can be a great first bike. You can comfortably use it for daily commutes, city traveling, and light off-roading as well.

You can also use your old motorcycle for touring by making a few changes to it. Installing a sissy bar, backrest, fairing, saddlebags, and tank bags is a good idea to make your motorcycle capable of long-distance rides. Visit the Viking Bags’ online store to find out the best-quality aftermarket parts, specially designed for your motorcycle.