The Himalayan was introduced in 2016 by Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer, but we didn’t ride one until 2018.
It has been a favorite of riders looking for a simple, versatile, and affordable motorcycle thanks to its air-cooled 411cc Single engine. Since Royal Enfield is a company that makes motorcycles that are clearly and intentionally retro, the development of an improved Himalayan took time and effort. The wait is over, though.
The New Royal Enfield Himalayan To Say That Everything About
The 2024 Himalayan is new is not exaggeration. The air-cooled 411cc Single has been replaced by a liquid-cooled 452cc Single with DOHC and four valves, starting at the heart. At 8,000 rpm, the engine produces the claimed 39.5 horsepower, up from 24. At 5,500 rpm, it produces 29.5 lb-ft of torque, up from 24. The engine revs out further and the power curve of the new Himalayan exceeds that of its predecessor.
The forward-canted cylinder is a technological and aesthetic departure from the vertical air-cooled powerplant of the previous model. The engine is now a stressed component of the frame, and the new unit-construction, semi-dry sump engine case has a gearbox with six speeds instead of five. A brand-new airbox that produces a pleasant intake growl can be found underneath the fuel tank.
An under-frame catalytic converter also muffles sound as exhaust gases pass through it, resulting in an appealingly short silencer. Changes to the suspension and braking are just as significant as those to the engine. The rear shock is now a linkage type with adjustable preload, and the previous conventional 41mm fork has been replaced with a Showa cartridge-type inverted fork with 43mm tubes.
The suspension travel in the front and back is 7.9 inches, which is the same as the previous rear travel of 7.1 inches. The Himalayan continues to use spoked wheels with tube-type rims, with 21-inch front wheels (90/90-21) and 17-inch rear wheels (140/80-17). Representatives from Royal Enfield stated that some higher-spec models will feature tubeless spoked wheels, but specifics have not yet been finalized.
There are still front and rear brakes with single discs, but the 2-piston front caliper now squeezes a 320-millimeter disc, up from 300, and the 1-piston rear caliper now squeezes a 270-millimeter disc, up from 240. For off-road use, ABS is standard and can be disabled at the rear wheel.
The Himalayan features a brand-new 4-inch TFT display with a retro-style round gauge that incorporates a wide range of cutting-edge and contemporary functions. It connects a rider’s smartphone via Bluetooth for music and navigation.
The latter is the first of its kind for the display type and shape and is powered by Google Maps. An easily accessible hand control is used to toggle between screens on the fly. The Himalayan has LED lighting all over, and the taillights are cleverly integrated into both of the turnsignals at the rear.
A smartphone is charged through a USB-C port. The bike’s overall design was created to reflect a more contemporary aesthetic while maintaining the basic design features of the original. The bike has a lower center of gravity and a narrower midsection. A beefier handlebar can be adjusted fore and aft in two positions, and the seat is easily adjustable to a dual height (32.5/33.3 inches; the optional low seat adjusts from 31.7 to 32.5 inches). With a wheelbase of 59.5 inches, the new model’s ground clearance is exactly 9 inches higher than the previous model’s.
Royal Enfield claims a range of more than 280 miles, or approximately 62 mpg, and the redesigned fuel tank holds 4.5 gallons, up from 4.0. The Himalayan is available in Hanle Black, Kamet White, Kaza Brown, Slate Poppy Blue, and Slate Himalayan Salt, all of which were inspired by the Himalayas, the region that gave it its name.
The Himalayan accessory list includes handguards, a taller windscreen, touring mirrors, engine, radiator, and headlight protectors, aluminum panniers and top box, and a rally kit with a rally-style seat and tail section and a higher aluminum exhaust can.
By DNC