The Royal Enfield Himalayan has been a favorite for riders who want a simple, go-anywhere bike. For 2024, it gets a massive upgrade. The new Himalayan 450 is a whole new motorcycle. It has a bigger engine, modern electronics, and improved off-road skills. I tested this bike for over a week in real-world conditions. I rode it on city streets, highways, and challenging trails. This review will cover everything you need to know about its performance, features, comfort, and value.
Performance and Power: A Major Step Up
The heart of the new Himalayan is a 452cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. This is a big change from the old 411cc air-cooled motor.
The new engine makes 40 horsepower and 40 Newton-meters of torque. This gives a 25% power increase over the older model. The power delivery feels strong. It builds sharply from idle up to its peak at 5,500 RPM. After that, it tapers off gently past 8,000 RPM.
This powerband means the bike has less low-end grunt than some riders might expect. It can be a slight challenge for new riders, especially when climbing off-road. It requires precise throttle control. On the highway, however, cruising between 100 and 120 km/h is effortless.
The bike has a smooth six-speed transmission. The gears are closely spaced. This makes shifts feel seamless. The final drive ratio is fairly short, which is good for both city riding and trail use.
Fuel Efficiency and Range
Fuel economy is impressive for a bike of this size. Here’s what I found in different conditions:
- City and Off-Road Mix: Using the Performance ride mode in stop-start traffic and on trails, I got about 22 km per liter.
- Highway Riding: Using the Eco mode only on expressways, efficiency jumped to around 27 km per liter.
With its 17-liter fuel tank, this gives you a fantastic range. You can expect to travel between 374 km and 459 km on a single tank. This makes the Himalayan 450 an excellent choice for long-distance adventure touring.
Handling and Off-Road Capability
How a bike handles depends on three main things: suspension, weight, and tires. The Himalayan 450 is set up for adventure.
Suspension: It has 200 mm of travel from Showa suspension units front and rear. The setup is quite soft, which is great for soaking up bumps.
Weight and Feel: The bike’s weight sits fairly high up. It has a long wheelbase of 1,510 mm. This combination makes it extremely stable in a straight line at cruising speeds. The ByBre brakes with ABS front and rear offer strong, confident stopping power.
Where It Really Shines: Off-Road
I was surprised by how easy the Himalayan 450 is to ride off-road. I thought its top-heavy feel would be a problem. It was not.
Despite the stock tires being poor on loose surfaces, the bike is a dream on trails. The 21-inch front wheel and plush suspension let you roll over roots and bumps with total control. The 17-inch rear wheel can struggle to clear big obstacles. Yet, it allows for fitting wider, more aggressive off-road tires later.
The bike has 230 mm of ground clearance and a solid bash plate. This puts it near the top of the adventure bike class for rough terrain.
The secret weapon is the Eco ride mode. It seems redundant on the road. Off-road, it’s brilliant. Bumps won’t jerk your throttle hand and cause a sudden power surge. You can just pin the throttle. The bike modulates the power for you. This makes fast trail riding much easier and safer. It is one of the easiest off-road machines I have ever ridden.
Electronics and Features
For a no-frills adventure bike, the Himalayan 450 is well-equipped.
- Ride-by-Wire Throttle: Provides a light, precise feel.
- Two Ride Modes: Performance and Eco. You cannot switch modes while moving. You must be stopped with the ignition off.
- Switchable Rear ABS: A button by your right thumb lets you turn off the rear ABS for better control on loose, steep inclines.
- Full-Color TFT Display: This screen is simple and intuitive. It automatically switches between light and dark modes. You can customize the information shown, including fuel economy and navigation.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Pair your phone with the Royal Enfield app. You can get turn-by-turn navigation on the dash and see call notifications.
Other useful features include a dedicated hazard light switch and a solid rear rack for mounting luggage.
Ergonomics and Comfort
The riding position sees big changes from the old Himalayan. The seat height is now adjustable.
- Standard Setting: 825 mm
- Highest Setting: 845 mm (by shifting two bars under the seat)
You can also angle the seat forward or back for a custom fit. For my 177 cm frame, the 845 mm setting was perfect for the road. I lowered it to 825 mm for off-road trails. Royal Enfield also offers an optional low seat (805-825 mm).
The handlebars are wide and comfortable. The footpegs are wide with removable rubber inserts. The serrated metal pegs give great grip when standing up.
Long-Distance Comfort: The stock seat is plush and comfortable. The small windshield is mostly for looks. You will want a larger optional screen for touring. A key point is that the engine vibrates noticeably above 110 km/h. You will want handlebar weights to prevent hand numbness on long rides.
The side stand leans the bike over very far. This prevents tip-overs because the bike is top-heavy. However, it needs more parking space and is harder to push off from than other bikes.
Design and Build Quality
The look of the new Himalayan is more modern. It keeps some curves from classic adventure bikes but steps away from Royal Enfield’s usual old-school style.
The front end has a rugged look with a round headlight and high fender. The crash bars around the tank add to this tough vibe. The rear is much more modern and sleek. It has a slim tail section with integrated turn signals that also act as brake lights.
The overall build quality is excellent for the price. Welds on the frame and tank are clean. The level of polish on metal parts is superb.
A few small issues were noted:
- Some switches (ignition, high beam, turn signals, thumb joystick) felt loose with too much free play.
- The integrated rear turn signals look good. But if you break them off-road, replacing them is hard. You might need a whole new rear fender.
Price and Value
In many markets, the Himalayan 450 offers outstanding value. It is often priced much lower than its competition. For example, it can be significantly cheaper than bikes like the KTM 390 Adventure or BMW G310 GS. It even undercuts the Honda NX500.
You get more off-road capability for your money. It is one of the best lightweight adventure bikes for trail riding. Only purpose-built rally bikes like the Honda CRF300L Rally beat it off-road. Those are not available everywhere.
Final Verdict
The 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has a clear purpose.
If you are buying this bike and not using it off-road, you are missing the point. It exists to be your steady, capable partner on rough trails and adventures. It is perfect for both new and experienced off-road riders. My main advice is to replace the stock tires immediately with a proper set of knobby tires.
Add a bigger windshield and some handlebar weights. You will also have a fantastic long-distance tourer. It combines real off-road talent with great road manners and incredible fuel range. For the adventurer on a budget, the Himalayan 450 is very hard to beat.