Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Test, price and technical data sheet

It does not often happen to test motorcycles or scooters so long: 8 days in the saddle, almost 1,500 km between asphalt and off -road vehicle, ranging from 3,500 meters On the sea level of Leh, the town in the Ladakh region (India) and almost 5,800 meters Dell’Omling la, the highest mountain pass in the world that can be traveled in car and motorcycles. And it doesn’t even often try to try two -wheeled vehicles in remote parts of the planet, such as the Himalaya in fact. The most impervious mountain range on the planet gives its name to Royal Enfield Himalayan 450single -cooled single -cooled liquid now capable of 40 HP, with an increase in power almost doubled compared to the previous model. Adventure without great pretensions, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is proposed as a practical, simple, economic motorcycle (with its 5,900 euros) and ready to be used in rather heavy conditions without batting an eyelid.

1 As it is made, ergonomics

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Halfway between a scrambler and an adventure, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is characterized – as well as by the rounded design and the tubes protections for the tank – due to a “carved” position inside the bike. Just look at the data sheet to understand what we are talking about: The saddle height ranges from 805 to 845 mm From the ground, depending on whether you go to mount a lowered or raised saddle, with the intermediate size (825 mm) which allows those who are around the meter and seventy -five to touch with both plants of the feet on the ground. In doing so, there is great confidence not only at any stop, round, crossroads, but also an extra security when they face dirt roads. Always taking an average height of the pilot, the Sella-Pedane-Manubrio triangulation It is correct for a standing guide, in which you can govern the motorcycle without too many problems by tightening it with your knees in the (generous) tank area. Too bad that the levers of the clutch and the front brake are not adjustable: this would have guaranteed greater customization. However, they are a good compromise between a road use and one in off-road.

2 As it is made, the technique

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The beating heart of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is the 4T liquid cooled 451.65 cc single cylinder, capable of touching the 40 hp of maximum power at 8,000 rpm and 40 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. The gearbox is 6 -speed manual without Quickshifter, so the use of the (soft) clutch is almost mandatory both in grafting and climbing. The gears enter easily and without any effort: when you want to maximize off-road performance, you can not release the accelerator, pinch the clutch and insert the next march. No surprise effect, also in this case change and clutch work fluidly in unison for a rewarding driving experience. Of course, the power is not high (if we think in absolute terms) but it is almost double compared to that of the previous generation. The same goes for the couple: this data, combined with a ratio of the change not of the more short – is traveled safely to 120 km/h, but the bike touches the 165 km/h approximately – gives the vehicle a peaceful soul. At the low and medium regimes you would want more panache, which is why it is good to keep it on turns and always use the correct gear if you travel a mountain step. Royal Enfield focuses on simplicity: in this regard, electronics are simplified to the maximum. No traction control, Two motor maps (Performance and echo, with the latter almost superfluous given the modest power at stake), laughs by Wire and ABS diskmons only at the rear.

3 The path

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The test, as anticipated, took place on a total of 8 days in the saddle for almost 1,500 km. After a couple of days a Leh To acclimatize (breathing well to those altitudes is not so immediate), the first contact with the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 took place reaching the point where the Indust and Zanskar rivers meet. Briefing and about sixty km in the saddle to become familiar with the bike in view of the first real driving day, south-east direction from Leh al Pangong lakelocated at 4,350 meters above sea level. To get there we faced a series of fords (also on average demanding), 175 km (mainly on asphalt) and the Chang (step to 5,360 meters). At the following dawn we touched the border with China, traveling 110 km all on asphalt before reaching Hanle. Here a tent and two nights under the stars awaited us. The most demanding day was without a shadow of a doubt the first when awakening in the tent: 220 km overall (of which about fifty off-road), from Hanle to reach UMLING thethe highest road in the world that can be traveled by car and motorcycles with its 5,798 meters. Abandoned the base camp the following day, with an additional 300 km of the path all on asphalt and going over for Leh, we took to Saspul. From here we took the road to the Khardung there5,359 meters, an exciting peak also passable by motorbike. Arrived in Hunder, on the banks of the Shyok river, on the penultimate day she opted to visit Turtuk, a town on the border with Pakistan. Finally, going over the Khardung there, in the eighth day in the saddle we returned to Leh, the starting point of our journey.

4 How it goes on asphalt

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Once the necessary premises have been made, it must be said that this transfers discrete vibrations to the handlebar, to the saddle, but above all to the pedal, especially from 6,000 rpm. It should be specified that the test took place without rubber support for pedal, typical when you face off -road excursions, to have more grip (and consequently less comfort). The small windshield does not protect against the air at sustained speed, but despite this the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has proven a pleasant bike to drive and with whom to face a long journey. In his simplicity he knows how to offer a lot: maybe not a very powerful braking if you look for the limit, maybe not a brilliant starting point leaving a close -up -to -date hairpin, but – pass the term to us – “is a mule”. With its almost 200 kg in walking order, this robust crossover profile capable of adapting both to Indian traffic and the highest road in the world that can be traveled in motorbike (Umbling La, almost 5,900 meters), the Himalayan 450 proves to be a valid travel companion, to anchor backpacks and objects in the area behind the passenger saddle.

5 How it goes in off -road vehicle

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Those who exceed 185 cm in height, driving the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 standing on an off -road vehicle will find themselves with a slightly curved back. In that case, rates on the handlebar would be needed. Overall you move riding with dexterity, finding the commands without difficulty. You stay firmly on the pedal and you can use your legs very well to direct the bike. The suspension department allows you to remove some whims far from the asphalt, being able to rely on SHOWA -signed materials with one 43 mm inverted stems fork in diameter. And with wheels 21-17 “and semitted tires, the advice is not to get the hand taken too much and sometimes remember that you are still riding a motorcycle adventure. This said, the controlled drifts are able to first or at most second gears with the help of the clutch. In short, in a world where everything is always larger, more powerful, faster, the Himalayan 450 makes the taste of traveling with an electronics. Simplified and a handful of CV as in the eighties/nineties at the time of the enduro dual.

6 Strengths and weaknesses

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Here are the strengths and defects of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 found during the 1,500 km of our journey.

• Balance: balanced motorcycle, with spotted weight distribution and convincing cycling, thanks also to a SHOWA suspension package.
• Simplicity: motorcycles without frills that makes its duty without beating an eyelid, little electronic and sometimes even superfluous.
• Driving position: from sitting it is touched on the ground with both feet without effort and resting both feet plants (height about 175 cm, which means that those who are about 165 cm high does not struggle to touch at least with the tips); Standing the saddle-pedane-manubrio triangulation is correct, but if you are more than 185 cm high you are a little curved with your back.
• Price: at 5,900 euros or so there is not much more on the market.

• Couple: Little to the low and medium regimes, you have to keep it on turns.
• Vibrations: very well perceptible around 6,000 rpm, especially on pedal.
• Accelerator command: too long run.