Royal Enfield has a slew of products in the works that will include new 650 cc offerings, an entry-level model and possibly a new adventure motorcycle as well. Now, more details have emerged about the new ADV. According to a recent report, Royal Enfield is working on the Himalayan 450, a more adventure-focused iteration of the Himalayan that will be built on an all-new platform and will sport a newly-developed engine with more power. The report suggests that the Himalayan 450 will pack up to 40 bhp from its motor, while borrowing cues from dirt motorcycles. If and when the bike enters production, it will be able to compete with the KTM 390 Adventure and even some 500 cc ADVs on sale in India. carandbike has reached out to Royal Enfield for an official comment on the report and will update this piece as and when the company responds.
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The Himalayan 450 will be substantially more expensive over the Himalayan 411 but will be a step-up in every sense
The report further states that the upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 will be built on a new trellis frame and sport a 450 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine with focus on low and mid-range power. The bike will co-exist with the current Himalayan 411 and will be slotted between the Himalayan 411 and the Interceptor 650. However, the big takeaway is the fact that RE's new Himalayan 450 addresses the lack of power on the current version. The report also states that the bikes will share certain cycle parts including the 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels. A tubeless tyre version is also said to be under development. However, there will be premium bits including USD front forks, while braking performance is likely to come from discs at either end with ABS. We need to see if Royal Enfield will go a step further and also introduce traction control. The image shared also hints at a dirt bike-like styling on the upcoming offering.
There's no word on the pricing yet but the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 could command around Rs.2.7-3 lakh (ex-showroom) when it hits the market in India. We could also see prices for the 650 Twins going up during this period. However, the Himalayan 450 rumour also opens more possibilities for the brand that will be more apt to take on KTM and Husqvarna in the global space. Considering the popularity the current Himalayan has been able to garner, even in overseas markets like North America, it's logical to think of a more advanced, more performance-oriented Himalayan to fuel Royal Enfield's push into global markets.
The upcoming Himalayan 450 will get more dirt bike inspired styling while retaining the classic elements
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 also hints at the possibility of the brand looking to more actively participate in rallying on a global scale in the future. It will be a big boost for the brand's global aspirations as it expands presence in newer markets. While the Himalayan 411 worked well as an entry-level ADV tourer, the Himalayan 450 is expected to be a step above in every sense. Royal Enfield could develop a rally-spec version on the same platform or work with an existing team to build a bike on the same lines as Hero MotoCorp and Speedbrain, as well as TVS and Sherco. Could Royal Enfield become the third Indian player to compete in the Dakar Rally? We can't rule out the odds.
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Royal Enfield already competes in flat-tracker events overseas and its more recent expedition to the South Pole was another show of the brand's capabilities in developing motorcycles that can stand the test of time, and plough on through the harshest of terrains. However, all of this remains conjecture for now and more details will only be available closer to the launch, which is likely to take place sometime in 2023 or beyond.
Source: Bikewale
