Royal Enfield's Himalayan model reached its last update point just a few years ago, but the last major updated model rolled in 2021 in India, the UK, and Europe. This seems to be a carryover directly into MY2023 with updated bodywork that improve comfort and utility.
The Himalayan comes with the Royal Enfield Tripper feature. It allows connection through your smartphone to bring electronic navigation support to the table for your various adventures, both on-road and off.
The Himalayan first launched in 2016 in response to rider demand for a capable adventure bike. All the research is in-house, including the engine. This isn't one of the models “RE” inherited from its British partners. It's a fabrication all its own, forged from the crucible of the very Himalayan mountains themselves as the testing ground.
2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan
- New Royal Enfield Tripper Feature
- Switchable Dual Channel ABS
- 21-Inch Front Wheel
- Model: Himalayan
- Engine:: 411 cc single-cylinder
- Power Output: 24.3 HP @ 6,500 RPM
- Torque: 23.6 LB-FT @ 4,250 RPM
- Transmission: 5-Speed, Constant Mesh
- MSRP: $5,449
- Bargain-Basement Price
- Royal Enfield Tripper Feature
- Dual-Surface Tires
- Under Powered For The Weight
- No Stock Handguards Or Bags
- Could Use A Larger Engine
- Disappointing Fit-And-Finish
- Can't Maintain Interstate Speeds
- Small Fuel Tank For The Genre
2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan Performance And Capability
Power for the Himalayan comes from an air-cooled, long-stroke thumper that RE developed specifically to power this particular model family. The undersquare layout has a 78 mm bore and 86 mm stroke for a 411 cc total displacement and a mild, 9.5-to-1 compression ratio that should tolerate mid-grade, and maybe even bottom hook pusholine just fine.
A standard, non-slipper wet clutch couples engine power to the five-speed, constant-mesh transmission with a chain-type final drive. The 2023 Royal Enfield produces 24.3 horsepower and 23.6 pound-feet of torque. Power maxes out at 6,500 rpm, but the torque well bottoms out around 4,250 rpm with tractable power lower in the range.
This is just the thing for negotiating the more technical situations you might encounter whilst traipsing over hill and dale. Royal Enfield Himalayan's top speed is an indicated 87 mph (140 km/h), which is plenty fast enough for use on all but the fastest of roads.
Design
You can tell at a glance that the factory did its homework, 'cause the Himalayan fits that adventure-bike mold to a "T". The designers doubled down on the forward fling protection with a slider-mount fender mounted close to the tire and a secondary mudguard mounted to the bottom of the tripletree so both turn with the front end. A round cyclops headlight and narrow, rally-style windscreen complete the front end with the front blinkers mounted high, well out of harm's way, except for brush strikes that could still pose a threat if you aren't careful.
Just behind the front end, on both sides, you'll find a pipe rack meant to carry jerry cans for extended trips either off-road or through fuel deserts. The four-gallon fuel tank contributes its usual hump to the profile with a narrow rear where it tapers to meet the skinny waist.
At 31.5 inches high, the seat height may tax shorter riders but relatively speaking, it's rather low for the genre. It's a necessary evil to accommodate the fairly generous suspension travel and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The lofted pillion pad has beefy J.C. handles and a small luggage rack over the taillight. A large mudguard mounts the license plate and tag light with the back blinkers mounted high on either side of the taillight.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Specs | |
|---|---|
Length | 86 in |
Width | 33 in |
Height | 53 in |
Seat Height | 31.5 in |
Wheelbase | 58 in |
Ground Clearance | 8.6 in |
Fuel Capacity | 4 gals |
Curb Weight | 439 lbs |
Chassis
Tubular-steel members on the Himalayan make up the half-duplex split-cradle frame that carries a bash plate to protect the engine cases and lower frame members from terrain strikes. The 41 mm front forks sport bellow gaiters to protect the inner fork tube and its associated seal from damage by grit and whatnot. Out back, a monoshock handles business. Travel at the front axles measures 7.87 inches (200 mm) while out back it's a little shorter at 7.08 inches (180 mm) of travel. This should be plenty for rough terrain even if it falls short of pure-D dirt bike numbers.
Laced wheels, ever the favorite of off-road riders, round out the rolling chassis in a 17-inch diameter out back and a terrain-tackling 21-inch wheel up front. They come shod in street knobbies that are effective on both the blacktop and the brown.
A single, 300 mm disc and twin-piston anchor slow the front wheel with a 240 mm disc and single-pot binder out back. ABS comes stock with two channels, an all-around setting, and a front wheel-only setting that lets you break the rear end loose, which is particularly useful in an off-road setting.
Chassis & Suspension | |
|---|---|
Frame | Half-Duplex Split Cradle Frame |
Front Suspension | Telescopic, 41 mm Forks/ 7.9 in |
Rear Suspension | Monoshock with Linkage/ 7.1 in |
Front Tire | 90/90 - 21” |
Rear Tire | 120/90 - 17” |
Front Brake | 300 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper |
Rear Brake | 240 mm disc, single-piston floating caliper |
ABS | Dual Channel, Switchable to Single Channel – Rear Wheel ABS Control Deactivation |
2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan Price And Availability
Priced to move, the Himalayan comes in half-a-dozen two-tone paint packages to appeal to a wide range of aesthetic tastes. The 2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan costs $5,449 no matter which of the many colorways you choose.
Pricing & Features | |
|---|---|
Features | Royal Enfield Tripper |
Colors | Gravel Grey, Pine Green, Mirage Silver, Granite Black, Rock Red, Lake Blue |
Price | $5,449 |
Competitors
The Royal Enfield Himalayan finds itself in rare company with its particular displacement, but there are a few candidates. First off, an honorable mention goes to BMW for its G 310 GS, but the engine is on the small side, and it looks like it's more comfortable on a civilized surface no matter what claims are on paper. KTM looks like a good choice with its 390 Adventure.
KTM 390 Adventure
The overall look is comparable with all the classic adventure-bike high points well represented though the windscreen is much smaller with less protection for the pilot. Bash plate protection abounds, but the KTM gets a leg up in pilot protection with stock hand guards to protect your meat hooks from cold and brush strikes.
The KTM thumper is just a little smaller at 373 cc, but punches way above its weight with 44 ponies to shame the RE engine. Cornering ABS boosts the 390's safety chops, and like the Himalayan, it comes with an off-road mode that lets you slide the rear end at will or turned off in its entirety for a full-raw ride.
You'll pay for that extra power though. MSRP is $7,399 which is significantly higher to leave the Himalayan more budget-friendly at the end of the day.
He Said
“It's a cute ride, and fully capable with plenty of speed for safe highway use and baked-in luggage options to make it a viable commuter, as well as a capable adventurer to tackle any sort of riding you have in mind.”
She Said
My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,
“Let's not ignore the fact that this is the lowest-priced ADV. It's not a great bike. Fit and finish are lacking, performance is lackadaisical at best, and things like cracking frames and tender tires are a reoccurring problem. Royal Enfield claims to have addressed the shortfalls since the 2022 update, but I'm not entirely convinced. It's still too heavy for the modest amount of power.”
“That said, it is very inexpensive. If you're looking for an adventure-esque bike to bop around on, this may be it. However, know that interstate travel for more than an exit or two will tax the bike heavily, so it'll be a thrilling ride, just not in a good way. The Himalayan 650 should prove a more capable contender.”
FAQ
Q: How much does a Royal Enfield Himalayan cost?
MSRP on the 2023 Royal Enfield Himalayan is $5,499 for any of the available colorways.
Q: Is the Royal Enfield Himalayan reliable?
The Himalayan hasn't been known for reliability. Early in its production years, cracking frames and tire punctures were the main complaints. Royal Enfield claims it addressed the shortfalls in the 2022 update.
Q: Is Himalayan good for beginners?
While a relatively low seat height, low purchase price, and manageable power might look attractive to beginners, the bike is heavy for its size and displacement.
Q: How much horsepower does a Royal Enfield Himalayan have?
With the 411 cc engine, the Himalayan produces 24.3 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 23.6 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm.