Royal Enfield Himalayan
{{Short description|Dual-purpose motorcycle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Motorcycle
| name = Royal Enfield Himalayan
| manufacturer = Royal Enfield
| production = 2016-Present
| class = dual-purpose
| engine = {{convert|411|cc|abbr=on}} LS410, Air-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke, SOHC, Fuel Injection /
{{convert|452|cc|abbr=on}} DOHC, liquid-cooled, 4 valves
| bore_stroke = {{cvt|78|×|86|mm}}
{{cvt|84|×|81.5|mm}}
| compression = 9.5:1
11.5:1
| transmission = 5 speed, manual
| suspension = Front – telescopic; rear – monoshock
| dry_weight=182 kg
| wet_weight = 200 kg (439 lbs)
| brakes=Front – 300 mm disc with 2-piston floating caliper; back – 240 mm disc with single piston caliper; ABS as standard|ignition=electronic ignition
| fuel_capacity=~15L
| image=File:Royal Enfield Himalyana DB2K5445.jpg}}
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is an adventure touring motorcycle manufactured by Royal Enfield. It was revealed in February 2015 and launched in early 2016. Pierre Terblanche led the design team during Himalayan's development.{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalenfield.com/uk/en/motorcycles/himalayan/|title=Design legend Pierre Terblanche joins Royal Enfield|website=royalenfield.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}
Model history
The Himalayan was conceived by CEO Siddhartha Lal, as an adventure touring, or dual sport motorcycle.{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalenfield.com/uk/en/motorcycles/himalayan/#motorcycle-specifications|title=My Himalayan Adventure – Siddhartha Lal, CEO, Royal Enfield|website=royalenfield.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}
The Himalayan differs considerably from the other motorcycles offered by Royal Enfield – most of which are various incarnations of the Bullet utilising the same frame and engine – in terms of its chassis and powertrain. Pierre Terblanche, formerly of Ducati and Moto Guzzi among other companies, headed Royal Enfield's design team during development of the Himalayan.
An early prototype was made in mid-2014, followed by a more complete version in 2015. The vehicle was released in India in early 2016, followed by a release in international markets such as Philippines, Australia and the United Kingdom later that year. Electronic Fuel Injection and ABS became standard in 2017.{{Cite news|url=http://autoblogindia.com/royal-enfield-himalayan-with-abs-fuel-injection-launched/|title=Royal Enfield Himalayan with ABS & Fuel Injection launched in UK – Auto Blog India |last=BunnyPunia |date=2017-01-16 |work=Auto Blog India |access-date=2017-03-17 |language=en-GB}}
The 2021 model got significant upgrades such as the Tripper navigation system powered by Google Maps (same unit offered in new Meteor) and a redesigned jerrycan mount.
Upon its introduction, the Himalayan was praised for its good suspension and off-road ability, while some criticism was directed to the relatively low power output of the engine.{{Cite web|url=http://overdrive.in/reviews/exclusive-royal-enfield-himalayan-road-test-review/|title=Exclusive: Royal Enfield Himalayan road test review|website=overdrive.in|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-03-17}} The motorcycle also has longer intervals between servicing and oil changes.{{Cite news|url=http://www.carandbike.com/news/royal-enfield-himalayan-unveiled-1272681
|title=Royal Enfield Himalayan Unveiled – Specifications and Expected Price – NDTV CarAndBike|work=CarAndBike|access-date=2017-03-17|language=en}}
The early Himalayan suffered some production issues. It was noted that the quality of parts was not up to the mark and in 2017 some users filed lawsuits to either demand compensation or return the bike for refund.{{Cite news|url=http://www.india.com/auto/engineer-drags-royal-enfield-to-court-over-unreliable-himalayan-lists-40-manufacturing-defects-2079517/ |title=Engineer drags Royal Enfield to court over unreliable Himalayan; Lists 40 manufacturing defects |last=Singh |first=Charanpreet |date=2017-04-28 |work=India.com |access-date=2017-05-03 |language=en}}
The company responded and in 2018 it was reported that "Royal Enfield is taking proactive steps to ensure the quality of its adventure motorcycle, the Royal Enfield Himalayan".
In 2022 its ex-showroom price in India started at {{INRConvert|2.14|l}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.zigwheels.com/royal-enfield-bikes/himalayan|title=Royal Enfield Himalayan – Check On-Road Price, Image, Specifications & Reviews|website=ZigWheels.com}}
On 24 November 2023, Royal Enfield launched its new model, Himalayan 450/452 from price starting 2.69 lakh onwards.{{Cite web |title=Royal Enfield All-New Himalayan Launched, Priced From Rs 2.69 Lakh |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/royal-enfield-himalayan-450-price-revealed-royal-enfield-all-new-himalayan-launched-priced-from-rs-2-69-lakh-4602233 |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=NDTV.com}} This model is equipped with a brand-new 452 cc liquid-cooled DOHC single-cylinder engine producing 39.5 hp power at 8000 rpm, along with 40 Nm of peak torque at 5500 rpm.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-24 |title=New Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 launch today: Expected price, features, specs |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/bikes/new-royal-enfield-himalayan-450-launch-tomorrow-expected-price-features-specs/articleshow/105442856.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-11-24 |issn=0971-8257}} The same chassis and engine was also used to create the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, which was launched in 2024.
Design
= Engine =
The Himalayan's engine was designed and produced by Royal Enfield 'from the ground up' and shares little to no parts with other contemporaries in the company's line-up.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cycleworld.com/royal-enfield-himalayan-adventure-bike-motorcycle-review-first-impression|title=Royal Enfield Himalayan – First Impression Review|work=Cycle World|access-date=2017-03-17|language=en}} The engine, named the LS410 indicating its long-stroke ratio, is a unit-construction 411 cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled 4-stroke SOHC engine. The motor generates a power output of 24.5 bhp at 6,500 rpm (18.02 KW) and a maximum torque of 32 Nm at 4,000-4,500 rpm. The engine also includes an oil cooler, a first among motorcycles manufactured by Royal Enfield India. The bike employs electronic fuel injection and the engine is mated to a 5-speed constant mesh transmission.{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalenfield.com/uk/en/motorcycles/himalayan/#motorcycle-specifications|title=Royal Enfield Himalayan|website=royalenfield.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}
This engine has a single overhead camshaft, thereby moving away from the traditional pushrod design that had been used by the company from 1955, starting with the original Bullet up to the contemporary Classic series.
= Accessories =
Royal Enfield produce a range of accessories for the Himalayan, including a crash guard, bash plate, headlight guard, top rack and top box. Various of aftermarket suppliers have also entered the market, widening the range of such products.
= Frame and chassis =
The Himalayan has a half-duplex split cradle frame. Suspension is telescopic in the front while the rear is provided with monoshock suspension. Front forks are 41 mm with 200 mm of travel and the rear suspension offers 180 mm of travel. The motorcycle has a ground clearance of 220 mm.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
Factory standard tyres measure 90/90 21-inch at the front and 120/90 17-inch at the rear. These are manufactured by CEAT. For units sold in the UK and North America, the tyres are manufactured by Pirelli (MT-60).{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
The motorcycle has a 300 mm disc with a dual piston floating caliper at the front and a 240 mm single piston caliper disc at rear.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
The instrumentation console for this motorcycle is also modeled anew. It includes an analog speedometer and tachometer, with a digital display for the odometer, gear position indicator, trip-meter and Ambient temperature gauge. Also included is an analog fuel gauge and a digital compass. Also included is a windscreen, which can be manually adjusted for height via screws to two positions. {{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
The motorcycle was designed specifically with touring in mind and features an upright seating position, with a seat height of 800 mm, allowing the rider to be seated relatively low compared to the overall height of the motorcycle. The motorcycle also features mounts on either sides of the tank, which can serve as holders for jerrycans, as well as tank guards. The rear includes a luggage carrier, and mounts are also provided as well to install aluminium panniers both provided by Royal Enfield as accessories.{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalenfield.com/uk/en/motorcycles/himalayan/#motorcycle-colors|title=Royal Enfield Himalayan|website=royalenfield.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}
Scram 411
In March 2022, Royal Enfield released a scrambler version of the Himalayan. It has the same 411cc single cylinder engine as the Himalayan, but it has a smaller 19 inch front wheel and a lower ground clearance at 200mm (compared to 220mm of the Himalayan).{{cite web | url=https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news-amp/royal-enfield-scram-411-launched-at-rs-203-lakh-423837 | title=Royal Enfield Scram 411 launched at Rs 2.03 lakh }}