Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review – The New Benchmark
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 marks the most ambitious evolution of the iconic Himalayan 410 lineup. With a brand new engine, mind-blowing suspension, chassis, electronics and comfort upgrades, this motorcycle is designed to redefine adventure touring for Indian and global riders alike.
1. What Is It?
The Himalayan 450 is Royal Enfield’s next-generation adventure motorcycle, replacing the original Himalayan 411.
It stays true to the spirit of the OG Himalayan; simple, rugged, and capable but with:
- More power
- Better equipment
- Superior off-road agility
- Long-distance comfort
- True modern ADV electronics
This motorcycle is built for riders who want a do-it-all machine: commute, tour, explore, and off-road with confidence.
2. What’s New?
- Brand new 450cc liquid-cooled Sherpa engine: RE’s first liquid-cooled engine makes almost double the power of the old one.
- New steel twin spar frame: More rigid, lighter and far more stable.
- New Showa suspension: 200mm travel for both front and rear suspension.
- New Spoked wheels (Tubeless): 21 inch front & 17 inch rear wheel setup
- All new electronics package:
- Ride modes (Eco, Performance)
- Switchable ABS
- Navigation (Google Maps integration)
- 4-inch circular TFT screen
- Much better build quality: Panels, paint, and welds are noticeably improved. This is the most modern Royal Enfield ever built.
3. Engine Performance & Mileage
- Key Engine Highlights
- Power: 40 bhp @ 8000 rpm
- Torque: 40 Nm @ 5500 rpm
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox: 6 speed with slip & assist clutch
- Character: Smooth, tractable, and much quicker than the 411
” Royal Enfield has finally delivered an engine that can cruise at 100 – 120 km/h all day without stress.”
- Mileage
- City: 22 – 25 km/l
- Highway: 24 – 26 km/l (cruising @ 100 – 110 kmph)
- Mixed riding: 24 km/l
- Tank range: 400 km (with 17L tank)
4. Suspension, Handling & Ride Comfort
The Himalayan 450’s biggest strength is its ride quality.
- Suspension: is plush yet stable, tailor-made for Indian roads.
- Front – 43mm Showa USD forks with 200mm travel (non-adjustable)
- Rear – Preload adjustable rear monoshock with 200mm travel
- Handling
- Very confident on broken or uneven surfaces
- Feels planted during cornering
- High-speed stability is excellent
- Rider Comfort
- Upright posture
- Wide handlebars
- Excellent seat cushioning
- Pillion Comfort:
- Wider & more supportive seat
- Improved footpeg placement
- Comfort for long rides is better than competition
5. Braking & Electronics
- Brakes – Good bite, progressive feel
- Front: 320mm disc
- Rear: 270mm disc
- Electronics – Royal Enfield’s most advanced electronics suite yet.
- Dual-channel ABS
- Rear ABS switchable (Off-road mode)
- Ride-by-wire & riding modes
- 4-inch TFT display (Bluetooth and Google Maps integration)
- USB charging
6. Commuting, Off-Road & Touring
- Commuting – Good low-end tractability and smooth throttle makes city ride comfortable. But 198kg kerb weight may cause some discomft during stop-and-go traffic.
- Off-Road – It’s one of the best off-road motorcycles in its price range.
- Light steering
- Long-travel suspension
- Strong low-end torque
- Switchable ABS
- 21-inch front wheel for difficult terrain
Touring
- Touring – Strong mid-range & top end enables you to cruise at 100 – 120 km/h all day long.
- Comfortable seats for both rider & pillion
- Easy luggage mounting options
- Large 17 litre fuel tank provides excellent range (400 kms)
- Very Stable at high speeds
7. Competition
KTM Adventure 390:
- Strengths:
- Best-in-class power (46 bhp vs 40 bhp)
- Most tech-loaded (ride modes, IMU, Cornering ABS, Quick shifter, etc.)
- Weaknesses:
- Stiff ride quality
- Pillion comfort due to narrow seats
- Stiffer ride quality
BMW G310 GS:
- Strengths:
- Big bike feel
- Strong brand value
- Weaknesses:
- Low power & engine refinement issue
- Expensive spare parts
- Lacks modern features compared to rivals
Hero XPulse 210:
- Strengths:
- Best beginner off-road bike
- Value for money, very affordable
- Weaknesses:
- Low power
- Not ideal for long touring at high speeds
Triumph Scrambler 400X:
- Strengths:
- Build quality
- Strong low end & mid-range performance
- Scrambler looks
- Weaknesses:
- Not refined engine above 100 km/h
- Limited off-roading capability
- Triumph service network
The Himalayan 450 sits right in the sweet spot for touring + off-roading combined.
8. Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Excellent mid-range with torquey engine performance
- Great suspension and ride quality
- Very good off-road capability
- Comfortable for long rides with pillion
- Royal Enfield service network & reasonable service cost
- Good tank range
- Cons
- 198 kgs kerb weight will be felt during city rides
- Lack of quick shifter
- Build quality
- Brakes could have been sharper
9. Final Verdict
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a massive leap forward for the brand.
It offers the perfect balance of:
- Real-world power
- Touring comfort
- Off-road ability
- Modern electronics
- Value for money
It is easily one of the best adventure motorcycles you can buy under ₹4 lakh (on-road price) in India, and possibly the most versatile Royal Enfield ever made.
If your riding involves touring with pillion + exploring + off-roading, the Himalayan 450 is a fantastic choice and one of the strongest ADVs in the segment today.
Technical Specification
Engine and Transmission
| Engine Type | Liquid Cooled, Single Cylinder, 4 Valves, DOHC |
| Displacement | 452 cc |
| Max Torque | 40 Bhp @ 8000 rpm 40 Nm @ 5500 rpm |
| No. of Cylinders | 1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid Cooled |
| Valve Per Cylinder | 4 |
| Starting | Self Start Only |
| Fuel Supply | Fuel Injection |
| Clutch | Wet Multi Plate, Slip And Assist |
| Gear Box | 6 Speed |
| Bore | 84 mm |
| Stroke | 81.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.5:1 |
| Emission Type | BS6 |
| Gear Shifting Pattern | 1 Down 5 Up |
| Spark Plugs | 1 Per Cylinder |
| Caliper – Front | 2 Piston |
| Caliper – Rear | 1 Piston |
Dimensions
| Width | 852 mm |
| Length | 2245 mm |
| Height | 1316 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 17 L |
| Fuel Reserve | 3.4 L |
| Saddle Height | 825 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 230 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1510 mm |
| Dry Weight | 181 kg |
| Kerb Weight | 196 kg |
| Load Carrying Capacity | 198 kg |
| Pillion Seat | Yes |
| Pillion Grab Rail | Yes |
Suspension & Brakes
| Suspension Front | Showa USD, 43 mm, Travel 200 mm |
| Suspension Rear | Linkage Type Monoshock, Travel 200 mm |
| Brakes Front | Disc |
| Brakes Rear | Disc |
| ABS | Dual Channel |
| Tyre Size | Front : 90/90-21, Rear : 140/80-17 |
| Wheel Size | Front : 533.4 mm, Rear : 431.8 mm |
| Wheels Type | Spoke |
| Frame | Steel, Twin spar tubular frame |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless |
