The Royal Enfield Himalayan was something of a phenomenon in the world of off-road motorcycling when it came out in 2016. It made adventure touring more accessible to a broader range of riders by offering real off-road capability at an attainable price point. It also didn’t hurt that it was one of the coolest-looking bikes in its competitive class.
Not resting on its laurels, the Himalayan is already entering a new generation in 2024. The all-new Himalayan 450 is still a capable single-cylinder adventure bike but with a host of notable improvements. For starters, its bigger 452cc “Sherpa” engine is Royal Enfield’s first-ever liquid-cooled engine. It produces 40 horsepower, a considerable improvement over the 24-hp one-lunger in the Himalayan 411. It also has improvements to the brakes and suspension and a little extra ground clearance, making an incredible adventure bike even better.
In our experience testing the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, it does everything the Himalayan 411 can do but slightly better in every way. It’s a little more comfortable on smooth pavement, a bit more capable in technical off-roading, and quite a bit faster than its predecessor. We admit we slightly prefer the more distinct aesthetic of the Himalayan 411. Still, the Himalayan 450 has more of a mainstream adventure bike look that should appeal to off-road enthusiasts.
See for yourself what the capable Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 can do by booking a tour with Wild Sherpas today.