Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: What's New Compared to the Old Model?

The all-new Royal Enfield Himalayan is all set to be launched in India in a few days. The model, due to go on sale on the 7th of November, features the brand's first liquid-cooled 'Sherpa 450' engine, which delivers 40bhp and 40Nm of peak torque. Once launched, the upcoming Himalayan will replace the existing Himalayan 411, which has been on offer for almost 8 years. Launched in February 2016, the Himalayan 411 is the first Royal Enfield motorcycle built from the ground up with touring capabilities. However, with the new Himalayan ready to hit the market, the brand, according to some reports, might pull the plug on the Himalayan 411 later this month.

Given the specifications of the new Royal Enfield Himalayan, it is a significant upgrade over its predecessor in terms of design, performance, hardware, and technology. So, how does it differ from the previous model? Let’s see…

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Royal Enfield Himalayan: New vs Old - Powertrain, Performance

The new Himalayan's 'Sherpa 450' engine makes 40bhp at 8,000rpm and 40Nm of peak torque at 5,500rpm, which is about 15 – 16bhp and 8Nm more than the outgoing version. The Sherpa 450 is Royal Enfield's first modern single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, which is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The old Himalayan, on the other hand, uses a 411cc single-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine, producing 24.3bhp at 6,500rpm and 32Nm at 4,000 – 4,500rpm, and a 5-speed gearbox.

Royal Enfield Himalayan: New vs Old - Suspension, Brakes

The bike uses a twin-spar tubular frame, which is suspended with the help of a 43mm upside-down fork at the front and a preload-adjustable offset mono-shock at the rear, with 200mm of wheel travel at both ends. In comparison, the old model uses a half-duplex split cradle frame, along with a 41mm telescopic front fork with 200mm of wheel travel and a rear mono-shock with 180mm of wheel travel.

The braking hardware on the new Himalayan consists of a 320mm disc at the front and a 270mm disc at the rear, with dual-channel ABS as standard. As for the outgoing version, stopping power comes from 300mm front and 240mm rear disc brakes. Both Himalayans roll on 21/17-inch wire-spoke wheels (F/R), shod with tubed CEAT rubber. The new Himalayan features 90/90 front and 140/80 rear tyres, whereas the old Himalayan comes with 90/90 front and 120/90 rear tyres.

Royal Enfield Himalayan: New vs Old - Size/Dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the Himalayan 450 has a 1,510mm-long wheelbase and 230mm ground clearance. The length, width, and height stand at 2,245mm, 852mm (without handguards), and 1,316mm (without the flyscreen), respectively, making it longer, wider, and taller than the existing 411.

The bike features a 17-litre fuel tank and tips the scales at 196kgs, making it 3kgs lighter than the current Himalayan 411. It has a seat height of 825mm, which can be lowered to 805mm or increased to 845mm.

Royal Enfield Himalayan: New vs Old - Features

Feature-wise, the new bike is equipped with switchable ABS, ride-by-wire, Type C charging port, integrated taillight with turn indicators, all-LED lighting (standard), 3 riding modes, and a TFT instrument console with navigation. On the other hand, the old Himalayan comes with a semi-digital instrument cluster, Tripper Navigation, LED taillight, USB charging light, dual-channel ABS, and halogen lighting throughout.

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Royal Enfield Himalayan: New vs Old - Design

In terms of design, the new model has a few notable differences, including a bulging fuel tank. The seat is comparatively less scooped, and there is a redesigned transparent visor, along with a new circular LED headlamp. Other bits include a new tubular rail for pannier mounts, a chunky exhaust pipe, and an updated tail section.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Variant, Price

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is offered in 3 variants – Base, Pass, and Summit. The entry-level version can be had in a Kaza Brown colour, while the Pass will be available in Slate Himalayan Salt and Slate Poppy Blue colour options. The top-spec Summit is available in Hanle Black and Kamet White paint options.

In the Indian market, the upcoming is expected to be priced more than the outgoing version, which retails between Rs 2.16 lakh and Rs 2.28 lakh.