autoX Awards 2024: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Performance, Quality and Value for Money Ranked

The updated Royal Enfield Himalayan impressed us both in the majestic Spiti Valley and on the bustling streets of Delhi. The original Himalayan marked a bold new direction for Royal Enfield, and it proved to be a hit. The Himalayan 450 builds on that legacy with a larger engine, a new design, and added features.

No longer just a rugged utility vehicle, the Himalayan now has a rather classy design with a curvier fuel tank, which lends it a big-bike appearance. It even gets an LED headlight and sleek LED blinkers, which appropriately complement its modern design. Despite the significant updates, ergonomics remain uncompromised, making it easy to ride whether you are sitting or saddling. Royal Enfield has also introduced a more intricate digital instrument cluster with the updated ADV. Yes, it might be a bit tricky to navigate through its functions, but the display is clear and offers a wealth of information. Once configured properly, the car-like display of Google Maps can actually be very useful for riders who like to venture off the beaten paths.

The new Sherpa 450 engine produces 39.5bhp and 40Nm, making the updated Himalayan extremely capable. In an off-road test we conducted alongside the much more expensive Ducati DesertX, the homegrown Himalayan proved that it could keep up with the Italian stallion on many fronts. Its long travel suspension can easily deal with smooth curves and tricky trails alike. Being an ADV, it gets switchable ABS, and RE has also included a ride-by-wire system, allowing for two different riding modes. Moreover, it’s now offered with the much-awaited tubeless spoked wheels, which is a big advantage for serious adventure riders.

Surprisingly, the Himalayan clocked impressive track times. It was just a little slower than its more compact and road-biased sibling – the Guerrilla 450. What makes the deal even sweeter is its competitive starting price of ₹2.85 lakh (ex-showroom).

Unlike most purpose-built machines, the Himalayan strikes a fine balance between what it’s meant to do (i.e. off-roading) and what it can additionally do (daily commutes). It transcends the ‘big ADVs are only good for Ladakh trips’ stereotype. While beginner riders may find its proportions daunting and prefer the Guerrilla over it, the fact is that the Himalayan is relatively easy to live with. In fact, our jury had a lively debate over which of these two new Royal Enfield models was the better product, given that they share the same engine and some other components, even though they serve very different purposes. Ultimately, it was the versatility of the Himalayan that secured its spot as one of the best bikes on our list this year.

autoX Awards << BACKNEXT >> BMW R 1300 GS