Royal Enfield Himalayan: the Indian on-off suitable for everyone [ROAD TEST]

Royal Enfield Himalayan – It was enough to take a quick tour of the bike when picking it up for our test to understand that theHimalayan di Royal Enfield it is a motorbike born with very clear ideas: to conquer all that segment of customers returning from their experience with scooters, or those who want to approach the world of off road with a vehicle that is simple to ride, manageable, but absolutely complete in its equipment and exceptional quality/price ratio.

The Himalayan makes versatility its best weapon, knowing how to combine the comfort of a larger displacement enduro with a perfect riding position with an upright torso and limbs always at the right distance from controls and levers. In short, sitting on the comfortable saddle or standing on the footrests on the dirt roads, you will have fun, always having the certainty of riding in a way that is ready to satisfy your requests.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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Essential lines and a tough look

With the Royal Enfield Himalayan it can only be love at first sight, but there are also those who fall in love with it over time. Its line is essential, slim and, despite its small size, you immediately have the impression of being in front of a real motorbike. A motorbike created to cover kilometres, in the city or on adventures, thanks to the provision for side bags, but above all for the large (and beautiful) wheels with 21-inch spoked rims at the front and 17 at the rear, embellished with rubber tessellated Pirelli MT60 (90/90 front and 120/90 rear). Quality tires for a motorbike that must know how to navigate the most diverse situations. The bike is full of details that recall the world of off-road, including the large and solid exhaust, the double front mudguard and the protection under the engine.

The Spartan appearance should not be misleading. Riding the Himalayan there is also a lot of technology. The effective front fairing is mounted on the large front light, behind which the beautiful instrument panel is hidden, which is large, complete and easy to consult. On one side the odometer (also measured in miles) and on-board computer with lots of information (gear included), on the other side there is the analogue tachometer with service lights. Everything is beautiful and functional, but the real "gem" lies in the digital compass which indicates the direction we are taking, but reminds us of the true spirit of this bike every time we look at it: that of a great traveller. The fuel indicator is entrusted to a needle: a simple but at the same time very precise solution. In short, we will always know how far we can go before stopping for refueling.

Engine and performance:

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Lots of torque to overcome obstacles

This Indian motorcycle is powered by the LS410, 411 cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine, capable of delivering a power of 24,5 HP at 6.500 rpm and a maximum torque of 32 Nm, constant from 4.000 to 4.500 rpm. This translates into the possibility of having the power necessary to handle all driving situations, but also the torque delivered where it is needed, at low revs, which is essential for overcoming obstacles that may arise in front of us, for example, on a dirt road. .

The engine is fresh, lively and at the same time very enjoyable. The power arrives immediately, as expected from a single-cylinder engine, but it never falters and is able to offer the boost needed to complete an overtaking even on extra-urban roads. However, this is not what the "Hima" does best, but probably not even what its typical buyer is looking for, who gets (or gets back) on the saddle, with a "calm" spirit, certainly not to have the performance of the big twins, but looking for a reassuring and easy adventure companion, as she knows how to be very well.

The last two gears (fourth and fifth) are long enough to make us forget the frequent use of the gearbox (which is also promoted for precision and operation): in short, just play with the throttle to find inspiration and speed. We are faced with an engine which, despite the small power available, is characterized by great reliability. We tested it for a few days, but around Europe and also in Italy there are fans of the brand who have subjected their Himalayan to much more grueling tests: there are those who have used this model to get to Iceland, challenging roads and paths, lining up even the largest and most powerful twin-cylinder bikes.

Ride and handling:

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Comfort and fun on two wheels

Let's start by "reciting" some numbers: the Himalayan has a wheelbase of 1465 mm, a minimum height from the ground of 220, while the seat height is 800 mm, with a length of 2190 mm and a width of 840 mm, the all combined with a weight of 182 kg. For the front suspension, the choice was made of a solution with a telescopic fork with 41 mm stanchions and 200 mm travel, while a mono shock absorber with progressive linkages and 180 mm travel is mounted at the rear. The frame is double cradle. All this data translates into one word: agility. As soon as it is set in motion, the Himalayan immediately shows an innate ability to follow the trajectories that we want to draw and perfectly absorb the roughness of the asphalt, thanks to the work of the front fork, with a fairly soft calibration, but without exaggerating, which does not distinguishes between asphalt and dirt road. Helped by its "relaxed" pace, the Himalayan is the explanation of how simple things can become, if approached in the right way and without choosing a motorbike that even an expert rider would have difficulty managing away from the asphalt. Take her with you wherever you can think of, she will never back down. Don't you believe it? Try searching for “Royal Enfield Himalayan Italia” on Facebook and see where the members of the group dedicated to the bike we tested took it.

As we said at the start of the test, the driving position is very natural. The seat on the saddle is very comfortable, both for the rider and the passenger and, despite the fact that it is an enduro motorbike, it allows you to place your foot firmly on the ground at the traffic lights, an aspect that will be particularly appreciated by new drivers looking for a vehicle that does not put them in difficulty, or by those who have driven a scooter for years and are therefore used to a low driving position. A limited width allows you to keep your legs narrow, thus having the feeling of full control when riding, both at speed and in city gymkhanas or on the narrowest paths.

In its simplicity the project is a winner. The clutch is soft, the gearbox is precise and the engine has a sweet, non-invasive and not too subtle sound, even when "pulling" all five gears. The only note, perhaps, is the front brake (a single 300 mm disc) which requires to be squeezed forcefully for an immediate stop, but which becomes more effective if used in combination with the rear brake (which features a 240 mm disc). The dual-channel ABS system will prevent the wheels from locking for the benefit of safety.

Price and consumption:

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Lots of adventure at a small scooter price

A motorcycle created for traveling must have low fuel consumption and a good capacity tank. the Royal Enfield Himalayan responds to both characteristics. Without exaggerating with gas you can travel well over 30 kilometers with one liter of fuel, values ​​for an excellent small scooter, not easy to find on a motorbike. The tank has a capacity of 15 litres. Calculator in hand, with a full tank you can travel up to over 450 kilometres!

The Himalayan is a simple motorbike in concept, but well built, complete and suitable for a transversal audience both in terms of motoring habits, but not only. The price of 4.590 € makes it attractive to young people, new enthusiasts or those looking for a real enduro, but without fainting. To conclude: as far as we are concerned, the bike is promoted, with the obvious considerations on its limited power, but above all because it allows you to go from dreaming of an adventure to actually setting off. Now let us know what you think.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
The riding position and the overall quality of the bike, a truly attractive price.
We do not like it:
The brakes are not to be praised.

Make and model MY2018: the Motorionline Report Card

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Testers' clothing:
Mtech Geographic jacket
Mtech Storm Pants
Mtech Hero 2 gloves
Stylmartin Impact RS boots
Suomy MX Tourer helmet