Himalayan Love Affair: My Long-Term Thoughts on the 450 and the Intriguing Hint of a 750

Himalayan Love Affair: My Long-Term Thoughts on the 450 and the Intriguing Hint of a 750

I was really impressed with the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 when we initially had it for review, so much so that I asked Royal Enfield for one on a long-term review to really get to know the bike. So, having had it for about 4 months, has my opinion changed? Not at all. This bike does everything I want it to do, and at a price point that represents incredible value for money.

Initially, I used it as a commuter and daily ride. No issues at all; it’s comfortable and nimble in traffic, even with that big 21” front wheel. On dirt roads it is really capable, making it such a great bike for anyone who wants to do a bit of everything. Basically, I love it, and I want one.

But then, Royal Enfield releases some photos of some of the management team on what appears to be the long-time rumoured and highly anticipated Himalayan twin. My question is, have they stuck with the same bulletproof 650 engine, or have they upped the displacement and made it a 750, which will put the brand head-to-head with some of the biggest players in this segment?

While nothing has been said officially, there are a few details in the photos that make me think it’s not going to be too long before we see the only non-learner-approved Royal Enfield.

Here's a breakdown of why I assume the recent spy shots are of a 750cc Himalayan:

Official Teases: Royal Enfield has recently shared pictures on social media of their CEO, B. Govindarajan  or BGR as he told me to call him, testing what appear to be the Himalayan 750 and a Himalayan Electric in the Himalayas, indicating they are very close to production form.

Spy Shots: Numerous spy shots of a larger, twin-cylinder adventure bike with Himalayan styling have been circulating for months, showing prototypes that look near production-ready.

Expected Launch: Surely at EICMA 2025, which is November, if not before. They appear to be extremely advanced ins production and testing, so why wait?

Positioning: This 750cc Himalayan is expected to be Royal Enfield's flagship adventure tourer, offering more power and torque than the current Himalayan 450, and targeting markets like Europe and North America more effectively.

Logical Progression: Royal Enfield already has a successful 650cc parallel-twin platform (Interceptor, Continental GT, Super Meteor, Shotgun, Classic 650). To offer a significant performance upgrade and compete in a higher segment, a larger displacement makes sense. A 650cc Himalayan might not provide enough differentiation from the new, more powerful Himalayan 450.

Rumours and Leaks: For a while now, there have been persistent rumours and reports from industry insiders about Royal Enfield developing a larger 750cc parallel-twin engine to power a new range of motorcycles, including a Himalayan.

Visual Clues from Spy Shots:

• Dual Front Brake Discs: This is the big one. Unlike the current 650 twins which typically have a single front disc, many of the spied twin-cylinder prototypes, including those believed to be the Himalayan 750 feature dual front brake discs. This strongly suggests a need for greater stopping power due to a more powerful engine and potentially higher speeds/weight.
• Updated Suspension: The spied bikes often show upside-down (USD) front forks and a mono-shock rear, a more premium setup than the standard 650s, hinting at increased performance and capability.
• Road-biased Features: While still an adventure bike, some design elements in the spy shots, such as a taller windscreen and a 19/17-inch wheel setup (rather than a 21-inch front for extreme off-roading), suggest a road-biased touring focus, which would benefit from a more potent engine for highway cruising.

While official engine specifications are yet to be released, the combination of strong rumours, the visual cues from spy shots, and the logical product development strategy for Royal Enfield all point towards a 750cc parallel-twin engine for the upcoming "bigger" Himalayan. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting more official news!