The highly-anticipated Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 has been spotted testing in Southern Europe. This test mule is equipped with production-ready parts, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from this flagship adventure tourer.
Himalayan 650 – What does the Spyshot tell us?
The Himalayan 650 is set to enter the middleweight adventure segment with cutting-edge features and performance enhancements. The latest spy shots reveal a motorcycle that looks close to its production-ready form. It features a fully adjustable inverted fork upfront and a monoshock rear suspension with linkage, promising improved suspension performance.
The bike is equipped with a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel, both featuring wire spokes for durability on rugged terrain. The twin-disc front braking system with Bybre calipers signals a significant upgrade in stopping power, surpassing anything previously seen from Royal Enfield.
The seating arrangement stands out with a stepped pillion-ready rear seat and a low, well-padded rider’s seat designed for long-haul comfort. The bike also features a split seats and grab handles for the rear passengers, making it perfect for adventure rides.
The Himalayan 650 shares its platform with Royal Enfield’s 650cc lineup, including the Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650, Super Meteor 650, and Shotgun 650. It is powered by the familiar 648cc twin-cylinder engine, delivering 47 hp and 52 Nm torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. However, revisions in gearing and engine remapping are expected to tailor its performance for adventure touring.
There is speculation that the test mule could be a Himalayan 750, featuring a bigger engine to deliver enhanced power and torque figures. This larger engine, if introduced, would cater to riders seeking a more powerful adventure touring experience.
A New Era for the Himalayan?
The Himalayan 650 introduces several firsts for Royal Enfield. Notably, it will feature dual front disc brakes with petal-type rotors, a first for the company, aimed at enhancing braking efficiency. Suspension duties will be handled by fully adjustable forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear, ensuring better ride quality across varied terrains.
The bike is expected to launch in 2025, with a price tag of INR 4 lakh or thereabouts. It will compete with the Honda Transalp, Honda NX500, Benelli TRK 502, MotoMorini Xcape, Kawasaki Versys 650, etc.
Stay tuned for more updates as Royal Enfield gears up for the launch of the Himalayan 650.
Also Read: Kawasaki KLX 230 Vs. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – Price & Performance Comparison