Just over a year after it was launched on the Indian domestic market, Royal Enfield are releasing the Himalayan internationally.
The Himalayan is the Chennai-based manufacturer's first all-new motorcycle for quite some time, and is a departure from the bikes that have made up their range for decades. As its name suggests, this is a purpose-built trails bike, a totally new market segment for Royal Enfield, who are better known for manufacturing characterful retro-styled motorcycles. The Harris-designed frame houses a brand-new Euro-4 compliant 410cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine with a claimed 24.5 BHP @ 6,500 rpm, and has ditched the company's habitual twinshock rear suspension in favour of a more contemporary monoshock layout. Front suspension is entrusted to 41mm RWU forks that embrace a 21-inch spoked front wheel (the rear wheel, also spoked, is a 17" item). The bike has disc brakes all round: a 300mm single disc/two-piston floating calliper at the front and a 240mm/single-piston floating calliper astern. As per Euro-4 specs, the brakes are equipped with ABS.
