Top Speed Of Himalayan Bs4
Royal Enfield Himalayan (2018-on) Review
12
Highlights
- A strangely appealing but odd fit for the UK
- Engine lacks punch
- Excellent value for money
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5) |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £260 |
| Power: | 24 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (408 lbs / 185 kg) |
Prices
New £4,599
Used £3,200 - £4,600
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakes
3 out of 5 (3/5)
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is not a bike aimed at our market, but it turns out it's extremely popular over here regardless. If you want to cross a continent on bad roads – a ride into the Himalayas perhaps – then it would excel, but on fast UK roads it struggles. If it had the new 650-twin found in the Royal Enfield Interceptor and the associated 46bhp, then it could be a serious mainstream contender, but alas, we don't expect a Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 any time soon.
- Related:See this bike in our best A2 motorcycles article
We first saw the Enfield Himalayan in 2015 and it showed a lot of promise. We then rode it in through the Himalayan mountains in India, but back then it was carburetted and not destined for the UK. Fast forward to 2018 and it's Euro4 with fuel injection, a cat converter and ABS. So how does it handle things here in Blighty?
Twist the choke (no really...), prod the starter and the gentle thump of the 410cc air-cooled single sends your heart a flutter. Stand back while it warms up and it looks every inch the part – the reinforced steel frame designed by Harris Performance oozes adventure, as does the 21in front.
Even the humble little alloy panniers (£499 extra) fill you with a sense of joy at the adventures to come. Sadly, that joy soon drains away when you hit the road.
Within minutes you're wringing its neck and the gentle throbbing is replaced by terrifying clattering. On a fast A-road with the throttle twisted to the stop in fifth, I had to watch as the photographer's van pulled away with ease.
A glance at the speedo showed it had topped out at an indicated 75mph. In its defence it's vibe free, the screen keeps off the worst of the wind and the Enfield only sips at the petrol, so you can get over 50mpg.
But 24.5bhp simply isn't enough when you're dicing with bigger and more powerful vehicles. There are big old gaps between the gears too, so dropping a cog for an overtake doesn't help.
Royal Enfield Himalayan range updated for 2021
In February 2021 Royal Enfield updated the Himalayan with a collection of small changes to improve the overall riding experience. The Himalayan has been a runaway success since it first launched in 2016, offering an alternative to the powerful, high tech heavyweights that most adventure bikes have become.
The 2021 Himalayan sticks to the same formula as the previous model, so the 411cc single-cylinder engine is still producing 24.3bhp @ 6500 rpm, however it's now been tweaked to meet Euro5 specifications. We'd be lying if we said a few extra bhp wouldn't go amiss (or a sixth gear for cruising on fast roads) but both could risk undermining its entry level image and price. So what has changed? Lots of stuff to make it more adventure friendly – including switchable ABS at the rear.
The biggest change is the addition of Enfield's Tripper sat nav, which was first unveiled on the new Meteor 350. The Tripper pod, which sits next to the standard dash, pairs with the Enfield app on your smartphone, which makes use of Google Maps to give directions. The new dash sits behind a larger windscreen, which should reduce fatigue on longer rides. Also helping out is a new seat filled with higher density foam. Tall riders will also be pleased to hear the front rack has been redesigned to give more space for knees.
For those planning longer journeys, the rear rack has been redesigned for improved strength allowing you to carry more luggage. There are also some minor cosmetic changes including a black headlight surround, black exhaust heat shield and three new colour options.
Pricing now starts at £4599.
Royal Enfield Himalayan customs
The Himalayan is a popular bike for those who like to personalise their machines. We saw six customs at Wheels and Waves in June 2019.
Furthermore a number of bikes from Barcelona-based motorcycle clothing retailer Fuel Bespoke Motorcycles created a one-off, Dakar-inspired Royal Enfield Himalayan, which took on the 2019 Scram Africa rally.
The build was amplified by a modified Suzuki RM-Z450 exhaust.
For a little extra pep, the bike received a Powertronic ECU plug-in, with the ancillary components and running gear remaining the same as the original machine. The old single headlight has made way for a squared enduro mask and the screen has been removed.
This has left the Marlboro-coloured tank more exposed for more of a classic enduro feel. What's more, the standard dual seat unit has been replaced for a single seat design, with the rear now housing a removable luggage rack.
For additional luggage capacity, they have also rather cleverly recycled one of the tank-mounted luggage racks from the original machine and re-mounted it on the left, to the rear of the machine.
Watsonian give the Royal Enfield Himalayan the sidecar treatment
In November 2018 British sidecar firm Watsonian Squire announced a new sidecar outfit in tandem with the Royal Enfield Himalayan.
The firm are using the low-capacity adventure bike as a test mule for their latest 'International' sidecar, which draws inspiration from the firm's original version launched back in 1938.
After production was halted by the Second World War, the original motorcycle accessory was then not available to the public until 1950, in a year where it was also raced in the International Six Days Trial at Llandrindod Wells, in Wales.
Much like the original International, this has been designed primarily for road use and features a glass fibre body with aluminium panels and mudguard, mounted on a tubular steel frame that has been powder coated for durability using expoxy resin.
Beneath the seat is a large luggage locker for all of your belongings and the 16-inch spoked third wheel – complete with a black powder-coat finish - is mounted on hydraulic suspension and shod with a Bridgestone Trail Wing tyre.
Available in Spring 2019, the unit costs £3995 plus £450 for the fitting kit.
Royal Enfield have their own owners' club, which you might consider joining once you've read this review.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)
B-roads highlight other problems. Firing into the first corner, I pulled the front brake only for the lever to come most of the way back. Thankfully the rear has a bit more gusto. Leave off the brakes, try to carry more corner speed and it all goes a bit loopy as the soft suspension begins to struggle. Head off-road, however, and all is forgiven.
Where the power delivery is lacking on the road, in slimy mud it's confidence inspiring. The suspension too comes into its own as the long travel (200mm front, 180mm rear) soaks up all but the biggest bumps.
The steering is light (with loads of room lock-to-lock) and the 800mm seat height is dreamy if you've ever struggled with 870mm+ adventure bikes. It has proper off-road pegs too once you unbolt the rubbers.
The brakes too are pardoned nearly all their ills but you can't turn the ABS off (unless you pull the fuse). Off-road the only thing that restricts it are the tyres – stick a set of knobblies on though (such as Mitas E-09 - £100 a pair) and you'll be flying.
Engine
Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)
The 410cc air-cooled single makes just 24.5bhp, and that's not enough for fast-paced UK roads. The 2018 version of the bike has fuel injection but still uses a choke-style fast idle lever to start from cold (a veritable relic these days).
The engine's shortcomings are less obvious off-road, but it still seems a shame that you can't get the Himalayan with the 650 twin engine From the Royal Enfield Interceptor instead. We are assured that's not coming to the line-up, though.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)
The simplicity of the Himalayan means there's not an awful lot to go wrong, and early indications are that the reliability is good.
In May 2020 a recall was issued for this bike due to corroding Bybre brake calipers.
We've got quite a few Royal Enfield Himalayan owners' reviews on the site, and it scores well. Negative comments, however, include wooden brakes, bad finishing on some surfaces, electrical issues and of course a lack of power, as our reviewer mentioned.
However, as some owners note, fastidious maintenance should help to keep your bike reliable.
Value vs rivals
Next up: Equipment
5 out of 5 (5/5)
At £3999 when launched (and £4599 in 2021) it's one of the cheapest bikes going. Compared to the rivals, you save a chunk over the Suzuki V-Strom 250 (£4599), BMW G310GS (£5100) and Kawasaki Versys (£5149).
Some fag packet maths suggest you could fly to India, buy a Himalayan, ride it to the UK, hang it on the wall as a souvenir and buy another to ride around on all for less than the cost of a fully-specced GS. Gets you thinking doesn't it?
The official service interval for valve clearance check is just 3000 miles, but owners report that they can get away with every other one.
Royal Enfield Himalayan vs KTM 390 Adventure on the MCN250
First published 24 June 2020 by Martin Fitz-Gibbons
It's been a long time coming for KTM's smallest Adventure. Roughly six seconds after the addictively rorty, naughty 390 Duke was launched way back in 2013, imaginations started running wild. What if the Austrian dirt experts could take that same lightweight, approachable and addictively engaging recipe, but mix in several scoops of unmatched off-road expertise?
The result could be everything from an everyman enduro, like a modern-day Suzuki DR-Z400S, to the starting point for a rugged rally replica, like a more affordable version of CCM's GP450.
Seven years, several spy shots and countless premature headlines later, the 390 Adventure has finally arrived. But in the meantime, someone else got on the scene first. Royal Enfield's Himalayan landed on European shores in early 2018 and swiftly carved out a cult following for its refreshing simplicity, surprising credibility and astonishing value.
It too offers a blend of on and off-road ability, is aimed as an accessible adventurer and, like KTM's 390, is built in India. So then, a pair of single-cylinder engines split by just 38cc, two steel frames, four semi-knobbly tyres and one shared dream: that adventure doesn't have to mean big, heavy and expensive. But which does it better?
The MCN verdict
Judged as road bikes, KTM's new 390 wins hands-down. The Adventure is so much faster, lighter, more sophisticated and, most of all, so much more fun. It might be a little more expensive than the Himalayan, but that £1100 difference is completely justified when you compare the spec of the two bikes, from the KTM's superior-quality suspension to its 21st-century technology. With almost twice the power – not to mention brakes that can stop by 2020 standards – the 390 has a night-and-day dynamic edge.
But when it comes to which is the better adventure bike, that's where things get tougher. Because the one that'd make life easier when the off-roading got rougher and tougher, and the one that you might stand a chance of repairing with a blunt twig in the middle of a rainforest during monsoon season, is the Himalayan. So for the road, it's the KTM. But for a real adventure, it's the Royal Enfield.
Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)
The Himalayan is a pretty basic machine. You get ABS but you can't switch it off for off-roading. There's some crash protection and provision for luggage. The dash is a mixture of digital and analogue and you get a proper fuel guage and a gear indicator plus a compass!
You are left with proper off-road footpegs if you unbolt the rubbers, too.
Specs | |
| Engine size | 410cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Single cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled, SOHC, fuel injection |
| Frame type | Half-duplex split cradle frame |
| Fuel capacity | 15 litres |
| Seat height | 800mm |
| Bike weight | 185kg |
| Front suspension | Telescopic, 41 mm forks, 200 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock with linkage, 180 mm wheel travel |
| Front brake | 300 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper |
| Rear brake | 240 mm disc, single piston floating caliper |
| Front tyre size | 90/90 - 21" |
| Rear tyre size | 120/90 - 17" |
Mpg, costs & insurance | |
| Average fuel consumption | - |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £69 |
| Annual service cost | £260 |
| New price | £4,599 |
| Used price | £3,200 - £4,600 |
| Insurance group | - How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | - |
Top speed & performance | |
| Max power | 24 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 23.6 ft-lb |
| Top speed | - |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | - |
Model history & versions
Model history
- Royal Enfield launched the Himalayan in India in 2015. After many delays, the export version was brought to the UK with fuel injection and ABS in 2018.
MCN Long term test reports
Fuel Motorcycles create Dakar-inspired Royal Enfield Himalayan
Barcelona-based motorcycle clothing retailer Fuel Bespoke Motorcycles have created a one-off, Dakar-inspired Royal Enfield Himalayan, currently taking on their 2019 Scram Africa rally. With round one starting on May 4 and ending on May 11 and round two starting on the same day and ending on Ma…
Read the latest report
Owners' reviews for the ENFIELD HIMALAYAN (2018 - on)
22 owners have reviewed their ENFIELD HIMALAYAN (2018 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your ENFIELD HIMALAYAN (2018 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews | |
| Overall rating: | 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5) |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5) |
| Engine: | 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5) |
| Reliability & build quality: | 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5) |
| Value vs rivals: | 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5) |
| Equipment: | 4.1 out of 5 (4.1/5) |
| Annual servicing cost: | £260 |
4 out of 5
12 September 2021
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £900
Service interval too short Needs tubeless rear wheel
Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
I've added ceramic pads Made for much smoother braking
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 2 out of 5
300 mile interval is ok for sunday riders Im clocking up 10k a year Its cost me 1800 over the 2 year warranty period Honda 6to8k miles interval??
Equipment 4 out of 5
Anakee wilds great Centre stand as standard Compass rubbish Tubeless rear wheel needed
5 out of 5
02 July 2021 by Alex
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £50
Perfect bike for every day. Simple back to basics biking
Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Suspension is brilliant , not even considering low cost it rides very well. Breakes are ok but a little soft in feel which is good off road but needs getting used to on road. No issue with there power though
Engine 5 out of 5
Very good for its job. It manages fast roads , just but more at home at lower revs pulling. And it's good there. Smooth with not much vibration , youd struggle to know it was a single. Happy to rev and be thrashed when on fast roads and uses very little fuel 100mpg easy on slower roads and 75 on motorways
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
Build quality isnt great, but its £4k and when you consider that it's amazing value for money. The issues are well known and easily fixed at home. Reliability has been faultless but thanks to plenty of maintenance. Think old British bike abs youll be about right
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
DIY serviced from new door approx £50 a time. Which is 3k miles. Could get expensive if using dealers and doing alot of miles but easy to do at home with very basic tools
Equipment 3 out of 5
There isnt any, but that's the point. Basic and just works.
Buying experience: Good, dealer was good on buying(Peterborough) but since then terrible. Theres a few relcmnede dealer, stick with them even if it means a long trip
5 out of 5 One of the best starter adventure bikes on the the road for the money
13 June 2021 by Jeff Dawson
Version: Full touring
Year: 2021
Price and what you get for your money along with 3 years warranty and road side assistance. The bike is also easy to work on yourself. May not be fast but it gets the job done
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Great ride very comfortable and the breaks work well for the seed of the bike, also has switchable abs on rear wheel for off roading
Engine 4 out of 5
411cc thumper, a little ruff around the edges but built like a tank, you can maintain it yourself but you won't win any races, unless you're off road where it shines
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Excellent for the price
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Could not be cheaper
Equipment 5 out of 5
Switchable abs and sat navigation come as standard, tank guards and rear rack there hundreds of cheap extras available too
Buying experience: So far extremely excellent, dealers very helpful parts very cheap. £4599 on the road but with the full touring package which included panniers and top box, engine crash bars , hand guards , pannier and top box frames all fitted £5444 on the road and if you need go 3.65 percentage interest !!
5 out of 5 Any road or No road.
12 April 2021 by Peter Jones
Year: 2020
I would 100% recommend this bike to anyone who intends to ride both on and off road. Just watch Itchy Boots' you tube channel season 1 and 2 if you are not convinced. I have just returned to the UK from the east coast of the UAE where I had dry, rocky mountains on one side of me and the Gulf of Oman on the other. Most rides involved a mixture of on road and off. I am hard pressed to think of any bike at any price that would have suited my needs better. At my skill level, KTM and BMW are too tall, too heavy or too big for what I was riding. However on returning to the UK I will not be buying a Himalayan. My riding here will be much more road biased. There are many better road biased bikes than the Himalayan. The compromises on the road are worth it to have a go anywhere bike, but if you're going by road, at least for me, the compromises are not justified. The RE Interceptor looks like a good 90% - 10% bike from my Quarantine hotel.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
You really need to haul on the breaks to reduce speed quickly on road. Ideal off road.
Engine 4 out of 5
Willing motor for what it is. Will be underpowered for anyone in a hurry.
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
No issues at all. Survived many drops and even a solid rear end collision from an Emirati woman in a large 4x4, with her head in a phone.
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Cheap servicing in the UAE. No idea for UK.
Equipment 4 out of 5
Dials worked as needed and look good too.
Buying experience: Good friendly service at RE Dubai.
5 out of 5 Great bike, very poor MCN reviewer.
01 March 2021 by Hector Hat
Year: 2018
It's an Enfield Himalayan, not a Z1000, why would you wring it's neck on fast A roads? It is no more designed for that nonsense than a Z1000SX is designed to get me around my farm with a bale of straw on the back. MCN road tester, go to the back of the class for stupidity.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Ride is superb, brakes need new pads & a firm pull, but at these speeds they are fine.
Engine 5 out of 5
Smooth, sounds cool & plenty of traction. It's a two wheeled Landrover, don't expect it to excel on the M5, it excels on the rough & gets you there no matter what.
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Solid, simple & robust.
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Simple & even I can service it myself.
Equipment 5 out of 5
Panniers, gear indicator, rev counter, screen, engine guards, luggage rack etc - come on, no other bike has all this!
Buying experience: Private purchase.
3 out of 5 Winter ride
01 March 2021 by Lee Smith
Year: 2020
The engine cuts out before it warm up (very annoying). The rear brake master cylinder has broken. I'm trying to get these done under warranty.
Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
As I said above
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Cheaper than my speedtriple lol
Equipment 4 out of 5
Buying experience: Bought via superbike warehouse
5 out of 5 RE Himalayan Owners 6000 mile review
30 December 2020 by Deano Leith
Version: UK BS4
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £200
The Himalayan is a practical motorcycle for a practical motorcyclist. It is a simple machine to maintain, cheap to run and very enjoyable to ride. This is a low speed, high traction motorcycle which feels planted on loose and rough roads and with the right tyres, tractors its way across UK muddy back roads and Green Lanes. The low down torque is very noticeable when off-roading and feels ample for traction in the most difficult of surfaces, without being overpowering. It has low emissions and on average maintains a fuel efficiency of around 80MPG (UK). Riding off road, either stood up on the pegs or sat in the seat makes a comfortable controlled enjoyable ride. The Thump of the engine sound is great. The bike is easy to work on, at home or outdoors. On the road, the handling feels nimble and controlled which makes way for a perfect back road and beyond adventure bike. It is no fast road bike though. The trade off of low speed tractability reduces the top end performance and the bike runs out of steam around 60mph and in a head wind, probably about 50mph. So for the fast road adventure tourer this probably isn't the bike for you. It's not great on fast UK roads, however, it will maintain 65-70mph on a dual carriageway quite smoothly and is capable keeping up with traffic. The 411 long stroke engine feels better with age as they loosen up. The first 5000 miles the engine feels quite restricted. My Himalayan feels better and better as the mileage increases.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
The bike is very comfortable to ride in my experience on all road surfaces. Perfect for bimbling and exploring back lanes, forest roads and anything outdoors with great fuel economy. The front brake is not particularly sharp on the road at speed, but is about right when riding on loose surfaces as its not keen enough to lock up in the mud. The back brake is very strong and easily activates ABS when on the loose surface. The ABS deactivates off road, should the rear wheel spin when the front wheel is stationary. The suspension soaks up pot holes and rough terrain well giving a plush ride. The seat is quite low for tall riders and after a couple of hours I find I need a break. A taller seat makes a big improvement on and off road for taller riders.
Engine 4 out of 5
Given the Himalayan is biased to low speed off-road adventures, the 411 gives excellent smooth delivery with enough torque to overcome obstacles such as rutted lanes, rocky trails and steep climbs. The delivery is not intimidating when travelling down tricky roads and weaving around and over obstacles. Its fast enough to travel at 60mph all day long but its not really at home on dual carriageways. The engine runs out of steam over 4500rpm, so a little more top end acceleration would be welcomed for the likes of overtaking and travelling on Motorways to get to a destination. The engine is a simple design, very easy to maintain, oil cooled, with one spark plug and adjustable tappets via tappet covers. The 411 grows on you and like I have said before, they run better with age.
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
These bikes are hand built and it shows, judging by the quality of the weld finishes. That gives a certain quirkiness to the bike and uniqueness. The build quality varies between other Himalayans. The headstock bearings are a known issue for lacking grease and water ingress. Most owners upon receiving their Himalayans, re-grease the Headstock and rear suspension bearings, with a quality marine grade grease which keeps the water out and the corrosion at bay. The throttle and clutch cables can be short lived and these need regular checking for fraying, as part of the service intervals. The engine servicing is quite short, every 3000 miles for oil and valve clearances, although owners report that the valves don't need adjustment every 3000 miles. The service is relatively straightforward and easily within the scope of a home mechanic. I use my bike plentiful off road and the paint job is holding up well, other than stone chips which is to be expected in such conditions. The overall quality seems to vary from bike to bike. With the bike being relatively simple to work on, most problems are easily overcome. Some owner complain of stalling when cold or upon starting. I have not had such problems thankfully.
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
The Himalayans service is quite straightforward, these being the valve clearances and oil and filters every 3000 miles and a general torque check of the fixings which takes around 2 hours labour. Given the simplicity of the Himalayan they are relatively cheap to maintain and very straightforward to work on.
Equipment 4 out of 5
The Himalayan is pretty much ready to go out of the box as it is. For taller riders, I would recommend bar risers and wider handle bars such as Renthal Enduros. For off roading in mind, handguards are a must as are heated grips for all year round riding. Tyre wise, I find a Continental TKC80 on the front and a Heindau K60 Scout on the rear works well in the UK winter, on and off road conditions especially in the mud. I would also recommend GIVI engine bars as they give good protection and fit nice on the bike without being too obstructive. I've dropped my Himalayan a few times when being off road and the Givi crash bars have worked well, with no damage inflicted. The standard Himalayan pannier rack is a good investment for adding soft luggage or the Panniers. The instrument panel works well and is all you really need. I would recommend a quality chain and sprocket upgrade as the stock chain and sprockets seem to wear quickly, requiring regularly adjustment. If you are a taller rider and plan to ride on rough terrrain, a 40mm jackup kit is available and worth considering. The Himalayan is made of steel and built like a gun. In my opinion is could be the only bike you need.
Buying experience: I bought my current Himalayan second hand, a 68 plate for £3500 with quite a few accessories, including full soft luggage, heated grips, USB socket etc. I bought my first Himalayan from a dealer for £4100 new. I missed it that much I had to buy another.
5 out of 5
31 October 2020 by Matthew Little
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £100
Really competent off road
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Great off road, not so good on duel carriageways
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Very economical, you hardly ever need to refuel
Equipment 4 out of 5
Easy to load luggage onto for camping trips
Buying experience: Took a test ride at a dealer but then purchased secondhand from a private seller
4 out of 5 Does what it says on the tin..
01 July 2020 by Brian Whordley
Version: Bs4
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £120
Excellent bike, no it's not a gs but neither did it cost 18k+ It's a back to basics no frills little adventure bike and it does that very well. I bought it to do a little bit of green laning and trips to quieter parts in the countryside and it does that very well, if I wanted to blast round Scotland on th nc500 I'd use my gs... Every time I come back from a ride I am smiling...
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Frame designed by Harris and is very good, ride quality is acceptable being as this is designed to go off road too. Brakes are a bit wooden but improve when run in, still need a good squeeze on the lever.
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Excellent value, cheap servicing only fly in the ointment is every 3000 miles
Equipment 4 out of 5
Underpowered and feels a bit strangled, there are decat pipes and louder end cans available and very reasonably priced also a booster plug which helps with the initial pick up so should feel more responsive.
Buying experience: Excellent dealer experience, even decent trade in
4 out of 5 Enfield Himalayan initial thoughts
30 May 2020 by Terence Smith
Version: Adventure X
Year: 2019
Good value and good fun
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Stable even over broken surfaces. Brakes are ok, reasonably progressive, have not needed any greater braking power so far.
Engine 4 out of 5
Plenty of torque allows smooth progress. Engine is mechanically noisy with a variety of different sound effects
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
Mechanically not bad, some of the finishing could be improved, better attention to detail needed. Not really impressed with wiring harness routing and finish. Brake routing poor as it goes under the tank, designed to rub
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Excellent enjoyment cost ratio. Servicing intervals too small.
Equipment 4 out of 5
OEM tyres are good (pirelli). Easy bike to ride, with comfort and good handling for what it is. Have the RE panniers which look good but are a bit cheaply built in some areas and have a design flaw with the restraining cable.
Buying experience: Purchased from RE dealer. Got good deal with loads of extra kit. Saved about £300 over the price of the items purchased separately.
2 out of 5 Dont buy one
10 April 2020 by Beedbop
Version: Bs4
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
Nice to ride rubbish to own stay well away
Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Easy to ride brakes dont work and seize regular
Engine 2 out of 5
A strange rattle on part throttle sound like its going to expode
Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5
Constant faults service every 3000 mils
Value vs rivals 2 out of 5
Equipment 1 out of 5
Buying experience: Purchased my Himalayan from a west Wales dealer had a fair deal with my part ex enjoy riding the bike but dealer slow to respond to the many warranty claims so many faults brakes seizing clocks misting head bearing failure paint falling off rusting badly chain spent at 4000 mils rubbish built IMO poor back up wont be going back for an interceptor
5 out of 5 Real world!
24 March 2020 by Chris Rose
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £140
Great for an all round bike, top speed is not important, it will do 75-80 mph but you can only do 70 so who cares. Motorways are full, a and b roads are fine it's not a sports bike or GS so don't compare. Ride what you like not what's in fashion.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine is fine, I only have 1.5 miles at 70mph the rest is 50-20mph. Don't agree with the "to slow for Morden traffic" try riding in London pointless having a 150+ mph bike. Brakes get better as they bed in. Abs is fine. Suspensions good bit hard, but I am 105kg so for a basic set up it's fine. Seats good for my hour and fifteen commute.
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
I got this to commute into London from Sussex. I have only ridden in the winter and she has been great so far.
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Cheap as chips so far, 3000 in and see to use less fuel every week.
Equipment 4 out of 5
Good but I put a terminogi (or however it's spelt) on sounds great, goes a bit better too. Has not made any difference to the mpg.
Buying experience: Groomridge motorcycles were great. Servicing is good too.
5 out of 5
27 February 2020 by Rich jones
Year: 2019
Good honest simple no frills bike,after years of riding everything from rd250's to yzf750's and tuono's ive started enjoying getting out again,taking it easy and enjoying the journey,at the end of the day that's what it's all about ,try one and you'll soon realise what you've been missing
Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Comments regarding slotting in the twin 650 lump totally miss the point and purpose of this bike
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
Decent standard tyres for general use ,but plenty of options out there if you want to be more adventurous
Buying experience: Good,lmt of Louth,decent ,honest,no pressure.
5 out of 5 3k on my Himalayan
08 December 2019 by GM
Year: 2018
I just love this bike. Its small & light. Easy to live with. Fun to ride and great value for money.
Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Riding the bike is a pleasure on fast A & B roads. Up to the 60mph limit it loves going through the bends, holding a line with ease but on the motorway its limitations are reached. 70mph + and the engine is getting close to its practical limit but it will do it. Just doesn't like it. Then again the back roads & lanes are its natural habitat. In town & commuting is a breeze & the high riding position really comes in useful. The riding position is just right. At 5' 8" I can get my toes down OK. The seat is firm & by using a sheepskin cover I can last about 2 hours before numbum sets in. The brakes are good without being spectacular. Only had the ABS intervene on gravel but feels OK. I don't go off road (intentionally) so I can't comment.
Engine 5 out of 5
Just love it. Only 400cc but so sweet running & economical. About 70 mpg. Whats not to like. Vibs are there but only just & I quite like to feel its alive & not grey & clinical. Much less viby than the other singles I've owned. Its eager to go & smooth with it. The clutch is light & precise.
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
No corrosion or problems with the paint. Nothings fallen off. Bikes never missed a beat in 3000 miles.
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Cheap to bye. Average service costs but had to wait for the engine to fully cool down before servicing so the valves can be checked, makes for a long day at the dealers. Just sips the go juice.
Equipment 3 out of 5
As standard the instruments are good BUT I doubt the accuracy of the compass (or relevance). The trip is sometimes impossible to change no matter how hard I try & then just alters by its self. The small screen is perfect, no wind on my head. The full & side stand as standard work well.
Buying experience: I bought my bike from Motorcycle Trading in Berkshire. The service was excellent & I am happy to recommend them.
4 out of 5
11 September 2019 by Mostyn
Version: Demonstartor
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £160
Comfortable Non-selectable ABS
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
I really enjoyed the character of the single cylinder, reminded me of my Suzuki GN400.
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Excellent value for money all things considered.
Equipment 4 out of 5
Would be nice to disable ABS for off-roading.
Buying experience: My experience is of an unlimited test ride, I simply didn't want to give it back. This bike is ideal for the type of roads we have in North Wales (except A55).
5 out of 5 If this is what you're looking for then go for it!
07 August 2019 by Alex Hallam
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £195
If you're looking for a mid weight adventure bike. Buy this one. It's great. If you're looking for a scrambler, buy a scrambler. If you're looking for a road bike, buy a road bike. Superb value for money. I read a lot of reviews before finally buying this bike (and selling my Triumph Spring ST). And I'm SO pleased I did. It is now time to add my own. Admittedly I've only had it for a couple of weeks and still running it in. But I need to add a glowing review to bat back all the bad reviews this bike seems to attract. The only thing I can find a direct comparison with, is a Land Rover Defender 90. It is basic, it is slow, it is agricultural but it is brilliant off road. It is bearable on road, but if you're looking for a motorway cruiser then this isn't the bike for you. It has certainly been well designed. The engine pulls well in the mud if you keep the revs down. You're not going to smoke any sports bikes at the lights, and you'd rather you weren't on the motorway for ages (it's just really boring). But the one I test rode happily sat at 75mph so you don't have to dice with trucks on the highways. Who wants to sit on the motorway for a whole trip anyway?!? I'm 85kgs and the suspension works well for me. I think those that find it throws you off are a bit lighter and those that bottom out are maybe a little on the large side? Headlights are alright, and full beam lights up country roads well during the hours of darkness. You might want supplementaries if you're planning any night time off road adventures to pick out any lumps and bumps. But I'm pretty happy. Windscreen doesn't keep the wind off your face but does a good job of shielding your body to keep out the chill. Again, if you're riding for long periods at high speed you're looking at the wrong bike. The brakes are fine. Again not sports bike brakes, but you're not on a sports bike. You have to pull a bit to get the front end to dip but if you apply both brakes you can come to a rapid stop if necessary. I haven't loaded it up totally yet with pillion et al but I imagine you just have to adjust your stopping distances, like driving my 90s micra as a teenager. The riding position is super comfortable. Both seated and standing. Stood up, the frame does bulge your calves out a bit, but you end up turning your feet in ever so slightly to compensate for this without even thinking about it. The downside. Only thing I can think of off hand is it could do with a mudguard to cover the rear shock, that takes a hammering off road. Feel like this will be the first to go. Maybe a taller screen if that's what you're into. It has a reserved burble, some might say it sounds like a hair drier but that can be easily and cheaply solved with an aftermarket pipe. I don't mind being on the quiet side, if you take it green laneing you'll piss off less pedestrians. Anyway, if you want one. Test ride one. If you think it's acceptable on road then buy one and have all the fun in the world on pretty much any road you choose. Its aesthetic improves with age and damage. And so cheap it doesn't matter if you drop it. In my humble opinion a scratch and dent here and there will add to its charm rather than having an exceptionally maintained 18k GS that is only used on a commute. With 'the long way round' BMW created a dream but sold and over priced, overweight and over complicated bike. Royal Enfield have created an affordable response to turn that dream into a reality.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 Great bike but needs 650 engine for UK
05 August 2019 by Stevielad
Year: 2018
Lacks power
Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5
Front brake could be better
Engine 3 out of 5
Not enough speed for UK roads
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Approx 80mpg. Great bike in all honestly amazing value for money but really needs 650 from Interceptor to be a serous contender in UK
Equipment 5 out of 5
3 out of 5 Enfield Himalayan bike review
05 March 2019 by Mike H
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £350
Overall, a capable bike. I have owned my Himalayan for nearly a year. The let-down is quality on some items and poor support from the dealer, non-existent support from Royal Enfield.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Great ride quality the pretty much non-adjustable suspension is more than capable. Brakes could do with an extra bit of bite but do the job.
Engine 5 out of 5
Does the job well plenty of torque for less than 25bhp I can't think of a better engine. Currently averaging 75mpg.
Reliability & build quality 1 out of 5
Bike reliability is fantastic. However, the pannier rails have been rusting after nine months, and quite badly. The quality of these genuine accessories is worrying and not to the same standard as the bike. The clocks started misting up early on and this has got progressively worse. The dealer has told me Royal Enfield have advised they are only water resistant. The dealer will pull them apart and seal with silicone sealant, sounds like a bodge and sand and repaint the rails. I'm hitting a brick wall with Royal Enfield who just send generic emails telling me they will contact me within seven days but don't! It seems little niggles that they are unwilling to resolve have knocked my confidence in the brand.
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Short service intervals but countered by low servicing costs. Once out of warranty I will be doing most of this myself thus reducing the costs.
Equipment 5 out of 5
I bought the bike for its simplicity and ease of modification. I didn't want any electronic gizmos so it's perfect.
Buying experience: No issues with the purchase as this was a new model. I got no discount and paid the £4199 retail price. I just feel that once I bought it, the dealer and manufacturer are not interested and struggle to contact you back.
5 out of 5 No frills honesty
15 December 2018 by John Nye
Year: 2018
I have just completed a 13,650 km race in 21 days around the 4 corners of India on the 2018 model. NO mechanical issues (Not even a puncture !!!) In the following month I then completed a further 10,000+ km of fairly hard riding. Again without a single mechanical issue !!! No matter how hard I pushed it kept running (And I flogged it) True it's not an Arabian racehorse more like an American mustang it just keeps going, and going, and going. For anyone who want's an honest value, no frills, fun loving, go ANYWHERE machine ..You cannot ignore this set of wheels !!!
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
This really is a "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" bike, The Icy, mountainous regions of the Himalayas, the muddy tracks of Assam, the Floods of Kerala, the madness of Mumbai city traffic the dry dusty regions of Gujarat. In "Normal" riding conditions you will be looking for a fuel stop before you need to look for a rest stop. As for braking systems .. They are perfectly adequate for the performance. Fully laden 80 kilo's plus 40 kilo's (fuel/water/food/clothing) in some of the craziest situations imaginable they were always adequate to the task.
Engine 4 out of 5
Performance bike it's not. For the "less demanding" rider it will do anything you ask of it. For the "Great Expectations" rider, wait for the 650 cc release or spend 300% more and by a Tiger !!!
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
The bike I rode was virtually "Bullet proof" As previously stated this is a "no frills machine" but that is obviously reflected in the price. True the bike would benefit from a couple of minor upgrades (Decent LED headlight, USB charging outlet) but these are simple "add on's"
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
As I only rode the bike for two months in India it would be unrealistic for me to quote figures, however I can safely say that the recommended servicing schedules are very conservative. 25,000 + km in two months of very hard riding across every extreme terrain in India with average 6,000 km services and the bike was still running as good as the day I collected it .
Equipment 3 out of 5
My model didn't include ABS but it's got to be a safety benefit. The bike would benefit from a couple of minor upgrades (Decent LED headlight, USB charging outlet, Heated grips) but these are simple "add on's" As for tyres, I rode on the standard Indian issue but given power outputs I would suggest and "Dual purpose mid range block pattern" tyre will be perfect.
5 out of 5 A brilliant bike
26 November 2018 by Nathan Millward
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £400
There's so much to like about the Himalayan, especially if you approach it with realistic expectations. With 24.5bhp it's obviously not that fast by modern bike standards, and if you take it for a short test ride and expect it to excite you then it probably won't impress. But give it time, learn to lean on the torque of the long stroke motor and be impressed by the nicely supple ride quality and its ability to take you a long distance in comfort. For back, road exploring and for just getting out and having fun on a bike I've personally found it hard to beat.
Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
For a budget bike the ride quality is exceptional. Supple on the choppy surfaces of Britain, but still controlled enough to have some fun in the corners. It also makes a brilliant job of being good on the road as well as off-road and it's only the limited ground clearance that hampers it off-road. It also carries its weight well and is really easy to ride off-road for first time riders.
Engine 4 out of 5
A bit more power at the top end wouldn't go amiss but I wouldn't swap that for the really usable torque in the mid-range. It'll cruise at about 70mph, and hit about 84mph flat out.
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
In 16000 miles I've had dry head bearings that have needed re-greasing. Otherwise I've had no problems and have been really impressed with how the bike has stood up to heavy usage, especially as I've been doing a lot of trail riding on mine. There are a few niggles, but nothing that's going to ruin a trip and parts and servicing are affordable.
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Cheap to buy, cheap to service and easy to work on yourself. Fuel economy is good, especially away from the motorway.
Equipment 5 out of 5
I think it's great that as standard it comes with centre stand, rear rack, front rack and a decent sized tank. Other than the £500 panniers and some £32 hand guards I've not had to spend any more money to make it a usable travel bike.
Buying experience: Bought from Cooperb in Northampton. Great guys and a great and conscientious mechanic.
5 out of 5 Enfield Himalayan
06 October 2018 by Jack the Lad
Year: 2018
Great commuter and tourer. Not fast, but perfectly adequate for legal speeds on UK roads.
Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
The lever does NOT come back to the bars. A hard stop needs a hard squeeze - but that means you are in control, very reassuring on cold, damp roads. Handling and roadholding are top drawer, but the original tyres wore too quickly.
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
No problems at all.
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
3000 mile service intervals are a mild annoyance, but at about £80 a time servicing is still cheap compared with most bikes. I can't understand how the MCN tester gets 50mpg - mine averages 75 over 5000 miles and I don't bimble about.
Equipment 5 out of 5
25 bhp is enough for road riding. It will easily reach national speed limits and maintain those speeds all day long. Low revving torquey single makes it relaxing. If you want to ride stupidly fast it's not the bike for you. On the other hand you won't scare yourself or lose your licence.
4 out of 5 Perfect all rounder
04 October 2018 by Mike
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £260
I think the MCN review is harsh, take the time to look at reviews like Nathan Millward's a seasoned green laner who has taken this bike the length of the UK and across America. Sure its not outstanding in a particular area however it is very good at most things which for me makes it amazing. Sure its only 24.5 bhp but offers great torque and simplicity. It's unique in its offering so its being compared against totally different rivals. For the price of a high end 125cc it's great value. I have over 4k miles on the bike and I'm very happy with it, even fully loaded and two-up on weekend breaks it's been great, I'm in no rush to get anywhere and fully loaded at 65mph it still averages nearly 80mpg.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Great ride quality the bike really pulls well and will top 80mph but prefers to go at 60 to 65mph. After all the speed limit is 70 and I'm looking to keep my licence. The bike feels better being used at these speeds and doesn't make me want to ride like a lunatic so again a bonus. Still makes me smile the bike needs you to select the right gear and anticipate everything on the road to get the speed and gear right. For returning to biking this is great with no gizmos and aids I'm not becoming a lazy rider.
Engine 5 out of 5
Runs as sweet as a nut and is simple. I think this is a niche market no large manufacturers are nailing some of us still want a simple, reliable bike. I've had mine since March and have used it in all weather. Responsive torqey engine that sounds great pulls fantastically and does the job well.
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
No issues at the moment other than a vibration issue which was down to the tank and rectified by the dealer ASAP. As mentioned the service intervals are 3000 miles. Once out of warranty I'll be doing these myself and the valves will only need checking every 6k miles according to those who have owned the bike for some time and done the miles.
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Only let down by the daft 3k service intervals, manufacturer states valve checks every 3k and oil and filter every 6k, this should be the other way round. My dealer does a full service each 3k for £130. Once out of warranty I'll be doing most of this myself as the bike is easy to work on.
Equipment 4 out of 5
For me this bike is perfect no electronic aids or nonsense as it's really not needed. My only planned mods are a gel seat. The standard one is not bad but for weekend jaunts an improved seat will help. I also will put in heated grips, handlebar guards and a PowerPoint these would be great if factory fitted but for £4k I'm happy to get these added. Clocks are functional and do the job well I think digital clocks would look odd on this bike. The compass is pointless and unreliable.
Buying experience: Great I couldn't have wished for any more, great dealer support and no subsequent issues with the bike. QB motorcycles in the West Midlands gave me a half day loan of the demo bike and no pressure to buy. I was sold by the test ride and I'm not regretting the purchase. If the bike was a warplane it would be an A10 Warthog a slow workhorse that has love it or hate it looks. I love it and this bike will be a keeper. The perfect all rounder, not outstanding in one area but great in all. Come on MCN, check out the other reviews and keep it in perspective relative to the engine size and price.
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2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
Source: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/enfield/himalayan/2018/
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