Royal Enfield Himalayan 650: India Launch, Price, Features and What We Know So Far

After the successful launch of the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, the Indian bikemaker is all set for a brand-new offering – the Royal Enfield Himalayan 650. The upcoming motorcycle is witnessing a lot of attention and anticipation, as it will be the firm's true-blue adventure bike. 

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 adventure motorcycle is classified as a derivative version of the Interceptor 650. According to the company, the motorcycle will be extensively reworked to ensure that it achieves its primary purpose. The emerging details about the Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 surely indicate that the company is determined to make a statement in the luxury adventure touring segment. The launch date for the Himalayan 650 is still uncertain, but it is likely to happen after the production-spec SG650 and the 650 Scrambler hit the market.

Also Read: Royal Enfield to establish its own UK distribution channel in 2023

Speaking of the design, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 gets a scooped rider seat, a spacious pillion seat, and a tail rack, along with a taller windscreen, which should provide adequate wind protection. Other ADV features include a rear luggage rack, an upswept high-mounted exhaust exit, and a sump guard. In addition, the adventure bike appears to have more ground clearance than the Interceptor and the Continental GT 650. 

The weight of this adventure bike will be interesting to see. The Interceptor already weighs approximately 200kgs, while the Super Meteor 650 weighs well over 240kgs. Because it is designed to withstand a beating, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 will almost certainly weigh more than the Interceptor. The Himalayan 650 will have a 19-inch front wheel rather than a 21-inch unit.

Coming to the powertrain, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 will most likely be powered by the same 648cc air-cooled parallel-twin SOHC engine found in the RE Interceptor 650 and RE Continental GT 650. The fuel-injected engine produces 47bhp and 52Nm of torque. It will be the company's third model to be manufactured on the 650cc platform. The Himalayan 650, like the 650cc twins, will sport a 6-speed gearbox with a slip-assist clutch.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Interceptor 650 vs Benelli 502C: Spec Comparison

Feature-wise, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 will come equipped with a TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity, a one-level traction control system, multiple riding modes, and more. It is expected that the upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 will be available in two variants – one with alloy wheels and the other with wire-spoke wheels – with prices starting at ₹4 lakh.

Notably, Royal Enfield is the world's oldest international motorcycle manufacturer, which continues to dominate the roads. In November 2022, the brand increased its sales by 37% year on year, selling over 70,000 motorcycles – it sold 51,654 units in the same month last year.