By Royal Enfield has bid farewell to its iconic adventure motorcycle, the Himalayan 411, marking the end of an era. The company has replaced the Himalayan 411 with the newly launched Himalayan 450, which comes with a starting price of Rs 2.69 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). While the Himalayan 450 introduces significant updates in features and capabilities, it’s essential to acknowledge the pivotal role played by the Himalayan 411 in shaping Royal Enfield’s adventure motorcycle journey and contributing to the adventure biking segment in India.
Launched in 2016, the Himalayan 411 was Royal Enfield’s maiden dedicated adventure motorcycle, designed to conquer the challenging terrains of the Himalayas. The bike featured the company’s first “modern” air-and-oil-cooled single-cylinder motor with a counter balancer. Despite its modest power output of 24.3PS and 32Nm, the Himalayan 411 showcased remarkable highway cruising capabilities and off-road prowess. Notably, it boasted long-travel suspension, providing 220mm of ground clearance while maintaining a surprisingly low seat height of 800mm.
Over the years, the Himalayan 411 underwent various updates, with the 2021 iteration receiving significant enhancements, such as Royal Enfield’s Tripper navigation pod and ergonomic changes. Despite initial challenges like NVH issues and swingarm failures, Royal Enfield persevered in refining the motorcycle, making it a popular choice for riders embarking on their adventure journey. Even at its last price of Rs 2.16 lakh (ex-showroom), the Himalayan 411 offered commendable value for money.
Now, the torch has been passed to the Himalayan 450, which brings more to the table. Featuring Royal Enfield’s first liquid-cooled motor, generating 40PS and 40Nm, the Himalayan 450 offers increased ground clearance, more suspension travel, and a fully digital instrument cluster with navigation. Priced just Rs 53,000 higher than its predecessor, the Himalayan 450 not only impresses on paper but elevates the riding experience, making it a compelling upgrade for enthusiasts looking to explore new horizons. As we bid adieu to the Himalayan 411, we welcome the next chapter in Royal Enfield’s adventure biking legacy with the Himalayan 450.
