The author of this article is a long-time fan of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, an adventure motorcycle that they believe may be the perfect bike. However, rumors had been circulating that Royal Enfield was working on a bigger and more powerful version of the Himalayan, with a 650cc engine. Recently, the brand’s CEO posted photos of the new bike being tested in the Himalayas, and now the company’s Global Head of Product Strategy, Mark Wells, has confirmed that the new bike is indeed in the works.
According to Wells, the new bike will have a 750cc engine, and the company has been working on it for some time. He explained that Royal Enfield’s product development process takes around a year, during which time the company creates a clay model, a development mule, and prototypes, which are then tested and refined. Wells confirmed that the company is well into the process and is moving towards production, but he didn’t give a specific debut date.
The Lead Designer at Royal Enfield, Steve Everitt, revealed that the new bike’s engine will be based on the company’s 650cc twin-cylinder engine, with a larger bore and stroke. While the author is excited about the new bike, they are also skeptical about whether it needs more power. They believe that the current Himalayan 450 is perfect just the way it is, and that adding more power and capacity may not be necessary.
Despite their reservations, the author acknowledges that Royal Enfield believes there is a market for the new bike, and that the company’s sales suggest they understand their customers’ needs. The author is willing to reserve their judgment until they have a chance to ride the new bike in person. Overall, the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 750 is expected to be a significant upgrade to the current model, with a more powerful engine and potentially new features and design elements. While the author is excited about the new bike, they are also cautious about whether it will live up to their expectations.
It’s worth noting that the author’s love for the Himalayan 450 is rooted in their personal experience with the bike, which they found to be perfect for their needs. They had a chance to test the bike in various conditions, including river crossings and mud puddles, and were impressed with its performance. As such, they are hesitant to see the bike changed, but they are also willing to give the new model a chance to prove itself. Ultimately, the success of the new Himalayan 750 will depend on how well it meets the needs and expectations of Royal Enfield’s customers, and whether it can live up to the standards set by the current model.