For longtime RideApart readers, you'll know my undying love for the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. I've written many a word about the adventure motorcycle and how it may just be the most perfect motorcycle ever made. And yes, I stand by that potentially polarizing statement.
I've also opined about how I wasn't so sure about it needing any more horsepower or grunt when a rumor sprang up that Royal Enfield was building a bigger, badder version with the motorcycle being centered around its 650cc engine. I'm still not sure about that, though we've officially gone from rumor to reality as only a few weeks ago, the brand was spied testing both the big Himalayan and its electrified sibling in its namesake mountains.
But few details were released around those photos that circulated online thanks to Royal Enfield's own CEO, who posted the shots across social media himself. I did my best detective work when those came out, but obviously, we want to know more. And though we still don't have all the details, our man at Royal Enfield, Mark Wells, the brand's Global Head of Product Strategy, recently talked with Motorcycle News about the upcoming 750cc Himmy.
Oh yeah, it's bigger than we thought, but my heart remains with the 450...for now.
"It is without a shadow of a doubt, our most asked‑for product, says Wells to the outlet, adding, "Whenever we talk to customers, whenever I do any kind of consumer research, a Himalayan twin is everything," though he stressed that "Royal Enfields need to have three core attributes – there has to be a story, it has to be authentically desirable, and finally, it’s got to be accessible and approachable."
But as for official, unofficial confirmation, as the motorcycle has yet to debut in any real means, Wells told MCN, "We go through a process that takes about a year and by the end of that we’ve got a clay model showing exactly what we want [a motorcycle] to look like. Then we’ve got what we call a development mule – a fully adjustable bike: headstock, fork, yoke position, offset spacing, rake, trail, swingarm, handlebars, footrests – all adjustable so test riders refine it. They’ll fine‑tune suspension, settings, engine feel, ride dynamics until it’s where we want it."
He added, "Then we build prototypes – we do thousands of miles to find any issues. That feedback goes to design teams who make changes. Each prototype build is closer to full production. There’s the long story, but for us to be out testing a bike in the Himalayas like you’ve seen in the pictures – it has to have a certain maturity. [And] we’re well into the process. I’m not giving you a date, but it’s more than an early prototype. We’re moving towards production."
If that isn't officially official, but sorta unofficial as we don't have specs, details, or a debut date, I don't know what is. But not only did Wells confirm the bike exists and that it's moving from prototype to production, but that production might be starting soon.
As for the up-sizing in capacity, the brand's Lead Designer, Steve Everitt, told the outlet that the bore and stroke would grow from Royal Enfield's 650cc twin-cylinder engine, which likely means it'll be a 750cc bike.
But again, I've got my thoughts on giving the Himalayan more power, more capacity, and more everything. At no point in my ride, or since, did I think "Hey, you know what this motorcycle needs? More power." I literally G-d it out, went through a handful of river crossings, and countless mud puddles. I may have broken my wrist...slightly. I wouldn't change a single thing on that bike, but if Royal Enfield believes there's a market for this bike, and the company's sales say they understand it, then who am I to argue.
I'll reserve the right to change my mind until I ride this bike in real life.
