NEW Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review | The END of Adventure Bikes? On & Off Road

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Royal Enfield kindly invited me out to Sardinia, Italy to review the New Himalayan 450, It's safe to say this bike was even better than I expected, It's very capable off-road, as well as great fun on the twisty mountain roads too.

I go into detail on what the new sherpa 450 single cylinder engine is like. compared to the old 411 Himalayan and scram, and also the new triumph scrambler 400 x. How does it handle, stopping power, acceleration, suspension and more...

Thanks to MotoFilmer Alex Rollings for a few of the shots in this video! @TheClassicMotorcycleChannel

[olethorhermansen]

I own the old 411 Himalayan, and I have no doubt that the new 450 is a better bike in just about every way. However, with all the electronics and a less do-it-yourself-friendly liquid cooled DOHC engine it has also lost the simplicity that I really like about the 411. I wish Royal Enfield all the best with the new 450, but it's a shame that they have cancelled the 411, there ought to be room in the market for both, there are so few simple bikes left. And I prefer the look of the old one too, that tractor style of the 411 just has much more charisma.

[Gareths_Lad-venture]

Having to keep the phone screen on while casting maps etc completely defeats the purpose. Battery drain, phone overheating. Hopefully this can be fixed in a software update. Great bike though!

[mantarayal]

The tank has grown on me. Now it looks new and cool and different. This is a great bike. And will prove to be a great bike.

[hughmac]

I think it looks beautiful, much better than the old bike. The tank reminds me of the 80's Honda XL's, I like it.

[Ganesh.krish]

Friends of mine are R&D guys for different manufacturers. Last weekend at the pub, the conversation was about suspensions and how three major companies, Gabriel, Endurance and Showa have suddenly gotten really good. The real reason for that is statistics and data. In the last decade, testing tracks have become more accessible and technologically advanced. Latest news is that electronic suspension and their viability is being put to test and results for the moment are still in favour of normal suspension systems, heck adjustability is considered a premium. I am seriously looking forward to seeing inexpensive simplified electronic suspension being manufactured here in India. Hopefully soon. Great review Darcy ! Thanks

[Paratemori]

A comparison between 400x and 450 Himalayan would be great!

[alexugur]

As someone with zero off-road skills, I think this is the bike I'd choose. It seems ever so forgiving in terms of handling, robust in a drop, and with plenty of potential to keep me happy as green-laning skills grow. I think Enfield have their marketing just right: nothing outrageous, just dependable and fun.
As to Enfield in general, their approach to European and American markets is coming completely left of field and in complete rejection of mc fashion and latest trends, innovations, etc. Their astronomic rise in the market place must have the other major manufacturers scratching their heads as to how the could have gotten Western markets so wrong.

[StratfordWingRider]

I can’t wait for the second hand market to be populated with pre-loved Himalayans ;)

[timothybrockbank]

Looks great even the exhaust looks ok hope my local dealer gets one in soon

[glynhannaford]

Sardinia is a fabulous place. Lucky you riding the new bike there!!

[twowheeledparadox]

I knew you would like the bike. You're right about the weight. It doesn't feel as heavy as the specifications suggest!

[martinehulme]

Great review, I've seen the black and gold in the flesh, really beautiful bike, better than the last 🎉

[JoJo-hcdj]

Really enjoyed this, great riding shots, this bike is definitely going to sell well. Looks nice in the orange colour ❤ Sardinia looks very pretty and I also love the new merch 👍🏼👍🏼

[per-arnehjorth]

Another Royal Enfield I must get to test this season! And I agree, the design grows on you. Perhaps this could be "the one bike" if you ask me, but I will let you know after I have got the chance to ride it. 👍😎

[graemelossey]

Excellent review as always, but you did leave out what i consider to be important. The spoked tubeless wheels. I so wish they were on my 400x.

[xgalex]

There's been a few spy shots of different chassis with the 452 engine in them. A scrambler 452, meteor 452, and an unknown road bike with 17 inch rims and the 452 engine.

[johnscribb]

I'm relieved to hear at least some motorcycle manufacturers are getting away from the sharp angles design. I think of how beautiful 80's dirtbikes were until all of a sudden everything had to look like a transformer.

[karlsquire]

I love that story about how they came out with the shape of the Gas tank, I love RE, no plastic cover up moldings, just like it use to be in the 80's 70's and before, no cosmetic, this is the simplicity I love about RE they make bikes as they should be not a bunch of plastic surgery to falsely make it look better than it is, if you lay it down it will not cost you 50, 000 CA to get it repaired. Basic, Simplicity, Reliability and Cost effective, are what makes RE, a RE, one of the best bikes on the market and soon to be the biggest, God Bless Royal Enfield lololol Thanks for the vid its clear you really liked the bike it showed in the vid, you showed a definite passion for this bike Cheers buddy. PS. Please No CHINESE Crap on this Channel please please. Sorry Political Views my bad.

[ML-clob]

I bought a scrambler 400x but i will test the 450 Himi as soon as it is available. And perhaps i change the bike, because i love the design and layout of the Himi very much....

[johnwalton]

The upgraded RE app locks the screen on your phone so the mapping on the bike is not lost. You can unlock it any time