2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan Review | MC Commute

The 2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan is a budget-conscious, small-displacement adventure-touring motorcycle that not only quietly flies under the radar of the bystanders, but the ADV market alike. Still, this slick-styled, built-in-India machine packs a punch of capability that is worthy of attention, and will get you anywhere that you need to go.

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The Royal Enfield Himalayan is a budget-conscious, small-displacement adventure-touring motorcycle that not only quietly flies under the radar of the bystanders, but the ADV market alike. Still, this slick-styled, built-in-India machine packs a punch of capability that is worthy of attention, and will get you anywhere that you need to go.

Powered by an air-cooled, 411cc, single-cylinder powerplant worthy of 21.8 hp and 21 pound-feet of torque on our dyno, the Enfield isn’t the most performance-minded motorcycle on the block. Nor is it meant to be. It’s built to get from point A to B, regardless of the terrain in between. In fact, the little Himalayan-that-could recorded a 17.7-second quarter-mile time at 72 mph and only reaches about 85 mph with a downhill tailwind, if you’re lucky. It’s not in a hurry.

But what it lacks in power, it makes up for in a tractor-like rideability and an overall comfortable ride, and is attractive to less-experienced riders. The Himalayan gently accelerates away from traffic signals without drawing unnecessary attention as it shifts through its five-speed gearbox. Settling into highway speeds in top gear, the Royal Enfield hums along around 5,500 rpm with only minor vibration felt through the controls. That said, extra roll-on power and a sixth gear would be welcomed to keep up with the high pace of California, and also increasing its ability to accelerate out of dangerous situations.

Its well-balanced, agile handling is a highlight too. Easy turn-in and confidence-inspiring feel from its equipped Pirelli MT 60 tires allow the Himalayan to rip backcountry corners and tear freeway on-ramps—dragging footpegs only occasionally. The nonadjustable suspension helps here, providing a good mixture of big-hit damping support and small-bump compliance for maximum comfort. Kudos, Royal Enfield.

If there are any major complaints about the Himalayan, it comes in the form of the motorcycle’s braking capabilities. The single 300mm disc and two-piston caliper up front struggle to bring the motorcycle to a halt, even from its unintimidating speed. At our proving grounds, the Himalayan stopped from 60 to 0 in 175 feet. For reference, that’s roughly 26 percent longer than the rough 130-foot average of motorcycles tested. This causes concern in unexpected or quick stops, and forces a recalibration of required braking distances by the rider. The Himalayan comes standard with ABS, but the system rarely intervenes.

On the open road, the Himalayan is a couch-like ride. The reach to the one-piece, motocross-style handlebar is relatively short, yet slightly high in a seated position, but offers plenty of leverage while standing—signaling Royal Enfield’s off-road intent. Likewise, the narrow seat and plenty of legroom provide comfort, while the non-adjustable windscreen creates a smooth pocket of air for the rider to settle into.

Perched behind the handlebar is a well-positioned dashboard that encompasses vital information. A large speedometer flanks the left side, while an analog tachometer (yes!), fuel gauge and compass are positioned to the rider’s right. The compass is a neat feature that would be welcomed on all ADV machines, but always seems to be slightly improperly calibrated by a few degrees in either direction.

Regardless of a few complaints, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a low-cost adventure motorcycle that deserves big attention. How much exactly? The Himalayan is priced at a relatively low $4,749. The cost savings of this Enfield will result in extra gas money for big miles on this small-bore machine. Win, win.

[pkbaker]

This is a motorcycle that you own simply for the joy of riding a motorcycle, and there is NOTHING wrong with that!

[Raez_XL]

I'm leaning more towards these low budget, low maintenance, simple machines instead of the big bore, super powerful, expensive machines.

[scottlance]

I’ve got one. It makes me smile when I ride it. It’s a flashback to earlier days of motorcycles. I use it around town and on gravel roads, two tracks. I’ve owned motorcycles since 1974. Too many to count. Yup. It’s slow. I’m slow. It’s heavy. I’m heavy. It handles great. I can take it wherever I desire. Mine goes on the freeway occasionally to get between backroads. Way back in the day I owned a Honda CJ 360T. I also owned a KTM LC 400. The Himalayan is like the two combined. The young man from Motorcyclist doesn’t have that point of reference.

[rileymoon]

Considering a woman rides this bike around the world I’d say it’s plenty capable

[tomanderson]

Great bike! I'm at almost 4000 miles on it and yes the shifting is a little clunky until about 1500 mi. Then it smoothes out along with the engine. Besides needing to bed in the brakes, the original brake pads are for India's style of riding. They like the softer braking feel because they have less concrete and more dirt. Here in the States, you have to switch out the pads to aftermarket pads for the response your looking for. As for the compass, you have to ride the bike in a series of figure eights to calibrate it. It will tractor up a wall😉.
Thanks for the video.

[TS-kblv]

I've done 24, 000 km on my BSA4 on proper shit roads here in Australia. Its an amazing commuting bike for outer town back roads, gravel and potholes, nimble in town, $10-15 to fill the tank which i get 400km out off. Can't recommend it enough!

[paulegan]

2019 sleet with 4K miles . Here in clogged up England this bike makes sense . There’s so much traffic you can’t go fast anywhere.
I’ve done 150 miles today around Kent, didn’t get over 55mph once !!! However I just love bimbling around quiet country lanes.
Stay away from motorways & you will be fine.

[mrvk]

I am Using the 2020 Himalayan Bs-6 in India SINCE JANUARY,
One of the First Batch - Let me Tell you Guys this Is More Refined and As Good As an All-Round Classic Adventure Bike Gets !
I have done 1200kms on mine.

[genegoodwin]

I was watching the speedo and saw you cruising at 70 mph and not complaining about vibrations. That's not really that bad for a 411 cc machine. I have rode over 325, 000 miles in the last twenty years and rarely go over 65 mph on a 114 C.I. Harley Davidson. We travel the Eastern U.S. and I stay in the right lane most of the time. If someone wants to go faster they are welcome to pass me. I've never had any trouble driving this way.
For the money, a Himalayan is a great deal. It goes off road, it's a great city bike, does good enough on the highway and you get some nice features that would cost extra on other machines. Like a windshield, fork gaiters, engine skid plate (steel not plastic), a nice flat seat for both the rider and passenger (some seats angle downwards toward the front and makes it uncomfortable), decent suspension, and a luggage rack. I think this all adds up to a great deal on a all around motorcycle.

[Rohil]

Having owned this for nearly 2 years now, except for a few common RE issue related complaints, no other issues as far as I'm concerned. Super fun to take out trail hunting in the weekends and on the open roads.

[BeSatori]

You have to calibrate the compass, and it can be recalibrated as needed.
I just rode one of these up the Oregon coast and across WA and loved every minute of it. I prefer the clutch to my GS and thought the brakes were fine (because they were bedded in, whats the point in testing stopping distances on a brand new bike?), even in the rain. Top-speed with loaded panniers and me at 225 lbs nekkid was 78 mph, but it never felt like it was rapping itself out even then. Cruising over 70mph felt just fine.

The motorcycle industry has lost its way. A motorcycle is supposed to be a practical, affordable, accessible, freedom-machine, not a pretentious performance luxury vehicle I'm afraid to take off pavement or out of the garage even though it can break the sound barrier and is heavy as a Winnebago.

This isn't a low-budget, low-performing vehicle, it's REASONABLE and perfectly suited for 99% of riders and their needs. Somehow that blows peoples minds, which is really just a sad indictment of the motorcycle industry because tons of folks are riding these Himalayan's around the world right now and they're grinning ear to ear the whole way.

[edwardbennetts-visualartis]

I was tossing up between the CB 500 x and the Himalayan. I decided on the Himy because its so much fun and has the coolest post war look and sound. It gets the job done! Especially on dirt back roads and creek runs. Thanks for the review - Ed

[davidbevins]

I think this guy expects the performance of a sport bike. He does make a point a to point b comment but he keeps harping on It's NOT a performance bike. Take it off road.... Not on I-5!

[sscbkr]

You're giving it a complex.. not the fastest, not the most powerful not the not the not the .. 😭
You're the wrong rider for this fun capable bike!

[AntonioFernandes]

Not fast but when you're on it, it feels like you can go as far as you like! 10k miles on mine.

[Leprikhan]

One other thing is that the luggage situation on this bike is great. The pannier boxes from RE are pretty roomy, and with a couple cinch straps the back rack can hold onto larger things surprisingly well. I've owned this bike for 6 months and while I was a little frustrated with it at first I eventually changed my mind completely. The only real weakness this bike has is highways, it's excellent in town, it's excellent on the backroads, and it's excellent off the roads, too. Maybe it won't give you your thrills, but you can always have another bike for that- on the day to day it rarely lets me down.

[richardreed]

There needs to be a bit of "perspective" here. My first scoot was a 250 BSA single. Then, when I needed reliability, I commuted 40 miles each way to college via the Long Island Expressway on a 250 Kawasaki one-lung. I was 6'2" and 220 lbs at the time. In my senior year I splurged and got a 440 twin. One of my old friends back in 1970 toured two-up through New England on a Honda CL350. In the 60's, British 650 twins (Triumph, BSA, Royal Enfield, Norton) were "big inch bikes." Since then, it's just been bigger, faster and more specialized. The Himalaya is a hot commodity these days, being scarfed up by people on a budget, people looking for a one-bike-does-all, beginners, and 69-year-old farts like me that want something that's easier to handle, easy to maintain with "simple hand tools, " can go exploring, and maybe re-light some of that fire that got us into motorcycles back in Nineteen Hundred and Sixty-Eight.

[nirmalyamisra]

If I hear it gets the job done one more time I am gonna freak out!

[mar]

I have 1500 on my 2018. The brakes get better. Once you get used to engine braking you don't use the brakes much. The compass straighten itself out also. Now that I think of it after 800 miles the bike get a lot better.

[fatedescent]

Almost as cheap as a Grom and can take you 1000's of miles - nice!