Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 ADV has been spied testing in snow for the first time. Two test bikes are seen testing at a high altitude with snow chains.
It looks like the most anticipated bike of 2023 is nearing its launch fast. How? We've spied two test mules of the upcoming Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 in snow. Yes, you read it right. The test bikes were seen in snowy conditions at high altitudes. Read more details on this exclusive below.
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Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Snow Testing Details
It is no hidden fact that RE is developing a new Himalayan 450 ADV. Multiple spy shots have surfaced of it that have showered light on its looks & features. But, for the first time, it is spied on snow testing with snow chains implied. The two test bikes that we came across were seen in a high-altitude region of India. Additionally, both of them looked production ready. It seems that RE is in the final phase of testing for the upcoming ADV. Hence, what can be the best way to test the bike if not Ladakh? It's snowy and it's extremely cold out there which makes perfect conditions to test an ADV.
As seen in the video, both motorcycles are using spoked rims and AT tyres. Additionally, the snow chain is also visible which makes sense looking at the riding conditions. It looks like the riders are taking it slow given the conditions of the road. However, we can not judge how the bike feels until the production version is launched & we get to test it. Meanwhile, the basics of the design are clear. It is going to be different than the current Himalayan ADV. The stance is more upright and the rider triangle is also different. Additionally, the front of the bike is high-set which makes it perfect to tackle bad roads.
Engine, Design, & Features
Speaking of the engine, there are no details out yet. But, the single exhaust pipe and the small end can indicate it is a single-cylinder. Meanwhile, it is being speculated that this bike will possess a 450cc engine that will make peak power in the range of 40 bhp. However, we again can not comment on that because of no official information. Other visible facts are the bigger disc brakes and the brushed aluminum exhaust end can that is smaller in size. We suspect that RE will keep the center of mass in the middle of the bike to enhance its agility. Something same has been done on the recently launched bike like the Hunter 350.
Meanwhile, some of the visible features are the LED headlight with LED turn indicators. The taillight is also an LED unit with a short tail design. Additionally, the bike also gets a windshield that beholds an LCD digital instrument pod. The circular pod resembles the retro design & it will likely get Bluetooth connectivity as well. Also, the front suspension is a long-travel telescopic unit while the rear suspension is a monoshock. We anticipate that it will be the first RE to get such a massive travel suspension. Again, all thanks to its design; the bike does look nimble as well as tall.
Verdict
The RE Himalayan 450 is going to be a massive launch for the company. It has the weight on its shoulders to replace the iconic Himalayan but in a better way. Hence, motorists from worldwide are eyeing the new bike. We suspect that RE will debut it sometime by September or October 2023. The launch of it will be obviously slated for later on. And the expected price? Well, considering all of the major changes; it will be priced somewhere in the range of Rs 2.5 - 3 lakh. Its direct rival in India is the KTM Adventure 390.
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