The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 was perfect for my needs but now I'm ready for the next step
Having piled on over 10,000 miles aboard the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, these are MCN Videographer, Joseph Wright’s key observations.
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- Update one: First impressions
- Update two: Heading off-road with the Himalayan
- Update three: Is the 450 too modern for 411 purists?
- Update four: 3000-mile European road trip
- Update five: Using the Himalayan as a camera bike
- Update six: Hits and misses after 10k miles
- Update seven: Would a new 650 Himalayan turn Joseph’s head?
0 Miles – First impressions
Coming from sportsbikes, but eager to get my adventure on, I was buzzing for my year ahead with the Himalayan 450. I’m a massive fan of this class of motorcycle, and it didn’t take long to understand why they’re so popular.
My first road ride was a pleasant surprise – the handling felt crisp, with a low centre of gravity and quality Showa suspension keeping things planted. The bike is almost impossible to tie in knots, remaining stable and composed, allowing you to squeeze out every ounce of power from the Sherpa 452 engine.
The single-cylinder strikes the perfect balance – punchy off the bottom, with a linear power delivery that riders can fully exploit without feeling overwhelmed. As a relatively new rider, I instantly felt at home on the Himalayan.
2000 miles – A place to think
A lot of my early miles were spent on long hauls from my home in Peterborough to visit my grandparents in the New Forest. That seven-hour round trip always gave me plenty of time to reflect, and I came to appreciate just how relaxing the ride could be on the Himmy. Even during difficult times, like visiting an ill relative, the bike became a meaningful place to clear my head.
4000 miles – Fitting knobblies
With the excitement of attending the Adventure Bike Rider Festival approaching – an event I’d heard great things about – I made it my mission to get the Himalayan dirty. I started cutting my teeth on green lanes, which wasn’t easy at first, but with a few modifications the Himalayan proved surprisingly versatile both on and off the tarmac. The more time I spent off-road, the more I wanted to push my limits.
6000 miles – Trouble in paradise
At just over £6000 for the Hammel Black version I’d been enjoying, the Himalayan 450 is great value. But by this point, I started running into some major problems. Electrical faults and throttle position sensor issues left me stranded more than once. To be fair, Royal Enfield did a great job investigating and replacing parts, and for a first-generation model, some teething issues are to be expected. But it did knock my confidence in the bike and served as a reminder that this is still a budget motorcycle.
8000 miles – A true travel bike
My best memory with the Himalayan, and highlight of my year, was taking it on a 3000-mile road trip through Europe with my best mate. This journey really showed off the bike’s strengths as a proper travel machine. Even in the tight, technical switchbacks of the Swiss Alps and Pyrenees, it had a bit of spice to it – which is important to me, coming from a sporty background. It might not be a rocket ship, but it can still hold its own in the twisties.
10,106 miles – Getting down and dirty
My favourite thing about motorcycling is the physicality involved – pushing both the bike and myself to the limit. The Himalayan might not be a hardcore enduro machine, but as the wet UK winter rolled in, I was still eager to tackle my favourite greenlanes. I spent my final months with the bike fully embracing my newfound love for off-road riding. In the end, I found myself wanting something a bit more focused for dirt riding, but I couldn’t have asked for a better bike to learn on.
Would I buy one?
After 10,000 miles, I’ve experienced some highs and lows with the Himalayan 450, but one thing’s for sure, that it’s a bike that makes you want to keep exploring. But because of that, I’m ready for the next step; a year ago, this was the perfect bike for my needs. But now, it feels like a stepping stone that I’ve already used – and I’m ready for the next step up.
