Long-term Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 review update three | What do 411 owners think?

I recently rode the new Himalayan 450 to an owners club rally to get to the very heart of the Himmy adventure bike’s most diehard fans. I joined the rally to gauge opinions from Himalayan 411 owners on the new liquid-cooled model and to compare the two bikes back-to-back to see whether Royal Enfield have made the right changes.

More instalments

• Update one: First impressions of the Himalayan 450
• Update two: Heading off-road with the Himalayan

At the rally, which took place near Shrewsbury, I heard an intriguing story about why these seasoned motorcyclists opted for a budget air-cooled single in the first place. Around the campfire that night, they recounted how, when the 411 launched in 2016, they attended the ABR festival and discovered that all the test ride bikes were booked up, except for one – the ‘ugly duckling’ 411.

Open-minded and desperate to hit the trails, they took it for a spin. With each mile, the bike’s practicality became evident. It was manageable, cheap, and could handle anything. By the next week, they’d all got one. 

• Related: Best adventure bike kit tried and tested by MCN

The air-cooled original may have charm, but it is still a budget motorcycle with soft suspension, unthreatening power, and a hefty weight close to 200kg. These were all aspects that the owners were keenly aware of and wanted improved for the next model.  

Royal Enfield listened and built a new version that was better in every conceivable way. When I arrived at the rally, I expected the owners to see the new bike and think ‘this is the answer’ and be tempted to trade in their 411s for the new 450. But I was wrong. People came and checked out the new machine all day, but it didn’t generate the enthusiasm I’d anticipated.  

Surprised by the reaction, I spent the next day riding the new model back-to-back with the original – and I was amazed by how different the bikes are. The air-cooled version feels surprisingly agricultural by comparison, and is never in a hurry to get anywhere, but its low weight and forgiving suspension do inspire confidence.  

The 450, on the other hand, feels far more serious with instant response and suspension that delivers far more composure and is vastly superior in my opinion. 

Even though the new bike is a far more premium option, I’m not convinced it really appeals to the same market as the original. All the 411 owners I spoke to thought the new 450 was almost too good, too accomplished and serious.