Introduction
Friends, welcome to today’s new blog, and today I have brought for all of you the complete honest ownership review of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450.
This is not a short first ride review or just a specs-based opinion, but a fully experience-based review I have ridden this bike for more than 20,000 km over the past 9 months.
Which includes city rides, highways, long tours, and rough roads.
In these 9 months, I have tested the Himalayan 450 in all kinds of conditions from heavy traffic to open highways, and from short rides to long distance touring.
And during this journey, this bike has taught me a lot of things. There were some moments when I felt that it is one of the best adventure bikes in its segment and should be bought without thinking twice.
But there were also some situations where certain drawbacks of this bike made me think whether it is a perfect choice for everyone or not.
In this blog, I am going to tell you everything in a very simple and practical way what the real strengths of this bike are, what its shortcomings are, how it performs in daily use.
What kind of experience it offers on long rides, and most importantly, whether you should buy this bike or avoid it.
If you are seriously thinking about buying the Himalayan 450, then this article is going to be very helpful for you.
Build Quality & Finish
Friends, first of all, let’s talk about the build quality and finish levels of the Himalayan 450.
Now, the Himalayan has become bigger than before, and its road presence is also quite amazing.
Everyone says these things, but after riding this bike for 20,000 km, I would say that its build quality and finish levels are better than before.
Our Himalayan 450 has been ridden by multiple riders, and even after that, no fading is visible on it.
Along with that, we also did not notice any kind of rusting on the bolts and nuts of this bike. Looking at this bike, it feels like it is made to last for a very long time.
There is just one issue in its finish levels, and that is the panel which is located towards the top of the tank.
On one side, there is a larger gap, while on the other side, the gap is smaller.
Comfort & Seating
Friends, now let’s talk about the seat comfort of this bike.
If you are sitting on a sofa at home and then you sit on the Himalayan 450, you will feel like you have sat on another sofa.
The rider seat and pillion seat of this bike are so comfortable, and so long and wide, that both people will not face any problem while sitting.
Also, the suspension of this bike is so good that the rider and pillion won’t even realize if there is a speed breaker or a pothole underneath.
If comfort for both the rider and the pillion is your top priority, then in the price range of under 3 lakh, you won’t find this level of comfort anywhere else.
Engine Performance & Issues
Friends, now let’s talk about the engine performance of the Himalayan 450.
When the Himalayan 450 was newly launched in the market, people had two issues with it. The first was that this bike does not have much power at low speeds in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
So you have to ride it by slipping the clutch more. The second thing is the vibrations of this bike, which I personally also do not like, and over time the vibrations in this bike have increased.
Earlier, the bike used to vibrate the most at speeds of 90 or 100, but now it has started vibrating from the beginning itself, even at low speeds.
However, I have ridden the Himalayan 450 for 9 months, after which I have gotten used to these vibrations.
The Himalayan 450 also controls its heating very well.
In daily riding, you don’t feel anything, but if by chance you get stuck in traffic for 2–3 hours, you won’t notice any significant heat from this bike. Yes, you might feel a slight amount of heat near your legs.
Practical Daily Usability
There are three more things that make this bike an excellent daily commuter, and those are its tank, its mirrors, and its tall seats.
The seat height of this bike is 825 mm. On paper, the seat height may seem quite tall, but even people up to 5 feet 8 inches can ride this bike while keeping both feet on the ground.
And even if your height is less than that, you will get used to handling this bike with one foot.
The mirrors of this bike are also very good you won’t feel any vibration in them while riding, and they can be adjusted easily.
Talking about the tank, you get a 17-liter tank in this bike. Over the past 9 months, we have seen a mileage of around 25 to 26 km/l from this bike.
So if you fill the tank and ride it in the city, this bike can easily go around 400 to 450 km. All these small things together make this bike a better option for daily use.
Major Drawback (Headlight Issue)
But friends, if you use this bike for daily riding then there is one issue in this bike that you simply cannot get used to, and that is its LED headlight.
If you come home late at night or leave early in the morning meaning if you ride this bike a lot in the dark.
You won’t be able to see properly with its headlight. And this is something you just can’t adapt to for your safety, you will have to install an additional light from the market.
Weight & Handling
Friends, now let’s talk about the weight of the Himalayan 450.
The weight of this bike is 196 kg, which is less than the old Himalayan, but still, it is close to a 200 kg bike.
You will definitely feel this much weight—if you move the bike forward or backward using your legs after taking it off the side stand, you will notice its weight.
However, when you actually ride this bike, the situation becomes the opposite. Whenever I used to ride it, I never felt like I was riding a 200 kg bike. While riding, this bike feels quite light.
Long Ride Experience
Friends, apart from the usual weekend rides of 100–200 km, I have also done long rides on the Himalayan 450 like Pune to Goa and Goa to Pune.
As I mentioned earlier, the suspension of this bike is quite good, and there is plenty of space on this bike. It also has multiple mounting points, which means mounting luggage on this bike is quite easy.
One more thing you need to keep in mind is that if you go on long rides with this bike, you will definitely maintain higher speeds at least around 90 to 100 km/h.
At those speeds, the engine of the Himalayan 450 becomes quite noisy. If you ride this bike for 2–3 hours continuously, this sound can become quite loud and disturbing for your ears.
The solution to this is simple—earplugs. By using them, you will be able to ride the Himalayan 450 comfortably without any disturbing noise.
Conclusion
So friends, if I honestly summarize my entire 9 months and 20,000 km of experience, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a bike that is not perfect but still a very strong and capable machine in its category.
This bike gives you a completely different riding experience, where comfort, road presence, and long ride capability all come together.
Yes, it does have some drawbacks—like vibrations, headlight performance, and engine noise at high speeds which may not be liked by everyone.
But if you overlook these minor shortcomings and look at this bike as an overall package, it will not disappoint you.
According to me, the Himalayan 450 is best for those people who enjoy touring, adventure riding, and comfortable long rides.
This bike gradually adjusts with you, and over time, you also become comfortable with it.
In a way, this bike is not just a machine, but an experience that makes you feel something new with every ride.
In the end, I would just like to say this—before buying a bike, it is very important to understand your needs and riding style.
If you want a bike that can confidently take you on all types of roads and be a reliable companion on long rides, then the Himalayan 450 is definitely worth considering.
But if you are looking for a completely refined, vibration-free, and city-focused bike, then you should explore other options as well.
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FAQs
1. Is the Himalayan 450 good for long drive?
Yes, the Himalayan 450 is well-suited for long rides thanks to its comfortable seat, relaxed riding posture, and strong suspension that handles highways and rough roads easily.
2. What are the disadvantages of the Himalayan 450?
The Himalayan 450 has some drawbacks like noticeable vibrations, a weak headlight for night riding, and its heavy weight which can be tricky at low speeds. It can also feel a bit noisy at higher speeds, and there are a few minor fit and usability issues that could have been better.
