2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan: Top 5 Reasons To Buy

The Royal Enfield Himalayan was introduced in India in 2016 at a time when adventure-touring motorcycles were not quite the rage they are today. More so, it was a completely new product from a brand that thrived on its modern-classic motorcycles. And in its initial BS3 phase, the Himalayan did hit a few snags with issues in quality and performance.

But over the years, Royal Enfield has addressed these issues and the motorcycle has improved drastically ever since.  Now in its BS6 avatar, the Himalayan is synonymous with adventure-touring motorcycles in the country, and is one of the highest-selling offerings in the segment. So here we tell you five reasons why you should consider getting a Royal Enfield Himalayan home.

Comfort 

It goes without saying that comfort should be the top priority when choosing an adventure-touring motorcycle. And the Royal Enfield Himalayan does not disappoint. Equipped with a wide and well-cushioned seat and a brilliant suspension setup, the Himalayan promises a pleasant ride even after hours in the saddle.

Royal Enfield has also improved the windscreen, making it wider than the earlier one, to ensure lesser wind buffeting and in turn lesser fatigue. Adding to the experience is the Himalayan’s standing-up ergonomics which feels natural and requires minimum effort while gripping onto the tank.

While the Himalayan’s 199kg kerb weight could be a deal breaker for some, its low 800mm seat height makes it manageable and accessible to shorter and newer riders as well.

Off-road ability 

Well, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Royal Enfield Himalayan’s off-road abilities. Not only does it offer perfect standing-up ergonomics and a penchant for the road less traveled, but the Himalayan is also fitted with the right equipment to justify its ADV tag.

To begin with, it rides on dual-purpose tyres that are bolted on to telescopic forks up front that offers 200mm of suspension travel and a monoshock at the rear with 180mm of travel. It also comes with a large engine guard and frame guard in case the going gets tough. Well, even the high-set mudguard and exhaust do their part while adding off-road aesthetics to the package.

Tripper navigation system

One of the major reasons to consider the Royal Enfield Himalayan is the brand’s Tripper navigation system. While it was first introduced on the Meteor 350, the navigation system has pushed the Himalayan closer to become a near-perfect adventure-touring motorcycle.

The Google-powered system is great if you want to wander on trails, for traveling, or even for basic commuting. The UI is easy to use and the colour display fitted beside the instrument cluster is easy to read as well. Above all, this system is a first-in-class feature and adds oodles of value to the Himalayan’s package.

Accessible pricing

Now, the Hero Xpulse 200, with a price tag of Rs 1.18 lakh holds the title of being the most affordable adventure-touring motorcycle in India. But the Royal Enfield Himalayan, with a starting price of Rs 1.99 lakh, serves as the best option for buyers who want an ADV that is more powerful than the Xpulse 200.

Moreover, the Himalayan is also much more affordable compared to the BMW G310 GS that retails at Rs 2.90 lakh as well as the KTM 250 Adventure and 390 Adventure that are priced at Rs 2.54 lakh and Rs 3.16 lakh each.

Strong service network

Owning a motorcycle from one of the biggest two-wheeler manufacturers in India does come with a few perks- one of them being peace of mind if you ever have a breakdown. Royal Enfield has an extremely strong dealership network with over 1200 outlets spread across 33 states and union territories in the country.

Moreover, the manufacturer is also known to have a strong service network and easily available spare parts that make the ownership experience a cut above the rest.

Conclusion 

To sum things up, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is definitely worth considering if you plan on touring the country comfortably or sharpening your adventure-riding skills. It might not offer a lot of modern tech like LED lighting or a fully digital display but it makes up for that with its utilitarian features and simple yet rugged character. Having said that, the Himalayan also serves as an affordable alternative to most of the motorcycles in the sub-500cc ADV segment.