Royal Enfield’s Himalayan caught on test

Royal Enfield Himalayan is the company’s first adventure bike

Royal Enfield has been working on two new platforms, one is for the Himalayan, which will be launched in 2016. The Himalayan will be powered by a 400cc single-cylinder engine that has been designed from the existing 350cc engine. This engine is fuel-injected and it will produce about 34bhp of power and will come mated to a five-speed transmission. The Himalayan is an adventure bike from Royal Enfield as the company is looking at entering new bike segments.

The Himalayan’s chassis is designed by heavily tweaking the Continental GT’s body. This new bike has been designed for Indian and several other markets too. Royal Enfield is looking at enhancing its market share in India and also making its presence in other markets. As this is the first prototype that has been spotted, it is too early to consider this as the final design. However, it will have raised suspension and higher ground clearance than all other thumps.

The rear tyre is fat and then there is the circular headlamp like the Continental GT, long and slender exhaust pipe and raised handlebars. It gets mono shock rear suspension and spokes on the wheels. It does bear some resemblance in styling to the Continental GT and this will be the new flagship model of Royal Enfield. With this bike, RE will looking at entering several new markets. The R&D centre in Chennai should be ready by March 2016, while the satellite centre in UK should be prepared for use by the end of 2015. The Royal Enfield Himalayan should be launching by early 2016 and it will be unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo.

Image Source: MotorVikatan