Royal Enfield has plenty of models in development in all three engine displacement categories— 350cc, 450cc, and 650cc. The company currently offers two models in the 450cc category including Himlayan and the recently launched Guerrilla. Enfield is planning at least two more models in this space including a scrambler and a more rally-spec version of Himalayan.
The images of the rally-spec Himlayan have broken out on the internet. A prototype of the Himalayan Rally was used by famous rally rider CS Santosh as he returned to Royal Enfield’s fold at the 2024 Spanish Cuenca rally a couple of days ago. Based on the same platform as the Himalayan 450, the bike is currently in its initial stages of development.
Royal Enfield Himalayan Rally: What to expect?
This can be verified by the images where most of the bodywork in the prototype is stripped down. In its current form at the Cuenca rally, the Himalayan Rally sports a round headlamp, a rally-style tower for navigation in place of the protective bars, a stubby tail, and a flat seat with revised side panels. Fenders at front and rear, saree guard, and pillion grab rails have been given a miss. Hand guards will most likely be optional add ons.
Although we can’t determine if tuning of the engine remains the same as the Himalayan 450 or not, the presence of an Akropovic exhaust muffler indicates a higher output from the 452cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled mill. In the adventure tourer this motor pushes out 40 bhp and 40Nm of peak while being paired with a 6-speed gearbox via a slip and assist clutch.
We expect the Himalayan Rally to come equipped with heavily upgraded hardware. This includes fully adjustable front forks with a new triple clamp with a longer suspension travel, and rally-spec spoke wheels shod with proper knobby tyres. Previous reports also indicate a revised switchgear.
Apart from the features like a colour TFT screen with Google Maps and Bluetooth connectivity, a ride-by-wire throttle, and switchable ABS will be carried forward to the Himalayan Rally. Now that the Himalayan Rally has broken covers at the Cuenca rally, we expect Royal Enfield to bring this motorcycle to the more rigorous and difficult Dakar Rally later this year.
