Even with its 21-inch front wheel the Himalayan is quite nimble on the road, but its footpegs touch down easily in corners. Photos courtesy of Royal Enfield.
To understand the Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle, you need a little appreciation for the motorcycle market in India, where RE is based in Chennai. First, it?s ridiculously huge. More than a third of the country?s 1.3 billion inhabitants own a motorized two-wheeler, and the top-10 Indian motorcycle manufacturers bang out more than 1 million motorcycles per month. No horsepower wars there, though?of those million-plus, three-quarters are 150cc or smaller. Utility reigns supreme, and low cost, fuel efficiency and maneuverability sell far more bikes than power or luxury.
Everything you need, nothing you don’t, with rugged styling and a low price tag as well. Outside of the hirsute commute in Indian cities, literally hundreds of tour groups?including Royal Enfield?s own Rides program?make adventurous treks by motorcycle up into the Himalayas in the far north and Nepal next door, braving treacherous dirt roads, extreme temperatures and passes at more than 18,000 feet because?well, because it?s there. In the U.S., Royal Enfield?s Bullet and Classic 500s are considered quirky retro machines and would never be used as dual-sports. In India though, perhaps because the brand has been around longest, or perhaps because its two-valve, air-cooled singles and stone-simple chassis and running gear are easily repaired roadsid...