Discussions and Questions Royal Enfield - Page 9
Is the Royal Enfield Bobber 838 overhyped?
09 January 2025 11:03
I’ll reserve judgment until I can actually ride one, but the design is killer. Just because something works conceptually doesn’t mean it’ll work in production.
Is the Himalayan 450's liquid cooling the price of the simplicity that made the original popular?
09 January 2025 10:57
If you crack the radiator, liquid cooling is only an issue. You just add a guard and you're good.
We also look at if the Himalayan 450 is the one to take on established players such as the KTM 390 Adventure.
09 January 2025 10:57
They're for different riders. KTM is more about speed, the Himalayan more about the journey.
Is the higher spec Himalayan 450 going to lose the affordability that drew so many riders to the original?
09 January 2025 10:57
RE knows their market. Even if it’ll be pricier than before, they’ll keep it competitive.
Does the Himalayan 450's more modern design lose the classic charm that brought many to the original?
09 January 2025 10:57
It's a good evolution. Many buyers thought the old design was just too dated.
Is the Himalayan 450 Raid Dakar ready or is it just marketing hype?
09 January 2025 10:57
It won’t win Dakar, but it could probably finish with the right rider. That's impressive enough.
How will it do against what it is commended to compete with: the likes of the Versys 650 or V-Strom 650?
09 January 2025 10:54
I reckon it’ll boil down to dealer network and parts availability. They have a big advantage there, the Japanese brands. If RE wants to compete in the long distance touring market, they need to step up their game.
Is the Himalayan 650 just an over powered Himalayan or a whole new beast?
09 January 2025 10:54
You both miss the point. This isn’t about making the Himalayan ‘better,’ it’s about offering riders options. Those that crave that pure experience, the 411 will still be there, but the 650 will open up a whole new market. It’s smart business, and it’s probably going to be a fine bike in its own right.
Will the Himalayan 650 eat into sales of the Interceptor and Continental GT?
09 January 2025 10:54
The thing is, it depends on how they market it. If they market it as an offroad capable alternative to the twins, it could work. But they need to take care not to make the Interceptor and GT look less attractive by comparison.
How does the weight of the Himalayan 650 impact its off road capability?
09 January 2025 10:54
I believe it's going to depend on how RE distributes the weight. Maybe if they keep it low and centered it won't be as big of a problem as we're thinking. And, with better suspension, it would actually be able to better soak up bumps than the 411.
But will the Himalayan 650 command a price premium over the 411, as expected?
09 January 2025 10:54
It's all relative. It will probably still undercut the big adventure bikes by a lot even if it's pricier. It could be a great middle ground for those who want more power than a KLR or DL650, but can’t justify spending big bucks on a GS or Africa Twin.
Can the Himalayan 450’s extra weight cancel out its advantage in power for off road?
09 January 2025 10:50
It's a trade off, but it's a good trade off. Even with the extra weight the 450 feels more capable overall. It has more grunt to power through obstacles that would have bogged the 411 down and the power delivery is smoother as well. Additionally, most of us aren’t taking our adventure bikes to the extreme off road anyway – the 450 is plenty for the average adventure rider.
Has Royal Enfield lost the Himalayan 450’s reliability and simplicity for performance?
09 January 2025 10:50
I think RE has definitely paid some performance for simplicity on the 450. Liquid cooling and electronics are great for power and efficiency, but they’re also more points of failure. I’m concerned about how it will stand up on long, remote trips where you’re not going to be able to just pop into a dealer and have it fixed.
Is the Himalayan 450 an adventure bike still, or has it turned into a road tourer?
09 January 2025 10:50
I think RE has attempted to make the 450 more approachable, and in doing so, it's become less pure adventure. The bike is great, but it doesn’t feel like a hardcore off-roader, more like a competitor to something like the Versys X 300. That’s not necessarily bad, just different from what the original concept was.
Is the Himalayan 450 worth its price bump over the previous model with new features and performance?
09 January 2025 10:50
But you have to think about what you get for that price hike. It’s not a bumped up 411, it’s an entirely new bike. Feature for feature, it's still a bargain when you compare it to other adventure bikes. I think RE had to raise the price to make all these improvements and I think they've hit a good balance.
Is the Himalayan 450 truly an upgrade over 411 or just a different bike?
09 January 2025 10:50
In most ways I'd say it's an upgrade. The 450 answers a lot of the complaints people had about the 411 - more power, better brakes, and better build quality. It is a little heavier, but that extra grunt makes up for it. This is still a capable off road vehicle, it’s just more versatile for longer highway rides.
The new 450 has Royal Enfield 'abandoned the spirit of the original Himalayan' though?
09 January 2025 10:44
They've abandoned the original concept, I believe. The 450 is trying too hard to be what it isn’t, something that would compete with more expensive, bigger ADV bikes.
Does the Himalayan 411’s low tech approach have a place in today’s motorcycle market?
09 January 2025 10:44
It is relevant, but not so much anymore. While the 411 needs to remain competitive in the long run, it needs at least some basic modern features.
Is the Himalayan 411 really obsolete now that the 450 is out?
09 January 2025 10:44
It's not different, it's just not obsolete. The 411 is just for those who want a more traditional, mechanical feel. It’s also easier to maintain and repair in remote areas.
The Himalayan 411’s build quality is worthy of its cult following?
09 January 2025 10:44
It’s about the cult following, not build quality; it’s about the bike’s character and capability. For most adventures, it’s tough enough, and that’s what counts.
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