Is the Himalayan 450 truly an upgrade over 411 or just a different bike?
The Himalayan 450 has been marketed as the next ‘evolution’ of the popular 411 model. But many riders are wondering if it’s a real upgrade or if Royal Enfield has built a completely new motorcycle that just happens to bear the Himalayan name. It’s heavier, and some say that makes it less capable of hardcore off roading than its predecessor, but it also has a more powerful liquid cooled engine, updated electronics and a sportier design. As a result, there has been talk of whether the 450 has lost some of the rugged charm and simplicity that made the 411 so attractive to adventure riders. Also, the new model’s higher cost of entry, complex systems, and less booming engine have some doubting if it still presents the same value proposition and ease of upkeep as did the 411.
It's certainly not a direct upgrade, it's definitely a different bike. The 450 is a lot more road biased and feels like RE's attempt to take on bikes such as the KTM 390 Adventure. It's more powerful and has better tech, sure, but it's lost some of that simple, go anywhere spirit of the 411.
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.
I rode both and I would not call it an upgrade. It’s its own thing, more of a sport tourer with some off road chops. He was a true dual sport that could do it all. But the 450 is also more refined, and more complicated. It's not better, just different.
I don't see it as a direct upgrade, I see it as an evolution. When RE realized that most Himalayan owners were using them more for touring than hardcore off-roading, they tuned the 450 to be better at that. It's still got OK off road capability but is much more comfortable and capable on long highway stretches.
It is an upgrade in performance and features and a downgrade in simplicity and ease of maintenance. The 411 was a bulletproof and easy to fix anywhere. Working on the 450 with its liquid cooling and electronics in the middle of nowhere is going to be trickier. It's a trade-off.
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Discussions and Questions Is The Himalayan 450 Truly An Upgrade Over 411 Or Just A Different Bike
Is the Himalayan 450 truly an upgrade over 411 or just a different bike?
09 January 2025 10:50
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