TESTED: ROYAL ENFIELD’S HIMALAYAN 450

On paper, it’s clear that Royal Enfield’s all-new water-cooled Himalayan 450 takes an evolutionary leap over its predecessor, the Himalayan 411. But how do those sweeping upgrades – to the 450’s engine, chassis, suspension, bodywork, electronics and a host of other components – translate into performance gains and the overall riding experience? What sort of rider is it aimed at? And, at a $9000 Ride Away price, is this 450cc adventure tourer good value for money?

After a few days in Victoria’s majestic High Country – testing the Himalayan 450 on a cross-section of tarmac and (pretty damn challenging!) off-road terrain at the Australian press launch – here’s what we can tell you about this much-anticipated new model from Royal Enfield.