Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 First Ride | Technical Off-Road and On-Road Riding

CFMOTO 450mt does it better though

I traded my BMW GS for one of these in Jul 24. Very happy. A capable and comfortable bike which I can take off-road through the National parks, ride around the B roads at 90-100 kph all day long and finish refreshed, as well as commute through the city. Fantastic bike for the price!

Just got back from the dealer. If you like the Himalayan 450, don’t even sit on the Toureg 660. You will instantly lose all interest in the Himalayan.

CFMOTO 450mt IS KING re WOULD BE MY 2ND CHOICE imho

i really enjoyed you review was ace and i could see you liked it for what it is ❤

Please consider giving it some throttle next time you are off road…..😂.

Great review. I had two KTM 390 Adventures ( one in NZ, one in Tasmania) and I recently traded the 600km Tasmanian bike on a Himalayan 450. After the 500 kms I have done so far, the Himmy is much more stable on gravel or rocky tracks. It is great fun to ride. I see a comment above about mechanical vs electronic garbage. I would have to reply that you would be hard pressed to find a modern bike with less electronic systems than this one. I have a 2020 Yamaha XT 250 with no electronics but that bike was designed 18 years ago and was killed off last year. The KTM 390’s are great road bikes and probably quicker in the twisties but I love my Himmy!

the only thing that annoys me about this bike is the flickering of the dashboard on the video. but it annoys me a lot

I don't like all the computer/electronic garbage. I'm all about a mechanical bike that leaves me in full control; that's why I wouldn't buy this bike.

Great video and review, i was going to look at the himmy but as soon as i saw the 450MT i new it was the bike for me. But if the 450mt didnt come along i may have bought the himmy, it looks like a great alrounder. love the tracks you were riding.

Once again a pleasure to watch you ride, the routes you're running, this bike looked like a whole heck of a lota fun! Loved those behind you shots, just anteloping up these complicated grades. Looked like a dirt bike. I must say I really like the spare retro look of it, dead ass simple looking pretty much. Thanks Curtis.

maaaaan the foot turned the opposite way in the mud... i screamed with you! :D great review bro

When Curtis tests a bike, it gets tested!

When I heard that Kawasaki was bringing out a Gen 3 KLR, I was hoping for a bike more like this.

how does it compare to cf moto 450 ?

Hi, like I believe God set a knobby tyres a decent bash plate for the motor and some covers around the handbrake and crutch and I think you have a fantastic bike with a little bit of tweaking. I think you can go anywhere anyway enjoy your video Keep up the good work. I reckon it’ll be the ideal bike to take to Cape York, the tip of Queensland.

I'm sitting at about 85% sold on a 800DE but keep considering whether a smaller option (450MT or this) would be a better choice. I'm leaning towards the 800DE as realistically most riding will be onroad and I just don't think I'll ride it that agressively offroad. Would be keen on your thoughts.

Hi, I’ve been watching about three or four different channels/videos that are riding the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and everyone of them are very impressed with the motorbike they ride over so many different terrains from bitumen roads and heaps of dirt and snow roads/tracks unfortunately I only got one leg otherwise I would be going out and buying one and I would love to ride one around Australia. I think that the ideal having a bit of fun , thank you for your video and I’ll keep out look out for your next one you’ll bring out Cliff from Logan City Queensland Australia.

I could never buy one
I ride with a GoPro, and I just wouldn't be able to deal with that flickering horrible round dash.

"80km/h. It could do this all day". I feel like your setting the bar a bit low here. Someone needs to let the noobs know that a proper, flagship model is 10X better than one of these cheap beginner bikes. Even a 20 year old R1200GS would be SOOO much better, on and off-road.... possibly even for a beginner.

Those tyres are called "See-at what happens if you get in any slippery shit". Though I was full loaded and it was night. I will have to wait a bit for a spare $500. Just clocked 2.4k in the last 2 weeks plus a weekend+ down south. I'm buggered. Sat out a lot of wet weather, though. And drank a lot of port with my brother 🥴
It has smoothed out a bit as I ran it in. Nice sweet spot at 120km/h, around 6k I think, was the go. Chased a big KTM on the way back, I backed off at 140, way fast enough for me, and that was with say 40-50kg of full campout gear & chair, some food & fluids, laptop and all that shit.
Touring windscreen is shit, wasted $200. So pissed.
Averaged 32-33 km/Lt 👍
You're right, I did find the light throttle a pain when standing, which I did a lot of.
Trucks only buffeted my helmet, the RE was solid, even a gusty southwest storm front was as nothing, except cold. Did ride at a bit of a lean for an afternoon.
Love that bit of a throttle up, easy to hold at spots where you want to be on the go quick.
I did get the factory engine guard-sump plate, it's not too bad within reason, this is not a log jumper. My DRz is. And the rear luggage plate is nice.

I bought this bike for my first ever bike about 3 months ago. I feel like I made an excellent choice. I absolutely love it, it has changed my life.

Yeap, this bike is offering more than I am able to receive.

Brilliant review mate - the tyres were the only let down for me on dirt, but great to see you opening it up over this kind of open terrain.

I picked mine up 2 days ago, absolutely love it. Awesome review and subbed for more.

No, doesn't really come with everything you want but the 450MT pretty much does come with folding mirrors, folding gear shifter, folding brake pedal, adjustable windscreen (on the fly) that actually works and a smooth revving dual cylinder. But hey, the Himi is still very good, even though it leans more than the tower in Pisa when on the side stand and the headlight is not real good. Looking forward to you putting the 450MT through its pacers.

Unbiased review for a rider with fantastic skill. Very excited to see you on this bike, very much enjoying mine but imine will never do what you put that one through. Cheers

Why is the dash flashing? I can't stand that kind of thing!

Curtis- no-one else tests a bike as thoroughly as you. Are you going to buy one ?

Subscribed! I look forward to seeing your thoughts as you spend more time with it. It seems really capable for the price point. Reliability is my only concern when coming from a Honda, but I don't want to shell out for a T700.

Man, this is an awesome video. I am currently in a market for a bike like this...I need another bike to do me some light travels here in southern California areas.
As of late October 2024, at this class, we have so many options (I'm writing this from the perspective of the US market): RE Himalayan 450 base price at Los Angeles dealer is $6,000 (this is base msrp for stock - add destination charges & markup, registration, and sales tax, then you are looking at around $7500 - add panier set, crash bar, bash plate etc add another $1500). So options with out-of-dealer price is about $9~10k. At this price range you have following options (within $1~2k difference ranges)
- Suzuki Vstrom 650XT (at local dealer comes with full pannier sets - I've seen the lowest at $8,500 from a dealer + reg, taxes etc). It is possible that this legend will be gone after 2025 they say. I guess its the sign of our time. My wife felt most comfortable at the back on this bike...so it is currently on top of my list.
- 2024 Kawasaki KLR 650 and 650S (at LA dealer for $5300 MSRP + reg, taxes) - it's more for long distance, very light off road type of trips...at the same time, you can daily this trusty ol'machine
- All singing and dancing KTM 390 Adv - KTM at West LA says its around $6500...but hard negotiation can result it some lower prices :D
- Honda NX500 - at $7400. Yes its about $1k more but hey, its Honda. Some dealers will throw in parts like Skid plates. Can't go wrong with Honda.
- Triumph Scrambler 400X - $5k~6k starting! This may not be as rugged on off road, but its a good place to start...honestly, I haven't test rode this yet. But definitely worth checking out.

And I am sure I am not mentioning other possible candidates out there. Also, used market is very very good as well.
It's a good time to be a rider...wouldn't you agree?

awesome!

Another great review Curtis, but you've left me wondering.... I have a deposit on the CF moto 450MT and I'm waiting for it to turn up, but after watching that I'm thinking the RE 450 Himalayan might be the go. Fingers crossed you get a chance to review one soon so I can watch your review to help me make the right decision. Cheers mate🍻

Curtis, I think I speak for many in saying we'd love a vid or two showing your riding tips and techniques. I'm particularly impressed with your control when standing. I always struggle with that.

Looking forward to more reviews on this 450.

They can't put the full high mud guard upfront because of the radiator design. Dirt bikes have a side radiator so cooling airflow is not blocked by the rear part of the high mud guard. This radiator will be blocked by a full high mud guard, that's why this half and half design is used lately on many bikes. Anyway nice review Curtis.

Cool bike, i'd pick that over a KLR any day.
KlR was my first bike. 5k 2nd hand.

Hey man, great video. I got one myself as a first bike. It's been really good for learning to ride on. The only thing I could complain about is a bit more power in the lower rev range.

Regarding the front ABS not being optional, i wonder if it's to do with EU laws around new bikes needing ABS and how Royal Enfield handles that.

you almost broke your leg testing the ground clearance, barely stopped to recover your foot and continue like nothing happened, great review.

Fantastic review, thank you for sharing and safe travels!

Great review! I'm another one who'd love to know how you'd rate this Himmy against your KLR.

Recently rode from Perth, Gun Barrel Highway, GCR ect back to Perth with little black top riding. 2 bikes, one of them the RE 450 Himy. The Himy stock except tyres, lager screen and bark buster’s. The Gun Barrel is not for a novice rider, the Himy took it all in its stride, from rain to mud, dust and relentless Corrugation. No issues, good economy. Yes the weight showed at times, the suspension showed its limits ( most OME would on Gun Barrel ) the side stand to short and needs a larger foot. Exhaust sits close to bottom of soft bags. Saying all that, this bike for its price performed above expectations. As an all road / terrain bike. Some aftermarket rear suspension with remote pre load, tweak the front forks, the Himy will do it all, with coin to spare for those trips. This particular bike will be tackling the Simpson desert, Transcontinental railway access road ( west / east ), all Un supported, Remote riding through the heart of Australia. I have no doubt the Himy will take it all in its stride.

Cup of coffee on a North Texas Sunday afternoon watching this review. I subbed right off the bat because you got right to the point and rode the bike on the road then off road with no stupid music or theatrics, just the bike and its behavior and your narrative. This was one of the best real world reviews on this bike I have seen out of the hundreds I’ve watched. I have test ridden one of these on the road only and was sold immediately. Look forward to future videos. Thanks

It’s the little things like the screen not sometimes working that makes me extremely nervous. I get that there’s a reason why it’s cheaper but I’d rather save and go Japanese made. If only you could pay an extra couple of thousand and you could get the same bike but made in Japan. Wishful thinking. But I really like everything about the bike aside from the cliches and long term unknown reliability.

$9000? For 2 of them right?

not many owners would ever ride their himalayan like that in off road sections. nice solid bike.

That was brutal.. Do it again 😍😍. This himi is a gem

You are very good rider! It looked like you were racing a dirt bike. You will have make a comparision in detail review with mt450, 800de and maybe a CRF300L? Thank you for your work.

Great video. She gets it done!

Please add more b-roll of you moving at speed. I like to see the 450 hitting it hard from an off bike camera.

Great assessment as well.

That kaza brown colour looks a clean combo. Not normally what I’d associate with a colour with brown in the name.