BS VI Royal Enfield Himalayan- Unbridled Fun

This was followed by the Himalayan BS4 version which got a fuel injected engine and sometime during the fag end of its life, it got the ABS feature. It was then that we were part of a team of Royal Enfield Himalayan riders who that participated in an extensive North East tour of India. That tour reinforced our faith in this adventure motorcycle. The BS4 Himalayan did not come with a switchable option for the ABS. It is now for the BS VI Himalayan to iron out all the shortcomings of its earlier versions. So, let’s get straight to the changes in 2020 Himalayan and talk about its performance.

The 2020 BS VI Royal Enfield Himalayan gets three new colours – two of which are dual tone (Lake Blue and Rock Red; apart from single tone Gravel Grey). Depending on the colour, the prices vary. We got the Gravel Grey Himalayan and this costs around Rs 2,27,881 on road.

CHANGES IN THE BS VI ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN

Since this is a BS VI, this obviously means this engine now meets BS VI emission norms. It is the same 411cc single cylinder engine now produces 24.3 hp@ 6500 rpm. It is marginally (0.2 hp) less than what the BS4 model produced. Peak torque remains unchanged at 32Nm@ 4000-4500rpm. The bike has a Digital electronic ignition and the engine is mated to a 5 speed constant mesh gearbox. This electronic fuel injected machine has an electric start. Kick is now a passé for several Royal Enfield bikes.

Because of some of the changes in this motorcycle, the Himalayan has become a bit heavier than its BS 4 sibling. The BS4 was 194 kg and now this modern avatar weighs 199 kg. These are kerb weights with 90 percent fuel and oil.

Coming to a very important change, every off-road biker loves to have fun while experiencing the bike. Now all the sliding and sudden twists can only happen if you can switch off your ABS. If the ABS is not switched off, the rides are very predictable and disciplined. But since this Himalayan gets switchable ABS, off-roaders and hard core bikers can actually have loads of fun switching off the ABS. There is a tiny button near the instrument cluster that can be activated once you are stationery and then off you can go and indulge in all the sporty riding. Thus, with the rear ABS can be switched off during off-road excursions and trail riding.

But it’s not just a switchable ABS that is new, the company has also ensured better braking in the BS VI Himalayan. Royal Enfield has worked on the overall braking of the motorcycle. The braking mechanism has been reworked for shorter stopping distance when brakes are applied. This bike now oozes with confidence.

An equally important change is with the side stand of the vehicle. It’s an improved side stand that one gets to see in the new RE Himalayan and this makes the bike stand confidently on almost all terrains.

Least but not the last, the BS VI Himalayan gets a hazard switch that can come very handy when the rider wants to alert others while riding or in situations he feels best.

With these changes, the Himalayan has just got a lot better than what it was earlier. The Himalayan is an adventure motorcycle, an off roader and we spent a considerable amount of time having fun with it in an undisturbed off road trail. The large tyres, the very effective ABS, the broad and comfortable seats, the sturdy foot pegs and the power of the engine made such an ideal combination for fun and all we did was to switch off the ABS to move to the next level of unbridled fun! They have already the kings of the cruising world, now they have extended their dominance over the vast off-road terrain.