After a strong six-year run, the Himalayan 411 platform has been completely overhauled for 2024 with Royal Enfield examining every nook and cranny of their machine to find areas of improvement in an effort to make the charming little adventurer better.

What they came up with was a significant leap forward based on the specs sheet: 65% more power, 7 pounds lighter, beefed-up chassis, higher-spec components, improved suspension, modern electronic aids… the list goes on. It’s a completely different machine that has jumped a decade or more ahead in technology, styling, along with fit and finish.

At its core is a new water-cooled 452cc fuel-injected DOHC single, pumping out 39.5 horsepower and 29.5 ft-lbs of torque stuffed in a stiffer, narrower twin spar frame that uses the engine as a stressed member. The suspension also got beefed up with a new 43mm Showa USD fork and Showa rear shock that increases both suspension travel and ground clearance. The new Himalayan also gets a modern TFT screen with 4 selectable ride modes to match its contemporary styling.

Of course specs sheets and parts lists don’t always tell the full story, and sometimes too much change can have its drawbacks. In this video, we give a rundown of the machine’s performance on both dirt and street after several days of testing high in the Himalayas. With its new-found horsepower, is it now a capable road machine? Is there a significant improvement off-road? Did the approachable, affordable, character-filled Himalayan really need this much change? Should you upgrade from your previous Himalayan 411? Is the Himalayan 450 poised to become a major player in an already stacked middleweight ADV class?  We have answers to all your burning questions and more on Royal Enfield’s completely-revamped Himalayan.

Thanks for checking out the video and let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below. For those of you who don’t mind a little reading, you can also check out our full review article of the 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 here.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.