The Royal Enfield Himalayan - Simple Adventure Bike

Indian manufacturer Royal Enfield continuous to fly in the face of contemporary adventure bike trends as it forges ahead with testing of its new Royal Enfield Himalayan model.

While western and Japanese manufacturers continue to push the technology envelope with powerful, multi-cylinder, gizmo-laden works of art, in emerging markets such as India, consumers demand rugged and reliable motorcycles which can be used as everyday transport as well as an escape machine. Fewer gadgets and less moving parts mean less chances of being left stranded in some seriously harsch and remote location.

Due to its simplicity, the Royal Enfield Bullet has long been the chosen transport of riders wanting to tackle remote corners of India and the surrounding countries. Royal Enfield has chosen to stick with this proven formula for the true adventure model.

While it may look more like a rat-rot than a concept adventure bike, this Royal Enfield image is actually a spy shot of the Royal Enfield Himalayan out on a test run.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is believed to be powered by a new air-cooled, 410cc single cylinder engine.

Despite employing a number of ex-Triumph staff, former Ducati designer Pierre Terblanche, and setting up Research and Development facilities in England, Royal Enfield appears to be keeping things traditional, believing there is a place on the global stage for this simple, go anywhere motorcycle.

Now if Royal Enfield only had a serious Thai distributor who would see the potential of Royal Enfield motorcycles in Thailand...