Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review: Price, Performance, Mileage & Ownership Cost

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 marks a major shift in Royal Enfield’s adventure touring philosophy. This is not just a mild upgrade over the older Himalayan—it is a ground-up transformation. With a new liquid-cooled engine, modern electronics, and improved touring capability, the Himalayan 450 steps confidently into a highly competitive Indian ADV segment.

Let’s take a detailed look at what this motorcycle offers, who it is meant for, and whether it justifies its premium positioning.

On-Road Price & Cost Overview (India)

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is positioned as a premium adventure motorcycle, and its on-road pricing reflects regional taxes and insurance differences.

Approximate On-Road Prices:

• Mumbai: ₹3.66 lakh – ₹4.01 lakh
• Delhi: ₹3.52 lakh onwards
• Bangalore: ₹3.89 lakh – ₹4.22 lakh

These prices include:

• Ex-showroom cost
• RTO charges
• Insurance premiums

Insurance for this segment generally ranges between ₹15,000–₹30,000 per year, depending on coverage and provider. RTO charges vary significantly by state and form a major part of the on-road price.

Who Is the Himalayan 450 For?

Urban Explorer

For city riders dealing with broken roads, speed breakers, and unpredictable traffic, the Himalayan 450’s upright ergonomics and torquey engine make daily commuting surprisingly manageable. It offers strong low-end pull and enough presence to stand out in traffic while remaining comfortable for everyday use.

Weekend Touring Enthusiast

If your weekdays are spent commuting but weekends are reserved for highway rides or hill station trips, the Himalayan 450 fits the role perfectly. Its stable highway manners, luggage capability, and relaxed riding posture make long-distance travel effortless.

Hardcore Adventure Seeker

For riders planning trips to Ladakh, Spiti, or the Western Ghats, this bike finally delivers on the Himalayan name. Improved suspension travel, higher ground clearance, modern navigation, and strong mid-range torque make it a genuine off-road touring machine—without the intimidating nature of imported ADVs.

Ergonomics & Comfort: Real-World Feel

Despite its tall stance, the Himalayan 450 feels approachable.
For an average 5’7” Indian rider, the narrow waist of the bike allows reasonable footing at stops. The handlebars fall naturally into place, encouraging an upright and relaxed posture ideal for long hours in the saddle.

• Seat comfort: Well-cushioned for extended rides
• Footpeg position: Neutral and fatigue-free
• Handlebar reach: Comfortable and commanding

Pillion Comfort

Pillion comfort has improved over the previous generation. While not designed specifically for side-saddle riding, short city rides are manageable. Long-distance touring with a pillion is possible, but this bike is clearly more rider-focused.

Real-World Mileage & Performance

Royal Enfield claims a mileage of 29.15 kmpl, but real-world conditions tell a slightly different story.

Expected Mileage:

• City traffic: 25–28 kmpl
• Highways: 30–32 kmpl (with steady riding)

The drop in city mileage is expected due to:

• Stop-and-go traffic
• Frequent gear changes
• 196 kg kerb weight

Performance, however, is a highlight. The 452cc liquid-cooled engine delivers strong low and mid-range torque, making overtakes easy even with luggage.

3-Year Ownership & Maintenance Cost

Royal Enfield has kept service and maintenance relatively accessible for an ADV.

Service Schedule

• First service: 500 km
• Subsequent services: Every 10,000 km / 12 months

Estimated Costs Over 3 Years

• Service & labour: ₹10,000 – ₹12,000
• Engine oil: ₹4,000 – ₹6,000
• Brake pads: ₹800 – ₹1,500 per set
• Chain & sprocket: ₹4,000 – ₹7,000
• Tyres: ₹4,000 – ₹7,000 per tyre

Estimated 3-Year TCO (excluding fuel):

₹20,000 – ₹30,000

This makes it more affordable to maintain than many imported adventure motorcycles.

Himalayan 450 vs Rivals

Verdict:

• KTM 390 Adventure = Performance-focused
• V-Strom SX = City-biased tourer
• Himalayan 450 = Best balance of comfort, torque, and off-road ability

Final Verdict

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is the most complete adventure motorcycle Royal Enfield has ever built. It successfully blends modern technology with rugged touring capability, making it suitable for Indian roads, Indian traffic, and Indian touring aspirations.

If you want one bike that can commute, tour, and explore off-road trails without intimidation, the Himalayan 450 is an extremely compelling choice.