The Himalayan made its North American debut in 2018, and since then, the mini ADV has overtaken it as Royal Enfield’s top-selling model in the country. The budget-friendly adventure bike is at home on the trail and during the workday commute thanks to its tough style, practical build, and approachable disposition. The Himalayan serves both novice and expert riders, casting a wide net with ease and adaptability.
Royal Enfield didn’t want to damage the small-bore ADV, which American adventurers continue to swarm to. As a result, in 2022, the Himalayan is substantially unchanged. A 411cc single with air cooling and SOHC is still supported by a half-duplex split frame, and the model’s off-road capabilities are still provided by a 21-inch front wheel. Royal Enfield addressed common owner complaints with touring-oriented enhancements, but it didn’t solve what wasn’t broken.
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The Royal Enfield Himalayan 2022 Specifications
With thoughtful cockpit updates and the company’s Tripper navigation pod pointing the way, the adventure bike is now prepared for long-distance riding. We pondered whether the Himalayan’s unique characteristics would be sacrificed if Royal Enfield upgraded the ADV’s road-focused features beginning in 2022.
| ENGINE | |
|---|---|
| Type | Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, SOHC, Air Cooled |
| Displacement | 411cc |
| Maximum power | 24.3 bhp (17.88kW) @ 6500 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 23.6 ft/lbs @ 4000-4500 rpm |
| Gear box | 5 Speed, Constant Mesh |
| Clutch | Wet, Multi-Plate |
| CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION | |
|---|---|
| Type | Half-Duplex Split Cradle Frame |
| Front suspension | Telescopic, 41 mm Forks, 200 mm Travel |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock with Linkage, 180 mm Wheel Travel |
| DIMENSIONS | |
|---|---|
| Wheel base | 58 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.6 in |
| Length | 86 in |
| Width | 33 in |
| Fuel capacity | 4 gal |
| Seat height | 31.5 in |
| Height | 53 in (Flyscreen top) |
| Curb weight | 439 lbs |
| BRAKES AND TIRES | |
|---|---|
| Front tire | 90/90 – 21″ |
| Rear tire | 120/90 – 17″ |
| Front brakes | 300 mm Disc, 2-Piston Floating Caliper |
| Rear brakes | 240 mm Disc, Single Piston Floating Caliper |
| ABS | ABS Dual Channel ABS (Switchable to Single Channel – Rear Wheel ABS Control Deactivation) |
| ELECTRICAL | |
|---|---|
| Electrical system | 12V – DC |
| Battery | 12V, 8 AH MF |
| Head lamp | 12V, H4-60/55W |
| Tail lamp | 12V, 4/1W |
| Turn signal lamp | 12V, 10W X 4 Nos. |
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 2022 Ergonomics
Despite having a tiny carrying capacity, Royal Enfield outfits the Himalayan to fit riders of various sizes and types. In 2022, the brand plans to increase that attractiveness with slightly modified ergonomics. The front rack has now been moved forward by 90mm, in addition to becoming smaller (3.5 inches).
Along with the new rack, Royal Enfield strengthened the seat by adding better padding. Even though the original Himalayan was not uncomfortable, the dual-layer foam prolongs the rider’s time in the seat. Most riders should get more use out of the sturdy new perch because the luxurious comforts only started to wear out after a four-hour mixed ride (street and terrain).
After all, going farther means carrying more gear, so the bike’s capacity for packing is increased with a new rear carrier top plate. For a base plate with more durability in the past, many Himalayan buyers looked to the aftermarket. Enfield now comes standard-equipped with the part. The additional plate is unquestionably an improvement over the previous slotted type. The Himalayan’s new carrier provides a much better foundation to strap gear for a long trip, from tail bags to roll-top dry bags.
A well-designed windscreen also improves your experience of driving. The redesigned screen’s broader base keeps the weather and insects away from the rider’s core. But at five feet ten inches, the wind whipped off the chin bar and inside shoulders of my helmet. Because of this, the Himalayan is best enjoyable up to 65 mph. Speeds greater than that tend to punish the rider and put a greater burden on the 411cc single.
What Kind Of Engine Does The Royal Enfield Himalayan 2022 Use?
The Himalayan’s cockpit might be cozier, but the dependable thumper is back in BS-6 form (Indian emissions standard). Lean fuelling consequently caused several starting stall-outs. After numerous throttle pulls throughout the warm-up procedure, the engine overcame those difficulties, and they didn’t recur throughout the day. The Himalayan’s remaining power output is unaffected by the fueling, maintaining its 24.3 maximum horsepower and 23.6 lb-ft of torque.
Although torque may peak between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm, roll-on power is highest at this speed. Fortunately, the little ADV cruises along at 65 mph with 5,000 rpm in top gear (fifth), giving the rider the ability to power out of potentially hazardous circumstances on the highway. The single accelerates to its maximum horsepower at 6,500 rpm once it crosses that 5,000-rpm threshold. Riders must shift as soon as the engine reaches its stride because that is the Himalayan’s redline.
The practical engine is suitable for both paved roads and dirt side roads despite having a limited powerband. Although Royal Enfield does not provide a slipper-assist clutch for the adventurer, the normal multi-plate wet unit performs admirably when shifting up or down on pavement or when feathering the clutch while riding on uneven terrain. The small-bore thumper sends very little heat into the rider, and while there may be some vibrations at the bars, they are never even close to being uncomfortable.
The 411cc single still provides enough punch to keep the Himalayan both approachable and exciting despite its new BS-6-compliant layout. Although the Himalayan’s engine is quite straightforward, it is watertight, and Royal Enfield’s tried-and-true chassis matches that dependability.
What Kind Of Chassis Does The Royal Enfield Himalayan 2022 Have?
The Himalayan’s suspension turned out to be remarkably sturdy. Many of its rivals use undersprung suspenders to protect beginners from challenging off-road terrain. With the Himalayan, Royal Enfield adopts a different strategy by offering a straightforward but surprisingly effective configuration. Although the Himalayan’s 439-pound curb weight may require stiffer springs, it’s difficult to blast through the 41mm conventional fork’s 7.8 inches of travel or the seven inches of travel provided by the mono-shock with a linkage. The suspension handles everything the terrain could throw at it, including washboards and rock gardens.
The chassis offers predictable and direct handling when riding. Although it may not be the most agile vehicle in its class, it is nonetheless enjoyable to drive around twisties and capable in difficult terrain. Although the Himalayan’s non-adjustable suspenders are inexpensive, its factory compression and damping settings function better than they should. Off-road and on, the suspension undoubtedly has its limits, but the configuration enables the rider to advance alongside the adventure bike.
The braking mechanism, though, could definitely use some work. Both the 240mm rotor and single-pot binder in the back as well as the two-piston caliper connected to a 300mm disc up front are controlled by ABS, but none have a robust initial bite or dependable feel. However, stopping power at both ends is adequate, particularly for the 24.3-horsepower mill.
Although riders can disable the rear ABS for off-road excursions, the system is rather basic. Since the ABS button doesn’t actually depress when held down, the five-second deactivation cycle is unpredictable. Every time the rider presses the kill switch, the system switches back to dual-channel ABS, which exacerbates the problem. It takes time to develop that touch, but with practice, the rider may quickly master the sequence and hit the trail. The ABS switch on the Himalayan may be a small annoyance, but the new Tripper navigation system is far more user-friendly.
What Technology Does The Royal Enfield Himalayan 2022 Use?
The Tripper software, which is powered by Royal Enfield and is based on Google Maps, previously tripped over itself and lost connection before the Meteor 350 reached the first turn. The most recent upgrade from Royal Enfield resolves this untimely separation.
The user only needs to choose one of the available Tripper units and enter the pod’s six-digit code into the app to pair the system with a smartphone. After being linked, the navigation offers straightforward turn-by-turn instructions. Street names are not displayed on the small, circular TFT screen, but it does provide the distance before each turn. The open road may therefore offer more advantages to bikers than cities do. This time, the Tripper navigation system effortlessly led me to my desired location, which is a comforting achievement for the touring-minded Himalayan.
Final Thoughts
The updated ergonomics and navigation may appear small, but Royal Enfield complements that with a $5,299 price tag that is as modest. The $300 price increase over the previous model sounds reasonable given the comfort and utility improvements, but when you take into account the fact that the Himalayan’s MSRP actually increased at the current rate of inflation, it becomes an even better value. The 2022 iteration does not revolutionize the platform, but that is a good thing when you have a successful starter ADV on your hands.
Only a few changes made by Royal Enfield enhance the touring prowess of the previous generation while keeping the Himalayan’s personality, approachability, and off-road characteristics. Some people might think that the firm might have improved the 2022 model more, but we think Royal Enfield is leaving room in its adventure lineup for new models in the future.