Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 in the 1000PS Offroad Test 2024

With the Royal Enfield Himalayan 452, we visited the largest enduro park in Europe, the Red Stag area, in Rohr im Gebirge. The expansive terrain, about an hour southwest of the Vienna city limits, offered a perfect testing environment with 15 kilometers of forest roads and 28 different off-road trails. There are ample opportunities for every riding level to let loose for an entire day. With our large adventure bikes, we were mostly on the wider forest paths. However, we also integrated some green trails (easy difficulty level) into the test procedure to thoroughly evaluate the large and noble bikes.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 is a motorcycle with a lot of character that should definitely not be overlooked due to its size. Riding the Himalayan stands out significantly from the behavior of all other competitors in this test. While the other rowdies seek their way to the top with a lot of noise, power, and wheelspin, the Himalayan calmly chugs up the mountain. Although the chassis generally reaches its limit comparatively quickly, it still feels confidence-inspiring even in this limit area. A big plus for me is the simple handling of the electronics. You will search in vain for traction control, and the ABS can be turned off with the push of a button. Thus, nothing stands in the way of the Himalayan when it comes to the big journey. Biker fans with short legs or an uncertain stance are particularly invited by the Himalayan to climb the mountain leisurely, sympathetically, and safely.

I quickly grew fond of the Royal Enfield Himalayan, not necessarily as a sportily ambitious enduro, but rather as a reliable companion. With its compact dimensions, tame engine characteristics, and the feel of the controls as well as the riding position, it reminded me much more of a pack mule than a racehorse. But that is probably the true strength of the Himalayan: there is no trail it can't follow, no rocky incline it can't climb, though you shouldn't be in too much of a hurry. Its chassis was not easily overwhelmed and offered some reserves even at a brisker pace. The engine is not a powerhouse, but it was capable of the occasional drift if you embraced the character of the Royal Enfield. The menu navigation for the electronic riding aids is refreshingly simple: with the push of a button, you scroll through the four riding modes, each with full power and in Eco mode, and then with the riding aids either activated or deactivated. These aids performed their job solidly; personally, with such a gentle base character, I don't need traction control at all.

Whether you appreciate the Royal Enfield Himalayan or dismiss it as too weak and boring depends heavily on the individual, even among us amateurs. Large, heavy riders who don't usually struggle with the typical drawbacks of adventure bikes, namely their tall build and resulting inaccessibility for many people, benefit less from the Himalayan's main strength. If you are also performance-oriented and crave power under your seat, the Himalayan is the wrong machine. But that doesn't mean the Himalayan can't offer riding pleasure, because especially as an amateur, you appreciate when a bike boosts your confidence with its accessible handling and is easy to steer. This is something the Himalayan does better than most bikes on the market, and you quickly find yourself blasting through gravel twisties or tackling challenging paths with a chug where you'd rather chicken out with a larger machine.

The intense off-road testing conditions were perfectly suited to also put our equipment to the test. When it came to helmets, the 1000PS crew uniformly trusted the new Tour-X5 from Arai. The helmet sits perfectly balanced on the head and behaves very neutrally in the wind, regardless of speed. The fit of the helmet is generally comfortable. There is a snug contact feeling over the entire head area. As typical for Arai, the padding also pleasantly encloses the jawbone without creating any uncomfortable pressure in the cheek area. The interior lining used in the Tour-X5 feels cozy and high-quality on the skin even after a long, intense, and sweaty day. With various ventilation openings in the forehead, chin, and top of the head areas, you can get enough fresh air when needed. The craftsmanship is top-notch - the helmets are not only elegant and beautiful to look at when new, but they also remain absolutely top-notch even after several tough days off-road. Ventilation openings and visor locking can be perfectly operated even when dirty. A great, versatile helmet for all kinds of motorcycle adventures. We give it our highest recommendation!

During our adventure bike test, we uniformly wore gear from the renowned manufacturer Leatt. Our editors were equipped with either the Flow Tour Suit or the Multi Tour Suit. LEATT, well-known for high-quality motocross and hard-enduro apparel, has recently started offering robust and versatile protective clothing for adventure bike riders in their new ADV Collection. The Flow Tour Jacket particularly impressed us with its outstanding ventilation, providing pleasant cooling even in hot conditions up to 35 degrees. Thanks to the integrated hydration bladder system, our testers stayed well-hydrated even on dusty trails. The generous, waterproof pockets offered ample storage for personal items and allowed easy access during the ride. The Multi Tour Suit, on the other hand, scored with its versatility and three-layer construction, offering optimal protection and adaptability to different weather conditions. Both models are equipped with CE-certified protectors at critical points, providing maximum protection without restricting freedom of movement. Even a LEATT Neck-Brace is compatible with the jackets. We particularly liked the split chest protector on both models, which not only ensures safety but also offers high wearing comfort when the zipper is open. LEATT's gear proved to be ideal for our intensive tests. Robust, safe, and providing the necessary comfort for long riding days under extreme conditions.