Finally! The Bigger Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 Has Been Spotted

This modified adventure bike is based on Royal Enfield’s 650cc platform which we've long wanted to see

Quick Highlights

• Modified adventure bike showcased by Royal Enfield at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

• Built-in collaboration with Death Spray Custom

• Design is inspired by Dakar Rally bikes from the 1980s and 1990s

Since the launch of the Royal Enfield 650cc twin bikes, we’ve been waiting for a bigger, possibly a 650cc Himalayan. That dream might be closer to reality with Royal Enfield showcasing a modified adventure bike built in partnership with artist David Gwyther of Death Spray Custom. This modified adventure bike is based on the 650 twin platform with a bored-out 850cc engine with its design inspired by the Yamaha Tenere and Honda’s Africa Twin bikes racing in the Dakar Rally between the 1980s and 1990s.

As per sources, this rally-inspired bike is a product of three years of efforts to make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The builder has paid the smallest attention to detail to the styling and design of the bike specific to the era of rally bikes it was inspired by. 

The bodywork you see on the bike is completely made from scratch and is adorned in a subtle light pastel pink and purple colour. The stickers and graphics on the bike are era-specific. Even halogen lights have been used for the headlights to maintain the old aesthetic. Upfront the bike gets an analogue-styled mapbook as opposed to the modern digital roadbooks that we see on the newer rally bikes at Dakar. We also get to see a taller aftermarket braced handlebar equipped with different controls and a single-seat setup for a more upright seating position for offroad riding.

Although the bike looks retro, it has a long list of modern parts to make the bike usable and reliable for use in its configuration. The bike gets spoked wheels wrapped in Michelin offroad tyres, adjustable Öhlins suspension, an aftermarket swingarm, twin upswept exhausts and aluminium rear sets. Mainly, the 650-twin engine has been bored into an 850cc engine to churn out a lot more power and it sits in a reinforced chassis. While the bike looks extremely attractive, knowing the 650cc twins it might be on the heavier side to ride. 

With the increasing popularity of adventure bikes among riders, Royal Enfield is likely experimenting with different setups to make a bigger adventure bike. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a testament to the growing trend and Royal Enfield’s dedication to making more modern bikes. 

Image Credits