Yezdi’s Royal Enfield Himalayan-rivalling ADV: What To Expect

Here’s everything you need to know about the motorcycle, which has so far only been spotted testing a few times

Yezdi has set its sights on grabbing the market share of the Royal Enfield Himalayan with its upcoming adventure bike. In fact, even a casual glance at the motorcycle, which has been spotted testing a couple of times, will prove that it shares quite a similarity to the terrain tamer from the Chennai-based bikemaker. Here’s everything you need to know about this upcoming Yezdi ADV:

Expected Launch and Pricing Details:

Judging by the spy shots, the motorcycle looks pretty much production ready, so expect Yezdi to launch the motorcycle early next year. It would be ideal if Yezdi prices the upcoming adventure bike at around Rs 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom). This will help the company undercut the Royal Enfield Himalayan, the price tag for which has climbed to a hefty Rs 2,10,373 (ex-showroom, Delhi). 

Powertrain and underpinnings:

The Yezdi ADV is likely to employ the same 293cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine as the standard Jawa and the Jawa Forty Two. This motor makes 27.33PS and 27.02Nm in the roadsters, but expect Yezdi to tweak the motor to suit the ADV’s demeanour. A strong low-end grunt should go a long way in enhancing its off-road capabilities. 

The engine nestles inside a double cradle frame linked to a long-travel telescopic front fork and a rear monoshock. True to its off-road-oriented genes, the motorcycle also rolls on a larger front spoke wheel and a smaller unit at the rear, both wrapped with block-pattern tyres. Braking is via discs at both ends, presumably with dual-channel ABS as standard. We’d love it if Yezdi offered the option to deactivate the rear wheel’s unit alone, so that experienced riders can have some sideways fun on the trails.  

Design and features:

The Yezdi ADV bears an uncanny resemblance to the Royal Enfield Himalayan. The round headlamp, tall windscreen, beak-like front fender, and simple tail panels with the split seat configuration all exude an air of spartan-ness. There’s a proper tyre-hugging front fender, saddle stays with a tail rack for extra practicality, and a bash plate for added protection as well. That said, the saddle stays are likely to be a part of the optional accessory kit. 

• Yezdi Roadking To Return In A Scrambler Avatar
• Yezdi Roadking Scrambler: What To Expect?
• Exclusive: Electric BSA, Flex-fuel Jawa Bikes: Interview With Classic Legends' CEO

The headlamp is LED, and is mounted conventionally unlike the Himalayan’s tank brace-mounted halogen unit. It also comes with a fully digital instrument cluster, and we’d be delighted to see it feature smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation as well. Thanks to the wide, easy-to-reach handlebar and slightly rear-set footpegs, the ergonomics should be comfortable enough for long rides as well as for off-road stints. 

Rivals:

The Yezdi ADV will directly go up against the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Another road-biased adventure touring alternative would be the KTM 250 Adventure, priced a bit higher at Rs 2.65 lakh. If you’re looking for something more affordable, then you have the Honda CB200X, another road-biased ADV for Rs 1.44 lakh and the Hero XPulse 200 4V for Rs 1.28 lakh, though the XPulse is a proper off-road-oriented motorcycle.