[visordown.com] - Enfield Himalayan launch imminent

[Ninjette Newsbot]

WE'VE been seeing regular spy pictures of the new Royal Enfield Himalayan for nearly a year now but finally it looks like it is finished and on the verge of being launched, with the latest pictures appearing to come from some sort of conference or presentation of the bike.

There’s not much new to say about it in technical terms - we already know it’s got around 28bhp from a new 410cc single, and that a European-bound version complete with ABS brakes is in the making (although this is the Indian market bike complete with saree guard on the left hand side to stop the loose clothing of side-saddle-riding pillions tangling in the rear wheel). But check out the pair of auxiliary fuel cans either side of the tank; finally the odd-looking metal frames on either side of the front, seen on previous prototypes, are explained.

This bike also appears to be sporting a catalytic converter, which is something that’s been missing from most of the previously-spotted prototypes and further emphasises its intentions to meet Euro4 emissions regulations.

While performance will be sedentary at best, the impression of the Himalayan remains that it’s an adventure bike in the truest sense of the term – rugged and reliable enough to drag you across inhospitable parts of the planet.

There’s still no official word on the launch date, but we reckon official pictures and information will be released within a month.

• Sign up for Visordown's weekly newsletter, Bugsplat, to get the best motorcycle news, road tests and features plus exclusive competitions and offers direct to your inbox. Register as a Visordown member here and tick the box for Bugsplat in your newsletter settings here.

Click here for full story...