Royal Enfield’s first “Purpose Built” motorcycle in 50 years!

Royal Enfield currently holds the world record for being the largest selling big bike (350cc and above). With each passing year those numbers increase by 700,000! Some say its because these motorcycles were supplied to the Indian military and hence have an unmatched loyalty. Others claim it’s the abundant labor and lack of competition that gave them the edge.

Our India country leader and consummate blogger, Joshua John.

There is no dearth of explanations one can find from Enfield owners or online posts but the one reason that has never been mentioned is that it got where it did today because their bikes were “purpose built”.

Until of course, in early 2016, when Royal Enfield launched a single cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke motorcycle that was created entirely in-house. To avoid any confusion about the direction for this bikes purpose, they named it the “Himalayan”.

The honeymoon period in the first year saw the expected list of niggles such as poor parts and gear not shifting properly. As long time fans we knew this from all their previous launches so we waited till those issues got sorted, the carburetor got replaced with the EFI and few more sensors thrown in.

Underway with the Royal Enfield Himalayan in Rajasthan

Then to stay true to Royal Enfield’s philosophy of taking their bikes to places it wasn’t designed to go we rode the Himalayan into the Thar Desert.

The 1035 odd miles had us going from the highway into the less known back roads playing chicken with the bulls and cows and the occasional camel. When compared with the Royal Enfield Desert Storm, what the Himalayan lacks in its “thump” sound and classic looks, it makes up in with its comfortable stance.

The Desert Storm took the lead when both opened up the throttle on the highway. But it was when we had to ride over gravel, mud and sand that the Himalayan breezed past its Classic cousins.

Ultimately when you are in India your motorcycle will have to endure roads and challenges that are beyond its “purpose” on paper. That is usually when the real adventure begins. And at the end of the day, watching the surreal sunset over the dunes with a cup of chai in your hand, one can only wonder if all this talk of “purpose-built” isn’t really about motorcycles but us as well.

Joshua John writing from New Delhi

The bike with a purpose: the new Royal Enfield Himalayan.

Joshua John

Josh is the founder of Delhi Bikers Breakfast Run and the Shah of Client Experience at Two Wheeled Expeditions. He can be reached at [email protected]