Which suits you
- Choose the G 310 GS if low-speed control and picking it up after a drop matter most: it is 21kg lighter wet.
- The Himalayan 450 runs a 21" front wheel against 19". The bigger wheel rolls over ruts and stones more easily and opens up more knobbly tyre choices.
- The Himalayan 450 goes further on a tank, roughly 250 miles against 195, which helps on lanes where fuel stops are far apart.
- The Himalayan 450 makes more power (40hp against 34hp), better for road miles between lanes, though power is rarely what you need on a lane itself.
Holloway ratings side by side
BMW G 310 GS Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Green lane
Technical off-road
Beginner friendly
Road
G 310 GS vs Himalayan 450 specs
| BMW G 310 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 | |
|---|---|---|
| Green lane score | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Price | £5,890 | £5,799 |
| Wet weight | 175kg | 196kg |
| Seat height | 835mm | 825mm |
| Ground clearance | 220mm | 230mm |
| Suspension travel (f/r) | 180mm / 180mm | 200mm / 200mm |
| Wheels (f/r) | 19" / 17" | 21" / 17" |
| Tyre sizes (f/r) | 110/80-19 / 150/70-17 | 90/90-21 / 140/80-17 |
| Engine | 313cc | 452cc |
| Power | 34hp | 40hp |
| Fuel tank | 11.5L | 17L |
| Real-world range | ~195 mi | ~250 mi |
| Licence | A2 | A2 |
A tick marks the better figure for green laning. Manufacturer figures; weights are wet unless marked as estimates.
Where they sit against every other bike
Wet weight against ground clearance across the whole Bike Finder. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit.
Our take on each
BMW G 310 GS: An approachable, lightweight gateway into adventure riding, good for gentle green lanes, but its cast wheels and soft forks aren't built for rocky trails.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: A genuine step up in capability from the old 411, comfortable and confident on moderate lanes, just heavier than you'd expect to lift back up.
Remember: rider ability, tyres and the weather on the day move the real answer more than the bike does. Check each lane's own difficulty and legal status before you ride.
Find where to ride either one
Plan a day of legal green lanes across England and Wales on Holloway's map, with each lane's difficulty and status.
Open the map