The best Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 upgrades fix the seat, the screen and the stock road tyres, the three things owners and testers complain about most. The engine is a big step up from the old 411, the fuelling is good and it is economical, but it is still heavy for what it is at around 196kg. We don't own one, so this list draws on long-term reports, a 2,900km test in Morocco, and what Holloway riders on 450s tell us.
0 of 9 ticked as on your bike. Ticks stay on this device only.
Most common Himalayan 450 mods
Roughly in the order we'd fit them for green laning.
Proper off-road tyres
The stock CEAT tyres are road biased and last a long time, which is exactly why owners change them early instead of waiting for them to wear out. A tester in Morocco found they tracked surprisingly well on dry trails, but UK mud is a different matter. see every tyre we list in its sizes.
Tubeless wheels
Early bikes came with tubed wheels, and tubeless was an extra-cost option. Owners who have had a puncture on a tubed bike say tubeless is worth paying for. If yours is tubed, carry tubes and know how to change one.
A better seat
The seat looks wide and soft but a tester found it painful after under two hours. A reshaped or aftermarket seat, or a gel or mesh cover, is the usual fix.
A taller screen
The stock screen does little beyond giving you mounting points. Testers reported buffeting at motorway speeds. A taller adventure screen makes road links much less tiring.
Softer grips
The hard plastic grips left one tester with calluses weeks after a trip. Softer grips, or heated grips for a UK winter, are a cheap upgrade.
Stronger crash bars
The stock engine bar bent easily for one tester. If you ride it off-road, fit sturdier bars that protect the engine and radiator.
Hand guards and a bash plate
Metal-backed hand guards save the levers, and a strong bash plate protects the sump on rocky lanes. At this weight it will go over at some point.
A rear shock upgrade
The forks are good but the rear is basic, with only preload adjustment. Owners riding harder or carrying luggage upgrade the shock. Backing off the preload first can stop rear chatter at no cost.
Navigation you can use offline
The built-in Tripper navigation relies on Google Maps and needs a signal, which is no good in a remote lane. A mounted phone running offline maps, or a GPS, is more dependable. Hardwire it to a fused supply.
Known Himalayan 450 weak points and fixes
How easy the Himalayan 450 is to live with
- It is economical. Testers recorded 75 to 96mpg, so the 17 litre tank goes a long way and a bigger tank is rarely worth it.
- The centre stand and full toolkit come as standard, which makes chain adjustment and roadside repairs easy.
- Royal Enfield has recalled earlier Himalayans for corroding brake calipers. Check any used bike for outstanding recalls with a dealer or on the gov.uk vehicle recall checker.
Himalayan 450 mods to skip
- A loud exhaust. Noise is one of the main reasons lanes get closed. If you change the exhaust, keep it road legal and quiet.
- A giant fuel tank. With economy this good, a 24 litre tank adds weight up high for range you will rarely need in the UK.
- Heavy hard luggage. It is already heavy. Soft luggage keeps the weight down and survives a fall better.
Then find somewhere to ride it
Plan a day of green lanes across England and Wales on the Holloway map, with each lane's difficulty and legal status.
Open the mapSources: Adventure Motorcycling, 450 Himalayan 3,000km review, MCN Fleet, Himalayan 450 long-term test, UKGSER forum, 450 Himalayan new wheels, GOV.UK, check if a vehicle has been recalled.