The Royal Enfield Himalayan Sleet was launched today, and its nearest competitor is the Kawasaki Versys-X 300. Let’s see how the two adventure tourers perform on paper.
Both the motorcycles have different characters. The Royal Enfield Himalayan Sleet has a very no-nonsense, rugged design. The Versys-X 300 on the other hand gets the characteristic angular design elements, all the while being practical enough.
| Specifications | Royal Enfield Himalayan Sleet | Kawasaki Versys-X 300 |
| Engine | 411 cc SOHC single cylinder engine with fuel injection, air and oil cooling | 296 cc parallel twin DOHC engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection |
| Maximum Power | 24.5 PS at 6,500 rpm | 40 PS at 11,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 32 Nm at 4,250 rpm | 25.7 Nm at 10,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 6-speed with assist and slipper clutch |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm telescopic fork with 200 mm travel | 41 mm telescopic fork with 130 mm travel |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock with linkage offering 180 mm travel | Bottom-Link Uni-Trak, gas-charged shock and adjustable preload with 148 mm travel |
| Front Brake | 300 mm disc | 290 mm petal disc with ABS |
| Rear Brake | 240 mm disc | 220 mm petal disc with ABS |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15 litres | 17 litres |
| Kerb Weight | 191 kg | 184 kg |
| Front Wheel Size | 90/90 - 21 | 100/90-19M/C 57S |
| Rear Wheel Size | 120/90 - 17 | 130/80-17M/C 65S |
| Ground Clearance | 220 mm | 180 mm |
| Price | INR 2,12,666, on-road Chennai | INR 4.6 lakhs, ex-showroom, Mumbai and Delhi |
Though the Versys-X 300 is more powerful than the Himalayan, the motor is a high-revving unit and has 6.3 Nm less torque than the Indian motorcycle. However, on the safety front, the Versys scores better, thanks to the inclusion of ABS and petal discs. The bike also has a 2-litre bigger tank, and weighs 7 kg lesser than the Himalayan.
The Himalayan Sleet gets twin aluminium panniers, braced handlebars, and a crash guard as standard. The Versys-X 300 comes with a single hard pannier, crash guard and two auxiliary lamps. Though the Versys comes with its own set of capabilities, the absurd price tag will be off-putting to prospective buyers who are looking for a sturdy adventure tourer that doesn’t burn a hole in the pocket. The Himalayan is the only choice for budget-conscious riders, and has better ground clearance and suspension travel than the Versys. It also has the advantage of bigger brand service reach when compared to Kawasaki.
