The Royal Enfield Himalayan is a proper adventure motorcycle that is designed for all roads. There is, however, a more rugged and off-road ready version of the motorcycle that drew attention at the 2018 Big Motor Sale in Thailand.
Also read: No Royal Enfield Himalayan 650 variant in the short-term plan, RE's President tells IAB
The Royal Enfield stand at the 2018 Big Motor Sale was adorned with the Himalayan Dakar Rally edition – a motorcycle that gets many add-ons to make it more off-road ready than ever. The Himalayan Dakar Rally edition comes equipped with better aerodynamics and comprehensive crash protection that are aimed to survive one of the toughest motorsports in the world, the Dakar Rally.
For starters, the motorcycle sheds its stock, halogen headlight for a pair of vertically stacked projector units. The new twin-pod projector headlights are housed in a new mask that also doubles up as a windscreen for better aerodynamics. The motorcycle also gets a new semi-fairing that further enhances the windblast protection. Behind the new fairing is a tall-set handlebar that is aimed to offer better ergonomics to the rider while standing on the footrests.
All the additional bodywork is neatly protected by a comprehensive crash guard package, the lower portion of which also holds a pair of auxiliary lights that can illuminate the darkest of roads/trails. The bash-plate, however, has been retained from the stock motorcycle.
Pair of knobby tyres, which can help the motorcycle ride over any surface, have replaced the stock rubber. The new tyres are wrapped in the stock 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels.
Another noticeable feature on the Dakar Rally edition is the plush saddle. A single-piece saddle, which appears to have sufficient padding to provide ample of comfort to the rider, has replaced the split seat. Surprising, the motorcycle retains the passenger footrests as the seat does not seem to be large enough to accommodate a pillion comfortably.
Lastly, the rally ready motorcycle gets a tall-set rear fender that also doubles up as a heat shield from the repositioned, tall-set exhaust.
The motorcycle gets a three-tone paint with Royal Enfield, Himalayan and Dakar branding on various components.
There is no mention of any upgrades to the engine and thus we’d assume that the Royal Enfield Himalayan Dakar edition continues to draw 24.5 bhp of power @ 6500 rpm and 32 Nm of peak torque @ 4250 rpm from its 411 cc single cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled, SOHC, fuel injected engine. The braking setup appears to retain the 300 mm disc up front with 2-piston floating calliper and 240 mm disc at the rear with single-piston floating calliper.
[Image source: Facebook.com]
