Royal Enfield is developing a new 650 cc adventure tourer based on the Interceptor 650 platform. Spy shots reveal a camouflaged test mule with the familiar 648 cc air/oil-cooled parallel-twin engine and a two-in-one upswept exhaust.
The Himalayan 650 is expected to have similar power and torque output to the current 650 cc RE models, but with potentially altered characteristics. It will likely feature a six-speed gearbox with different ratios and a slip and assist clutch. The bike will also be equipped with twin front discs, a first for a Royal Enfield, and a USD fork with adjustable suspension settings.
Other features include a TFT dash with functions similar to the Himalayan 450, switchable ABS, riding modes, Bluetooth connectivity, and Google Maps casting. The bike’s silhouette resembles the Himalayan 450, with a similar fuel tank design, stepped seat, and rear section. It features an upright seating position and a wide handlebar. While the front wheel is spoked, it appears to be a 19-inch unit instead of a 21-inch unit, likely due to the 650 cc platform’s weight. The Himalayan 650 is expected to be above 200 kg, prompting speculation whether it will be positioned as a road-biased tourer or an off-road machine.
Royal Enfield could showcase a concept at the 2024 Motoverse event. With a projected price range of ₹4 lakh to ₹4.2 lakh, the Himalayan 650 will compete with the Moto Morini X-Cape 650, currently priced at ₹6.49 lakh.
