Royal Enfield Himalayan 750: the twin-cylinder Himalayan has finally arrived

Royal Enfield has unveiled the Himalayan 750, a middleweight adventure bike with a parallel twin that fans have wanted since the original Himalayan 411. The engine is air/oil-cooled, so there is no radiator and no plumbing to damage in the mountains.

The pull is flat: 90% of torque is available from 3,500 rpm, which helps when crawling over tricky sections. The frame is a new box-section spine with the engine as a stressed member. Showa suspension is fully adjustable, and it is the first Royal Enfield with dual front discs. Wheels are 19 inch front and 17 inch rear instead of the usual 21, pointing toward road use over hard off-roading.

The electronics are extensive: five riding modes, cornering ABS, traction control, a six-axis IMU, cruise control and a 4-inch TFT with navigation. An integrated GIVI luggage system needs no separate racks. The New Atlas author wonders whether this has drifted far from the original's simplicity.

• Engine — 743 cc, 54 hp at 7,000 rpm
• Torque — 63 Nm at 5,000 rpm
• Tank and seat height — 17 l, 813 mm
• UK price — £6,999