Royal Enfield’s new Himalayan 750 brings a 743cc parallel twin, Showa suspension, cruise control and genuine long-distance appeal. European prices have been announced, but NZ pricing and arrival remain unconfirmed.
- The Himalayan 750 introduces Royal Enfield’s first 743cc air/oil-cooled parallel twin, producing a confirmed 63Nm at 5,000rpm.
- Showa adjustable suspension, six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control and cruise control underline its touring ambitions.
- European introductory prices start at £6,999 in the UK, while New Zealand pricing and arrival timing have yet to be announced.
We’ve been hearing about a twin-cylinder Royal Enfield Himalayan for what feels like an eternity. Spy shots, test mules and the occasional teaser have all pointed towards a larger adventure bike. Now Royal Enfield has finally revealed the production Himalayan 750 at EICMA in Milan.
And it’s clearly much more than a Himalayan 450 with an extra cylinder. With a new 743cc twin, a substantial electronics package and a strong emphasis on carrying riders and luggage over long distances, the 750 is aimed at those who want to go further without necessarily stepping up to a heavyweight adventure bike.
There’s plenty here to interest Kiwi riders, especially anyone who spends more time exploring backroads and gravel highways than tackling seriously difficult trails.
A new twin with more muscle
At the heart of the Himalayan 750 is an air/oil-cooled 743cc parallel twin, Royal Enfield’s first 750cc motorcycle engine. The company quotes 63Nm of torque at 5,000rpm, with 90 per cent of that torque available from as low as 3,500rpm.
That broad spread should be useful for driving out of corners, overtaking or carrying a pillion and luggage. Royal Enfield has never been obsessed with headline horsepower figures, and the appeal here is likely to be relaxed, accessible performance rather than outright speed. Power is stated to be 40.5kW (54.3HP, equivalent to 55PS).
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As B. Govindarajan, Royal Enfield’s chief executive, puts it: “Our first 750cc motorcycle is built for riders looking to cross borders, take on diverse terrains”.
A Himalayan with a touring focus
Styling remains unmistakably Himalayan, with the upright stance, round headlight and purposeful bodywork. But the new motorcycle is set up with longer journeys in mind. Its 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels — offered in cast alloy or tubeless-compatible spoked versions — are a notable departure from the Himalayan 450’s more dirt-oriented 21-inch front wheel.
The 750 has an accessible 815mm seat height, 205mm ground clearance and a 17-litre fuel tank. Royal Enfield also quotes a substantial 195kg payload, which is encouraging for two-up riding or trips with plenty of gear.
An adjustable windscreen offers five positions and 60mm of movement, while separate rider and pillion seats are standard. Optional low and touring seats will allow owners to tailor the riding position.
“The 750 looks less like a replacement for the Himalayan 450 and more like a companion built to cover greater distances.”
Showa suspension and proper brakes
The new model features fully adjustable 43mm Showa upside-down forks with 190mm of travel. At the rear is a Showa monoshock with rebound adjustment and remote preload adjustment, offering 175mm of wheel travel.
That remote preload adjuster is a practical touch if you regularly switch between riding solo and carrying luggage or a pillion. It’s good to see the new 750 has been given twin front discs to take care of braking, while tyre-pressure monitoring is also fitted.
More technology than you might expect
The new Himalayan is a significant step forward for Royal Enfield in electronics. A six-axis IMU supports cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control, while riders can select Road, Road Sport, Rain, Trail or Custom modes.
Cruise control is fitted, as is a circular four-inch TFT display with integrated navigation and smartphone connectivity. There’s also an immobiliser and a new seven-inch LED headlight with an aluminium housing.
It’s all quite sophisticated for a brand that has built much of its modern appeal around straightforward, approachable motorcycles. But the aim seems to be making the technology useful without letting it dominate the riding experience.
GIVI luggage for the flagship model
Royal Enfield has partnered with GIVI on luggage developed specifically for the Himalayan 750. The flagship Antarctic Silver version comes with hard panniers, a top box, inner bags, heated grips, handguards and an aluminium skid plate.
There’s a soft-luggage range too, and the hard-luggage system has been designed to integrate neatly with the motorcycle rather than appearing as an afterthought.
“Cruise control, adjustable suspension and a sizeable payload suggest Royal Enfield has thought seriously about life beyond the Sunday ride.”
UK prices announced — NZ details still to come
European bookings opened on 3 November, and UK introductory pricing provides an early indication of where Royal Enfield intends to position its new adventure bike. The cast-wheel Aztec Green version starts at £6,999; the spoked-wheel Viking Bronze and Siberia White versions are £7,299; and the fully equipped Antarctic Silver flagship is £8,699.
Those prices are for the UK market, not conversions or indications of what the bike will cost here. New Zealand pricing and arrival timing have not yet been announced by the local importer.
That local price will be a major factor. The Himalayan 450 has earned attention for combining genuine adventure ability with attainable pricing, and the 750 could make a compelling next step for riders wanting a little more engine performance and touring comfort.
Our first impression
The interesting thing about the Himalayan 750 is that Royal Enfield hasn’t simply tried to make a larger, more powerful version of its smaller adventure bike. Instead, it appears to have given the new model a clearer road-and-touring bias while retaining enough versatility for gravel and less demanding off-road routes.
For many New Zealand riders, that may be just the right formula. We’ll reserve judgement until we’ve ridden one, but on paper the Himalayan 750 looks like a welcome addition to the middleweight adventure market.
