Design:

Royal Enfield has taken the tried and tested philosophy, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’, and we totally agree with it. The 2021 Himalayan, in terms of styling, is identical to the outgoing model. Mechanically also it receives no changes. So, it retains the same suspension setup, brakes and chassis as the BS6 version. The iconic motorcycle manufacturer has spruced the Himalayan up by introducing three new colour options: Granite Black, the eye-catching Pine Green and the Mirage Silver, which we have here with us, and it comes standard with a contrasting brown saddle. Sadly, Royal Enfield has discontinued Snow and Sleet Grey colours.

Based on the feedback received, Royal Enfield has tweaked the front rack frame on the fuel tank. By pushing the frame further up, thereby, there’s more knee room available for taller riders over 6 feet in height.

Navigation system:

No doubt one of the biggest updates the Himalayan gets is the navigation system or, as the company calls it, the Tripper display. It made its debut with the Meteor 350, which we’ve used extensively and found it quite helpful. One can sync their smartphone via the Royal Enfield app available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play store. This Google Maps-based turn-by-turn navigation system is accurate and offers a seamless experience. The Tripper doesn’t read out phone or message alerts, which is a good thing as you are focused on the road.

The only hitch we found about the Tripper is that when you switch off the bike for whatever reason or at a traffic light, it sometimes doesn’t automatically pair back to your phone. It’s a slight inconvenience, but that’s not really a deal-breaker.

To accommodate the new additional pod in the instrument cluster, the windscreen is now wider from the bottom and taller as many Himalayan owners had complained the earlier model didn’t negate wind buffeting effectively. The new windscreen is only tinted.

New seat:

The previous Himalayan certainly had a comfortable seat, but it was a tad bit soft, making it unsupportive on long rides. Again, based on the feedback received from current Himalayan owners, Royal Enfield has added more padding to the saddle and have made it firmer. In terms of the seat height, it continues to be 800 mm, which makes it accessible for many. I’m a shade taller than 5 feet 9 inches in height and I can comfortably put my feet flat on the ground. The riding stance is comfortable as you don’t feel cramped. The footpegs are placed in a slight angular position, but nothing really to complain about. The seating position is commanding as well.

As an accessory, one can also opt for Touring Seats at an additional cost of INR 3,000.

Additional upgrades:

Coming to the rear carrier, it is now more aligned to the seat and has been reinforced with an additional metal plate to haul heavy luggage. It’s inscribed on the rear carrier that it can carry up to 7 kg of luggage, which is 2 kg more than the previous Himalayan.

Engine:

The 411cc engine remains the same mechanically and continues to churn 24.3 bhp of power and 32 Nm of torque. Ever since the Royal Enfield has introduced the fuel injection system in the Himalayan, it’s been a very smooth bike. It happily cruises anywhere around 80-100 kmph and effortlessly goes past the three-figure mark. We tip our hat to Royal Enfield for ensuring that the Himalayan’s vibrations are down to a minimal, making the riding experience quite enjoyable and comfortable both in the city and on the highway.

You open the throttle and the initial response is measured and it builds momentum in a linear fashion. The power doesn’t come rushing in a hurry as the low-end torque lacks the punch and feels flat. As the Himalayan is more at home when it’s out on open roads and covering long distances, it is happiest at the mid-range power band where the motor’s optimal power can be experienced. The Himalayan cruises comfortably at speeds over the three-figure mark, but the power tends to taper off after crossing 120 kmph.

Ride and handling:

The Himalayan is a practical bike that can be used for your daily commute. Thanks to the soft suspension setup, along with the long travel, it easily cushions undulations and speed breakers in the city and at the same time feels at home on dirt tracks and overcomes ditches and potholes without a sweat. There are a couple of minor issues that Royal Enfield can iron out like the heavy clutch and hand brake lever, which can become quite a task. Also, the brakes lack the bite and feel spongy.

The Himalayan is a heavy motorcycle and weighs around 199 kg, and if and when you drop it, you can feel its weighty issues. But the beauty about this bike is that while on the go, it feels agile and light. You can easily navigate through traffic or extreme off-roading conditions.

Verdict:

It all comes down to brass-tacks and priced at INR 201,000, is the extra INR 10,000 justified? Maybe not, but you won’t find a more capable ADV bike at that range that is easy to manoeuvre and doesn’t overwhelm you with additional electronic nannies. The Himalayan keeps it simple and allows you to switch off the dual-channel ABS, though it wouldn’t be a bad idea if the Himalayan got traction control. Another thing we would like to see is tubeless tyres as it makes life a lot easier and spares you a lot of frustration, especially when you are on a long-distance ride. We would stick our neck out and say that it is a Jack of All Trades and a commuter-friendly adventure motorcycle that is very forgiving on your wallet. (MT)

Specifications:

Engine: 411 cc + 24.3 bhp + 32 Nm of torque

Transmission: 5-speed

Ground clearance: 220 mm

Seat height: 800 mm

Tyres & brakes:

Front: 90/90 – 21 inches / 300 mm disc

Rear: 120/90 – 17 inches / 240 mm disc

Dual-channel ABS

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Classic Legends, an Indian motorcycle manufacturer by the Mahindra Group the makers of Jawa, Yezdi and BSA brands, celebrated the 24^th Edition of International Jawa-Yezdi Day (IJYD) on 12 July 2026.

The event, which began as an initiative among motorcycle owners, involved over 7,500 riders across 150 cities in India this year. The celebration included 40 enthusiast communities in India and participants in 11 countries, who marked the occasion through rides and gatherings. The event united owners of vintage motorcycles with riders of current Jawa and Yezdi models.

Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Classic Legends, said, "24-years ago, International Jawa-Yezdi Day began as a simple expression of passion among riders who wanted to celebrate the motorcycles they loved. Today, it has grown into a global tradition that transcends borders and generations. What makes IJYD truly special is that it belongs to the riders themselves. Every ride, every gathering and every shared story keeps this legacy alive. More importantly, it celebrates the friendships, communities and memories built around these motorcycles. We are honoured to be a part of movement that continues to grow stronger with every passing year."

The festivities were organised by more than 40 rider clubs, along with dealerships and enthusiast communities.

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IGNYTE, the premium helmet brand of Steelbird, has introduced its Carbon Fibre Series, featuring three models: the IGN-10, IGN-14, and IGN-16.

The helmets are manufactured in-house using carbon fibre composite shells designed for impact performance and durability. It introduces multi-colour exposed carbon fibre textures and finishes.

The IGN-10 and IGN-14 are priced at INR 14,999, while the IGN-16 is priced at INR 19,999. The helmet comes with a three-year warranty and accessories such as smoke visors and fitting head foam.

It uses an Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) liner with Kevlar reinforcement, which provides energy absorption and multi-impact capability. The series holds both ISI and DOT certifications. Features include anti-fog and anti-scratch visors, ventilation channels, antimicrobial interiors and an aerodynamic profile. The production process utilises balloon moulding.

Kashish Kapur, Director, Steelbird Hi-Tech India, said, "The IGNYTE Carbon Fibre Series represents our vision of creating premium helmets that combine world-class safety, advanced materials, and exceptional craftsmanship. Every helmet has been designed and manufactured in-house with a strong focus on innovation, lightweight performance, and rider protection. With this launch, we are taking another significant step towards offering Indian motorcyclists globally competitive products that deliver the highest standards of safety and performance."

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Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has introduced a campaign for its Destini scooter, titled ‘Hero Ka Scooter, Scooter Ka Hero.’ Conceptualised by McCann India, the campaign focuses on the relationship between a father and child, portraying the scooter as a companion for family journeys.

The campaign film features a girl who imagines an evening ride with her father as an adventure involving a dragon. The narrative integrates product features into the story: the metal body provides protection, the mileage exhausts the creature in a race, the legroom stores food and the under-seat storage is used to toast corn.

Aashish Midha, Head of Marketing, Hero MotoCorp, said, “At Hero MotoCorp, we believe the most meaningful stories are those rooted in everyday life. ‘Hero Ka Scooter, Scooter Ka Hero’ celebrates parents – the everyday heroes of every Indian family –through the boundless imagination of a child. The Hero Destini has always stood for trust, comfort and practicality, and this campaign brings those values to life in a way that is both emotionally engaging and deeply relatable. It reinforces our commitment to building products that become an integral part of our customers’ lives and cherished family moments.”

Prasoon Joshi, Chairman, Omnicom Advertising India, said, “The more memorable ideas rarely begin with what a brand wants to say. They begin with something people already feel, but may not have found the words for. When a brand captures that truth, it stops feeling like advertising and starts feeling deeply familiar. Hero Destini expresses this in a simple but evocative manner. Every child sees their father as their first superhero, not because he has superpowers, but because he quietly shows up, overcomes obstacles and finds a way to keep the family moving. In the film, the scooter becomes part of that quiet magic. It isn’t just a ride. It helps turn an ordinary journey into an adventure, complete with a dragon, seen through a child’s eyes. That’s what makes the film linger. It reminds us that true creativity doesn’t need to exaggerate reality; it elevates the genuine emotions already present. And this is where the brands then find a place in people’s hearts.”

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India Yamaha Motor has launched the FZ-Blue Flex, a motorcycle capable of running on ethanol-blended fuels ranging from E20 to E85 at INR 1,24,240 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The motorcycle, powered by a 149cc fuel-injected engine, delivers 8.6 kW of power and 12.8 Nm of torque via a 5-speed gearbox. It uses a front telescopic suspension, a rear swingarm and an anti-lock braking system.

Hajime Aota, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India Group, said, “Achieving a carbon-neutral future requires a dynamic, multi-pathway strategy rather than a single solution. Having already commenced our electric vehicle journey in India, the introduction of our innovative Blue Flex technology marks another strategic milestone. This move is a deliberate alignment of Yamaha’s global sustainability vision with the Indian government’s progressive biofuel policies. By embracing multiple technological avenues, we reinforce our commitment to global carbon neutrality goals while providing versatile, high-quality products tailored to the evolving needs of Indian consumers.”

The motorcycle will be available in Metallic Black and sold through selected Blue Square dealerships across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

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