Keenly-awaited adventure bike nears production – but exactly how big is it?
Royal Enfield has confirmed that its much-anticipated twin-cylinder Himalayan is nearly ready for production, sharing images on Instagram of CEO B. Govindarajan and British design boss Mark Wells testing it in India’s rugged Ladakh region. The test team was also joined by the latest prototype of the electric Himalayan, or ‘Him-E’, showing both models are in their final stages of development.
The twin-cylinder Himalayan is believed to feature either the existing 650cc parallel-twin or a larger 750cc version, derived from Enfield’s air-cooled platform but tuned for added power and torque.
Unlike the brand’s retro-styled twins, the Himalayan twin adopts a modern chassis with an alloy swingarm, monoshock rear suspension, upside-down fork and minimalist bodywork – apart from a classic circular headlight. Its 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, dual front discs and close-fitting mudguard suggest a bias towards street-oriented adventure riding rather than hardcore off-roading.
Onboard tech appears to include a circular colour TFT display rather than the rectangular screens popular with rivals, while practical touches like a high-mounted exhaust silencer and substantial bash plate speak to its adventure credentials.
The electric Himalayan, in contrast, looks more focused on off-road ability. It features a 21-inch front wheel, knobbly tires, a slim one-piece seat, and a tankless design that allows for better rider movement. The latest prototype shows major changes from the 2023 version, with twin battery packs flanking a central structure, improved cooling fins, and a more refined trellis-style frame. Its styling has evolved too, with shaped side panels and protective tubing giving it a more muscular stance, likely accommodating more cells for extended range.
The production version of the twin-cylinder Himalayan is expected to debut later this year as a 2026 model, with further news on the electric variant anticipated around the same time.
