Rally-Made: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Rally Bike

Himalayan 450 Rally from OrMotors…  

In 2016, Royal Enfield launched the original Himalayan, featuring a 411cc single-cylinder air/oil-cooled engine developed from the ground up for the midsize adventure bike. The bike generally received strongly positive reviews, especially given its low price point, with MCN calling it a “strangely appealing small adventure bike” and the great Peter Egan spending an entire riding season “seated quite happily” behind its handlebars.

So you might think the new Himalayan 450 is just a punched-out version of the old Hima…but you’d be wrong. In fact, there isn’t a single part in common with the old model.

“The brand-new for 2024 Himalayan is the most radically different motorcycle that the company has ever made, offering a totally modern engine and electronics package mated to a chassis that is more capable than anything before it.” –Cycle World

 

The new Sherpa 450 engine is liquid-cooled (an RE first), with a four-valve head and dual cams, and makes 39.6 bhp — 65% more power than the old air-cooled mill. Meanwhile the bike uses a twin-spar steel chassis with Showa suspension good for 7.9 inches of travel at both ends. The 450 is clearly aimed at more than the casual rider.

The Cycle World testers found the bike will scrape pegs with aplomb, while the bods at MCN decided to take their long-term test mule rallying.

“With a few quick modifications, the Himalayan can be transformed from effortless mile-muncher to a capable off-road machine, even for a novice. Its solid foundations make it a great tool for developing your off-road riding skills and embarking on true adventures.” –MCN

They aren’t the only ones. Our friend Orion Porta of France’s OrMotors decided to build up a 2024 Himalayan 450 for off-roading.

“I think it’s interesting to make a custom on a new model. This allows us to show others the potential of the new bike. We run off-road with this bike and we wanted a 450 that was more of a rally bike.”

Orion and his team made an initial version of the bike for an off-road event the “TC Days,” then took the learnings and finalized the build. The 43mm inverted Showa SFF fork has been matched with a tuned EMC Suspensions rear shock, and the bike is running a PowerTRONIC Fuelx Pro fuel-injection optimizer and HP Corse “decatalyst” (cat-less) exhaust, bumping up the power.

Royal Enfield provided their “Rally Protection Kit,” which replaces the plastic OEM sump guard with an engine-hugging tubular framework and brushed aluminum bash plate, and the rally dual seat and rear mudguards are other aftermarket RE items that give the bike a true rally / off-road look.

The team worked with 4K Parti Speciali to dial in the LED rally lighting, and while the paint is the original “Kaza Brown,” Creativ Garage provided a scintillating decal kit for the build. Orion and team have the bike at the AMV Green Rallye this weekend at the Château de Lastours estate — we wish we could be there to give it a twist on the trails!

Below is our interview with Orion about the build, and photography credits go to Fabien Malo (@v_brations).

Himalayan 450 Rally: Builder Interview

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

It’s the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, 2024.

• Why was this bike built?

I think it’s interesting to make a custom on a new model. This allows us to show others the potential of the new bike. We run off-road with this bike and we wanted a 450 that was more of a rally bike.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

We made a first version for an off-road event the “TC Days”. This defined the design.
It’s the original color Kaza Brown with a Creativ Garage decals kit.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

We have worked on the suspension, the power, the weight, the lighting with 4K Parti Speciali, the tyres, the crash protection, and more.

We made a lot of detail changes for the look, like the rear Royal Enfield rally kit, and worked to adjust everything for a harmonious bike.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Hima 450 “Green Rallye” — the name of the event where we will show it next weekend.

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

I think there’s more than the 40hp original output, because of the HP Corse decatalyst exhaust and the Fuelx Pro. We lost 22 kgs at the start but we added accessories after.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

This bike is very effective in off-road and good on the road. Very good sound, throttle response, suspension with Showa fork and EMC rear suspension. A bike for everyday, and off-road on the weekend, without changing a thing.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Nothing crazy on this bike but I love the result. It looks good and is very cool to ride off-road on the trail.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

• @4kpartispeciali, @hpcorse, @suspension_emc, @royalenfield for the parts
• @creativgarage for the decals
• @v_brations for the photos

Follow the Builder

Web: Ormotors.fr
Instagram: @OrMotors
Facebook: OrMotors
Photo credit: @v_brations

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