Dust Trail: Himalayan 450 Rally Bike

From OrMotors: Hima 450 for Portugal’s “Dust Trail”…  

In 2024, Royal Enfield launched an all-new 450 version of their popular Himalayan adventure bike. The new Himalayan 450 features Enfield’s first-ever liquid-cooled engine, the Sherpa 450. This four-valve single-cylinder delivers 40 horsepower, a 54% increase over the old 26-bhp 411cc model. Coupled with the new Harris Performance-developed twin-spar tubular steel chassis and Showa suspension with 200mm of front and rear travel, the Hima 450 is significantly more capable than its predecessor…while priced at just $6000 off the showroom floor.

Cycle World was impressed enough to compare the new Himalayan favorably to two of the most popular single-cylinder dual-sports in history:

“While the new 2024 model is actually full of modern technology and refinement, the purpose remains the same, to offer simplicity and function in the same way Kawasaki’s KLR650 or Honda’s XR650L have for decades. Although the Himalayan trumps those bikes in many ways.” –Cycle World

Some folks remain skeptical of the build quality of a bike made in India (much as they once were of Japanese bikes), but the experts have found the Himalayan a beefy, well-built machine.

“Like its predecessor the new Himalayan is built to last. Having been developed in the Himalayas where riding conditions are harsh, its been designed to handle crashes and deal with incredibly rough and unpredictable road and off-road terrain. A large proportion of the components are steel which is a major factor in its heavy weight, but this comes with the advantage of it being tough and easily bent back into shape.” –MCN

Our buddy Orion Porta of France’s OrMotors has been working to showcase the off-road potential of the new model. Last year, he and his team built a Himalayan 450 rally bike to ride in the AMV Green Rallye at Château de Lastours. Now they’re back with an even more potent 450 build.

The red Acerbis 23-liter (6-gallon) fuel tank served as inspiration for the rest of the build. An Acerbis bash plate and fork guards round out the crash protection, while a Royal Enfield rally kit streamlines the tail and rear fender. Meanwhile, the forks were upgraded with Andreani internals that add 30mm of travel, and the rear shock is a French EMC unit.

Engine performance has been enhanced with a PowerTRONIC Fuelx Pro — a state of the art plug-in fuel-injection optimizer — along with a DNA air filter and full HP Corse exhaust. Orion says the bike sounds like a full-on 450 enduro at this point, though the Sherpa 450 was designed more for longevity than outright performance.

Combined with Continental rubber, a rally tower, and aftermarket lighting, this Himalayan is ready for “Dust Trail” in April — an off-road event in Portugal where it will compete alongside “youngtimer” machines like Honda Dominators, Suzuki DR’s, etc. It should be no problem for the Hima 450, as Orion and team managed to cut 46 pounds from the bike, bringing the weight of this ADV well below 400 pounds.

“We cut 21 kgs in total (175kg): exhaust, front light, tyres, tank. We can do 700km without needing gasoline.”

Hats off to Orion and team for staying at the cutting edge of developing this new machine. We look forward to seeing this 450 Enfield on the trail next month! 

Himalayan 450 Rally: Builder Interview

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

It’s the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, 2025.

• Why was this bike built?

This bike was made to promote the off-road capacity of this model. We’ve planned an off-road trip in Portugal in April, with friends who have youngtimer trail bikes (Dominator, 350 DR, etc.).

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

We made a first version in brown for the “Green Rally” in September. We spoke with Acerbis about using their new parts to do this new bike. The red color of Acerbis tank was the start of the design.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

We upgraded the suspension front and rear, the power, the weight, the lights, the tyres, the crash protection. We made lots of details with the decal kit to make a good custom style.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Hima 450 “Dust Trail” — the name of the event we will do in April.

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

I think there’s more than the 40-hp original, because of the complete exhaust from HP Corse, the Fuelx pro, and the DNA air filter. We cut 21 kgs in total (175kg): exhaust, front light, tyres, tank. We can do 700km without needing gasoline.

• 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. The sound is like an enduro bike, and the throttle response is very good.

The suspension with Andreani +30mm at the front is so good, and the EMC at the rear is very efficient. A really good trail bike to travel and to do off road.

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

I’m very satisfied by the people who do a double-take when they see the bike. The red color was a very good idea.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

• Parts: @acerbismotorsport, @continental_tire, @Andreanigroup, @4kpartispeciali, @hpcorse, @suspension_emc, @royalenfield
• Graphics: @creativgarage for the decals
• Photos: @v_brations for the photos

Follow the Builder

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

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