Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 - Honest Review – Salt Creek Motorcycles

If you’re on the lookout for an adventure bike with character, simplicity and real-world promise, the Himalayan 450 is a seriously tempting choice. Here's how it stacks up for the punter (or adventurer) in Australia - the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between.

✅ What I Loved

Raw, honest adventure DNA
First off - this is a machine that looks the part and then lives the part. With its 21″ front wheel, upright riding position, decent 230 mm ground clearance and an adjustable seat ranging from 825-845 mm, the Himalayan 450 is clearly built for both dirt tracks and weekend escapes.

A proper performance jump over its predecessor
If you’re familiar with the older Himalayan (411 cc model), you’ll know it was rugged but under-powered. The 450 fixes that. It’s got a liquid-cooled 452 cc single, DOHC, four valves, 29.4 kW (≈39-40 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 40 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. That’s no yard-bike, and it gives you enough grunt to actually enjoy twisty roads, highway stretches and moderate off-road.

Value for money / good package
In the Australian market, the ride-away price of around $9,190 (Kaza Brown version) with a 3-year unlimited-km warranty + roadside assist means this bike punches above its weight. Add in the modern touches: 4″ TFT display, LED lighting, spouse of ride modes, switchable ABS - you’re getting a lot for the money.

Versatility
On the one hand you’ve got urban commuting, on the other hand you’ve got light off-road adventures. The reviews say it “proved to be surprisingly capable off-road” despite its compromises. That means for someone like you, with a passion for inclusive riding, getting out into nature, trail rides etc., this bike has legitimate credentials.

⚠️ What Could Be Better

Seat height / ergonomics for shorter riders
Although the seat is adjustable between 825-845 mm (and there is mention of a low-seat option down to 805 mm) in practice that’s still tall. If you’re under about 170 cm or prefer flat-footing every stop, you’ll want to check it out in person.

Less tech than high-end rivals
The Himalayan 450 brings modernisation but doesn’t go full high-end. Some reviewers point out it lacks things like cornering ABS, traction control, ultra-advanced electronics etc. If your riding style is fast, sporty, aggressive trail exploring, you might feel the tech limitation. However that does mean less can go wrong. Sometime less is better.

Not a high-speed monster
Yes it has more power than before, but you're not buying this for wheelies or insane pace. In other words: pace is decent, but this isn’t a litre-bike. If your highways are full of overtakes, you’ll want to keep expectations grounded.

🎯 Verdict

As someone who runs a motorcycle dealership and loves inclusive riding, I’d say the Himalayan 450 is highly recommendable for a broad range of riders - especially if you:

Want a solid adventure bike without spending big bucks.
Want a machine that handles both on-road and light off-road with flair.
Value simplicity, reliability and character over ultra-tech gadgetry.
Ride mixed surfaces, enjoy weekend rides, trail escapes, weekend campers etc.

Would I buy it? Yes - It hits a sweet spot of “good enough power”, “serious adventure capability”, “value” and “character”. It’s also a machine people will respect and enjoy together, not just something to hog solo.

If I had to pick a caveat: make sure you test it for your height and comfort, assess how much off-road you’ll really ride.