Royal Enfield has finally revived the spirit of the original Himalayan with the Himalayan 440, a new adventure bike launched in India at Rs. 2.29 Lakh (ex-showroom). Unveiled at the inaugural Himalayan Basecamp event in Ladakh on September 4, 2026, the 440 takes on the role of a cheaper, simpler Himalayan 450 alternative that uses a similar engine and hardware to the Scram 440. Royal Enfield now offers two distinctly different Himalayan experiences: the rugged, no-frills 440 and the more premium 450.
Engine and performance: Proven 443cc long-stroke motor with 6-speed gearbox
The Himalayan 440 reuses the 443cc, air/oil-cooled, long-stroke single-cylinder engine from the Scram 440.
Power: 25.4 bhp at 6250 rpm
Torque: 34 Nm at 4000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed gearbox (upgraded from the 5-speed Himalayan 411)
The additional sixth gear is likely to appeal to people who ride on highways and for long distances, addressing one of the few weaknesses of the original Himalayan 411. While the power output is lower than the 450’s 40 PS, the 440’s torque-rich, long-stroke characteristics will satisfy many riders looking for a relaxed tourer with occasional off-road capabilities.
Chassis, suspension and off-road hardware: Familiar but capable layout
The Himalayan 440 keeps the split-cradle frame design of the original 411 as well as the classic adventure bike wheel sizing: 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoke wheels.
Key off-road and chassis specs:
Ground clearance: 220 mm
Seat height: 800 mm
Suspension travel: 200 mm (front), 180 mm (rear)
Front suspension: Conventional telescopic forks
Rear suspension: Monoshock with preload adjustment
This is the same suspension system and travel as the original Himalayan, so existing Himalayan owners will have no problem adapting or getting used to the 440. Compared to the new Himalayan 450’s inverted fork and 200 mm travel at both ends, the 440’s simpler set up should be sufficient for Indian roads and light trails.
Braking is provided by a 300 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS as standard. Some reports suggest switchable rear ABS, giving riders the option of using rear ABS for loose surfaces where some lock can improve control.
Features and instrumentation: Minimalist but practical
Royal Enfield has kept the instrumentation on the Himalayan 440 basic and focused on essentials rather than tech-heavy displays.
Key features:
Twin-pod instrument cluster:
Digital-analogue console (speedometer, fuel, trip info)
Separate Tripper navigation pod for Google Maps-based turn-by-turn navigation
LED headlamp for improved night visibility
USB Type-C charging port for smartphones and devices
Switchable ABS (rear) for off-road flexibility
Notably, the 440 does not get a tachometer (rev counter) like the Scram 440, which is a disappointment for many riders who prefer to be aware of their RPMs at all times. There is also no large TFT screen or full-map navigation like the Himalayan 450, instead relying on the simple but reliable Tripper pod for navigation.
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Design and colours: Classic Himalayan look with new palette
At first glance, the Himalayan 440 looks very similar to the original 411 with the same upright adventure bike stance, high front fender and exposed frame elements. The main differences are the decals, badging and colour options.
The Himalayan 440 is available in three colours:
Sela Black (with a special 10th anniversary tank badge)
Mustang Brown
Nelong White
All three colours are priced at Rs. 2.29 Lakh (ex-showroom) and have a different character – from the understated Sela Black to the earthy Mustang Brown and clean Nelong White.
Himalayan 440 vs Himalayan 450 vs Scram 440: Where does it fit?
The Himalayan 440 falls between the Scram 440 and Himalayan 450 in terms of positioning.
Vs Scram 440:
Same 443cc engine, power and torque
Similar price (Scram 440 starts around Rs. 2.24 Lakh)
Himalayan 440 gets adventure-focused ergonomics, 21/17-inch wheels, higher ground clearance and Tripper navigation as standard
Vs Himalayan 450:
450 has a more powerful 452cc liquid-cooled engine (40 PS, 40 Nm)
450 gets a large TFT display with full-map navigation, more premium finishes and slightly more sophisticated suspension
450 is priced much higher (starts around Rs. 3.08-3.22 Lakh)
The 440 is clearly targeting riders who want the classic Himalayan experience – simple and rugged – without the added power and technology of the 450.
Pricing and market positioning
At Rs. 2.29 Lakh (ex-showroom), the Himalayan 440 is:
Around Rs. 79,000 cheaper than the base Himalayan 450
Priced slightly above the Scram 440 despite having more adventure-focused hardware
This makes the 440 a great rival for:
Yezdi Adventure
More spec’d 250-400cc adventure and roadster bikes in the Rs. 2-2.5 Lakh range
For riders who couldn’t afford the Himalayan 450 or found it too tech-heavy, the 440 offers a compelling alternative – a modern reliability and 6-speed gearbox without the power and tech.
Who should buy the Royal Enfield Himalayan 440?
The Himalayan 440 fits best if you:
Want a simple, rugged adventure tourer with no complicated electronics
Plan on using the bike for highway touring and weekend trips with occasional off-road
Like to keep purchase and maintenance costs low while enjoying a modern adventure bike
Like the idea of Tripper navigation without a full TFT screen
If you prioritise pure power, premium tech and premium suspension, the Himalayan 450 remains the flagship. But for riders who want the classic Himalayan feel with a more modern engine and 6-speed gearbox, the 440 at Rs. 2.29 Lakh is Royal Enfield’s clearest answer yet.
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