Two new 450cc ADVs are inbound

The 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has launched at EICMA 2023 and so too CFMoto’s 450MT. Both promise great value in the midsized ADV sector.

The second-gen Himalayan features an all-new 452cc “Sherpa” motor that outputs 40bhp (30kW), almost double what the former air-cooled engine could muster. It’s also good for 40Nm of torque. The added output is courtesy of liquid cooling, double overhead cams and a four-valve cylinder head. It runs a ride-by-wire throttle too. 

A steel twin-spar frame supports the engine, while up front are 43mm USD forks, and a 21-inch wheel. At the rear are a 17-inch hoop and monoshock. There’s said to be 200mm of travel each end and ground clearance is up slightly to 230mm. The engine is fed by a 17-litre fuel tank.

There are two seat options, both adjustable. The standard pew ranges between 825mm and 845mm in height, while the low seat option is adjustable between 805mm and 825mm. Wet weight is 196kg and there’s a new four-inch TFT screen that incorporates a fuel gauge.

Other features include LED lighting and a USB-C socket, various riding modes and on/off for the rear wheel ABS.

Accessories include an adventure screen, headlight grille, touring mirrors, a silver radiator guard and engine protectors, and a top box and pannier option.

The 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 will be available in five colours, including black, white, off-white, blue and brown.

By contrast, new competition from CFMoto, the 450MT, is a parallel twin with a 270-degree crankshaft to give a V-twin-like firing order. It shares this engine with the 450 SR, which we recently discovered is the stroppiest of the sector. It makes 35kW of power and 44Nm of torque, and will be LAMS ready, like the similarly sized competition.

As with the RE, this has 200mm of travel from its adjustable KYB suspension but slightly less ground clearance at 220mm. Wet weight of around 190kg is expected, given dry weight is 175kg. The seat height is 820mm, or 800mm with the optional low seat. 

As with Himalayan 450, the wheel sizes are 21-inch and 17-inch, front and rear, respectively, wrapped in 90/90 front and 140/70 tyres. Wheels are spoked. There’s Bosch two-channel ABS which is switchable at the rear, and there’s a curved five-inch colour TFT display with Bluetooth.

Expect both of these to arrive here before mid-2024.