EICMA 2023 | Electric Royal Enfield Himalayan makes shocking debut at EICMA bearing polished Himalayan 452 styling

It's been known for a while now that Royal Enfield has been working on an electric motorcycle, but it's always been assumed that it would align more closely to the likes of the Classic 350 or Interceptor 650 series. Instead, perhaps banking on the success of the original Himalayan and the adventure segment in general, Royal Enfield has revealed an electric Himalayan concept at EICMA 2023 under the guise of a “Test Bed” for its future of sustainable adventure.

The presentation that accompanied the motorcycle's reveal didn't divulge much about the technical specifications in terms of range, weight, or power output, but there are a few clues hidden in the electric bike's styling and equipment. It's obvious, given the adventure-rally styling, that Royal Enfield intends electric Himalayan Test Bed to be rather off-road capable, just like its ICE counterpart has always been.

Royal Enfield claims it tested the Himalayan Test Bed in the Himalayan mountains, the same way it has tested the previous Himalayans, in addition to “extensive wind tunnel testing,” to optimise for efficiency. This wind tunnel testing is somewhat evident in the design language of the motorcycle, especially compared to the recently-unveiled Himalayan 452 refresh.

Where the ICE Himalayan 452 features rugged styling with plenty of protruding steel body protection and scant wind protection, the Himalayan Test Bed tucks the rider behind a large, swept windscreen and smooth body panels. The steel reinforcements are still there, but they're more subtle, and Royal Enfield seems to have put a lot of attention into streamlining the electrical drivetrain components, with the battery and control systems hiding behind substantial aluminium panels that almost certainly help keep things cool.

While the staunch upside-down forks and rear Öllin's rear air shock hint at the motorcycle's off-road prowess, they also tell a story of heavy weight. Thicker fork stanchions are commonly used to add rigidity and increase steering accuracy, and the heavier the motorcycle, the thicker you can expect the stanchions to be.

Weight has been, and will likely continue to be, a problem for electric motorcycles — at least until something changes in regard to battery technology. It's also not as if Royal Enfield is scared of producing heavy motorcycles, with most of its ICE offerings topping 200 kg (~440 lbs). Even the venerable Himalayan 411, which barely delivers 24 hp, weighs in at a portly 191 kg (~421 lbs).

As for wheels, the Himalayan Test Bed rolls on a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear combo clad in dual-sport tyres that seem more at home on the pavement than on dirt. The long bench seat of the regular Himalayan is also dialled up to 11, with the padding extending all the way up what would normally be the tank of the motorcycle — which, in this case, cleverly hides the motorcycle's charging port and electronics.

There's no word yet on when exactly Royal Enfield plans on releasing a production electric motorcycle, but it's telling that the company's first public reveal of an electric concept came in the form of the Himalayan adventure bike. Royal Enfield also mentioned that the Himalayan Test Bed was just the start, and that there are more concepts and prototypes to come. Perhaps we can expect something like an Interceptor or Continental GT Test Bed in the not-too-distant future.

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