Royal Enfield is accelerating the development of its more off-road focused Himalayan variant, internally known as ‘Project K1X’ and likely to be named the Himalayan Raid. Originally slated for a late 2026/early 2027 launch, the project has been fast-tracked to early 2026.
This enhanced Himalayan is being co-developed by Royal Enfield’s R&D teams in India and the UK, with input from their newly established European racing division. While based on the current Himalayan platform, the Raid will distinguish itself with upgraded, high-performance components. Some parts will be shared with the existing model, but the Raid will feature new, fully adjustable suspension for both compression and rebound damping at the front and rear, along with significantly larger diameter fork tubes.
A key differentiator will be the inclusion of rally-inspired parts as standard equipment. Currently offered as accessories for the Himalayan, items such as the rally tail section, rally seat, handguards, and tubeless spoke wheels will come standard on the Raid.
Powering the Himalayan Raid remains somewhat unclear. While Royal Enfield is developing an updated version of its 452cc engine with increased power and torque, it’s uncertain whether the Raid will utilize this new engine or the existing one. Performance is expected to be similar to the current Himalayan, regardless of the engine choice.
With an anticipated price tag of around Rs. 3.5 lakh (ex-showroom), the Himalayan Raid will be positioned to compete with the recently launched KTM 390 Adventure. Royal Enfield’s strategy appears to be aimed at attracting some KTM customers, both in India and internationally. However, with KTM’s established and loyal following, Royal Enfield’s marketing approach for the Raid will be crucial to its success.
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