Royal Enfield’s Chief of Design has hinted that we could see their new single-cylinder engine in more motorcycles.
The debut of Royal Enfield’s small but capable Himalayan 450 has caused more than a few expectant inquiries to be lobbed at the company’s Head of Design, Mark Wells. For us, the top of the list has been taken over by the obligatory query:
Will Royal Enfield put their new single-cylinder 450 (452cc) platform in any upcoming bikes?
While far from an official confirmation, we have here a quote from Wells himself on the 450 platform’s potential, sourced by Dan Sutherland over at MCN:
– Mark Wells, Chief of Design, Royal Enfield (EICMA, MCN) |
What else does Royal Enfield have in the oven?
Previously, Royal Enfield’s Super Meteor 650 was the debutante in the proverbial spotlight; in our own interview with Wells, the Chief gave us an idea as to how his company’s been able to promise “28 bikes in the next seven years.”
Spoiler: Sometimes, it pays to be the world’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer in continuous production.
– Mark Wells, Chief of Design, Royal Enfield |
In this same interview, Wells gave space to the fact that the Super Meteor 650 was soon to be followed by a number of models looking to use the same 650 platform.
Placing the company’s middleweight platform next to their new 450 platform gives us an if-then assumption that Royal Enfield wants to make more bikes with an engine that their Chief of Design cannot get enough of.
Sutherland thinks that the new 450 models could show up as soon as 2024, with a Scram 411 or a competitor to Triumph’s Tiger 400 being likely.
What do you think of Royal Enfield’s Himalayan 450, and what bike do you think will be next to adopt that 450 platform?
