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Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Mana Black Review

The reviewer has ridden the Mana Black for roughly 2,700–2,800 miles and often compares it with his previous Royal Enfield Himalayan, which he rode for 100,000 miles. Overall, he is very pleased with the new bike. Its standout weakness is the phone and navigation connection software.

What Works Well

• Engine: The 450 cc Sherpa engine produces 40 hp—enough for his needs, though not excessive. He praises its efficiency, durability, and reliability. Fuel economy was usually 51–53 mpg, reaching 62 mpg on some tanks and about 48 mpg on an interstate run.
• Engine character and exhaust: He finds this bike livelier and stronger than the older Himalayans he has ridden. The Royal Enfield/Arrow exhaust has a pleasing, bassy sound and seems to improve midrange response, though he has not tested top speed. He estimates top speed at around 85–90 mph. The catalytic converter remains installed.
• Suspension: He likes both ends of the suspension. The front is a 43 mm inverted fork with 200 mm (about 8 in.) of travel. Although it is non-adjustable, it works well for him at about 230 lb. He also likes the rear monoshock and sees no need to replace it yet, though he might try a YSS shock later.
• Brakes: The front and rear brakes provide dependable stopping without feeling overly aggressive. They have ABS, with the option to disable rear ABS. He has not felt a need for more braking power. The front disc is 320 mm and the rear is 270 mm, with a single-piston ByBre caliper.
• Wheels: He has had positive experiences with the tubeless alloy-spoked wheels, including on rough, rocky roads with his previous Himalayan. They held up without damage.
• Taillights: He appreciates the two bright rear lights; riding companions have said they are easy to see.
• Standing and handling ergonomics: After adjusting to the bike’s footpegs and riding position, he enjoys standing on it. The Rally seat’s narrower profile makes it easier to move around and avoids the old seat’s hump pressing against his legs while standing.
• Side stand: Its shape holds the bike more upright and makes it easier to lift off the stand than the stand on his previous bike.
• Rally seat: It is narrower, longer, slightly higher, and more versatile than the old two-piece seat. It is less comfortable overall than the previous seat but allows easier fore-and-aft movement. He had sore hips around days four and five of the trip, then adapted and has had no further issue.
• Rally model styling: He likes the Mana Black finish, translucent lettering, and overall front and rear styling.

Main Drawback: Connectivity and Navigation

The built-in navigation is simple and generally useful, but the phone connection is inconsistent. Sometimes it pairs immediately; other times, it takes a minute or longer. It must also be reconnected after refuelling, and the reviewer would like it to connect automatically when the motorcycle starts.

Navigation relies on the Royal Enfield app. He would prefer to mirror Google Maps directly; if the app is required, he wants it to be more intuitive. The app’s Favorites do not appear to sync to the motorcycle’s Favorites menu, though he is unsure whether this is a software fault or user error.

He considers connectivity the bike’s one major area needing improvement. The map can show a route without casting the phone screen, but connection still takes time.

Accessories and Practical Observations

• Windscreen: The bike has a short, tinted WRS screen. It keeps his helmet in clean airflow and protects his body from wind. He likes its appearance and performance on this trip. A taller screen might be preferable in rain or on a long trip such as Alaska, but he is not currently planning to replace it.
• Handguards: The stock plastic guards block wind and offer some protection from rain and cold, but are mainly for weather protection rather than impact protection. He may switch to Barkbusters Storm guards or metal-backed guards for better protection.
• Mirrors: A factory mirror has begun popping out of position at about 6,200–6,300 rpm, requiring readjustment. He plans to replace the stock mirrors, possibly with RAM mirrors. His previous Doubletake mirrors worked very well, were larger, resisted vibration, and adjusted without tools.
• Levers: He finds the lever reach long, as he did on his old bike, but has decided to leave them unchanged.
• Cruise control: He strongly recommends fitting Veridian cruise control from the start. It powers on with the bike and has useful speed adjustment and recovery functions.
• Power outlet: He uses the bike’s single power port regularly and would prefer two.
• Luggage: The Rally setup omits the rear rack and top box, using rear ledges for bags instead. He likes the cleaner look and hopes a stylish rack may become available.
• Royal Enfield luggage system: The removable 18-litre bags work well and can be carried into a hotel. He is still adjusting the setup: one lower latch was missing and is secured with a zip tie, and he added a wire to keep a bag clear of the exhaust. The arrangement lets him move around more freely than his former panniers, especially with a 19-litre bag on top. A drawback is that accessing the tool kit under the seat requires removing at least one bag.
• Future luggage plans: He intends to add front bags to separate maintenance supplies from emergency and tire-repair equipment.
• Chain: Based on replacing nine chains over 100,000 miles on his previous Himalayan, he expects chain wear to be a consideration. He advises carrying a spare chain after about 5,000 miles and says the bike is designed to make chain replacement possible with very few tools.
• Gear shifter: It currently works reliably. He wore out several shifters on the previous bike but has no plans to modify this one unless necessary.
• Tires: The stock tires provide good road feel and grip, and he recommends getting use out of them before replacing them. Compared with the Dunlop Trailmax Missions, he prefers the stock tires’ ride and grip, but expects to switch to longer-lasting tires because he travels frequently. He estimates about 10,000 miles from a rear tire and advises against running a front tire beyond roughly 20,000 miles—closer to 15,000 would be preferable.

Comparisons and Overall Verdict

Compared with his 100,000-mile Himalayan, the Mana Black has a more versatile Rally seat, an improved side stand, and an engine he finds livelier, while retaining strong touring practicality. The old seat was more comfortable, and the factory mirrors are less satisfactory than the Doubletake mirrors he previously used.

Verdict: The reviewer is enthusiastic about the Himalayan 450 Mana Black, praising its engine, fuel economy, suspension, wheels, brakes, and adaptability for travel. He recommends the bike, with one clear caveat: Royal Enfield should make phone pairing and navigation more seamless and improve the app’s usability.

Different Views Mentioned

• Reviewer: Gives the detailed assessment above and is especially concerned about navigation connectivity.
• Riding companions: Reported that the previous Himalayan’s taillights were very bright and easy to see. Two companions also felt the new bike had more traction than the regular Himalayan; the reviewer came to agree that it felt livelier and stronger.