Shock and Awe: Royal Enfield's Electric Twist!
Well, strap on your helmets, folks! I’m diving into the world of electric motorcycles, and who better to start with than the old dog learning new tricks – Royal Enfield. Yes, that Royal Enfield! The brand that’s been chugging along since 1901 (imagine that, a time when folks were more worried about horse manure than CO2 emissions) has finally decided to dip its toes into the electrifying waters.
Now, if you’re expecting a spec-heavy, number-crunching analysis, you might want to sit down. Because, in true Royal Enfield fashion, the details on their first-ever electric model, the Him-E, are as clear as mud. And speaking of mud, the model on display at the 2023 EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show was caked in it, like a badge of honor. It seems they’ve taken their prototype for a spin or several, which is more than I can say for some of those pristine, never-touched-the-asphalt concept bikes.
So, what’s the scoop with the Him-E? For starters, it's based on the Himalayan 450 adventure bike. But instead of a growling engine, it’s got a mid-mounted electric motor and battery. The catch? Royal Enfield is playing coy with the specs. Power, battery capacity, torque, speed, range – all TBD. Classic Enfield, always leaving us wanting more!
One interesting tidbit is the lack of a radiator. It seems the Him-E is air-cooled, at least for now. Those few hoses around the front? Probably not for coolant, but don't quote me on that. The battery box is a structural element, which is pretty neat – think of it as the motorcycle’s spine, but with a lot more juice.
And here's a twist – there's a shifter! Yes, a gearbox on an electric motorcycle. It’s like putting a manual transmission in a spaceship, but hey, I’m not complaining. It adds a bit of nostalgia for those of us who like the dance of shifting gears.
For the adventure junkies, the Him-E sports a chain-driven rear end. Sure, it might be noisier than the belt drives you find on most electric bikes, but let’s face it, we’re not exactly looking for library-level silence when we’re tearing through the dirt, are we?
As for dimensions, power outputs, battery capacity, price, acceleration times... well, let's just say if I had a dollar for every detail Royal Enfield hasn't disclosed, I'd be cruising on my yacht instead of dreaming about electric bikes.
In the end, the Him-E feels like a whisper of what’s to come. Royal Enfield is using it as a test bed for their electric ambitions. And while they’re taking their sweet time, it’s a sign that the electric revolution has even the most traditional brands plugging in.
So, will the Him-E change the game? Too early to tell. But one thing’s for sure – it’s got us talking, and in the world of electric motorcycles, that’s half the battle won.
