Royal Enfield is on nearly every biker’s wish list. Enfield is one of the few companies that make retro motorcycles, not just lightly retro-styled. However, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a bit of a different case. While still retro-ish, it marked a major change-up in style for the Indian bike makers. Now, the newest 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan gets a major tech upgrade. Maybe this will take the bike off the wish list and into the driveway. 

The 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan is one of the coolest bikes around 

As with all Royal Enfields, the Himalayan is wonderful for its simplicity and style. These bikes leave the factory with a 411-cc single-cylinder engine making an easy 24.3 horsepower. The adventurous stance is thanks to a 21-in front wheel and the 17-in in the rear. There is also a massive 7.9-in of suspension travel, giving some credence to its name. 

However, as New Atlas points out, this may be an adventure bike, but it is probably the squishiest of its segment. This isn’t a bad thing because many people don’t need or ever really want a hardcore off-roader. What they want is something that looks the part, can do a little of it, but mostly is friendly on-road. But after this new upgrade, the Himalayan might just get a little more adventure-friendly. 

Do motorcycles have navigation? 

Royal Enfield has just decided to give the very simple and spartan Himalayan a built-in navigation system. This is a big deal for a bike that was already super popular. This new little “tripper,” as RE calls it, might attract even more light ADV riders to friendly Enfield. 

The Tripper is a small pod with a color screen that sits just off to the right from the rest of the instrument cluster. The 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan now has a bit of a busy dash for such a simple bike.

This motorcycle navigation system is awesome, but it is a little ugly

Maybe ugly is too harsh of a term, but it certainly isn’t pretty. The Enfield’s simplicity is proven, in part, by its old-school analog gauges. The look is more WWII-era plane than 21st Century motorcycle. Frankly, this is what many RE fans love about these bikes. 

The only problem with this new satellite navigation system is that it uses a color LCD screen that doesn’t flow with the rest of the analog aesthetic. Nevertheless, the upgrade is well worth the slightly anachronistic dash change. 

How does motorcycle navigation work? 

The little Tripper uses Bluetooth to connect to the maps app on your phone and then displays turn-by-turn directions through google maps. However indiscrete the new unit is, it doesn’t even compare to having a phone mounted to the bars, especially considering the recent news that Apple shared letting users know that iPhones don’t do well mounted to handlebars. 

Along with the addition of the Tripper pod, the 2021 RE is also getting ABS on the front and rear brakes. As the young people might say, this bike has passed the vibe check here as well. They say that if the need should arise (maybe your crush is watching), you can slide the abs back while on the dirt to show off some sweet moves. 

Starting at $4,999 in the U.S., The Royal Enfield Himalayan is easily the coolest motorcycle for the least amount of money. Honestly, there isn’t even really a close second that isn’t made by Enfield. The Husqvarna road bikes might be close, but they just aren’t as cool or as cheap. 

Long live Royal Enfield. Long live the Himalayan.