Himalayan Dakar Edition concept has been unveiled

Royal Enfield has just presented a one-off Himalayan at the Bangkok Motor Sale – and it’s been overhauled to look like a factory Dakar racer.

Sadly there’s been no news on whether the bike will go into production – or even compete in rally raid events in the future – but the chances are pretty slim. Essentially, Thai motorcyclists are big into customisation – and Royal Enfield has taken the chance to showcase just what’s possible with its affordable, entry level adventure machine.

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It’s a well-equipped machine – and it looks the business too. The engine is protected by massive crash bars and there’s LED auxiliary lights which provide further visibility in poor conditions. At the front is a carbon fibre light guard, two small round headlights and a decent-sized front screen. There’s a thick padded seat, a raised exhaust and a small duckbill front mudguard, plus it’s had a blue, white and red custom paint job too.

As it’s just a concept – the bones of the bike are unlikely to have changed much underneath all the new rally-raid ready gear. It’s still powered by the Himalayan’s standard 411cc single cylinder power plant, and will kick-out about 25bhp.

It’s a massive shame Royal Enfield isn’t doing more with the concept. It doesn’t have to go the whole hog and produce the complete Dakar Edition machine, but the company could offer bolt on parts and accessories – and help its customers create their own, unique, kitted-out Himalayan. And maybe they eventually will – it just won’t be quite yet.

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