New Himalayan 440 to be released in September to Indian market

[Gamphy]

Latest press releases tell us the Himalayan version of the Scram 440 is coming to the Indian market in September.
Judging by the fact they have now done their 440 beta testing with the scram, I think its possible the UK/European Market could see it early next year.

 

[Vulcan]

Latest press releases tell us the Himalayan version of the Scram 440 is coming to the Indian market in September.
Judging by the fact they have now done their 440 beta testing with the scram, I think its possible the UK/European Market could see it early next year.

I'm waiting for the 440 Scram to hit the USA market - I've been stuffing my jam-jar in readiness! I really enjoy the Scram 411, but the listed improvements fit my own wish-list.

 

[Scott Free]

A 440 Scram with cast wheels probably would have satisfied my needs as well as the 450 Himalayan I bought in the fall of '24 (and cost a whole lot less), but far as I can tell the 440 models have not been sold outside India.

 

[gmqldau]

A 440 Scram with cast wheels probably would have satisfied my needs as well as the 450 Himalayan I bought in the fall of '24 (and cost a whole lot less), but far as I can tell the 440 models have not been sold outside India.

and Nepal.

 

[Vulcan]

It looks like Royal Enfield have given a release date of Sept 4th 2027 for the 440 Himalayan at their Himalayan base. I hoping that this is a step closer to releasing the 440's to an international market. Still stuffing my jam-jar in anticipation!

 

[Woodstock]

It looks like Royal Enfield have given a release date of Sept 4th 2027 for the 440 Himalayan at their Himalayan base. I hoping that this is a step closer to releasing the 440's to an international market. Still stuffing my jam-jar in anticipation!

I don't have room but I understand the appeal.

 

[TowerMan]

I wonder if they will be selling the 440 engine only (ie. replacement drop in unit) like Hitchcock's do

90259

BRAND NEW EURO 5 SPEC 411 HIMALAYAN COMPLETE CRATE ENGINE

accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com

It would be cheaper to do that than buy a new bike that you have modified to your liking already, instead of starting again

 

[Vulcan]

I wonder if they will be selling the 440 engine only (ie. replacement drop in unit) like Hitchcock's do

90259

BRAND NEW EURO 5 SPEC 411 HIMALAYAN COMPLETE CRATE ENGINE

accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com

It would be cheaper to do that than buy a new bike that you have modified to your liking already, instead of starting again

For me, not quite.
The differences between the 440 and the 411 Scram are, as I understand them:
6 speed - with 1-5 gear ratios identical and 6th an overdrive at 0.8 ratio (I'd have preferred a closer box, but I'll take the overdrive.) Although the new counter-sprocket is 14 tooth over the current 15 tooth
a 440cc engine with a slight increase in HP and Torque - enough to drive the overdrive 6th gear (maybe) (I'll take it)
USB port (Thank you)
5mm longer wheelbase - due to subframe and swing arm changes. (I found the Scram a tad twitchy when I first got it - that has since gone away - but I doubt that the bike will suffer because of the extra length
Heavy duty sub frame (thank you)
option of tubeless wheels (Yes please)
Quieter top end - some say borrowed from the J-series engines (which I like, thank you)
LED headlight
Increase in piston size for front brake caliper (thank you) not sure about rear.
Switchable ABS for rear (thank you).
Suspension is supposedly softer - (no, thank you) I'll swap mine over, and I have a spare rear shock.

Of those I have the LED headlight and USB port.

...And the larger tank - crickets - shame, as I have a few rides that challenge the current limit.

 

[Vulcan]

I wonder if they will be selling the 440 engine only (ie. replacement drop in unit) like Hitchcock's do

90259

BRAND NEW EURO 5 SPEC 411 HIMALAYAN COMPLETE CRATE ENGINE

accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com

It would be cheaper to do that than buy a new bike that you have modified to your liking already, instead of starting again

...and the slipper clutch - I knew I'd forgotten something.

 

[Shere Khan]

I don't believe it's possible for the 440 to reach the EU.

Too much hassle thanks to green non-sense lobby. Better luck next time. Maybe the US can be hit.

Anyway I'll stay tuned for the indian press launch, hoping at least they make clear as soon as they drop whether there is a chance to reach foreign markets or not.

Only then I'll know if one must pursue the big bore path.

 

[BonesNZ]

...and the slipper clutch - I knew I'd forgotten something.

I wear slippers on my feet..................

 

[Scott Free]

I don't believe it's possible for the 440 to reach the EU.

Too much hassle thanks to green non-sense lobby. Better luck next time. Maybe the US can be hit.

Anyway I'll stay tuned for the indian press launch, hoping at least they make clear as soon as they drop whether there is a chance to reach foreign markets or not.

Only then I'll know if one must pursue the big bore path.

Last time I checked, India’s emissions standards are tougher than Euro 5+ (and much, much tougher than the US EPA standards), so if the 440s aren’t coming to Europe or North America it’s probably not because of emissions. It’s more likely simple economics. In upscale markets, the 440 would compete with the 450, which I strongly suspect is much more profitable. It would be bad business to undercut their own product.

 

[tom_d]

I think on top of competing, it would bring down the prestige of the Himalayan moniker which the 450 and the upcoming premium 750 version are elevating.

The original Himalayan almost went very very badly. I defended the revised bike shipped to the US back in the late 2k 'teens, as well as Indian bikes in general, but people did not think highly of the brand or bikes from that country here in the US. Things got better, but the 650's, 350's, and 450's are what really brought people around that RE is a quality maker. I'm sure the 440 will make it to some markets eventually, but it distracts from and could tarnish more recent and very successful platforms. Those platforms keep sprouting successful model after another, focusing attention on a narrow and limited 411/440 platform isn't worth the risk.

 

[Gamphy]

For Royal Enfield, the Indian domestic market represents about 85% of their volume sales, a significant volume larger than the entire rest of the world market put together. So unfortunately, countries that think they should be top of the priority list, are actually way down the pecking order.

I think the jury is still out for the 440 going outside India. Sales of the 440 Scram have not really been much inside India, significantly marred by their alledged woodruff key failure, that halted production for a couple of months ( not sure how a simple metalurgical failure on a woodruff key would stop production for 2 months, so somebody is telling porkies!). So even in the domestic market its a rare beast. The announcement of the 440 Himalayan didn't seem to raise much of a ripple with the domestic press either, which is surprising, as they are normally soo over enthusiastic, so that tells a tale as well.
Unlike the upcoming 750 twins, (which are very likely to be much more Western market focused). If any variants of the 440 ever leaves Indian shores; the UK, some European countries, Latin America and burgeoning Asia Pacific countries will be their priority. Emissions and ABS standards compliance already in place, but the EPA requirements and market size will likely stall introduction to USA and Canada.
In India, the 440 H is pitched to cost approx 20% cheaper than the 450 H. For it to sell internationally, it would need to have a similar pricing difference.

 

[BonesNZ]

The US motorcycle market is weird.

Riders want certain bike bought in, like my 1998 Suzuki 650 Freewind, but they don't get imported...........EVER!!

Entheists do privately import these though.

 

[Shere Khan]

Last time I checked, India’s emissions standards are tougher than Euro 5+ (and much, much tougher than the US EPA standards), so if the 440s aren’t coming to Europe or North America it’s probably not because of emissions. It’s more likely simple economics. In upscale markets, the 440 would compete with the 450, which I strongly suspect is much more profitable. It would be bad business to undercut their own product.

I think on top of competing, it would bring down the prestige of the Himalayan moniker which the 450 and the upcoming premium 750 version are elevating.

The original Himalayan almost went very very badly. I defended the revised bike shipped to the US back in the late 2k 'teens, as well as Indian bikes in general, but people did not think highly of the brand or bikes from that country here in the US. Things got better, but the 650's, 350's, and 450's are what really brought people around that RE is a quality maker. I'm sure the 440 will make it to some markets eventually, but it distracts from and could tarnish more recent and very successful platforms. Those platforms keep sprouting successful model after another, focusing attention on a narrow and limited 411/440 platform isn't worth the risk.

I don't know much about the 750 yet, but... from what I've heard and with the 750 to come, it would've made more sense to me to phase out the 450 and sell the aircooled 440s worldwide. You then have both a flagship to compete with the best western and asian brands, and a true cheap entry level.

We are living an age where more and more people are growing less confident in the advancements of technology, and prefer to go back to simple ruggedness even at the cost of some convenient features making life easier.

Seems most of the people interested into 400 to 450 cc segment just want to be able to cruise highway speed and go offroad with a realiable and easy to work on machine... and you don't really need the 450 in order to do that once you have a 440 you can buy for less

 

[BonesNZ]

I don't know much about the 750 yet, but... from what I've heard and with the 750 to come, it would've made more sense to me to phase out the 450 and sell the aircooled 440s worldwide. You then have both a flagship to compete with the best western and asian brands, and a true cheap entry level.

We are living an age where more and more people are growing less confident in the advancements of technology, and prefer to go back to simple ruggedness even at the cost of some convenient features making life easier.

Seems most of the people interested into 400 to 450 cc segment just want to be able to cruise highway speed and go offroad with a realiable and easy to work on machine... and you don't really need the 450 in order to do that once you have a 440 you can buy for less

I'm also in the "simpler is better" camp. So much tech has been forced on us that we did not even ask for.

Sure some folk want a lot of tech but it is not the majority of us. We prefer to add stuff as we need it.......

 

[Dool2]

I just recently spoke with a Marketing man from the importer's of RE here in Australia.
He said they don't get told much about new models as it may detract from current model sales!
So he wasn't able to confirm or deny if the 440 is headed our way.

 

[Gamphy]

New 440 Himalayan is set to be released on 4th September, attached is a pic from a stock yard, note the clock set up

 

[Roy Gavin]

New 440 Himalayan is set to be released on 4th September, attached is a pic from a stock yard, note the clock set up

In Oz it seems that the 450 sales have not been as good as the old, 411.
So it seems there is still a demand in Oz for cheap and simple - no surprises there then!
Bringing back the 411 might be too much like admitting you got it wrong, but a 440 might be just different enough to avoid that.
Wouldn't be much more expensive to produce , could probably be sold at a premium to the old 411, and might eventually help move some of their inventory of 411 spares.
If it exists-----!