You may know that adventure biking is no longer just a hobby, it has become a lifestyle. Sometimes the dream of the high peaks of Ladakh, sometimes the desire for a long highway ride keeps a different story going on in every rider’s mind.
Two such names are under discussion Suzuki V-Strom 800DE 2026 and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. These are both adventure bikes, but their thinking, strength and price are completely different. So let’s understand which bike is right for which type of rider.
Design
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is a heavy-duty adventure tourer. Its look gives a big, strong and premium feel. The long windscreen, large fuel tank and adjustable suspension make it ready for highway and long-distance touring.
At the same time Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is like a true adventure machine. It is light, balanced and more agile for off-roading. Its design is simple but of work.
Performance
V-Strom 800DE gets a 776cc Parallel-Twin engine, which gives around 84.3 PS power and 78 Nm of torque. This bike is made for high-speed touring. This bike runs comfortably on the highway at a speed of 100-120 kmph, without much vibration.
On the other hand the Himalayan 450 has a 452cc single-cylinder engine, which gives 40.02 PS power and 40 Nm torque. This figure may look small, but it is quite strong for off-roading. Its light engine and torquey nature on mountain paths and raw roads helps a lot.
Weight & Handling
Talking about Weight, the V-Strom 800DE is heavy, but this weight gives stability on the highway. While driving long distances, the bike does not stagger, but rests on the track.
The Himalayan 450 is lighter and more agile. It is easy to handle on technical and tight off-road trails. If you go on paths where surprise is found at every turn, the light bike looks more reliable.
Features & Technology
V-Strom is ahead in 800DE technology. It offers advanced features such as traction control, multiple riding modes, dual-channel ABS and adjustable suspension. These features increase both safety and comfort during long touring.
Himalayan 450 also comes with a modern liquid-cooled engine and improved off-road ergonomics. Its high variants offer TFT displays and essential electronics, but it focuses on greater simplicity and robustness.
Price
Talking about price, the difference is quite big. The X-showroom price of the Himalayan 450 starts at around ₹3.06 million. At the same time V-Strom 800DE comes around ₹11.01 lakhs (ex-showroom).
That is, V-Strom is almost three times expensive. This difference is reflected not just in the engine, but also in brand positioning, features and international quality. If the budget is limited and still requires an adventure bike, the Himalayan 450 is a strong choice.