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At over 18,470 feet, the Mana Pass is the fourth highest motorable road in the world. It connects India to Tibet, but more importantly, it’s situated in the Himalayas. Hence Royal Enfield’s latest Himalayan 450 variant: the Mana Black.
The entry-level ADV underwent a dramatic makeover in 2024. One in which it debuted Enfield’s first liquid-cooled engine, the Sherpa 450 single. It also gained a steel twin-spar frame and Showa suspension to boot. A Tripper-integrated TFT display didn’t hurt, either. The Mana Black still benefits from all the Himalayan’s newest acquisitions. It simply adds dirt-minded parts to the package.
Black handguards maintain the variant’s rugged yet stealthy theme, but it’s the rally seat and dirt bike-style rear section that truly transform this Himmy. The tubeless spoked 17-inch rear and 21-inch front wheels are another upgrade.
A black/gray camo livery only the makes the Mana Black more exclusive. Well, that and its $6,599 MSRP, which is $600 over the standard model’s price tag. The up-spec Himalayan is currently available at U.S. dealerships, but it isn’t the only new Enfield pushing the performance envelope.
Apex over base
The Guerrilla 450 became the second model to utilize the 452 cc Sherpa, translating the thumper’s accessibility over to a roadster platform. Pairing comfortable ergonomics with a competent chassis, the Guerrilla is equally at home on the city streets and twisty roads. The new Apex simply pushes the model toward the latter.
Like the Mana Black, the Apex remains mechanically identical to the standard offering, but changes around its periphery make the difference. A lower handlebar goads the rider into a more aggressive position, while a headlight cowl and a tail cowl imbue this Guerrilla with a sportier look. Where the rubber really meets the road is, well, the tires, which are now Vredestein’s Centauro ST, not the CEAT Gripp XL Rad Steel found on the base model.
Unlike the Mana Black Himalayan, the Guerrilla 450 Apex hasn’t been confirmed for the U.S. market. At the time of writing, the new Guerrilla has only been announced for, you guessed it, Europe. While new Royal Enfield models typically make it to the States after a year or so, there’s no word whether the Apex will follow that pattern. It isn’t the only one in doubt.
Flea in the ointment
Flying Flea, Royal Enfield’s electric off-shoot brand, released its first model, the C6, in India earlier this month. The manufacturer’s first electric motorcycle has been long-awaited and if its price and specs are any indication, it may be worth that wait.
Calling the Flying Flea’s range estimate overly optimistic may be an understatement. With a permanent magnet synchronous motor mated to its 3.91 kWh battery pack, the C6 reportedly produces 15.4 kW (20.7 horsepower) and 44.3 foot-pounds of torque. It’s also listed with a top speed of 115 km/h (72 mph). The truly surprising number, however, is the Flying Flea’s claimed range, which is 154 kilometers, or 95.7 miles.
Retailing for ₹2,79,000 (~$2,965 USD) in India, the C6 costs around the same price as a KTM 390 Duke (in India, that is). Of course, if the Flying Flea lands in the United States, it will arrive with a market-adjusted price tag. Unfortunately, we won’t know that information until Royal Enfield confirms the C6 for North America. On your mark, get set... wait.
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