On February 27, 2023, Royal Enfield notified the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that 4,891 Himalayan units produced between March 1, 2017, and February 28, 2021, could experience poor braking performance or a loss of braking altogether. The issue concerns the calipers utilized by the Indian OEM, which could corrode when exposed to heavy quantities of salt used to clear roads during the winter months.
Unless the owner thoroughly cleans the calipers after each exposure, the corrosive damage could lead to malfunctions such as brake dragging. In addition to increased brake noise, Royal Enfield notes that users should heed warning signs like “unusual odor/burning smell near the calipers, a drag feeling when attempting to accelerate, or unusual difficulty in pushing the motorcycle manually.”
