Royal Enfield has always been a bit of a rebel in the motorcycle world. While most brands push high-tech, high-performance machines with price tags to match, Enfield sticks to its guns—simple, rugged, and approachable bikes that invite riders to do things their own way. And that’s exactly why their motorcycles have such a strong custom culture.
The new Himalayan 450 is no exception. Launched as the next evolution of RE’s adventure lineup, it brings modern updates like liquid cooling and ride-by-wire while keeping that tough, no-nonsense attitude intact. And as expected, the aftermarket scene is already buzzing with ideas on how to push it further.
Enter Dust Trail, a rally-inspired custom build by OrMotors, a French workshop and motorcycle dealership that specializes in all sorts of crazy custom builds. Known for their meticulous attention to detail and functional, high-performance builds, OrMotors has taken the already capable Himalayan 450 and turned it into something that looks ready to take on the Dakar Rally.
At first glance, Dust Trail looks like a factory-backed rally prototype. It’s taller, leaner, and far more aggressive than the stock bike, but it still carries the Himalayan’s unmistakable silhouette. The high-mounted exhaust is the first thing that catches your eye, snaking up the side like it was made for blasting across endless desert dunes. That alone gives the bike a serious competition-ready look, but there’s much more going on here.
For starters, the suspension has been completely reworked. The front forks now offer significantly more travel, improving the bike’s ability to soak up rough terrain. The rear shock has also been upgraded, giving the bike a taller stance and better ground clearance. This, combined with the off-road-focused tires, ensures that Dust Trail can take on the gnarliest trails without hesitation.
A high-mounted front fender replaces the standard one, a common mod in rally bikes to prevent mud and debris from clogging the front wheel. A robust skid plate now protects the engine, while a beefy crash bar setup ensures the bike can take a hit and keep going. Handguards and custom lighting add to the rally-ready setup, making it clear that this bike was built with serious off-road action in mind.
Beyond the hardware, the ergonomics of Dust Trail have been fine-tuned for more aggressive riding. The seat is a flat, rally-style unit, designed to allow easy weight shifting when standing on the pegs. The handlebars are set higher and fitted with risers, improving control when attacking rough terrain.
One of the coolest details is the rally tower, which replaces the standard headlight setup. This not only adds to the bike’s aesthetic but also serves a functional purpose—housing a full navigation setup, just like you’d see on a proper Dakar bike. If there was ever a version of the Himalayan built to get lost in the wild, this is it.
Dust Trail isn’t just for show. It’s designed to be thrashed, ridden hard, and tested in real-world conditions. That’s the whole ethos behind the Himalayan in the first place—a bike that encourages riders to push their limits and go beyond the map. What makes this build even more interesting is how it aligns with Royal Enfield’s open embrace of customization.
Unlike some manufacturers that prefer to keep their bikes stock, RE actively encourages riders and builders to make their bikes their own. From the Scram 411 to the Interceptor 650, every Enfield model has become a canvas for builders worldwide, and the Himalayan 450 is proving to be no different.
Seeing how well-executed Dust Trail is, it wouldn’t be surprising if Royal Enfield takes some inspiration from it. A factory rally-spec Himalayan 450 could be a game-changer, offering adventure riders an off-the-shelf solution for serious dirt riding. Whether that happens or not, builds like this show just how much potential the new Himalayan has. And when reached for comment, RideApart's executive editor and Himalayan fan-boy Jonathon Klein justed started drooling.
Dust Trail is more than just a custom project—it’s a statement. It proves that the Himalayan 450 is not just a budget-friendly ADV bike; it’s a platform for adventure, experimentation, and limitless customization. Whether you ride it stock or turn it into a rally beast, the Himalayan is ready for whatever you throw at it.
And if Royal Enfield’s history is anything to go by, this is just the beginning.
Source: Ormotors
