Cooperb Motorcycles, one of the UK’s most active Royal Enfield dealers in the off‑road space, has built what they call the Himalayan 450 Phantom Edition — a reworked version of the new Sherpa‑powered Himalayan, designed to address the platform’s limitations and boost its dirt potential. Unlike concept builds or one‑off customs, the Phantom is a repeatable, customer‑orderable package, and Cooperb says it’s already proving to be their most popular Himalayan configuration.

Cooperb’s connection to the Himalayan platform goes back to 2018, when they raced the original 411 in a Hare & Hounds event and took a class win. Since then, they’ve used the Himalayan for commuting, long‑distance touring, overseas travel, and off‑road instruction, giving them a rare depth of experience across the full spectrum of real‑world use. The Phantom Edition is built on that accumulated knowledge — not as a showpiece, but as a practical evolution of the 450 for riders who want more than the factory spec sheet offers.

The build begins with the Himalayan 450 Mana Edition, chosen for its black tubeless rims, black hubs, black frame, and factory rally seat unit. From there, Cooperb reworks the bike from the ground up. The stock tires are replaced with Bridgestone AX41s for better off‑road traction while maintaining predictable road manners. A low front fender delete eliminates the risk of mud building up and locking the front wheel, and Cooperb’s brake‑line relocation kit reroutes the front hose cleanly along the fork leg to prevent snagging in deep ruts or debris.

Fuel range and weight distribution receive a notable upgrade with an Acerbis 6-gallon (23L) rotationally molded plastic tank, 1.5 gallons (6L) larger than stock. Beyond extending range, the tank carries more of its mass lower in the chassis, improving the bike’s center of gravity. Cooperb stocks the tank in black but notes that white, red, and yellow options are available.

Under the tank, the Phantom receives a DNA intake kit, a FuelX Pro Plus fuel controller, and a full HP Corse exhaust system. The combination improves throttle response, cleans up low‑rpm fueling, and gives the Sherpa 452cc 4V single a noticeably crisper bottom‑end feel off‑road. The FuelX Pro Plus fuel controller offers ten user‑adjustable fueling positions, allowing riders to fine‑tune the mixture for conditions or preference. 

Suspension is one of the Phantom’s most significant upgrades. Buyers can choose between Hagon or K‑Tech rear shocks at no price difference, and both options are sprung specifically for the rider’s weight rather than using a generic factory spring. Both shocks offer adjustable compression damping and preload, while the K‑Tech adds rebound damping adjustment. Cooperb has also begun offering 18‑inch rear wheel conversions for riders who want more ground clearance and access to a wider variety of knobby and mousse tire options.

Protection is handled by Acerbis engine covers as well as the brand’s handguards, fork tube guards and a heavy‑duty plastic skid plate that wraps fully around the front of the engine and exhaust. Pivot Pegz are fitted for improved boot contact and stability when standing. The base Phantom keeps the stock tubeless spoked wheels, but riders who want a stronger off‑road setup can opt for lightweight SM Pro rims. That upgrade does require running inner tubes, but the rims themselves are significantly tougher and built for harder hits.

The Phantom retains the Manor Edition’s rally seat unit, but Cooperb offers additional ergonomic upgrades including revised brake pedal positioning and a soon-to-be-released adjustable gear lever. Gearing changes are also available; the shop commonly fits a 13‑tooth front sprocket for riders who want stronger bottom‑end pull in technical terrain.

What sets the Phantom apart from most dealer‑built specials is that it has already proven itself in competition. A Phantom‑spec Himalayan recently took a class win at the Valleys X‑Treme Lite Enduro, a demanding Welsh event known for rocky climbs, deep ruts, and sustained technical terrain. 

For riders who see the Himalayan 450 as a platform to customize rather than a finished product, the Phantom offers a clear blueprint for what the bike can become when tuned for serious adventure use. The special edition starts at £10,299 which is around $13,685 and can reach approximately £12,000 ($15,944) for a fully-optioned build, depending on suspension choice, wheel upgrades, and additional accessories.

Photos by Cooperb Motorcycles