DJ Osborne took third at the Biltwell 100 in the Adventure Lite Expert Men’s class on a stock Royal Enfield Himalayan Mana Black.
This is a press release from Royal Enfield…
Royal Enfield’s new Himalayan Mana Black model proved its pedigree in the U.S. adventure scene last weekend, taking an impressive podium finish at the renowned Biltwell 100 race at the hands of ex-professional stuntman and racer, DJ Osborne.
Entering the Mojave desert-based event at the last moment, DJ Osborne took the very first Mana Black Himalayan to arrive in the U.S., changed the tires, fitted Royal Enfield genuine protection parts and turned the key.
Osborne picked up the story, commenting, “When I say this was a stock Himalayan, I really mean it. Royal Enfield literally provided me with the first Mana Black edition bike in the U.S., I phoned Dunlop for a set of 606s, we raided the Royal Enfield Genuine parts catalogue for a bigger skid plate, engine bars and radiator guards and we rocked up the the desert to race”.
With the Himalayan 450 lining up against some much larger-capacity competition, Osborne’s target was simply to get a decent finish, and while his experience as a racer and competent off-road rider is evident, the Biltwell 100 was also the very first adventure race that the Salt Lake City based rider had ever entered.
“While I’ve ridden the base Himalayan 450 quite a bit and love it, I’d never competed in an adventure race before, so while I was comfortable with the bike, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. As the flag dropped, the bigger CC bikes had a big advantage, but as the dust cloud settled, I started picking riders off, one by one.
“By the re-fuellng point halfway through, I was into a good groove and really enjoying it. The crew told me I was P3, but honestly, I just thought they were trying to build my confidence, so when I crossed the line and found out we really were P3, I was super pumped. It just goes to show, when you’re on a bike that you feel confident on, it’s totally possible. I want to thank Royal Enfield for such an amazing opportunity, it’s genuinely one of my best experiences on a bike.”
With the Mana Black making its debut at the Biltwell 100, North American dealers are now taking deliveries of the special model that takes its name from the world’s highest and most demanding pass in India. Capturing that unyielding soul of its inspirational home, the Mana Black is equipped with additional factory-fitted, purpose-built components, designed to enhance the riding experience for those seeking adventure off-the-beaten-track.
The Mana Black Edition is available in selected U.S. and Canadian Royal Enfield dealers from the beginning of April with an MSRP of $6599 for North America and $8949 for Canada. View the 2026 Royal Enfield Mana Black Edition specs HERE.
View the 2026 Biltwell 100 Results HERE.
