Bought a Himalayan today!

[twowheeladdict]

It just felt so natural.  I think I am going to enjoy bonding with this bike and have fun reacquainting myself with all the Ridges and Hollows around my home. 





I also test rode the Versys 300X and it just wasn't for me. 


Full Coverage insurance for the next 11 months was $25.  Yes, you heard that right.   

[Huzo]

Jeez I’m glad the race rep craze is over. Although I bought into it as much as most I guess.
I’d like to hear as much as you’re willing to post, about it. They just look good I reckon, the 650’s not too shabby either IMO.
Congrats mate and keep us posted...

[acogoff]

    Been following the itchyboots girl on utube. She doesn't seem to have many problems like previous Royal Enfields. That bike, himalayan is intriguing, especially at the list price(Guzzi content). Hope it goes well for you too. Keep us posted.

[s1120]

Nice!!  Cant wait to hear how you like it after time.

[antmanbee]

Congratulations!
I will also be looking forward to hearing updates and impressions too.

[mtwillyman]

Congratulations on the new Himalayan. Please post your impressions on it as the miles pile up. I am interested in buying one, thanks.

[twowheeladdict]

Thanks guys.  This bike cost as much to buy as I have spent on accessories and upgrades on my other adventure and touring bikes. 

Just went for a quick ride and christening.   









Sure felt good to be on the roads I haven't been on in 3 years! 

[T4halo]

That’s a very cool bike. I’ve looked long and hard at RE. I hope she serves you well. Please keep us posted on its reliability.

T4

[benebob]

Congrats, I thought about a Him. when I got my Guzzi, figured I didn't need that and my Tiger 800 but the RE does intrigue me.  Just not sure I could do the long distance days I can do on the Tiger but would much prefer the weight of the RE off road as even the 800 Tiger is a bit heavy and geared too high for serious rough stuff as I found out riding boulders out in Montana when my clutch gave out.   Keep regular on the updates. 

[inditx]

Saweet! 

[twowheeladdict]

Congrats, I thought about a Him. when I got my Guzzi, figured I didn't need that and my Tiger 800 but the RE does intrigue me.  Just not sure I could do the long distance days I can do on the Tiger but would much prefer the weight of the RE off road as even the 800 Tiger is a bit heavy and geared too high for serious rough stuff as I found out riding boulders out in Montana when my clutch gave out.   Keep regular on the updates.

There are definitely better tools for high speed, long distance riding.  If I were planning to tour with it I would definitely have waited to see how the V85TT fairs.  I am planning to never go on any road faster than a posted 55 mph.  If I venture beyond my local riding circle, I will load the bike in the trailer and take it there.  The body just can't handle the punishment anymore. 

My primary use is going to be stringing together as many tiny roads and dirt tracks as I can and have fun for a few hours at a leisurely pace.  The bike is amazingly smooth and they say it just gets better once you cross the 1000 mile mark. 

[lucian]

 Very nice! I  hope it treats you well.  I really miss the ability to strike of the asphalt and do some off road ing. The ability to do both is really cool.

[JJ]

Many CONGRATS!!   Royal Enfiled is a cool marque with a long and colorful history!!  You have to let us know the pros and cons after you ride it awhile! 

[giusto]

Thanks guys.  This bike cost as much to buy as I have spent on accessories and upgrades on my other adventure and touring bikes. 

Just went for a quick ride and christening.   









Sure felt good to be on the roads I haven't been on in 3 years!



awesome get her all dirty!! how does she feel under your feet? 360 lbs?

[bad Chad]

 

[leafman60]

Congratulations!  I like those !  Let us know how it does for you.

.

[Moto]

Excellent! I hope you'll post a review when you're ready.

Nothing like a new, smaller bike to bring out your old reckless side?

Moto

[greer]

Congrats, twowheel!  May I ask where you bought?  Doug and I might ride down to the shop just for fun, we've never seen a Himalayan.  Thanks.

Sarah

[twowheeladdict]

Congrats, twowheel!  May I ask where you bought?  Doug and I might ride down to the shop just for fun, we've never seen a Himalayan.  Thanks.

Sarah

At Allsport in Decatur, AL. 

They have sold 5 2019s so far.  Best to call them first.  Your welcome to come look over mine sometime if they don't have one in or you want to save an extra hour.  I'm in Tennessee between I-65 and Jack Daniels Distillery. 

[Buckturgidson]

Excellent! I hope you'll post a review when you're ready.

Nothing like a new, smaller bike to bring out your old reckless side?

Moto

Ditto to that, I have read that the suspension uses all it's travel pretty easily, that and how it is in sand would be good to know. Congrats!

[bodine99]

Best of luck with it!!! Now trailer it over to Two Wheels of Suches and explore the GA. fire roads!!!

[Moto]

Here's a little inspiration a I just ran across for taking a small motorcycle on your round-the-world trip! As Rooskie Boris says, "Let me explain you why...."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsO1L5VujfA

Moto

[Shorty]

More of the Itchy Boots girl with her Him ALL Yun. Cute little bugger    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmGMZgtX96A&fbclid=IwAR0qQdA-umwvReVEJywEUpPbjZCXhIsGeaIUxgPGaUZS80RCmST4RIBFzyY

[twowheeladdict]

More of the Itchy Boots girl with her Him ALL Yun. Cute little bugger    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmGMZgtX96A&fbclid=IwAR0qQdA-umwvReVEJywEUpPbjZCXhIsGeaIUxgPGaUZS80RCmST4RIBFzyY

Nice to be young and fearless. 

[twowheeladdict]

Ditto to that, I have read that the suspension uses all it's travel pretty easily, that and how it is in sand would be good to know. Congrats!

Not sure I will ever see sand, but motorcycle.com rode one on the beach in Baja when they did a video compare of the Versys 300, BMW 310 GS, and Himalayan. 

Tire choice would be important when riding in sand. 

I love the suspension.  It is tight on the roads and supple on the bumps. 

Here is a quote from a guy on another forum when I posted it there and people were saying "Nice Dirtbike".

You goofs...the Royal Enfield "Himmy" is no Dirt Bike......It is a Gentleman's Trail Bike reserved for those who appreciate the finer ways to go bird watching and have a picnic by the brook while the Spaniel chases the Wood Cocks from the brush......

Great Bike amigo......great bike indeed

This is the way I see the bike and the way I will ride it.

There are a lot of videos of people riding these bikes in terrain I would never ride in on any bike.  If you accept what it is and stay within those limits, it is a great motorcycle.

I just did my first fillup after riding 85 miles of gravel and backroads and light trails with speeds ranging from 30 mph to 50 mph and only 1/2 throttle accelerations.  I got 85 mpg calculated.  Woo Hoo!

[twowings]

  Excellent choice!

[DaSwami]

Maybe this will make you feel extra warm and fuzzy

"Pierre Terblanche, formerly of Ducati and Moto Guzzi among other companies, headed Royal Enfield's design team during development of the Himalayan. "

[twowheeladdict]

Maybe this will make you feel extra warm and fuzzy

"Pierre Terblanche, formerly of Ducati and Moto Guzzi among other companies, headed Royal Enfield's design team during development of the Himalayan. "

 

and Harris Performance designed the frame. 

When you really look closely at the Himalayan you really see a lot of good quality and components in the bike.  When you ride it within its performance limits it is a fun and capable machine. 

[twowheeladdict]

First 100 miles out of the way. 

I really like this bike.  I had so much fun today!  I ended up taking 100 photos! 

I saw some amazing scenery, a lot of loose dogs on the hunt, some wildlife, and nary a car.

I am only inputting 1/2 throttle during break in and staying between 3000 and 5000 RPMs.  This bike is not going to win any races so you don't want to pull out while you see a car and forget you are not on your sport bike. 

When you ride it within the performance envelope it was designed for, the bike is happy and you are having fun.

The vibrations just aren't there with this engine and staying at 1/2 throttle.  Some say you can feel vibration or pulses on hard throttle but I will find out in a few hundred miles.

The handling is fantastic on road and the light stuff I put it through.  The bike feels lighter than it is because the CG is low.

The side stand feels a little long if you are not on a level surface.  I could see how a laden bike might be a problem and you would have to make sure and adjust the preload to compensate.

The fuel range so far is incredible.  Running around at 1/2 throttle and speeds between 30 and 50 mph I calculated 85 mpg!  I don't think my KLX250 got that kind of mileage.

Some oddities:

• When you turn the bike on in gear with the clutch lever pulled in and the side stand up the neutral light will be on until the bike is running.
• The fuel tank wraps around the frame and when you open the fuel cap it sure looks shallow to where I put the nozzle in at an angle to avoid splash back or scratching the tank.
• The electronic compass built into the dash is right some of the time.  I rely on the sun and time of day to know what direction I am going, but they should have put in a temp gauge or USB outlet instead of the compass
• I had to drill my own holes for the licence plate.  The holes provided were too wide for my Tennessee plate.

 

Standing up on the pegs was very comfortable and made the looser gravel a breeze to ride on. 

When you start to look this bike over closely and carefully you wonder how they can build this and provide what they provide for the price.  It comes standard with everything you see in the photos (minus the soft bag) and you can get some RE accessories like engine guards ~$100, Pannier Racks ~100, RE Aluminum Panniers ~$600.  It already has the skid plate, center stand, oil cooler, etc. 

The exhaust looks like aftermarket exhaust.  Sounds nice too.

Both the insurance lady and I were amazed at full coverage insurance for $25 for the next 11 months!

[twowheeladdict]

Here are some photos of my ride today. 

I headed out with no particular destination or direction in mind.  I just let the bike decide which way to go.

I did a little exploring, but very cautiously as I get to know the bike better.  Streams can be very treacherous in TN with our slick rock and I did slide some on the rock while walking around to take these photos.

 

 

I mostly stayed on the tiny lanes and gravel roads that ran up and along the ridges or down in the hollows along small rivers and streams.