I think you've touched on the important aspects related to owning and riding a Himalayan. I recently bought a 2022 model and have put 1000 miles on the dirt and gravel roads in Central Pennsylvania. I bought it to explore the places that were difficult for my Vespa scooters or my BMW K75. The lack of power was a plus for me. I didn't want something that was twitchy on the throttle or needed high revs to have power or not stall. The Himalayan is like a tractor and just goes and goes. And the bike is pretty to look at. I've made a number of videos on my channel showing the Himalayan in dirt, gravel, mud, and on the Interstate highways. It's just a great all-around motorcycle for me.
👍Thanks great to hear that you agree with all the points, especially coming from an owner of one. For exploring gravel tracks etc... I think it is ideal. Perhaps low on power for fast roads, but that is not what it was built for. Same I love the classic style looks as well. Great fun bike. I will take a look at some of your videos. Cheers
I've got a 2022 model, this summer I went from Mallorca to Jhon O'groats, it performed fantastic 3L/100km. No engine problems, perfect for the UK secondary roads. I've got other bikes, thruxton1200R, Vespa Px, etc and this one is by far my favourite for travelling.
A great review. After owning my Himalayan for 2 years and putting over 20k miles on it, it still puts a grin on my face every time I ride it. About £500 of mods to it to increase the torque so it can now comfortably sit at 70mph on faster roads at lower revs and I've been to the south of France and northern Norway and Sweden on it.
Great review. On my recent US trip (I’ve bored you with Speedmaster and Tiger 900 tales) this was the other bike I rode. It is owned by my friend’s son in law who, generously, if not exactly knowingly lent me it for a day and 170 miles of assorted riding with a little gravel thrown in. My bias against Enfields dates back to the dreadful 350 Bullets ridden in India when I worked there in the 80s. The Himalayan was a revelation. It went and stopped, two major pluses. I was staggered at how good it is with just 23 bhp and smooth whatever the revs with a decent gear change. Sure, it’s not fast but it suited our ride and wasn’t left behind. The weird “compass” seemed to have a mind of it’s own and if you were lost in, say, the Himalayas I wouldn’t bank on it’s efficacy. A decent entry level adventure bike which is exactly why said son in law bought it.
Many thanks Ian, glad you liked the review. Lucky you, had a few bikes to ride on that trip!! 😁 Another great bike from Royal Enfield, I find them just so charming. Yes it is definitely lacking in power and I would not mind more, however I think that is part of its charm. Good point, not too sure on the accuracy of the compass!! Cheers
When I think of a Himalayan the first word that comes to mind is utilitarian. It has time proven reliability with a reasonable start price. However, I have noticed a growing trend in upgrading them. Fitting hot cams, free flowing exhaust and better tyres all come at a cost which kind of negates it entry level market place.
Yes true, when you start customising it to improve the performance then it would make sense price wise to consider other options. As you say a great utilitarian motorcycle, that has oodles of charm!
I've done all the mods you mention and I think for around £500 they're well worth it. They're isn't a comparable bike you could buy for only £500 more and I feel it's just bringing the bike up to the specs it would have if bureaucrats didn't interfere.
Great review, agree with you that it is a great bike to poodle around on and enjoy the views, life in the slow lane a fun bike to enjoy and improve your mental health, I actually bought one yesterday, 2 months old, 400 miles for £4.5K with the panniers, seems like something of a bargain to me!
Thanks Peter, I appreciate it and really glad you liked the review 👍 Absolutely what the bike is all about. Slowing down and appreciating the ride and your surroundings, definitely a great bike to calm the mood! Congratulations and your purchase, hope you enjoy it. Absolute bargain for what you are getting, can go on some great adventures on it. Cheers
great review , im collecting mine tomorrow ,only 4600 euros so quite a steal at that price , off course i wont be able to ride it in Latvia due to the winterweather but i can admire it in my house until then lol
Thanks so much I appreciate it, glad you enjoyed the review 👍 Such great value for money, congrats on your new bike and roll on the Spring time. Cheers
I love my ‘22 Himalayan and just done 3100miles. The only downside is the service every 3000 miles. Other than that it is awesome and great as an every day commuter in hill Pendle.
👌 Great to hear that you are loving you Himalayan. Such a lovely bike. Yes that is a bit of a shame with the service intervals! Seem a bit short to me, especially for an adventure bike.
All of you're vids I have seen (I'm a new subscriber and I am catching up) are spot on and delivered with grace,honesty and humility. They help my mental health and it is fantastic that you champion awareness of it, it is still such a difficult subject to broach in "real life" especially in a still macho male world. Well done and Thanks.
Hi Barry, many thanks I really appreciate that and so glad you are enjoying the videos. I try to be as honest as possible and just give my humble opinion!! So pleased they are helping your mental health 👍 I have personally found motorbikes so good for my mental health and whenever I feel down a ride on my bike never fails to lift the spirits. Always supporting mental health awareness, all the best and stay well.
Thanks for informative vid. I’m ordering the scram next week, I’m going to keep my Ducati for the speed intake I need every so often, I’m getting the scram just to chill and take in the views I’m missing and a bit of green lane
My pleasure and glad you found it useful 👌 I am yet to ride the Scram but very similar to the Himalayan. Perfect for what you describe, just relaxing and appreciating your surroundings. Sounds like a good plan! Cheers and enjoy
Many thanks I appreciate it and glad you liked the review 👍 That would be a dream come true, perhaps one day I will 🙌 Going to research that route right now!! Cheers
Reviewers usually give good reviews for this bike. If you haven’t checked “Itchy Boots” channel, then I would recommend a look. She bought hers in India and rode it back to The Netherlands!
👍 For good reason I think. It is a great rugged little adventure bike! I have seen her channel, love it. What brilliant rides she goes on, living the dream.
Great review charming comfortable bike. I probably would have purchased two of these for my wife and I but had already purchased two Honda cb500x could have saved some money.dome two tours of Tasmania so very happy with our bikes don’t know what we will change up to not interested in heavy expensive adventure bikes. But adventure bikes which can do light gravel and motorway touring is appealing to us both with good fuel economy.
The Himalayan is built for light gravel tracks 👌 Little bit under powered on main roads though. I would highly recommend the Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid. Fantastic bike on and off road. Can imagine you have some great tracks in Tasmania to go exploring! I agree I think massive expensive adventure bikes are just too big and heavy for your average rider to take off road . Cheers
I've just been to the Ilfracombe bike show and there were a LOT of sports bikes but I only saw four Royal Enfields. They are very popular in the flatter part of the country (and a certain part of Wales😉) but the lack of power tells a bit with our steep hills and tight corners. Two of the REs were Interceptors but the seats were way high.
Nice, hope you enjoyed it 👌 Yes the Himalayan is definitely down on power! It is a very charming bike, but in the UK I would personally prefer a bit more power. I don't find the Interceptor lacking for power at all. But yes quite high seat height.
👍 Another Royal Enfield that has stolen my heart haha. A great bike. However the Interceptor 650 really is something special. I am sure you can twist his arm for a ride 😉
@@redangrevival I know you rode the 650 but as I sat on one I found that it felt tall and top heavy compared to my Bonneville and also the foot peg location was definitely in the way of putting my feet down. However I am going to try one!
@@mikepopelka2349 Always worth a try. I find often the things we find negatives at the beginning of testing a bike are simply differences to what we are used to. Don't get me wrong the Bonneville is a better quality bike, there is just something about the Interceptor that I loved!!
The tripper is a nice looking thing, but ultimately not very useful. It should be treated like a Google watch to allow development for it and similar devices. I agree that one of the Jerry cans should be for water, you can't live long without that. Nice review, I love my 22. I agree on the cons, too, but it is a great bike despite them.
Fair enough. I personally prefer the compass 😁 Think that is a great touch and actually quite useful when on an "adventure". Thanks glad you liked the review. Fantastic bike, so refreshing amongst all of the hugely powerful adventure bike today.
Lower insurance also for a new biker vs a 650. Just got a quote on the scram. I like the extra height of the Himi and the center stand but quite a few people say the Scram is nippier! Am still not ruling out a 650cc but def very tempted in the Himalayan. Next year will be interesting re the 40 bhp version. P.s Not quite sure you'd manage to get to Scotland on one tank thats 300+ miles (Close though). Maybe! Could do it on a 20l 125 thats for sure. The Meteor has 100mpg I have heard😉
I am yet to ride the Scram, but personally much prefer the looks of the Himalayan, much more traditional. The Morini X-Cape could be a great option for you 👍 Yes think he said it as a bit of a joke, but you really wouldn't be far off haha
Good honest bike , but definitely underpowered imo...in fact me and a mate took a himalayan & a 350 meteor out at the same time and it struggled to keep up with the Meteor on a run...get yourself on the Classic 350 Angus!!
Love it, but yes I agree. Needs a bit more power for UK roads. Would be great exploring a far flung country but for in the UK and Europe just lacking in power a bit. Booking the 350 in very soon!!
Hang in there 💪 I have been feeling quite rough for the past few weeks. Think I have had some sort of bug, but sometimes hard to separate mental health and physical problems. You will come out of it. A great bike for mental health, just so simple and has no ego! A pure ride
If you intend going 'offroad or very poor or nonexistent roads such as in Central Asia, you need the big 21 inch front wheel Remember Itchy Boots rode one of these from India to the Netherlands, 28000 km and a 2019 mode;f from Buenos Aires in Argentins to the southern tip of South America and then north along the Andes until she got caught in Peru by a Covid lockdown and had to be repatriated home in 2019. The only thing that could be a concern, depending where you are riding, is the relativly short servicing/.oil change distance com[ared with say the Honda CRF300 Rally which of course is a much more pricey bike
👍 An ideal bike for the type of roads you are describing, and Itchy Boots has used it to it's fullest potential. I one day hope to ride such roads myself on a similar bike. Yes the service intervals are a concern, especially with what this bike was designed for. I guess the Honda would be the "smart" decision!
Lucky you! Must have more availability of the "chips" I guess 👍 More needed in OZ as well, in the UK you are never further than a stones throw away from civilisation haha Cheers
No tripper on the Himalayan I was fortunate enough to test drive today in Vegas. No windshield either! Forgot to ask about the windshield but can live without the navigational beacon so to speak. RE could put out a recall on the 2022's. Placed a down-payment regardless. Stay safe. ( Mr. Ed )
Absolutely agree! I think for riding around India or other far flung countries where the road conditions may not be the best, then it would be great! But for in the UK/Europe I would like a bit more grunt.
It's terrific for blue hwys, rough roads and exploring logging roads. Has comfortable suspension. The power is enough for what it's meant for.. tractoring about. It's an economical low powered goat with some serious hooves.
I had an 411 Himalayan. It lasted one week only. It is heavy and brakes are very weak. Crashed it after one week of riding it only due poor brakes. And I was riding it slow. I´ve been riding for 30 plus years. Never crashed any bike in my life. My advice, get away from this brand.
Done over 21k on mine, on/off road & never had any issues at all. Even servicing myself is very easy. 1.5/2hours & all done. As for the front brake, EBC pads improve it. Thousands of others Inc myself are delighted with the 411, you've just been unlucky.
Under Powered For The Weight (24hp/450 pounds weight). 411cc should produce 40hp Disappointing fit and finish Can't Maintain highway speed Small Fuel tank Parts are not available in USA
This is all true, however the figures really do not tell the whole story! It is a great price, and this bike is really designed for exploring off the beaten track areas, not high speeds on the motorway. Sit back, take it easy and enjoy the ride! But yea I would want more HP haha
If you only look at the horsepower specs and weight it doesn't seem like much, but torque is what really matters and the himalayan has plenty of torque down low where it really matters.
