Royal Enfield HIMALAYAN -V- SCRAM 411. Is the Scram A Himalayan KILLER? Which one should YOU buy? 

Farm tracks with grass down the middle we call Welsh dual carriageways

Two and a half years into ownership and over 12K miles from new on my Himalayan and I'm still pleased with the purchase. When I first got the bike I hardly did any off road, now I do go off road a bit and the bike can handle some quite rough byways and whats more gives me the confidence to tackle them, but it does take a bit of courage to hand over that trust to the bike but when you do you realise the bike is really upto the job and perhaps has better manners and ability than 90% of the people who will ride it! For me the all round ability of the Himi means it's a keeper and also the added carrying capacity with the front bars is a bonus which I use to carry extra fuel. So for a country boy like me who likes to bimble around the B roads and byeways it's just the perfect tool.

Thanks for the review 👍 A month with my Scram and a thousand miles, I have no regrets. I live down a challenging unmade track which it handles joyfully. I finish a trip and in no time, I want to be back on it again!! If You're tempted, give it some serious consideration, it is a beautifully balanced motorcycle 😊👌

I like the Scram it reminds me of 1970s Japanese trail bikes and my youth. Strange ...a 400cc thumper trail bike would have been thought of as big then. Now it’s thought of as small.

Great review Stuart. Love what you’re doing on your channel and it brings so much happiness to so many like minded souls

Stuart, you helped me break down my off-roading desires via this video. The idea of thinking about the on-road/off-road ratio as a main criterion, for choosing the bike, helped me greatly. You and I are likely of a similar age, and my appetite for dirt roads, while present, is not as pressing for me as a priority of being able to GET TO the dirt roads comfortably. I'll likely purchase the Scram 411, so I can ride out to the off-roads, rather than feeling remorse, sitting atop a Himalayan, midway through an eight hour trip to the mountains. But you're right. Had the Scram not materialized into existence I would have likely pursued a long-time plan of purchasing a Himalayan, for the very reasons you mentioned: Price, size, and off-road capabilities. Thank you for yet another insightful and entertaining vid!

Re screen, was getting buffeted, so riding along pushed top of screen and buffeting eased massively- got home eased 4 screws and moved screen, tested on same road - better. So took screen off an using 6mm round file, filed out slot on screw holes nearest rider to allow screen to rotate away from rider - result 100% improvement at zero cost

Great review Stuart highlighting how both machines compare. 24k miles on my ‘18 (Touring Saddle) Himalayan and it’s still my all-time favorite and that’s going back over 50 years. We have some wonderful choices!

Thank you for a good honest review Stu, ride safe

Greetings from Brazil. I own both Himalayan (3 years) and Interceptor (2 years). For commuting, my choice is Interceptor. But when I ride to new places on unknown roads, I always go with my Himalayan, because I know it will take me to my destination no matter the road condition - tarmac, dirt, river, mud -, and will bring me back home safely (albeit slowly).

Nice review Stuart and the music was good !

The thing I like about your reviews Stuart is that you keep the review real and balanced. You are fast becoming my top You Tube Chanel for motorcycle videos. Thanks again for your work creating these videos. I always look forward to the next one 👍

Awesome comparison, I was looking for this for a long time.

Excellent comparison and very useful. Certainly gives food for thought.

A good comparison. Being a road rider, with very little off road experience, I have ordered a Scram for my commuting duties and weekend rides. There is little competition in the market, at this price. I did consider a Honda ADV 350, which has greater luggage carrying capacity but is more expensive and although I quite like scooters, they are never going to touch my soul like a bike will.

Good review, many perspectives. Thanks!

Great review again Stu.

A good, honest, well balanced review of both bikes. Thanks Stu.

Great take on these two bikes. Thanks! I own a RE Himalayan and use it 95% on the paved roads. I would like to have a go on a Scram. There is rumor of a new Himalayan 450 in development that will have around 40 hp and more modern features probably not coming out for a couple years. That would be very attractive to me with the way I ride.

Thank you Stuart! I would buy a Himalayan and repaint it to make it look less 'frumpy' This is what I love about RE they are great value, no nonsense machine, and you can change things......for now!!!

The photo with the paniers on the Scram is a game changer. Great video Sir.........Sal : )

Interesting review, another RE is on my radar so will need to have a serious look at the Scram.

Great review, was thinking of getting a Hymalayan but then along came the Scram and after some great reviews and the bike being more suited to my style of riding and use I have ordered one 😀

Thank you for the review

Great comparison Uncle Stu. I’m 66 and probably choosing the Scram as my reentry point into motorcycling. Cheers!

Love it, great comparison, love your work from a fellow Yorkshireman,,

Excellent review! Do us all a favour and do not turn down any test ride offers you receive as your ultra sensible opinions would be very welcome to those of us who are not boy racer / adventure wannabe's.

A fair and straightforward assessment, which leaves me to say "Spot on, Uncle Stu." I agree, the Scram is a much more "stylish" ride, but my debate is what need would in fill in the near future, and the Himmie will be the one that fits the bill.

Brilliant video as always Stuart and pleased with my Himalayan, however mine has the Royal Enfield touring seats on it and it’s much comfier for me and a passenger 😃👍🏻

Stu your observation on the Scram is spot on. When latest Himalayan was launched here in GOA India in 2021 I visited the showroom and got the bike just off the main stand with out actually sitting on it I found it very difficult to move it or take in in reverse which I normally do when I reach home obviously it was the front 21 inch wheel which was creating the problem then there was the front headlight fixed to the Chassis more or less so on a dark road you never know where your actually getting into. And I just hated the front windscreen. Well the Scram411 just dealt with these issues and I am very happy with my descision which was worth the 12 months delay in its launch here in INDIA

New time subscriber and beginner rider. Excellent review. We've got 2022 Himalayans that are discounted $1.35k USD cheaper than the 2023 Scram, so I was going with the Himalayan with more features. But I also just watched your review of the 350 Hunter. I'm now going to wait for it to arrive, the Hunter checks "all" my boxes and it's cold and wet here anyway. ☺ Thanks!

Nice review, as always. The Road of Stones from your Mule's Day Out series would have been an ideal trip for the Himalayan. I love mine and use it for exploring the lanes, surfaced and unmade, here in the East Midlands. With previous big bikes I'd spend 90 mins hammering up the motorway to The Peaks for a day out - plus another 90 mins on the way back. It just started to seem like hard work. This bike has encouraged me to enjoy the wealth of places locally, coinciding nicely with the rise in fuel prices. The seat was awful, new foam was my best upgrade. 30mm bar risers and a cheap clip on screen extender were also great mods. There are some right flashy colour schemes available on the Euro 5 models for those that like such things too. Apart from those side pod things - 'decorative cowls' I believe - the Scram looks great. More power to RE's elbow!!

I wanted to test ride the Himalayan, however the dealer had no demo, so I tried the Scram. I loved it! I love the ease of cornering, easy shifting, comfort and- for a single cylinder, It was quite zippy... and I'm fairly chunky, to put it lightly. I still want the Himalayan. That's what I'm buying.

Great to hear your thoughts on the scrambler, all very true. Then..hmm the roads in West US and nz are 50% metal/dirt, washer board, and pot holed. The Himalaya is therefore preferred in my book anyway...will make a choice in the next couple of months. Issues are parts and shop support.

Another great video. Love the look of the Himalayan but haven't ridden one yet. Would love one to replace my old 1200 Bandit as a winter bike. I dont do big miles and im sure these would be far more rideable for the country lanes where I live, especially with the higher bars taking weight of my wrists.!

A brilliant comparison, one question I would ask, can you get a screen for the scram 411? Because it seems the Himalayan has the edge there, also mpg? In this day of high fuel price which is the better on fuel, I realise you couldn't test for that, but being as the scram is a bit lower and smaller frontal area does it have the edge on fuel consumption too? As always Stuart your reviews are accurate and not tainted by comparison of bikes costing 3 times as much as others I have seen. I think we all know Royal Enfield are brilliant bikes and true value for money, unlike a lot out there. I was supposed to part with my Bullet, but every time I watch your reviews I'm glad I stayed in the clan.

Nice one Stuart...

Absolutely fantastic. Amazingly describe .I totally agree with you.

I have a taller tinted Hitchcock screen fitted to BS4. Severe buffeting both sides of the helmet because the screen is not wide enough. Love your work.

Great vid mate, this is a really good comparison of the two bikes I was choosing between to buy. I chose to buy the Himalayan because I wanted to ride gravel roads, forestry tracks and on beaches. Cheers 😎

I think out of the two I would opt for the Scram 411, what will be very interesting to me is this Interceptor you are taking out with the 865 conversion like the sound of that one since the Inter appeals . 👍

I love my Himalayan but i have to agree that in the looks department the Scram looks extremely good, but nothing a custom paint job can fix. Excellent review as always!

Well said, sir.

Hi! Great vid as per usual! I heard in the last vid that you were in a bit of a dryspell im sorry to hear that! But hear comes a sugestion, you have a real nack and talent of telling storys and one of my favorite vids if not the favorite vid is the one were you went looking for (possebly) Jack the ripper that one was a real cracker! Please if you Will make more of those! Best reguards from Sweden / Wictor

Excellent insight, and thank you for the view of Hitchcock's! (It's a bit of a legend here out west =)

I found your comment on the screen interesting. Have had many issues with adventure bikes due to the dirty wind flow that the screen creates. Interestingly, I bought a BMW G650GS new in about 2011, loved that bike but the turbulence was a nightmare. I went down to a company in Weymouth which makes aftermarket screens and they had not yet designed one for this BMW model. After a lot of discussion they cut the original screen right down and named it a "sports" screen - effectively a flyscreen. All of a sudden all my problems were solved, clean air gently pressing on my chest. So, there's a lot to be said for having no screen or a flyscreen in place of the bigger ones you get on most adventure bikes. Just thought I'd share that. Thanks as always for the great informative vid Stuart, and particularly for doing the Himy/Scram comparison which I was very much looking forward to.

Very helpful. Thankyou

A very realistic review Stu. The bikes are most certainly aimed at two different markets, with some overlap. The Scram probably encroaches more on the Himalayan's territory, rather than the other way around, I think. Looks are very much a personal thing and I prefer the more functional, agricultural look of the Himi but the Scram's look will appeal more I think to younger riders who still want the imposing stance of the Himi but with a cleaner street look. The imposing stance and bigger bike feel of both bikes may well keep younger riders riding bikes for longer, hopefully for life. More the Scram here I think. Where the Himi wins I think is with the instrumentation and the front tank bars. The cluster on the Himi is rather spectacular and benefits from separate analogue fuel gauge and rev counters, plus even a separate LCD compass! Very impressive. The tank bars have bespoke luggage available for them. Very practical. It is a case of horses for courses here I think and just like the Himalayan, I reckon Royal Enfield are onto a winner with the Scram 🙂

I live in South Western Idaho and I own 2 bikes now a 2015 Triumph T100 865cc for when I need to go on the Freeway where the speed limit is 80 mph but people go much faster than that. Also I bought a 2022 Himalayan for when I ride in the desert and mountains of the Owhyee’s. With those two bikes It covers anything I need to do! I agree with what you said but for me I will keep the Himalayan!

I am really looking forward to your review of the 850 conversion, that is the bike I would buy if the price is right. If it has been done correctly it could be a beautiful ride both as a weekend belter or a great tourer.

Once again Stuart you have nailed it, it's horses for courses, i love to take my Himi off road and have even run in Rally Raid style events, the 2022 Open Roads Rally at Alexandra in Victoria Australia for instance, which you can view on youtube, look for the Royal Enfield official video it shows exacatly what a Himi is capable of off road, given the chance, the only mods I made were 80/20 dual sport tyres and heavy duty tubes with a small pair of saddle bags to carry the mandatory spares, tools and first aid kit, the Himi was not as fast as most, not as expensive as all of them but did everything the other Marques did.

Well done ❤❤

Thanks for that, Stu. Although both the Scrambler and the Himmi are not "my style", I found the video interesting enough to see the both compared and hopefully assist me sounding not too much of a twat if these two RE models are encountered in a discussion.

Thanks very much for another great video Stu. The only thing that I'd nit pic about is about the Himalayan being Enfield India's first from the ground up build. That honour belongs to the unit construction bullets from 2008, as although heavily influenced by the original bikes they were also an entirely new design from the ground up. All the best Chris.

I am saving for my 1st bike and researching everything down to the maintenance steps. And what is selling me on the Himalayan and the Scram is the ease at which the valve clearances are checked and set. Many of the other bikes I have looked at require a set of shim cups that fit between the cam and the head of the valve stem and can be difficult to find. The RE bikes simply require a set of feeler gauges, a 10mm wrench, and a screw driver. On the Himalayan and Scram, you remove 2 small covers to access the valves. On the other RE bikes, you remove the whole valve cover. No hard to find shim kits required.

I think the bike has looked ‘old’ since it’s release but strangely that’s what I find great about its look. I get so many people asking me about the bike as it’s so distinctive… but agree the look isn’t for everyone.

Thank you for the comparision. Think every point is fair. Still in the deciding phase on what Enfield to get. I really value the ability to go offroad and I like the scram more. But I also want to commute and I'm sure offroading will be a single digit share of my riding - as it is right now. Comfort on long distances would be more important to me. The scram would definitely be the better bike for me, but It just looks too modern for my taste. I think I'll have to do longer test rides with both once my A2 license is finished.

Another great & well presented video stu. I've been thinking about getting a himalayan as a second bike next to my interceptor. Where i live here in Australia, i have recently moved to an area where there are alot of forest tracks /road to explore. I would probably go for the himalayan over the scram because i believe a off road tourer should be an capable off roader. If you know what i mean. I kinda don't get these road scramblers. If you want a road bike, get a road bike. I think i would buy the new metor or 350 classic rather than the scram if i wanted a commuter /everyday bike. That's just my opinion. Keep up the work Stu.

I personally love the 21 front wheel on any bike. It gives security and makes the bike more stable. And I live in a place full of potholes and cobblestone streets from 19th century. I have suspended my new bike search because of 'the war'. That terrible thing is effecting the whole world now.

I love the 'dated look and many do. It's an escape from the many alien looking, plastic, multi colour 'modern bikes where by all bikes look like KTM 390 esque.

5thou miles in on himalayan and agree totally with you RE have cracked it for those who want more looks and on road ability... scram will be a good seller....

I know the looks are subjective, but for a lot of older riders, the fact the Himalayan looked like a real bike from the very start i think helps, I would not change anything major outside of a seat pad and tall screen. If i had a Scram, i would stick a screen on it.

I will be buying one of these when I'm in Colombia for a year starting next month. I've had many motorcycles in my life and really trying to determine which is best. I like the smaller front tire on the scram and streetability but I love a rugged all terrain motorcycle as well.

Stuart I would love to see you ride a X cape 649!

Good comparison , I like both bikes but would probably go for the Scram, as I already own a DL650 with all the scaffolding and panniers on it for touring, and my missus loves the pillion comfort, and yes ninety percent road use ,I bought it for its spacious comfort, not off road use which in my opinion it is too heavy for , I have often fancied a Himalayan but I don't go off road enough to justify getting one , but the Scram is appealing for solo use and mucking about on green lanes, but I've done a bit of that on my Interceptor (carefully though ) 😆 Cheers again for a good video Uncle Stu 👍

1:38 I really like the dash. I don't think it needs updating. It's unique. You don't need a screen on a bike so slow. I haven't had a screen on a bike since my 950 Adventure 15 years ago.

Love my Himalayan. Great bike

Nothing wrong with black until they invent a darker colour ! I've only had one short ride on the Himi and did enjoy it , must agree about the seat though that would need some fettling and the instruments look a bit Chitty chitty bang bang perhaps a Himalayan with the Scram binnacle would do better ? I hoped you'd ride the Himi with the big bore kit which makes more sense than the Interceptor which to my mind doesn't need it ! You can get into enough trouble with 650cc .

A very realistic review.

I've been enoying my Scram for 6 months now and although I love it, I still can't forget the idea of having an Himalayan... Oh my.

Great vid. As your in contact with Hitchcock's on a frequent basis. Can you please tell me if your able to fit the higher front fender from the Himalayan onto the scram? As for me it would enhance the silhouette of the bike. Equallying the front and rear look. Cheers and would like anyones views on this 👍

Thanks!

Hitchcocks were my dealer of choice when I bought a Himalayan a couple of years ago. I would go there again.

The Scram might eat into sales of the Himalayan in the UK market, but less so in the domestic Indian market where the road infrastructure outside of the big cities is better handled by a 21” front wheel!

The way the world is going which bike would you choose?Suppose it depends of which level of the astral plain one is on,great balanced channel🥾

After watching so many positive reviews of the Himalayan i took one out for a test ride. I don’t know if I had a poor example but I was disappointed. If felt very agricultural and rattled a lot plus I struggled to find the gears, and it struggled to reach 65. The Interceptor was brilliant though. I hope the Scram it is a better bike, I also may try the Classic 350 if I have the opportunity.

Stuart, I was thinking I would like the Scram 411 best, but after thinking on it more I think I really would choose a Himalayan for its go anywhere abilities. After all, I already own several street-only motorcycles. Thus, the Himalayan would make the most sense for me. I am 71 years old now so I do not really have desires to "off-road" it anymore but I do still love dirt road riding.

I'm located in germany and read about Royal Enfield sales in 2022 so far. The brand hit the german top 10 with 1630 bikes sold from January to May. Interesting part is the Meteor, Classic and Himalayan sold most units. I read a lot of complains about the lack of power for these bikes on the internet, but in reality it doesn't seem to bother a lot of people. I also heard about Royal Enfield dealerships that sit on 20+ 650 ccm models. And if the dealer orders a Classic 350 from RE for a customer he has to order another additional 650 on top to get one. I hope this is a joke, but it's a pretty reliable source i heard this from.

Good comparison. I’d take a Scram, too.

“The Himalayan styling is a bit dated”. This from a man riding a Bullet and a Classic Meteor. I do like the look and riding position on the Himalayan and if RE is able to sort out the stalling issue, I may have it a long time. The stock seat is hard and the switchgear feels cheap but it suits my commuting duties. Different horses for different races indeed.

I can’t figure out if the exhaust end-can on the Scram 411 is tarnished/rusty, or is it deliberately finished like that? Great review Uncle Stu!

Waiting in intrepidation for 865 clip.

Depends what you need really. If you like buggering about in the dirt get a Hymalayan. If you do more tarmac, get a Scram.

Do you think the scram will have the option for a screen as an accessory... leaning towards scram but want the screen

Good Comparison.

Interesting video, however, one year on from this video I’ve yet to see a Scram on the road.

The video you made recently about the scram about proving the ability to go with the flow on motorways was really good and interesting. Considering the touring on non motorways here in Germany the speed limit is 100kph. The bike magazines are stating that the travel speed of the classic 350/Meteor is only 80-90kph. In the light of the scram video, one might think otherwise. Could you say something about that?

It is better to evaluate your riding % aka city long distance off road then choose for your highter % , in this case the scram would give me more flexibility , and still be a decent fire road handler .

On balance, I prefer the Scram as it is more road orientated, but I'd like the Himalyan screen because I'm a big girl's blouse.

First Stuart, First!

When not carrying a pillion , I suspect a horseshoe bag like the ones made by Giant Loop would work well on both the Scram and the Himalayan. Maybe worth a review?

A question that came up in me yesterday was that since the frames of the himalayan and the scram are quite similar, would the seats be interchangable? Didnt find anything on the internet, does anybody know about this?

Regarding seating comfort of the Himalayan, I've been pleasantly surprised at how comfy the seat is. RE certainly seem to have worked some magic with their seats in general. For a narrow, stepped seat the Himalayan has proved to be very comfortable over distance. I also ride an ageing Pan European, with a seat like a park bench. After a couple of hours on this the 'numb bum' will have set in. I've yet to experience this unpleasant sensation on the Himalayan. The upright and commanding riding position of the bike makes it feel a long distance, touring proposition, just as long as you're not in a tearing hurry.

I was interested in your comments about the seat height of the Scram 411 how would you compare the seat height with the Interceptor which I own with a Continental GT Touring seat fitted due to being vertically challenged at 5” 6” I found the Himalayan seat too high for safety.

looking at getting the 411scram as it's a great beginning bike or even the the 650 metro

I love my himalayan, have used it all winter for work. My one niggle is the side panel over the battery which is a poor fit. With the gap at the top looking straight into the wiring and electric. They seem to have sorted it out on the scram and yet the himalayan still has that wonky panel.

I think this version of the Himalayan has evolved into the new Scram and will keep the its DNA going when they replace the current one with the new Himalayan. So I suppose it does kill off the current version and the new version will live on and probably make these two bikes feel more different than they currently are.

Few Adventure bikes are, So true. With exceptions, the Moto Guzzi V85 tutto terran

so would you keep the scram over the 350 classic?

You getting one Stu ? I,d think I,d chrome the tank, R.E.gold transfers ,brass cap & I wonder if it would take a single sprung saddle ? Seriously the scram seems a good practical all- rounder