Why buy a used Royal Enfield Himalayan 411? 

Just clocked 5000 miles in 5 months on a Himalayan all over the PNW. Small roads, city riding, forest service roads and BDRs are its element. I find the bike extremely easy to handle in the city. It is easy to turn around in tight areas, sure footed on the Seattle streets (lots of pot holes, some of the steepest hills in any city in North America, slippery conditions on wet leaves in the fall), and it eats speed bumps with ease. On non-interstate roads, it cruises very comfortably at 50 and all the way to 70. You can load it like a mule and the performance doesn't change. It is the perfect bike to do daily French baguette bread runs or to pick up an order at my favorite Indian restaurants -where it sometimes earns me some free dishes...). I have driven it all around the olympic peninsula on dirt and on asphalt where it performed extremely well. I have ridden it on the Washington BDR where it comfortably allowed me to pass and distance bigger bikes (Teneres notably, even unloaded). Mine is equipped with Battlax AX41s. It tackles ruts, loose rocks very comfortably. It chugs along effortlessly, and even loaded with camping gear maintains a low balance point. It's just a very easy to live with machine on dirt. The secret is its torque. On interstates (I-5 and I-90 over the local mountain passes), it maintains a speed of about 70mph, except in the last 5 miles of Snoqualmie pass, where I can't get much more than 65mph out of it. Stability at speed is good (it's not a Harley for sure, but you do not feel you are riding a toy). Its one fault is the lack of ability to push the bike much beyond 75. You can feel it's its design limit and if you use yours at this speed, be prepared to add oil on a weekly basis. So, it's a bike that forces you to plan your moves and be conservative. Would I use to ride down from Seattle to Portland on I-5? NO. That would not be the least bit enjoyable. Would I use it to ride down Highway 1 from Seattle all the way to Santa Barbara? Absolutely YES, and I plan to do it very soon. It's capable enough, very comfortable for a 5'10, 180lbs man, and it's so easy to ride that you can enjoy the scenery without fear of letting your inner speed demons spoil your adventure. If you want to see on RU-vid what this bike is perfect for, search and watch Le Nez Dans Le Moteur. The cinematographer who creates these artsy travelogues depicting mostly the variety of roads in the south of France and sometime as far north as Scotland, makes the perfect use of his 411 Himalayan.

"and then came Noraly Schoenmaker" a.k.a. Itchy Boots. A few years back, the average motorcycle sales increased 3%. R.E.'s increased 109% ... thanks to Itchy's exposure. The following year the company gave her a new motorcycle.. well justified.

I have had a 2023 Himalayan for one year now, and I am quite happy with it overall, l am retired in Mexico, but have last lived in Mt Angel, Oregon. I find the Himalayan is very responsive up to 80 kph or 50 mph, so it fits the bill running it around town and the back country roads both paved and dirt. Highway is another matter; above 80 kph it loses its wind, and its top end is about 120 kph / 75 mph, and that is on the flat with no headwind. I have 8,000 km on the bike at this time and no issues with it. Last I checked I get about 75 mpg.

The Himalayan was my last bike. Took it up into the New Hampshire Mountains, and through a driving rain on the highway. Performed like a champ and sipped gas sparingly. The new model looks like a great upgrade.

Have 2 extremes in the garage, the 2021 himalayan and a 2023 africa twin. The honda does the long touring runs, and the himalayan gets the commuting and off road adventures. I prefer the himalayan off road. Weights lower down, easier to handle and goes anywhere. If you drop it, the ground goes ouch. So, its not fast, who cares, its the ride it makes you enjoy as you have to take the back roads. Dont get me wrong, i like the africa twin, its full of tech but the simplicity of the himalayan just brings a massive smile. Mine does 65 mph all day long and loves it. Change the light to an led unit from a harley and fit ebc semi metallic pads, transforms the bike..

Gidday Bruce. I’m going to hang onto my 411 even though I’ve ordered the 450. I guess I just really appreciate the analogue design, and over engineering of my first Himmy. It got me into some serious off-tarmac adventures and will continue to be my goto for more of the same. Sure it’s a bit gutless but the brakes inspire confidence in steep loose surfaced descents. I use a free flow air filter, and an after market silencer, shaving 2kg of weight with the latter. You can load it up like a pack mule and it still retains its balance. I have upgraded its headlight bulb, an easy fix for the weak OE item. All in all a basic and honest machine with oodles of character. Cheers, Bill (NZ)

Thanks so much for this great video. I have a RE Classic 350 but I am considering trading it in for the new 452 Himalayan. The Classic is very beautiful but I prefer the more upright position of the Himalayan. This video has really helped my decision, so I will wait for the new 452 here in Thailand. Thanks again and stay safe!

I loan mine to my son. Now he bought an Aprilla RSV4 and told me:" i love it to ride the ennie..." its more relaxed. It has this " something special" That says all to me. I never regret the buy and own it 2 years now. Cheers...

Having a bit of experience on one, combined with some research gives you a good platform to speak from....appreciate your comments on both of the bikes! Cheers Bruce, ride safe!

Hi Bruce, Enjoyed your video on the Himalayan. Being a Brit in my late 70's I am more than familiar with the make, back in the day they were known as Royal Oilfields due to the usual deposit on the ground after being parked for a while. They certainly got put on the map when Itchyboots started to use one. Ride safe, Pete UK

I don’t own one but I’d keep the 411 over the newer model. I’m old school and 68. I like thumpers. Especially simple air cooled and analog. My addiction to thumpers started in 1974 with a Ducati 450 Desmo. Been hooked on old school simple since.

I've owned one for almost 2 years. Didn't know she ever rode one.... I'm having fun on it..... easy maintenance too...

Had one. It actually handled very well on tarmac. Unfortunately the brakes are terrible as is the gear box. Mine had intermittent false neutrals. Clutch clunky. Stay off anything resembling where you’d go on a T7 and you’ll actually enjoy it. Fun bike to just poke up to the 7-11 though. Always had people stop and talk about the bike. Lots of guys my age reminiscing on their Dad’s Royal Enfield. That was cool.

"Royal Oilfields"....love it! Really enjoyed this video. There's another YT video out there which is a presentation given by the RE lead design engineer for the new 452 engine (a fairly young British fellow). From what I saw, the new 452 engine should be outstanding. It looks like Royal Enfield is really stepping up the quality and hopefully at a great price point. My V-strom might be in trouble.

This is valuable information. Thanks for your concise comparison with some experience-based observations. Your programs are always interesting!!

As a new RE Scram 411 owner I would have to agree with you on all points. New msrp on my Scram is $5100 dollars, but I don’t think I would be willing to pay that for one now that I’ve ridden one for a 1000 miles. RE had a sale price of $4100 a few months ago and that’s what I got mine for; that’s about what it’s worth to me, but no more than that. If I was going to pay a little more, I’d have purchased a Husqvarna 401 for roughly $6300 dollars and had a much more modern bike with nearly twice the power. But.. for what I’m using it for, my low power Scram gets the job done.

When I transitioned from dirt to dual sport I considered a 411. Bought someone more “macho”. Probably should have bought the 411. Know your abilities and how/where you’ll ride. If your buds are thrashing a BDR on Desert-Xs and KTM 890Rs, you’ll be out of place. Left behind. If your buds are on KLRs and 300Ls, you’ll be fine. If you’re solo, 411 probably fine. As Itchy Boots demonstrated. I might end up with a 452. Ironically, I think the 411 looks better. YMMV. I’ve learned I’m not about speed and power.

Greetings from England, very close to Redditch which is the ancestral home of Royal Enfield. My 2018 411 has now done 27,000 miles. I still like it and ride it more often than my other bikes. Prices are falling in the UK now for both new 411s and used models. Even if I buy a 452, I'll keep the 411 for green laning.

I sold my Tenere 700 and purchased a used 411 Himalayan, I absolutely enjoy riding it

I just purchased a new 411 2 weeks ago. One of the last in my region, at time there were only 4 left to purchase. I could have waited for the 452 but decided not too. The 411 is a great bike (so far). I had first service last week and I like it. Completely different from the big Hondas I have had in past.

Royal Enfield actually had a manufacturing facility in India while the parent company was still very much in business in the UK. The factory in Madras, India was built by the Royal Enfield Company to provide motorcycles for the Indian Army. They continued building motorcycles with basically the same post war design long after the parent company in the UK was shuttered.

some bikes you grow to love, some you like to begin with......

Your spreadsheet states that the 411 engine has 4 valves. It in fact only has 2. Thanks.

Absolutely excellent review of the Himalayan 411 Bruce. Thank you for taking the time to review this bike. Another reviewer cautioned against the 411 if one were intending on highway travel; his admonition was not only the lack of power but what he described as the "twitchyness" of the 21 inch wheel. Trying to sort out bikes in this category, I like the looks of both the 411 and 452, all things considered, from listening to the reviews, the Royal Enfield brand would not be a fit for me.

Tried one out years ago. I'm 6 foot and found it to be too small. Knees wouldnt tuck into the tank indent which made it uncomfortable. Happy with a tiger especially for long distance highway.

2023 left over new Himalayans are being sold for $4400 plus taxes. It’s a great buy at that price point.

I have the 2021 Himalayan. I rode it from the Tulsa, OK area to meet a buddy in NC, where we started the TAT. I took I-40 the entire 880+ miles to my NC start point with the throttle open to the stop. It had no issue and actually seemed to get a little quicker and faster. 😂 These bikes have been well reviewed for their low seat height, poor brakes, slow takeoff and low max speed but many of those traits are what I wanted for my first leg of the TAT. I found it to be absolutely perfect except for its “pickup ability”. As a solo female rider, it isn’t the weight so much as it’s the center of gravity. I ride a Harley Davidson Heritage Softail and can get it upright alone. It weighs more than the Himalayan but, because of the low CG AND the fact it doesn’t lay flat when it falls, I can get it upright by myself. Not so, the Himalayan. It falls completely flat even with engine guards, and it is a HEAVY bike for its size.

I just found an Indian video on YT last week about chopping off some kg to make a real adventure bike out of the Himalayan. I would need to see and ride both bikes to feel the difference but the new one looks a bit more suitable at least on paper. A friend of mine just bought a RE Classic 350 and I'm planning a tour with him together but the snow needs to melt and temperature need to raise (-14°C) significant. Enjoy your 2024 season 🏍️💨

Compare it to a KTM any Yamaha tenere that's kind of unfair isn't it yes the headlight sucks and the brakes could use Improvement

I’m waiting for a 411 at the right price. Shame the new one has a much bigger seat height. I can flat foot the old one. The scram 411 can still be had new at a bargain price as well; it’s probably a better buy as is doesn’t have so much of a cult following

RE not being well known in America isn't handicapping the brand.. most Americans aren't even sure where Canada is. 😉

Would recommend waiting two years before considering the 452 , they need time to work out all the bugs and this being a brand new design there a few . Already released in my current country , reviews aren’t great .

I had one. VERY clunky. Very slow. And the loud tappet noise was very unpleasant. Dash was so small. It was almost impossible to read. Verdict: Not a winner. Like a minibike with a lawnmower engine. I had to sell mine.

What happened to the Ktm 390 ?

Personally, I’d pass on the 411. Around here I need to get on the Hwy to get anywhere and people are going 75-80 mph. I don’t hate RE as a matter of fact I just bought a new Interceptor 650! The 450 look promising.

I've enjoyed my himmy.

Its a good looking bike but as a rider of many years, I would never buy one.

I find these bikes to be uninspiring at best, too boring for me.

If you had rode one of your other two motorcycles, perhaps you would have been robbed. You should go to India and ride up, around, and down the Himalayas. A trusted mountain mule, not a thoroughbred. Did you see on the news not far from San Diego in BajaCalifornia? About the two Australians and the one American that were murdered for the tires on the truck during their surfing trip? Yes they were all shot in the head once and disposed of in a well. Ride what is local to not be targeted immediately. What was a better motorbike than the Royal Enfield that the locals rode?.