Most owners go for sintered pads to get more performance out of the brakes. I’ve real-world emergency stopped on mine in less time than the example you were on there, so maybe an issue with that one. Rode mine around the NC500 this year and she did wonderfully. A fair review, apart from comparing it to a GS of any year… a BMW is engineered to different tolerances and costs 4x as much. You’ve got to shift your mindset on an underpowered machine, enjoy the views, bimble.
I've ridden all of them back to back ,if you're a novice and want to start doing some green lanes the Himalayan in my opinion is the best one. The GS310 feels like a learner commuter bike, you wouldn't want to drop that too many times before you're bringing plastic bits home with you.
I tested out a Himalayan and KTM 390 Adventure. Imo the KTM whilst quicker to go and stop than the Himalayan doesn't feel miles ahead on either front. You still need to give it a lot of brake and throttle! Meanwhile the Himalayan breezes over terrain the 390 clatters over, and whilst the 390 has fancy tech like a quick shifter, it doesn't all work that well (the quick shifter in particular kindly landed me in a false neutral!) Also there is definitely something to be said of the extra year of warranty you get with the Himalayan - and they seem to be less likely to randomly explode than the 390! Definitely if you're looking for a bike to speed along down A-roads/the motorway the 390 is the better tool for the job, but if you just want to potter along B-roads and get lost the Himalayan is ideal.
Think yours has the over tightened swing arm, mines was stiff as hell until I did the fix. Sintered pads make a huge difference to the braking. Back brake is better than the front by a long way. Is that the Innerleithen to Herriot road your on? Great road enjoyed on a great bike. I had an 1100 and 1150 gs but wouldn’t swap my himmy for them now. If I drop it i dont mind ,if I dropped the gs I d need an overtime shift to pay for the repairs.
I do not own a Himalayan. I have ridden one for 2hrs. All my motorcycles are 800cc and over. The brakes were not memorable, neither was the motorway cruising speed....but I came away wishing that I had the time to spend a year on all types of lanes, exploring the Uk & Europe on what felt like a instantly charming and affordable little companion.
Very good and accurate review... I've got one at the moment and have had most of the best adventure bikes over the last few years.. Different pads help a lot; did you use the rear brake, it helps a lot on this bike. Also, the worse the road becomes the more this bike excels as power becomes a disadvantage
I don't know why everyone is raving about the forthcoming water cooled 450. If I want a bike of that nature I have a choice of many bikes that fit that genre. I wanted something different that not many manufacturers do and that is a single pot air cooled bike. That's why I've got a scram
I like the idea of this bike, however as you say, overtaking and keeping out trouble woukd be an issue. Current I am running a 1997 Honda CB500 twin, I feel that's the minimum power (59 bhp) that would be tolerable on Scottish roads. Oh and those brakes on RE look terrible!
Most owners go for sintered pads to get more performance out of the brakes. I’ve real-world emergency stopped on mine in less time than the example you were on there, so maybe an issue with that one. Rode mine around the NC500 this year and she did wonderfully. A fair review, apart from comparing it to a GS of any year… a BMW is engineered to different tolerances and costs 4x as much. You’ve got to shift your mindset on an underpowered machine, enjoy the views, bimble.
I've ridden all of them back to back ,if you're a novice and want to start doing some green lanes the Himalayan in my opinion is the best one. The GS310 feels like a learner commuter bike, you wouldn't want to drop that too many times before you're bringing plastic bits home with you.
I tested out a Himalayan and KTM 390 Adventure. Imo the KTM whilst quicker to go and stop than the Himalayan doesn't feel miles ahead on either front. You still need to give it a lot of brake and throttle!
Meanwhile the Himalayan breezes over terrain the 390 clatters over, and whilst the 390 has fancy tech like a quick shifter, it doesn't all work that well (the quick shifter in particular kindly landed me in a false neutral!) Also there is definitely something to be said of the extra year of warranty you get with the Himalayan - and they seem to be less likely to randomly explode than the 390!
Definitely if you're looking for a bike to speed along down A-roads/the motorway the 390 is the better tool for the job, but if you just want to potter along B-roads and get lost the Himalayan is ideal.
Think yours has the over tightened swing arm, mines was stiff as hell until I did the fix. Sintered pads make a huge difference to the braking. Back brake is better than the front by a long way. Is that the Innerleithen to Herriot road your on? Great road enjoyed on a great bike. I had an 1100 and 1150 gs but wouldn’t swap my himmy for them now. If I drop it i dont mind ,if I dropped the gs I d need an overtime shift to pay for the repairs.
Tool kits under the rear seat pad btw 😂
I do not own a Himalayan. I have ridden one for 2hrs. All my motorcycles are 800cc and over. The brakes were not memorable, neither was the motorway cruising speed....but I came away wishing that I had the time to spend a year on all types of lanes, exploring the Uk & Europe on what felt like a instantly charming and affordable little companion.
Very good and accurate review... I've got one at the moment and have had most of the best adventure bikes over the last few years.. Different pads help a lot; did you use the rear brake, it helps a lot on this bike. Also, the worse the road becomes the more this bike excels as power becomes a disadvantage
The scenery is beautiful. RE is coming with new liquid cooled 450cc Himalayan. It should have enough power.
liquid cooled, there goes Royal Enfield, nice while it lasted.
I don't know why everyone is raving about the forthcoming water cooled 450. If I want a bike of that nature I have a choice of many bikes that fit that genre. I wanted something different that not many manufacturers do and that is a single pot air cooled bike. That's why I've got a scram
I like the idea of this bike, however as you say, overtaking and keeping out trouble woukd be an issue. Current I am running a 1997 Honda CB500 twin, I feel that's the minimum power (59 bhp) that would be tolerable on Scottish roads. Oh and those brakes on RE look terrible!
Nice channel :) All the best
Thank you so much 🙂
Imagine getting done for speeding on it 😁
Nice review, if only it was a 500