Videos like these is why I pay my internet bills, nice one Ben. Thanks for speaking the facts which no one else were able to till now. Looking forward to how you overcome these shortcomings on your 450.
Either the TH-cam or Royal Enfield suppress this type of videos... I own a 411 Sleet Black color which i purchased on 26th Jan' 2024 and it was the last stock in the Showroom... I thank you for the video before purchasing mine and that i am in love with my 411 ❤😊
I bought the new Himalayan 450, took delivery on 18th Dec 2023, and have completed a little over 1000 kms so far and yes, I agree with you that the bike is insanely vibey. I am facing pain in my right arm - upper arm from elbow to shoulder area. Initially, I thought this was due to a new kind of bike that I am riding (haven't ridden ADV's earlier) and dismissed it thinking that the pain will disappear as my body adjusts to the bike. But turns out, the pain is due to the vibrations. There are vibrations on the foot pegs too but it is not as bad as it is on the handlebar, thanks to my riding boots. I guess I have to install Grip Puppies to absorb the vibrations. These vibrations are strong from 5000 RPM onwards and as I am in the second phase of the run-in, I am staying under 6000 RPM. I rode 300 kms over the weekend with a pillion and same complaint - lot of vibes from the footpegs, especially, the right one, leading to knee pain. Another issue I have is with the tripper dash. I am just not able to connect my phone to it. Checked all the settings, uninstalled and reinstalled the app, even factory reset the phone but the connection failed is the error I get EVERY time. Other than that, the console has a LOT of relevant information to offer without being intrusive. I have installed a phone mount for the time being. BTW, I have an Android 13 phone and as per the owners manual, phones with two versions behind will be compatible with the dash. Did you notice almost all bikes had the handlebar alignment off? Mine was tilted more to the left, I saw other bikes with the same issue and some were more aligned to the right. One other owner at the service center was also complaining of this issue and pain in his left arm. Saw this handlebar misalignment on the BRAND NEW display and test ride bikes as well. I am yet to see one bike with the handlebar correctly aligned to the center. So much for testing these bikes extensively over the last 3 years and NONE of the reviewers pointed out these flaws. What does it take for an honest review, seriously??? I am curious to see if the bikes sold in other countries have the same issues or do they get better quality bikes than us 🤔 Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ride safe.
After having test ridden the motorcycle for 3days consecutivey from different dealership I would strongly disagree with your observation about the vibration specially when compared to the ktm adventure. I found it quite smooth at higher speeds specially compared to the 390 adventure which feels raw and quite rough, maybe it was your unit which may have had issues. Frankly I felt 450 was an easy motorcycle to ride, I love the 411 but I think 450 is a beast in itself. I dont think 411 is better than 450 or otherwise both are different motorcycles. And as far as the matter of low end torque goes I think every bike as its own characteristics and a good rider would know ways to work around the shortcomings, maybe a sprocket change could help get better acceleration at lower end. All this while we had been complaining about the lack of power in 411 RE has certainly addressed that in their own way. Lastly its all about the rider, a rider can have just as much fun in 411 or 450 or ktm390 if he/she know what to do with the machine. I own a classic 350 reborn and on highways it feels so sluggish and in heavy traffic its not agile but still it feels amazing to do weekend rides on it and himalayan 450 did put an ear to ear smile on my face I won't lie.
Last week I entered a second floor parking garage on my 2022 Himmy 411LS.. The ramp was at least 45 degrees. I tractored up the ramp with my wife on the back and the luggage full. The attendant was visibly shocked and asked how I did it. I told him that it was a long stroke engine, basically a Willy's on two wheels, since we are in the Andes, everyone knows the power of the Willy's Jeep. He laughed and called the bike a beast. It's certainly a one of a kind.
Reason why i like this man, you just spoke heart out !!! Not every bike is perfect but its necessary to know negatives also as it helps to make decision !!
Seems My cb 350 hness is most smooth vibe free machine at 105-110km single cylinder segment. Love honda so much. Honda should make a adv bike like Himalayan with an engine of 350.
Mahindra Mojo (atleast the launch variant) is vibe free even with throttle fully open and above 140kph. Could easily cruise at 120kph plus all day without any vibration or stress on engine.
I too owned Himalayan 411 and just completed a test ride of Himalayan 450. I don't know why RE obsolete the 411 and what they have made in the name of upgradation.
Thank you very much. A much more useful review than offered by the guys who seem enthralled to have a major manufacturer provide them with a free ride in an exotic location. The wheelbase at nearly 60" seemed to me way too long for ease of use, glad to enlarged upon my impression.
I prefer a scram kinda vehicle, but now that new Himalayan is announced, I was thinking probably I should wait for a new 450 scram. So based on this am I better off with Scram 411?
Hi Ben, thank you for pointing out some very interesting not so good points. Just wanted to confirm if the bike you tested was due for oil and air filter change which could have added to the vibey nature. Also there are very niche TH-camrs not very large in scale also talking about the absense of low end torque like Bulu Pattanaik did. But overall thanks for being very straight 🙏
I appreciate the fact that finally, someone on the interwebs has written about the cons on the new Himalayan. But, why are you ordering the new Himalayan when good 'ol Ben is as good or better?
The 411 is a beast in off roading and climbing(it is a Tractor). No doubt. The 452 is for the highway tourers. With button tires, the 452 will become more capable.
While others only ride their motorcycle, you my friend have enhanced the machine (and yourself) in this journey. Compared to other reviews on the internet, your is critical to the point it should be and there is a valid reason for that. Caus of your keen interest in the motorcycle, you have pushed the boundaries to solve problems and customize it at levels beyond general immagination. Its difficult to understand the level of efforts and research you go through. That hard work and attention to detail provides you an edge over the others. Really enjoyed the video. I am literally amazed by all points discussed in this video and yes its very surprising that no one is talking about it. Looking forward to your new HIMALAYAN, and a series of comparison videos along with it. Good Luck !!!
I agree with every one of your remarks. I experienced the same thing and cancelled the reservation. Since my ADV 390 is superior in many ways, I've chosen to keep it. The drawbacks I have experienced are all the same. In reverse chronological order, here's my point: 1. Above 90 kmph, the ADV 390 seems smooth throughout vibrations. 2. Windblast to the torso - significantly greater than ADV390 3. The side stand adds excessive weight to the bike. 4. The worst ABS actuation causes the bike to slide on twisting roads, which is a serious defect. **Will you kindly check the same**? 5. Traction control is not electronic. 6. In rush hour traffic, nose diving is extreme and unsettling. 7. Valve train noise Hope RE will fix all the flaws and make this bike the best of the best.
It is NOT Top heavy. It literally has a lower CoG, higher ground clearance wnd taller suspension than the competition. The air filter sits at the tip with the fuel sitting low. The angle of the side stand and the wider seat and slightly higher seat height is what people are confusing to be top heavy. And yes low end torque is less than the current Himalayan but its not as bad as youre making it seem. You're comparing it to the 411 when its a new bike and has nothing common with the old one. It has a higher cruising speed and more power well suited for touring. People said ghe same about the kym 390 adv when it came out and now suddenly everyone is raving about how it is the best adv and even for offroading. And i disagree that its vibey than the 390 adv. That bike is horrible imo and frankly has lot of vibes but people sont talk about it. Slightly disappointed with these "observations" from you at6er having ridden it only for less than an hour.
I don't understand how these people are scrutinising and reviewing the bikes just riding for 30 minutes or few kilometer without experiencing fully, it's completely new bike, New chassis new engine, it take some time to understand how to ride this type of bikes, it's not fair enough to criticise bikes without experiencing fully 🤞
You're gonna still buy the new Himalayan and turn all the cons into pros, And Maybe couple of years later you're gonna be proud of the 450 for what you've built. You're gonna make it better and you'll definitely share all the details with us and imma follow it until you create a newer better monster
If you check out the torque curves comparison chart, even as low as 2500rpm the 411 makes only 27Nm while the 452 makes 32N. At 3000rpm the 411 makes only 29 NM while the 452 makes 36. Can you explain your observations about the 452 feeling like it has less torque at the low end?
Don't think it's productive throwing shade at other moto journalists who somehow 'magically' overlooked some of the problems you had. You brought up some good points, but I think there's a bit of a bias showing for the 411
I have been riding the beast 411CC for 2 years now and boy! not going to give it up for sure. Your video has only reiterated my resolve all over again.Cheers!!!
The 1st point u made, the foot pecks are wider and its smooth af for touring but the reason why its so smooth is because its dampened really well. 2. Point being top heavy? U thought its top heavy because its harder to get off the side stand? Its harder because the stand has more angle and the bike leans further on the side stand than the himi411 to fix the main issue where the old himi was unstable on its side stand, obviously when the bike is leaning more, you have to put more effort to pick it up. The bike itself is actually got lower centre of gravity than the old one. 452 naturally leans into corners because of how good the suspension and chassis is, you can lean the bike into a corner with just your butt. 3rd point the bike not being a tractor and not having low end torque. The engine isn’t a low rpm long stroke engine anymore. Himi411 was never a trail bike either, I’ve owned one and done nearly 20k on it which included south india trips and off road with trails, for trails the only good thing the bike had was low end, but it was too heavy on its feet and it felt like a tractor too, which isn’t a compliment. 4th point the wind screen, u the one u test rode had the stock visor which is small but a bigger one will be available to buy as an accessory from RE. Im 6,2 nd the old himi visor still didn’t do it for me, i had it straight up and the wind would hit the top of my helmet, in the old himi u sat lower and the handle bar position was higher along with the headlights so the visor naturally sat higher. 5th point the coursing speed, ktm and triumph both have shorter stroke than the himi452, the bike can easily do 110 and relax, if you hands got numb after riding the himi452 but does it not feel like its gonna shake off if u try to stick at 110 or above on the 411? 452 has a much higher top speed so u have that tolerance gap, overtake speed opportunities, 411 u stay at 100 and thats it, u cant do over that without feeling like your holding the bike by the neck and asking for more. 6th point and finals few ones, the headlight yes its a low voltage led headlight and it never be match against a aftermarket led. Led should be projector otherwise its just a never ending cycle of trying to buy higher voltage leds, Tapped noise yes its so annoying. U found so many cons in the himi452 because its a stock bike u changed so much about your 411 and wonder why u can’t find manu cons? Make it make sense, if u compare the 452 to 411 then it will win outright in every way but hey your ben is your baby and it’s different than a stock himi411 so u have your personal emotional reasons to back your ben.
It's amazing that so many guys are mistaking the bike to be top heavy when it's the side stand angle. The Himalayan 450 has a lower CoG, higher ground clearance and longer suspension travel in this class. It's not top heavy at all. Surprised people are making such basic mistakes. You're right. And i have seen many people out this out on TH-cam and this will unnecessarily influence a lot of people.
First time seeing your video. Subscribed for the well-rounded assessment and honesty. I noted all these things too and therefore not very keen on the purchase (despite the booking). What better bike do you suggest for someone wanting a machine solely for touring (primarily the mountains) under 5L.
Hi, Rajesh here. I have Himalayan 411 BS4, RR 310 and right now the latest one is the Yezdi Adventure OBD2 2023 model. I think if there is any bike that can perform better than Himalayan 411 is the Yezdi Adventure. I did a Ladakh ride on Yezdi this July, did a Winter Spiti earlier this March on Himalayan. I have both the bikes so can give you the exact difference and which is better in what. I think except the low end torque of Himalayan 411, everything else is better in Yezdi Adventure 2023 OBD2 model not the earlier ones though. Also if you manage to play with the gears l which comes easily even low torque is not an issue with Yezdi Adventure. I easily cruise ar 120 + throughout the day with much gas left in the Engine still. Just did a south India ride a week back with a pillion and I managed to cruise at 120 throughout the day with pillion on. The suspension, acceleration, build quality, handling, overall comfort, etc is better than Himalayan 411. Test drive the bike and you will not be disappointed unless you are a 6 ft + tall guy then your legs might be cramped a little.. Yezdi guys are worse in marketing that's why we don't hear a lot about it but trust me that is the best single cylinder bike in India that I have come across in my 18 years of driving experience.
I have an interceptor, and a Himalayan that I use for touring. Was looking forward to changing to a more powerful bike. Was disappointed that RE came with a single cylinder 450cc. Wasn’t very happy with a test ride to switch between the 2 Also a 450 cc with a single cylinder is too big.
As a first time viewer of your review video, tum apni 411 ke izzat bachane k liye 450 ke le rahe ho...You are totally defending your 411. Remember, if 452 have 10 cons your 411 was having 100 cons when it came on the road.
Hello, about the 411. Is the handlebar a weak point? I hear that it can easily break or get twisted, even on stationary or slow speed, falls? Any advice there? Thanks
Ben: If I ever get a chance to get a new bike it will be the 411 Himalayan. I will build it exactly as you have done. Great video. Thanks for all your great work.
Totally agree about the 411 being a tractor and love how it behaves in the trails. The 450s delay in the torque delivery will definitely need more skill, I agree. It definitely feels better than the adv390 in this use case. The foot pegs, I'm assuming there would be a work around, probably at the expense of the rubber mountings. Will explore on this once my bike gets delivered too. Kaza Brown here too.
It took me 3 test rides to realize that there is absolutely nothing in the bike below 3000rpm. Like nothing at all. That's the reason I booked the Classic 350 over the Himalayan 450 as my usage will be 60-70% office commute in city traffic and around 30% highway touring once in 2-3 months. As the hype around it will slowly settle more and more people will start to realize that its not a bike for city commute. The 411 is just brilliant in that aspect. No one is going to go touring everyday. But we will commute to our offices on a daily basis. Its all the media hype that is overshadowing all the cons of the bike.
Aray bhai aapko Sirf Office jana hai toh Koi Bus, Rapido, Metro, ya Scooty kharido and Hamesha Office chale jana that's very Simple🙏🏻 298kg ko leke Office hamesha kyu Jana But Still Office hamesha leke jah sakte hai koi problem nahi hai
@@yomi6387 Just that i want a Royal Enfield for now. Plus, Scrambler 400x is very new with very few ownership experiences out there. The Classic Reborn has been there for a while with known pros, cons and issues.
The reason why most reviewers don’t talk about the flaws( Most reviewers only and not everyone else) pointed in this video is becoz 1. They have more experience in talking with silver tongues rather than riding 2. Yes they have been bought or want to be bought by the manufacturing companies 3. They have no experience in riding so they can’t gauge a vehicle properly P.S they just want to grab eyeballs and views for their reviews don’t really care about passing proper information to a prospective buyer rider
I'm aware from your previous videos that your himalayan is nothing like the stock himalayan. Hence, please clarify wether this video was a comparison of H450 between your heavily modded himalayan 411 or stock himlayan 411.
@greasemonkey1744 true but then my opinion is that it would take some learning to get a hold of this new 450. I couldn't connect at all with the 450! And vibrations are actually there no lie especially above 6000rpm just like the 411 with that scratchy loud weird feeling. Anyways getting a third test ride today.
Unfortunately I had a catastrophic engine failure on my way to Usuhaia - 2023 Himalayan, with only 3000km. I was doing 80km/h and the engine blew up. RE is sending a new engine as there was massive damage, but I did not receive a report about what the problem was. It's been over two months since the RE dealership got the bike (under warranty) but I don't have any way to track what is happening and I've been learning about other bikes that had similar issues. I really liked the bike, but it will be hard to get over this without knowing what it was and how to prevent it from happening again.... Then there was a BS4 that with 37000 km that had a similar massive engine failure. It was a hot summer day, but really? No warning? Not happy customer here....
Great review. Thanks much. I agree with you and low end torque is what I was after for I enjoy riding slow technical trails the most. Yet I end-up spending lots of hours at higher speeds to get to those trails and visit places. So, back to reliabilty and my blown-up engine... I could get better valves from Hitchcock as this seems to be a "frequent problem" with the LS410 engines, I could get the cam and improve fueling as you did; what about the chain tensioner? Are there any other aftermarket parts to minimize those potential catastrophic engine failures? Any other "Achilles heel" on engine parts?
the valves will be fine as long as your fueling is fine, get a fuel commander, the cam will def make things a lot better , surprisingly i have never had a problem with my chain tensioners may be because i have changed them once every 10000 kms even without any damage .
Great video Ben, an honest review and made my mind uo to stay with my 411. The GOAT for me. I know that will be controversial but im older and not a great rider so i love my 411.
In all the videos I've seen, during saddling everyone's knees were dangling mid air with nothing for the legs to grab on to. Rightly pointed out by Ben. Other TH-camrs are simply promoting the new bike like its a god's gift to customers, and encouraging everyone to ditch their 411s and get the 450.
I took a test drive today for an hour. Pros: Straight line stability is damn good. Well balanced while crawling in traffic. Orgasmic exhaust note. Brilliant suspension and braking. Cons: Lot of reviwer said it is butter smooth until 6k rpm. However, There is lot of buzz felt on peg handle and tank post 4500rpm. Wind blast is too much post 80. Cant sustain more than 80 with stock wind shield for my height(5,11'') Overall, the bike feels like a thumpy ktm 390 adv with a bit better low end. KTM feels alive post 4k whereas Himalayan feels alive post 3k Also, my feels is that it won't be agile in ghat roads especially around a sharp hairpin
I saw your entire video. R u serious it's more vibey than ktm 390? I have booked the bike. Took test drive yesterday and the bike was very smooth. I was able to take it upto 89 kmph around 4th gear. Tell me is 120 kmph smooth cruising possible? I mean at 5th gear a 30kmph upside will make that much vibrations?? I want a good smooth touring bike Please give a honest answer to below Honda cb350 or this?? 😃
@@richardw1043 yeah that makes sense but I'm done waiting. See my budget is not more than 5-6L for a bike. Beyond that I feel it's just a waste of money vs practical usage. Ofcourse it is good for showing off. Now in this price range which machine can check all boxes, including smooth cruising at 120 kmph ( m not asking for 140-150, heck I don't even need that for a top speed) In all of tests I did, (in Mumbai City traffic and I couldn't take any bike beyond 90kph for obvious reasons) I felt the same buzz on versys 650, vstrom 650 (better than versys anyday) triumph speed 900 (very very low buzz but very heavy) triumph trident 650 (buzzy even at 70kph, didn't like at all) Kawasaki W800 (single cylinder but very smooth) and a lot more bikes Honestly out of all the above I felt pretty much the same at 90kph as with Himalayan 450. Even the Honda 350 was better than all above. Now after trying the himalyan 450, I was excited again that I have found something comparable or better than Honda. Now my excitement is down the drain and thinking is it worth to take this bike.
The vehicle which I test rode was buzzier than 390adv post 4.5k rpm. 390 felt better. You can't sustain more than 100with stock visor Wind blast is too much
@@SenthilKumar237 my test vehicle was continuously ridden, I was 3rd or 4th person to test ride after 3 other took test ride on it. Then too at 90kph, bike was good. It was on ride mode. I think I will ask for a longer test ride
Thank you Ben. You saved me. I have been planning to sell my 411 for booking 450 as I cannot keep two at a time. I am not going to think it anymore. You can remember me, who purchased Himalyan seeing you, taking care it himself with your guidance and advice. Thanks again Ben.
You have noticed all the fine details of the Himalayan 450, I really appreciate your take on this and now I am even more interested to see why did you actually go for it even after realising most of it's flaws in such immense detail. I am facing a dilemma after test riding the Himalayan, the Scrambler 400x and I am looking to replace my Dominar 400. I love my Fury (Dominar400) as much as you love your Ben, but the main reason why I am in the market trying to replace it with a better machine is because I am looking for better more forgiving suspensions, an even more exhilarating performance from the engine or at least the same level of performance that I get on Fury and I ride alone 5 days of the week to my workplace but as soon as the weekend comes I ride with a pillion my wife and then my Fury's stiff suspension, poor weight management and the less turning radius becomes even more troublesome for me within the city. Now the Scrambler 400x, is ticking all the boxes but the only crucial thing that it misses out for me on is the Engine performance - the low end is mind Blowing, very easy to filter in the traffic, picks up on any gear no matter how the speed is.. but the TOP END is simply not enough to entice me away from my Fury, after 90-100kmph, the engine feels restricted, strained and buzzy as f***. But aside from this, every small detail on 400x is fantastic be it the suspension setup, the seats, the seat height, handling is amazingly easy. I don't really mind the instrument cluster. Now the Himalayan felt exciting, and was easily the most visceral bike as it has the performance with a lot of buzzy-ness, the suspensions are stiffer than the Scrambler 400x but still were very comfortable than my Fury. The instrument cluster has best in class features. Seats are spacious and comfortable for both me and my pillion, handling is again not as easy as the Scrambler but manageable within the city and confident inspiring on the highways. It doesn't really solve all my issues with the dominar but it feels like a different kind of flavoured bike that I can explore and have fun with.. The suspension and turning radius issues are solved for me coming from the Dominar- both me and my pillion are happy on that front, but the city riding, the extreme buzz on high speeds are a big problem for the both of us but at least it has the capability of doing those kind of speeds unlike the Scrambler 400x. Also, the weight management is still the same if not worse than my Dominar 400. I love my Dominar 400, and that's why I am in this dilemma of which is a better proposition for my above mentioned troubles. For reference I am 6ft 105 kgs and my pillion is 60kgs. I only tour thrice in an year and I ride every day for at least 10-20 kms, exhilarating, very comfortable and easy to manage on a day to day basis are the key attributes for a replacement bike to my Fury. Please do suggest.
Thanks for this really interesting video brother 👍🏻 I really do not doubt a single word of what you've said here. I am sure that, as a 411 owner myself, as soon as I get to try a 452 over here in Europe, I will feel the same way. RE have become very good at schmoozing the global press with their launches. So much so that I suspect that the journalists look forward to an RE launch event more than those of many other manufacturers. They may be keen to gloss over any negative aspects of the bikes, just to remain on the RE press list. As you say, it's surprising that none of the motorcycle journalists have picked up on these things in their initial reviews. But that's why we need people like your good self, to come in and offer a more accurate view. The mere fact that you've ordered a 452 despite knowing about these shortcomings proves that these things don't make it a bad motorcycle. But these things make it possibly NOT a better motorcycle than the old 411 and people should be made aware of that. I will probably reference this video in a future video on my channel mate. You have given us European Himalayan owners plenty of food for thought. I will also be interested to follow how you get on with your own 452 when you have it. A really interesting video. Thank you. ER
Thanks a lot for being so honest. Very rare to get such honest opinion on RE bikes especially in India. No disrespect here at all to any RE fans. But RE fans are like a cult, which is good considering it's an Indian company and we need to support them. Our RE fan boys dont want to agree on short comings. But, based on individuals requirement on their usage what u hv mentioned makes sense. For ppl who want to chug along no matter the terrain, the 411 is a gem. But, if u need highway crusing at 130kms/hr, ktm does make sense. Ppl don't understand tat ktm is also part bajaj owned company. Let's go with pure requirements and what makes sense for each of urs usage on a regular basis.
I have only one complaint to you Ben: WHY THE HELL IT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO PRODUCE THIS VIDEO?!?!?! Everybody is praising the 450 and no one is saying anything to compare the 411 vs 450. I've constantly been thinking of selling my 2023 Himy and get the new one but was afraid exactly of what you said "selling my tractor to get a 'speedy bike` and i don't want a speedy bike" - i want a low-end torque bike. If they made a low-end torque bike but also high speed and high horse power - great, but if that's not the case, i don't want it. Thanks for bringing this video!
Disagree with vibrations, it has vibes but bearable not worser than ADV390, Had test drives in multiple showrooms in chennai seems the bike is running in organic oil for first 500kms, that might be the reason for vibes. after switching to synthetic it'll feel much better than first 500km. also it's not top heavy at all, because of side stand you might felt, I'm not well build or in great fitness but the bike feels nimble, easy to glide & take U turn like a naked surprising for it's visual appearance. I owned bs6 duke 390 for 2 years, i can feel this bike better or on par with 390's in terms or refinement & performance
I already knew about most of the specs on the 450 almost a year back, and already guessed that it will be a better bike in every department but I had a strong feeling I would be more happy with the 411. So got my new 2023 Himalayan in May last year . Almost the last one off the production line.
Mixed feelings after watching this video. 1. Don't understand why an Indian would call it a Him-uh-layan and not a Him-aa-layan. 2. Fully agree about how journalists conveniently forget to point out any flaws whatsoever. Only Sagar Sheldekar pointed out the bike not having any low end drive. 3. I feel that's more to do with the extremely tall gearing and not so much with the engine. The tall gearing makes it a very capable mile muncher. 4. Disagree with the vibrations bit. 5. The 411 is gone now. It's time to move on.
Pol Torres Thrashes his T7 and make it look like its a toy but behind the scenes that T7 has many drops and crashes. I did a side by side comparison of the Himalayan and T7 and found that they both share the same design flow, although the Himlayan suits more to the tourer catagory than the T7 offroad. Test rode a 136 km ridden Himalayan and i dont see any issues with the bike's engine and the low end torque . Have seen the T7 in person and i can confirm in that as aspect Himalayan is the closest we can get to a T7 Minus the one extra cyl. Al the shorter stroke of 81.5mm compared to 86mm on the 411 speaks why 411 feels like a tractor. This does not look a flaw rather the 411 was something that was something that had issues and flaws. People still can buy the Scram 411 if they prefer that kind of riding and engine tractabality.
RE quality isn't up to mark either. I own a 1st batch interceptor, been having niggles from day 3. I had upgraded from 2012 duke. I will go back to ktm once the rally 390 is lauched.
I agree with you about vibrations, i test ride 2 him450 bikes , 1st one was having more vibration, 2nd one also having more vibration but less compared to the first one. When i compared with my 2023 him411, my 411 is way more smoother.
Excellent and objective analysis of the things we have to live with rather than the hype of a journalist or reviewer smitten by the promise of something not yet proven. I've feared the 452 will be a disappointment against the 411. I have a Scram and adore it, faults and all. For me, faults amount to just wanting about 5hp more - that's all, but I can live with what either of the superb 411s offer. It was inevitable that the new 452 engine would be very different, and lose so much of the character of the 411. I still don't appreciate the radical restyle. What this does, with the engine, is create 'another' machine - almost a competitor to the existing Himalayan/Scram.
Omygod... U r 100% right... After the test ride.. I also felt the same... Its so front heavy.. Doesn't have the flickable nature of the old one.. No one have talked about it.. I wonder why.. Will wait for the HERO🤩 now😂 unless Honda brings in something new
My height 5.6 . And i have booked new Himalayan. While test drive i didnt feel it since i am not pro rider. Now i am worried about your comment on U turn scenario . Is that an issue.?i am worried now
What a coincidence! Just test rode the new Himalayan yesterday and didn't feel anything like my rock red Himalayan. The rider's triangle as you pointed out isn't perfect on the new one. Also this should have been a 650 and not a 452. It would have made much more sense then.
I was looking forward for the power increase but the more I look at the reviews, the more I think my 2021 Himalayan will serve me for a few more years. We have yet to see the new Himalayan at our local Dealer, so the reviews are all I have to go on. Thanks for your honest opinions 😀👍
sir you mentioned word tractor its true in hard rough terrain its the most efficient bike of himalayan 411 than new sherpa which has complex engine and easy to get break down during off-roading as those water cooled system using radiator its risky during off-road to get broken and sir Main thing there is no Main stand to set Chain lube or in case tire Got flat and it do vibrate and use of more plastic componant made it vibey that also mention by Sagar Sheldekar as well and now days after failure of Royal Enfield Meteor & hunter they messing up Himalayan legacy so hat's off Siddhartha Lal better had launched Sherpa 600 than 450 with 6 gear it defiantly would be viby than dual cylinder 600cc
This is really an eye opener. Thanks for the inputs, I was almost about to book the new Himalayan, now I can make more informed decision. Thanks a lot.👍😊
Videos like these is why I pay my internet bills, nice one Ben. Thanks for speaking the facts which no one else were able to till now. Looking forward to how you overcome these shortcomings on your 450.
Either the TH-cam or Royal Enfield suppress this type of videos...
I own a 411 Sleet Black color which i purchased on 26th Jan' 2024 and it was the last stock in the Showroom...
I thank you for the video before purchasing mine and that i am in love with my 411 ❤😊
I bought the new Himalayan 450, took delivery on 18th Dec 2023, and have completed a little over 1000 kms so far and yes, I agree with you that the bike is insanely vibey. I am facing pain in my right arm - upper arm from elbow to shoulder area.
Initially, I thought this was due to a new kind of bike that I am riding (haven't ridden ADV's earlier) and dismissed it thinking that the pain will disappear as my body adjusts to the bike. But turns out, the pain is due to the vibrations.
There are vibrations on the foot pegs too but it is not as bad as it is on the handlebar, thanks to my riding boots. I guess I have to install Grip Puppies to absorb the vibrations.
These vibrations are strong from 5000 RPM onwards and as I am in the second phase of the run-in, I am staying under 6000 RPM.
I rode 300 kms over the weekend with a pillion and same complaint - lot of vibes from the footpegs, especially, the right one, leading to knee pain.
Another issue I have is with the tripper dash. I am just not able to connect my phone to it. Checked all the settings, uninstalled and reinstalled the app, even factory reset the phone but the connection failed is the error I get EVERY time. Other than that, the console has a LOT of relevant information to offer without being intrusive. I have installed a phone mount for the time being. BTW, I have an Android 13 phone and as per the owners manual, phones with two versions behind will be compatible with the dash.
Did you notice almost all bikes had the handlebar alignment off? Mine was tilted more to the left, I saw other bikes with the same issue and some were more aligned to the right. One other owner at the service center was also complaining of this issue and pain in his left arm. Saw this handlebar misalignment on the BRAND NEW display and test ride bikes as well. I am yet to see one bike with the handlebar correctly aligned to the center.
So much for testing these bikes extensively over the last 3 years and NONE of the reviewers pointed out these flaws. What does it take for an honest review, seriously???
I am curious to see if the bikes sold in other countries have the same issues or do they get better quality bikes than us 🤔
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ride safe.
❤️ thanks for taking the time to write this review. People are become increasingly insensitive to the idea of speaking truth nowadays.
After having test ridden the motorcycle for 3days consecutivey from different dealership I would strongly disagree with your observation about the vibration specially when compared to the ktm adventure. I found it quite smooth at higher speeds specially compared to the 390 adventure which feels raw and quite rough, maybe it was your unit which may have had issues.
Frankly I felt 450 was an easy motorcycle to ride,
I love the 411 but I think 450 is a beast in itself. I dont think 411 is better than 450 or otherwise both are different motorcycles. And as far as the matter of low end torque goes I think every bike as its own characteristics and a good rider would know ways to work around the shortcomings, maybe a sprocket change could help get better acceleration at lower end.
All this while we had been complaining about the lack of power in 411 RE has certainly addressed that in their own way.
Lastly its all about the rider, a rider can have just as much fun in 411 or 450 or ktm390 if he/she know what to do with the machine.
I own a classic 350 reborn and on highways it feels so sluggish and in heavy traffic its not agile but still it feels amazing to do weekend rides on it and himalayan 450 did put an ear to ear smile on my face I won't lie.
true man
Well said 😁
Perfect 👌
Last week I entered a second floor parking garage on my 2022 Himmy 411LS.. The ramp was at least 45 degrees. I tractored up the ramp with my wife on the back and the luggage full. The attendant was visibly shocked and asked how I did it. I told him that it was a long stroke engine, basically a Willy's on two wheels, since we are in the Andes, everyone knows the power of the Willy's Jeep. He laughed and called the bike a beast. It's certainly a one of a kind.
Truly 1st authentic review man. I was determined to keep my 411. Now I have your support.
Reason why i like this man, you just spoke heart out !!!
Not every bike is perfect but its necessary to know negatives also as it helps to make decision !!
Seems My cb 350 hness is most smooth vibe free machine at 105-110km single cylinder segment. Love honda so much. Honda should make a adv bike like Himalayan with an engine of 350.
Mahindra Mojo (atleast the launch variant) is vibe free even with throttle fully open and above 140kph. Could easily cruise at 120kph plus all day without any vibration or stress on engine.
That's why.. i bought New original Himalayan 411 Last week ❤🎉
Congrats buddy. Keep rocking 😇
🥰@@jaihind3595
I too owned Himalayan 411 and just completed a test ride of Himalayan 450. I don't know why RE obsolete the 411 and what they have made in the name of upgradation.
Thanks for wonderful review bro. I own a 411 and will never think about selling it and buying a new one.
After test riding the 450 i realised that the 411 is the OG.
100% agree with you, I test drove it & I found the handlebar is way further away & the instrument cluster & windshield.
Thank you very much. A much more useful review than offered by the guys who seem enthralled to have a major manufacturer provide them with a free ride in an exotic location. The wheelbase at nearly 60" seemed to me way too long for ease of use, glad to enlarged upon my impression.
I prefer a scram kinda vehicle, but now that new Himalayan is announced, I was thinking probably I should wait for a new 450 scram. So based on this am I better off with Scram 411?
I live in nz and proud of my FREEDOM 411 my himmy never disappointed me never stalled. Here 100km is limit on roads. My FREEDOM is awesome
Hi Ben, thank you for pointing out some very interesting not so good points. Just wanted to confirm if the bike you tested was due for oil and air filter change which could have added to the vibey nature. Also there are very niche TH-camrs not very large in scale also talking about the absense of low end torque like Bulu Pattanaik did. But overall thanks for being very straight 🙏
Absolutely spot on analysis, Ben spitting facts 💯
I appreciate the fact that finally, someone on the interwebs has written about the cons on the new Himalayan. But, why are you ordering the new Himalayan when good 'ol Ben is as good or better?
The 411 is a beast in off roading and climbing(it is a Tractor). No doubt. The 452 is for the highway tourers. With button tires, the 452 will become more capable.
Interesting revelations indeed. Perhaps you may ride another 452 to reassure about the vibrations
While others only ride their motorcycle, you my friend have enhanced the machine (and yourself) in this journey.
Compared to other reviews on the internet, your is critical to the point it should be and there is a valid reason for that.
Caus of your keen interest in the motorcycle, you have pushed the boundaries to solve problems and customize it at levels beyond general immagination. Its difficult to understand the level of efforts and research you go through. That hard work and attention to detail provides you an edge over the others.
Really enjoyed the video. I am literally amazed by all points discussed in this video and yes its very surprising that no one is talking about it.
Looking forward to your new HIMALAYAN, and a series of comparison videos along with it.
Good Luck !!!
Saved my money❤
Better to go 350 multipurpose but mainly concern higway and hilly then go 650
Thank you so much brother ❤️
Agree with you, i too felt the same 😊
What rims did you use Ben ?
RCB 6000 series . Mods playlist
Took a test ride ....on the contrary the 452 is flickable than 411 .....as far as my ride was considered.......
Merry Christmas GOAT and congratulation for your 452 love to see both at your garage
Interesting thanks and merry Xmas from Isle of Man 👍🏼
such a honest video Ben ... 🔥
I agree with every one of your remarks. I experienced the same thing and cancelled the reservation. Since my ADV 390 is superior in many ways, I've chosen to keep it.
The drawbacks I have experienced are all the same. In reverse chronological order, here's my point:
1. Above 90 kmph, the ADV 390 seems smooth throughout vibrations.
2. Windblast to the torso - significantly greater than ADV390
3. The side stand adds excessive weight to the bike.
4. The worst ABS actuation causes the bike to slide on twisting roads, which is a serious defect. **Will you kindly check the same**?
5. Traction control is not electronic.
6. In rush hour traffic, nose diving is extreme and unsettling.
7. Valve train noise
Hope RE will fix all the flaws and make this bike the best of the best.
A true monster⚡⚡⚡
It is NOT Top heavy. It literally has a lower CoG, higher ground clearance wnd taller suspension than the competition. The air filter sits at the tip with the fuel sitting low. The angle of the side stand and the wider seat and slightly higher seat height is what people are confusing to be top heavy.
And yes low end torque is less than the current Himalayan but its not as bad as youre making it seem. You're comparing it to the 411 when its a new bike and has nothing common with the old one. It has a higher cruising speed and more power well suited for touring. People said ghe same about the kym 390 adv when it came out and now suddenly everyone is raving about how it is the best adv and even for offroading.
And i disagree that its vibey than the 390 adv. That bike is horrible imo and frankly has lot of vibes but people sont talk about it.
Slightly disappointed with these "observations" from you at6er having ridden it only for less than an hour.
adventure 250 vibrates like crazy in city speeds and had very prominent buzz after 5k rpm at highway speeds
Get your bike checked . It isint supposed to . Engine bed bolts need to be looked at
Why don't you sit on chai nicely and make this video
😂😂😂
What a waste of bandwidth 😅
Sad review. Useless observations.
Maybe your test ride bike was trashed before you got it. 😊
I don't understand how these people are scrutinising and reviewing the bikes just riding for 30 minutes or few kilometer without experiencing fully, it's completely new bike, New chassis new engine, it take some time to understand how to ride this type of bikes, it's not fair enough to criticise bikes without experiencing fully 🤞
You're gonna still buy the new Himalayan and turn all the cons into pros,
And Maybe couple of years later you're gonna be proud of the 450 for what you've built.
You're gonna make it better and you'll definitely share all the details with us and imma follow it until you create a newer better monster
If you check out the torque curves comparison chart, even as low as 2500rpm the 411 makes only 27Nm while the 452 makes 32N. At 3000rpm the 411 makes only 29 NM while the 452 makes 36. Can you explain your observations about the 452 feeling like it has less torque at the low end?
Don't think it's productive throwing shade at other moto journalists who somehow 'magically' overlooked some of the problems you had. You brought up some good points, but I think there's a bit of a bias showing for the 411
I have been riding the beast 411CC for 2 years now and boy! not going to give it up for sure. Your video has only reiterated my resolve all over again.Cheers!!!
The 1st point u made, the foot pecks are wider and its smooth af for touring but the reason why its so smooth is because its dampened really well.
2. Point being top heavy? U thought its top heavy because its harder to get off the side stand? Its harder because the stand has more angle and the bike leans further on the side stand than the himi411 to fix the main issue where the old himi was unstable on its side stand, obviously when the bike is leaning more, you have to put more effort to pick it up. The bike itself is actually got lower centre of gravity than the old one. 452 naturally leans into corners because of how good the suspension and chassis is, you can lean the bike into a corner with just your butt.
3rd point the bike not being a tractor and not having low end torque. The engine isn’t a low rpm long stroke engine anymore. Himi411 was never a trail bike either, I’ve owned one and done nearly 20k on it which included south india trips and off road with trails, for trails the only good thing the bike had was low end, but it was too heavy on its feet and it felt like a tractor too, which isn’t a compliment.
4th point the wind screen, u the one u test rode had the stock visor which is small but a bigger one will be available to buy as an accessory from RE. Im 6,2 nd the old himi visor still didn’t do it for me, i had it straight up and the wind would hit the top of my helmet, in the old himi u sat lower and the handle bar position was higher along with the headlights so the visor naturally sat higher.
5th point the coursing speed, ktm and triumph both have shorter stroke than the himi452, the bike can easily do 110 and relax, if you hands got numb after riding the himi452 but does it not feel like its gonna shake off if u try to stick at 110 or above on the 411? 452 has a much higher top speed so u have that tolerance gap, overtake speed opportunities, 411 u stay at 100 and thats it, u cant do over that without feeling like your holding the bike by the neck and asking for more.
6th point and finals few ones, the headlight yes its a low voltage led headlight and it never be match against a aftermarket led. Led should be projector otherwise its just a never ending cycle of trying to buy higher voltage leds, Tapped noise yes its so annoying. U found so many cons in the himi452 because its a stock bike u changed so much about your 411 and wonder why u can’t find manu cons? Make it make sense, if u compare the 452 to 411 then it will win outright in every way but hey your ben is your baby and it’s different than a stock himi411 so u have your personal emotional reasons to back your ben.
It's amazing that so many guys are mistaking the bike to be top heavy when it's the side stand angle. The Himalayan 450 has a lower CoG, higher ground clearance and longer suspension travel in this class. It's not top heavy at all. Surprised people are making such basic mistakes.
You're right. And i have seen many people out this out on TH-cam and this will unnecessarily influence a lot of people.
First time seeing your video. Subscribed for the well-rounded assessment and honesty. I noted all these things too and therefore not very keen on the purchase (despite the booking). What better bike do you suggest for someone wanting a machine solely for touring (primarily the mountains) under 5L.
Hi, Rajesh here. I have Himalayan 411 BS4, RR 310 and right now the latest one is the Yezdi Adventure OBD2 2023 model.
I think if there is any bike that can perform better than Himalayan 411 is the Yezdi Adventure. I did a Ladakh ride on Yezdi this July, did a Winter Spiti earlier this March on Himalayan. I have both the bikes so can give you the exact difference and which is better in what.
I think except the low end torque of Himalayan 411, everything else is better in Yezdi Adventure 2023 OBD2 model not the earlier ones though.
Also if you manage to play with the gears l which comes easily even low torque is not an issue with Yezdi Adventure. I easily cruise ar 120 + throughout the day with much gas left in the Engine still. Just did a south India ride a week back with a pillion and I managed to cruise at 120 throughout the day with pillion on.
The suspension, acceleration, build quality, handling, overall comfort, etc is better than Himalayan 411. Test drive the bike and you will not be disappointed unless you are a 6 ft + tall guy then your legs might be cramped a little..
Yezdi guys are worse in marketing that's why we don't hear a lot about it but trust me that is the best single cylinder bike in India that I have come across in my 18 years of driving experience.
We have a BS3 500cc Himalayan which delivers 34 RWHP - my guess is the new bike wont be much faster.
I have an interceptor, and a Himalayan that I use for touring. Was looking forward to changing to a more powerful bike. Was disappointed that RE came with a single cylinder 450cc.
Wasn’t very happy with a test ride to switch between the 2
Also a 450 cc with a single cylinder is too big.
As a first time viewer of your review video, tum apni 411 ke izzat bachane k liye 450 ke le rahe ho...You are totally defending your 411. Remember, if 452 have 10 cons your 411 was having 100 cons when it came on the road.
Hello, about the 411. Is the handlebar a weak point? I hear that it can easily break or get twisted, even on stationary or slow speed, falls? Any advice there? Thanks
Ben: If I ever get a chance to get a new bike it will be the 411 Himalayan. I will build it exactly as you have done. Great video. Thanks for all your great work.
Seems like you’re obsessed with your current 411 and not digesting the fact of new RE launch 452.
Wouldn't it be possible to help the 450's low-end by replacing the wheel sprocket with a larger one? Maybe not as much though?
It's just not possible to make a Short stroke perform like a long stroke
Totally agree about the 411 being a tractor and love how it behaves in the trails. The 450s delay in the torque delivery will definitely need more skill, I agree. It definitely feels better than the adv390 in this use case. The foot pegs, I'm assuming there would be a work around, probably at the expense of the rubber mountings. Will explore on this once my bike gets delivered too. Kaza Brown here too.
Thanks for the ggod information, i decided to stay my 411. greetings from germany.
It took me 3 test rides to realize that there is absolutely nothing in the bike below 3000rpm. Like nothing at all. That's the reason I booked the Classic 350 over the Himalayan 450 as my usage will be 60-70% office commute in city traffic and around 30% highway touring once in 2-3 months. As the hype around it will slowly settle more and more people will start to realize that its not a bike for city commute. The 411 is just brilliant in that aspect. No one is going to go touring everyday. But we will commute to our offices on a daily basis. Its all the media hype that is overshadowing all the cons of the bike.
Himalayan 450 to classic 350? You could’ve still got the 411.
@@akhil1781 They have discontinued the 411.
I wanted something with good low and mid range torque.So Classic 350 was the only best option after that.
Aray bhai aapko Sirf Office jana hai toh Koi Bus, Rapido, Metro, ya Scooty kharido and Hamesha Office chale jana that's very Simple🙏🏻
298kg ko leke Office hamesha kyu Jana But Still Office hamesha leke jah sakte hai koi problem nahi hai
@@_abhimanyu. y not scram 400x?
@@yomi6387 Just that i want a Royal Enfield for now. Plus, Scrambler 400x is very new with very few ownership experiences out there. The Classic Reborn has been there for a while with known pros, cons and issues.
The reason why most reviewers don’t talk about the flaws( Most reviewers only and not everyone else) pointed in this video is becoz
1. They have more experience in talking with silver tongues rather than riding
2. Yes they have been bought or want to be bought by the manufacturing companies
3. They have no experience in riding so they can’t gauge a vehicle properly
P.S they just want to grab eyeballs and views for their reviews don’t really care about passing proper information to a prospective buyer rider
I'm aware from your previous videos that your himalayan is nothing like the stock himalayan.
Hence, please clarify wether this video was a comparison of H450 between your heavily modded himalayan 411 or stock himlayan 411.
Even the stock Himalayan 411 has better torque in initial speeds than 452.
@greasemonkey1744 true but then my opinion is that it would take some learning to get a hold of this new 450.
I couldn't connect at all with the 450! And vibrations are actually there no lie especially above 6000rpm just like the 411 with that scratchy loud weird feeling.
Anyways getting a third test ride today.
In depth. Technical. Erudite. Thoughtful. Nicely done!!
Unfortunately I had a catastrophic engine failure on my way to Usuhaia - 2023 Himalayan, with only 3000km. I was doing 80km/h and the engine blew up. RE is sending a new engine as there was massive damage, but I did not receive a report about what the problem was. It's been over two months since the RE dealership got the bike (under warranty) but I don't have any way to track what is happening and I've been learning about other bikes that had similar issues. I really liked the bike, but it will be hard to get over this without knowing what it was and how to prevent it from happening again.... Then there was a BS4 that with 37000 km that had a similar massive engine failure. It was a hot summer day, but really? No warning? Not happy customer here....
A failing / failed engine tensioner ( manufacturing defects ) . RE outsourced a lot of parts
Great review. Thanks much. I agree with you and low end torque is what I was after for I enjoy riding slow technical trails the most. Yet I end-up spending lots of hours at higher speeds to get to those trails and visit places. So, back to reliabilty and my blown-up engine... I could get better valves from Hitchcock as this seems to be a "frequent problem" with the LS410 engines, I could get the cam and improve fueling as you did; what about the chain tensioner? Are there any other aftermarket parts to minimize those potential catastrophic engine failures? Any other "Achilles heel" on engine parts?
the valves will be fine as long as your fueling is fine, get a fuel commander, the cam will def make things a lot better , surprisingly i have never had a problem with my chain tensioners may be because i have changed them once every 10000 kms even without any damage .
You were the one who said keep your old bike and not the new himalayan. Now getting new one 😂😂
Great video Ben, an honest review and made my mind uo to stay with my 411. The GOAT for me. I know that will be controversial but im older and not a great rider so i love my 411.
The 411 is for sure a more versatile machine
In all the videos I've seen, during saddling everyone's knees were dangling mid air with nothing for the legs to grab on to. Rightly pointed out by Ben. Other TH-camrs are simply promoting the new bike like its a god's gift to customers, and encouraging everyone to ditch their 411s and get the 450.
Nicely put up ben.. But Why to book a motorcycle with so many cons when compared to your current himmy??
Royal Enfield has completely ignored the saying ‘never fix something which is not broken’
I do enjoy your videos. You make me smile. Hi from here in the UK.
Must stay few points are so new for the internet 😅. Nice pov
I took a test drive today for an hour.
Pros:
Straight line stability is damn good. Well balanced while crawling in traffic.
Orgasmic exhaust note.
Brilliant suspension and braking.
Cons:
Lot of reviwer said it is butter smooth until 6k rpm. However, There is lot of buzz felt on peg handle and tank post 4500rpm. Wind blast is too much post 80. Cant sustain more than 80 with stock wind shield for my height(5,11'')
Overall, the bike feels like a thumpy ktm 390 adv with a bit better low end. KTM feels alive post 4k whereas Himalayan feels alive post 3k
Also, my feels is that it won't be agile in ghat roads especially around a sharp hairpin
I think the OP is far too much love with the 411. Happens. Had a hard time letting go off mine as well.
I saw your entire video. R u serious it's more vibey than ktm 390?
I have booked the bike. Took test drive yesterday and the bike was very smooth. I was able to take it upto 89 kmph around 4th gear.
Tell me is 120 kmph smooth cruising possible? I mean at 5th gear a 30kmph upside will make that much vibrations??
I want a good smooth touring bike
Please give a honest answer to below
Honda cb350 or this?? 😃
If cruising smoothly at 120km/h is such a must, get the super meteor or wait for another RE 650 platform that suits your style.
@@richardw1043 yeah that makes sense but I'm done waiting. See my budget is not more than 5-6L for a bike. Beyond that I feel it's just a waste of money vs practical usage. Ofcourse it is good for showing off.
Now in this price range which machine can check all boxes, including smooth cruising at 120 kmph ( m not asking for 140-150, heck I don't even need that for a top speed)
In all of tests I did, (in Mumbai City traffic and I couldn't take any bike beyond 90kph for obvious reasons) I felt the same buzz on versys 650, vstrom 650 (better than versys anyday) triumph speed 900 (very very low buzz but very heavy) triumph trident 650 (buzzy even at 70kph, didn't like at all) Kawasaki W800 (single cylinder but very smooth) and a lot more bikes
Honestly out of all the above I felt pretty much the same at 90kph as with Himalayan 450.
Even the Honda 350 was better than all above. Now after trying the himalyan 450, I was excited again that I have found something comparable or better than Honda. Now my excitement is down the drain and thinking is it worth to take this bike.
The vehicle which I test rode was buzzier than 390adv post 4.5k rpm. 390 felt better. You can't sustain more than 100with stock visor Wind blast is too much
@@SenthilKumar237 my test vehicle was continuously ridden, I was 3rd or 4th person to test ride after 3 other took test ride on it. Then too at 90kph, bike was good. It was on ride mode.
I think I will ask for a longer test ride
Please take an extended test ride before confirmation. I am not sure if the issue was only with my test ride vehicle.
I can totally relate to this ❤ cuz I own 411
Old is gold 😊
ALL the mean is OG HIMALAYAN is real GOAT
Nice that you are bringing some real issues with the 452 while some other are busy bootlicking.
Thank you Ben. You saved me. I have been planning to sell my 411 for booking 450 as I cannot keep two at a time. I am not going to think it anymore. You can remember me, who purchased Himalyan seeing you, taking care it himself with your guidance and advice. Thanks again Ben.
one n only honest review 😅
You have noticed all the fine details of the Himalayan 450, I really appreciate your take on this and now I am even more interested to see why did you actually go for it even after realising most of it's flaws in such immense detail.
I am facing a dilemma after test riding the Himalayan, the Scrambler 400x and I am looking to replace my Dominar 400. I love my Fury (Dominar400) as much as you love your Ben, but the main reason why I am in the market trying to replace it with a better machine is because I am looking for better more forgiving suspensions, an even more exhilarating performance from the engine or at least the same level of performance that I get on Fury and I ride alone 5 days of the week to my workplace but as soon as the weekend comes I ride with a pillion my wife and then my Fury's stiff suspension, poor weight management and the less turning radius becomes even more troublesome for me within the city.
Now the Scrambler 400x, is ticking all the boxes but the only crucial thing that it misses out for me on is the Engine performance - the low end is mind Blowing, very easy to filter in the traffic, picks up on any gear no matter how the speed is.. but the TOP END is simply not enough to entice me away from my Fury, after 90-100kmph, the engine feels restricted, strained and buzzy as f***. But aside from this, every small detail on 400x is fantastic be it the suspension setup, the seats, the seat height, handling is amazingly easy. I don't really mind the instrument cluster.
Now the Himalayan felt exciting, and was easily the most visceral bike as it has the performance with a lot of buzzy-ness, the suspensions are stiffer than the Scrambler 400x but still were very comfortable than my Fury. The instrument cluster has best in class features. Seats are spacious and comfortable for both me and my pillion, handling is again not as easy as the Scrambler but manageable within the city and confident inspiring on the highways. It doesn't really solve all my issues with the dominar but it feels like a different kind of flavoured bike that I can explore and have fun with.. The suspension and turning radius issues are solved for me coming from the Dominar- both me and my pillion are happy on that front, but the city riding, the extreme buzz on high speeds are a big problem for the both of us but at least it has the capability of doing those kind of speeds unlike the Scrambler 400x. Also, the weight management is still the same if not worse than my Dominar 400.
I love my Dominar 400, and that's why I am in this dilemma of which is a better proposition for my above mentioned troubles. For reference I am 6ft 105 kgs and my pillion is 60kgs. I only tour thrice in an year and I ride every day for at least 10-20 kms, exhilarating, very comfortable and easy to manage on a day to day basis are the key attributes for a replacement bike to my Fury. Please do suggest.
Wait for a year if buying 452, till then stick to fury. No indulgence please... Owning 411 from the first batch and saying this.
Thanks for this really interesting video brother 👍🏻
I really do not doubt a single word of what you've said here. I am sure that, as a 411 owner myself, as soon as I get to try a 452 over here in Europe, I will feel the same way.
RE have become very good at schmoozing the global press with their launches. So much so that I suspect that the journalists look forward to an RE launch event more than those of many other manufacturers. They may be keen to gloss over any negative aspects of the bikes, just to remain on the RE press list. As you say, it's surprising that none of the motorcycle journalists have picked up on these things in their initial reviews. But that's why we need people like your good self, to come in and offer a more accurate view.
The mere fact that you've ordered a 452 despite knowing about these shortcomings proves that these things don't make it a bad motorcycle.
But these things make it possibly NOT a better motorcycle than the old 411 and people should be made aware of that.
I will probably reference this video in a future video on my channel mate. You have given us European Himalayan owners plenty of food for thought.
I will also be interested to follow how you get on with your own 452 when you have it.
A really interesting video. Thank you.
ER
So WTF have you booked one???
I felt the same!
love your blunt reviews Man ... keep it up !!!
More to come!
Thanks a lot for being so honest. Very rare to get such honest opinion on RE bikes especially in India. No disrespect here at all to any RE fans. But RE fans are like a cult, which is good considering it's an Indian company and we need to support them. Our RE fan boys dont want to agree on short comings. But, based on individuals requirement on their usage what u hv mentioned makes sense. For ppl who want to chug along no matter the terrain, the 411 is a gem. But, if u need highway crusing at 130kms/hr, ktm does make sense. Ppl don't understand tat ktm is also part bajaj owned company. Let's go with pure requirements and what makes sense for each of urs usage on a regular basis.
I have only one complaint to you Ben: WHY THE HELL IT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO PRODUCE THIS VIDEO?!?!?! Everybody is praising the 450 and no one is saying anything to compare the 411 vs 450. I've constantly been thinking of selling my 2023 Himy and get the new one but was afraid exactly of what you said "selling my tractor to get a 'speedy bike` and i don't want a speedy bike" - i want a low-end torque bike. If they made a low-end torque bike but also high speed and high horse power - great, but if that's not the case, i don't want it. Thanks for bringing this video!
Disagree with vibrations, it has vibes but bearable not worser than ADV390, Had test drives in multiple showrooms in chennai seems the bike is running in organic oil for first 500kms, that might be the reason for vibes. after switching to synthetic it'll feel much better than first 500km. also it's not top heavy at all, because of side stand you might felt, I'm not well build or in great fitness but the bike feels nimble, easy to glide & take U turn like a naked surprising for it's visual appearance.
I owned bs6 duke 390 for 2 years, i can feel this bike better or on par with 390's in terms or refinement & performance
I already knew about most of the specs on the 450 almost a year back, and already guessed that it will be a better bike in every department but I had a strong feeling I would be more happy with the 411. So got my new 2023 Himalayan in May last year . Almost the last one off the production line.
Mixed feelings after watching this video.
1. Don't understand why an Indian would call it a Him-uh-layan and not a Him-aa-layan.
2. Fully agree about how journalists conveniently forget to point out any flaws whatsoever. Only Sagar Sheldekar pointed out the bike not having any low end drive.
3. I feel that's more to do with the extremely tall gearing and not so much with the engine. The tall gearing makes it a very capable mile muncher.
4. Disagree with the vibrations bit.
5. The 411 is gone now. It's time to move on.
Pol Torres Thrashes his T7 and make it look like its a toy but behind the scenes that T7 has many drops and crashes. I did a side by side comparison of the Himalayan and T7 and found that they both share the same design flow, although the Himlayan suits more to the tourer catagory than the T7 offroad. Test rode a 136 km ridden Himalayan and i dont see any issues with the bike's engine and the low end torque . Have seen the T7 in person and i can confirm in that as aspect Himalayan is the closest we can get to a T7 Minus the one extra cyl. Al the shorter stroke of 81.5mm compared to 86mm on the 411 speaks why 411 feels like a tractor. This does not look a flaw rather the 411 was something that was something that had issues and flaws. People still can buy the Scram 411 if they prefer that kind of riding and engine tractabality.
RE quality isn't up to mark either. I own a 1st batch interceptor, been having niggles from day 3. I had upgraded from 2012 duke.
I will go back to ktm once the rally 390 is lauched.
I agree with you about vibrations, i test ride 2 him450 bikes , 1st one was having more vibration, 2nd one also having more vibration but less compared to the first one. When i compared with my 2023 him411, my 411 is way more smoother.
Excellent and objective analysis of the things we have to live with rather than the hype of a journalist or reviewer smitten by the promise of something not yet proven.
I've feared the 452 will be a disappointment against the 411. I have a Scram and adore it, faults and all. For me, faults amount to just wanting about 5hp more - that's all, but I can live with what either of the superb 411s offer. It was inevitable that the new 452 engine would be very different, and lose so much of the character of the 411.
I still don't appreciate the radical restyle. What this does, with the engine, is create 'another' machine - almost a competitor to the existing Himalayan/Scram.
The 411 is a beast in off roading and climbing. No doubt. The 452 is for the highway tourers. With button tires, the 452 will become more capable.
In every gear engine is vibe free till 6500rpm post that it has a lot of buzzing all-around. I rode test bike vehicle.
Hi tx I will keep my 411 😊
Omygod... U r 100% right... After the test ride.. I also felt the same... Its so front heavy.. Doesn't have the flickable nature of the old one.. No one have talked about it.. I wonder why.. Will wait for the HERO🤩 now😂 unless Honda brings in something new
@8:18 that's exactly my 2022 411 himalayan is compared to the 2020s... the torque kicks in post 3000 rpm.
Possible to compare 2023 bmw gs 310 and himalayan 452 and share on all these parameters? Could be explosive insight for the crowd.
My height 5.6 . And i have booked new Himalayan. While test drive i didnt feel it since i am not pro rider. Now i am worried about your comment on U turn scenario . Is that an issue.?i am worried now
No Himalayan 452, KTM adventure 399 were hurt while making this video.
What a coincidence! Just test rode the new Himalayan yesterday and didn't feel anything like my rock red Himalayan. The rider's triangle as you pointed out isn't perfect on the new one. Also this should have been a 650 and not a 452. It would have made much more sense then.
I was looking forward for the power increase but the more I look at the reviews, the more I think my 2021 Himalayan will serve me for a few more years. We have yet to see the new Himalayan at our local Dealer, so the reviews are all I have to go on. Thanks for your honest opinions 😀👍
sir you mentioned word tractor its true in hard rough terrain its the most efficient bike of himalayan 411 than new sherpa which has complex engine and easy to get break down during off-roading as those water cooled system using radiator its risky during off-road to get broken and sir Main thing there is no Main stand to set Chain lube or in case tire Got flat and it do vibrate and use of more plastic componant made it vibey that also mention by Sagar Sheldekar as well and now days after failure of Royal Enfield Meteor & hunter they messing up Himalayan legacy so hat's off Siddhartha Lal better had launched Sherpa 600 than 450 with 6 gear it defiantly would be viby than dual cylinder 600cc
This is really an eye opener. Thanks for the inputs, I was almost about to book the new Himalayan, now I can make more informed decision. Thanks a lot.👍😊