Like your proposed mods. I have done many of them. Givi crash bars are great. I got them for the same reasons you spoke about. I have the RE hard boxes and frame. I am going to get some LOMO soft luggage as I find the RE boxes just too small for me and I end up carrying an unnecessary extra bag. I found that the rear light could not be seen from the side when I had RE boxes fitted so I moved my rear light to the pannier frame cross bar box at the rear. This allows the light to be seen very easily from the side. I also moved the temp sensor forward as in the current position the temp readings are out by a long way. This improved/corrected the problem. One item you did not mention was installing a hugger at the rear wheel. I would recommend this as the dirt builds up around the rear shock and the linkage in that area. I also have added some spot lights. ( I like to be seen on the road. Safer). The hand guards I fitted were Barkbusters. There have been other items but I will not bore you any longer. Am looking forward to your adventure on the TAT. John
Some excellent ideas there :-) Some things you may like to consider - When you raise the front mudguard more mud and cack gets thrown on to the headlight. Some people fit a fender extender to the FRONT of the mudguard to alleviate this problem. Hard panniers do cause top speed to drop and acceleration is slightly affected. My Himalayan is noticeably more nimble when I detach the panniers. However, their usefulness and convenience far outweigh any disadvantages since my bike is my main form of transport and I ride every day. I also like that my groceries don't get squished when I go shopping ;-) I have the Royal Enfield hard panniers and they are certainly good value for money being robust and water tight. Other brands may be quicker to attach and remove but mine are almost always on the bike so I have no issues. The fixture points on the top of the panniers make it easy to secure luggage and other items across them and the pillion seat. You may also like to fit a larger and more substantial rear rack. While they are not the cheapest option to go for, Barkbusters hand guards really are the best! (They are called "barkbusters" with good reason.) With the 'Storm' shields my gloves stay dry and my hands are warm even in winter. If it is possible to do so, go have a look (in person) at *any* motorcycle that has already had them fitted and compare them to the other types of hand guard available. Fit a magnetic sump plug. The type I use is made by Dimple which is an American company. I have used them on all my motorcycles for many years and it's amazing how much swarf and gritty bits they stop from wandering around your engine. Ride safe and have fun!
Your contents real solid Sir. Just purchased my Himalayan. Watching your videos gets me more passionate for going around and exploring. Last year went over to a valley called Lahul Spiti, in Himachal Pradesh - India. Have certain trips planned out for this year as well. Thanks a ton for the content you post. Keep Getting After It.
Back in the 60's manufacturers of small on and off road motorcycles had an accessory rear sprocket that fit over the street sprocket and bolted to it with tabs welded to that optional large sprocket. It also came with a length of chain that was inserted into the existing chain using quick links. That large sprocket also came with spacers and longer bolts so when the large sprocket was no longer desired it was unbolted, the spacers fit between the street sprocket and the large sprocket tabs and bolted down safely stowing it without taking up any space at all and you don't need to remove the rear wheel to switch between them. That large sprocket was just smaller than the inside of the tire rim. They were marketed to hunters and I remember seeing a picture of a Hunter dragging a monster Moose out of the woods with a small bike fitted with a dual sprocket kit. I had one on a Yamaha and top (cruising) speed with it installed was just 25 MPH. 1st gear was the ultimate granny gear, 2nd gear was a nice gear to start off in, 3rd and 4th gears were higher than street 1st or 2nd gear but now instead of being stuck in 1st or perhaps 2nd street speeds you have the gearing to "mountain goat" the bad spots or drag your buddies heavy adventure bike out of a deep gully or ravine. Someone could sell a kit consisting of both a slightly smaller than stock street sprocket, a large mountain goat sprocket, spacers, bolts and nuts, a length of chain and quick links, and a chain/sprocket guard or adaptor brackets that are easily adjustable between both sprockets.
A lot of people bad mouth the top box. I had one on my Africa Twin. I never put anything in it when I was riding but when I got off the bike, I used it to secure my helmet and gloves when I was stopped. With my Himalayan I intend to go more minimalist.
I picked up a 2021 Himalayan today. Bark busters, mirrors, fuel and water jerry cans are first on my list. Mine came with rack system and RE hard cases that lock. Christmas came early over here in Texas ☃️🎄
The RE panniers are too small.. and I find them annoying. Throw over bags like the Lomo bags are fantastic. Two 40L sidebags with a 40-60 top is awesome. The Double Take mirrors are a MUST. You will hate putting the camera on the windshield. The bolts on the bottom won't stop the vibration on the windshield. Heated Grips and break lever covers will be helpful on long trips. An aftermarket exhaust will save you some weight. Think about extra lighting (never know when you are in the dark). They make great hard plastic tubes you can store stuff in (I would put them inside the pannier racks) for lots of extra storage (repair tools, cook kits, etc). Also, 10L bags (like the Lomo bags) can be attached to sit on the pillion pegs for more storage (I would put rain gear, jackets, first aid kit). That will give you a lot more storage that is down low and compartmentalized.
The beauty of modifying a motorcycle is following personal tastes, if I may suggest some recommendations... I would consider placing the hand guards from Barkbusters, before deciding to buy mine, I saw them in action and I definitely decided on them, I think they are the best on the market despite the price. I remplace a windshield that is completely adjustable and includes a gps holder, it is top quality, it is from Argentina but I understand that they do international shipments, the price is very cheap and the quality is excellent (I leave the link in the comment below). Another important improvement, I added a button to have hazard. Watch out for the rear rack, I broke mine 3 times, I am thinking of replacing it with a customized and more reinforced one.
Thank you fr the heads up. Yes, I've heard the rear rack has issues which is why I wouldnt be mounting a top box. But I will be using a soft waterproof duffle though. Thanks so much for the other info as well! Cheers!
I recommend the GIVI racks for panniers. They have the Canyon soft bags or hard bag options. I already had Givi on my Honda nc700x, so I can put them on or use the soft bags, depending on if I'm on road or dirt. Always use soft bags on dirt. Might save a broken leg. Yes it happens. I use a Wolfman duffle on top. Gas, I don't think you'll need that much, carry a qt. gas bottle and leave it at that. I put bags on those front racks and place some heavy items there to get the weight forward.
You are not only the rider but also deep knowledge of technical know how . And have good modification knowledge too . I have RE thunder bird ...proud to be indian . Your garriage is super making me jeleous ...keep going man 👍
I put the GIVI system on mine. I had the same on my NC700xdct, so I already had hard cases. I then purchased the GIVI Canyon soft bags so I could have the best of both worlds. The Canyons have a quick release system, so they are easy to take into a motel.
Oh, I just remembered ... I've spent a lot of time at the KRiver and other Sandoval events. Yeah, washing his bike is not one of his top priorities. I told him that I heard his Harley say, "waaaash meeee" and Adam said, no man, he said, "riiiiide meeee!". But I am with you ... gotta at least start a big ride with a clean bike and keep those bugs off her.
Leave your friend alone! 1) a light patina of dirt protects the paint 2) time spent washing bike is better spent riding. 3) dirty bikes dont get stolen as often as shiny dazzling bikes. 4) nothing has an affinity for the ground like fresh shiny paint 5) perfection is too heavy a cross to bear... Leave it dirty and loved..
@@michaelmorley331 Heh-heh, yeah, there is some truth to that, but I offered to just get those bugs off. With bike paint or specifically clear coats, the acids can leave paint stains, which basically etch into the paint surface. I thought it was the least I could do. Besides, the beer was good and I wanted to give his cause and him something more back. Cheers Adam!
Best mod Ive done on mine is the RE touring seat. The original was too soft for me and painful after 30 mins, the touring version doesnt seem much firmer but made a huge difference. The original Indian made battery is rubbish so I'd swap it for a good quality one as mine didnt last 1 year despite constant use. Also its worth lubing the inside of the throttle and clutch cables as my throttle went graunchy then snapped, on inspection it was bone dry so I lubed up the new one before fitting it 2 years ago and its been fine and smooth since.
There is a Brand called Invictus Touring Gears they sell frame bags for himalayan. It comes up front the place where you install jerry cans. They are kind of more useful, you could either carry fuel and water or use it as an extra luggage space too.
Traveled on mine from coastal NC to northern ID and back through the month of September. The bike does decently on the slow course. It's abysmal on the interstate. I mean Funder Ucking Powered. My cargo was me at 190 lbs, 2 hard panniers, and a large dry bag plus a large tank bag. All said, that 420 lb bike was hauling an extra 300 lbs. Passing at highway speeds was near impossible, and going up mountain grades had me being passed by 18-wheelers. The speed on flat surface and no wind tops out at around 82mph, but that takes about a mile to reach. I'm considering a mod that squeezes about 4 horsepower to its 25 rated. That may make long journeys tolerable.
I'm enjoying your mods video. From my personal experience I recommend Oxford heated grips. I suggest you install them at the same time you put on the lever protectors. I installed Bark Busters and heated grips on my NC700X and loved them for winter/rain riding. I just traded off that bike for CRF250L. The Himalayan was in the running but decided on a lighter duel sport instead. 73, Mike
Good video(s)... Might one suggest that if riding off-road you should definitely be looking to mount soft panniers, i.e. in preference to hard ones. As some else (Stephane Bruneaux) similarly commented (below), hard panniers have a nasty habit of doing damage to ones lower leg and / or ankle, most typically if you have a sudden need to dab a foot down (e.g. for some urgent balance in the soft stuff) and said foot then gets whipped backwards straight onto the leading edge of the hard pannier... plus that hard panniers can be very unforgiving if you happen to have an 'off' and get your leg trapped betwixt the ground and the pannier (been there, done that). I've got 3 scooters at the moment (with still an urge for yet more... really need a bike for every day of the week): - A 2012 BMW R1200GSA (fitted with Touratech Zega Pro hard panniers, plus Wunderlich Rack Pack WP40 pannier lid bags for extra space... therein leaving the pillion seat clear) and which I tend to ride only on the road, therein lowing the risk from hard panniers damaging me. - A 2015 KTM 1190 Adventure 'R' (fitted with Kriega Overland 60 soft panniers) which I ride off road, hence why it's shod with soft panniers and with a Wolfman Expedition Duffel for the tail bag. - A 2016 Royal Enfield Classic 500 (black) with OEM soft panniers... and I must add that the RE is sweetest of them all, i.e. the ride with the biggest stupid-grin factor. Next into the stable (if I can somehow sneak it past the wife) will be a RE 650 Interceptor... and maybe a Himalayan as well. As for having an Irish Coffee as a wee sharpener... my excuse is that "the sun is always past the yardarm, somewhere in the world".
I've also been owning a BS4 "Himmi" since November 2019 and I'm more than happy with it. I too did a number of mods and additions to it, far too many to list here but I may eventually make a video on that as I believe it can provide useful hints also to others. Just for the records, the latest mod was shortening the side stand by about 10mm and those who own this bike know why I did it. Just one remark regarding the GiVi crash bars, in case you have not bought them yet and may want to take into account my suggestion. I had also considered those but then I went for different ones because having three points of attachment looks fine at a first glance but I do not think it is such a good idea. If they ever happen to serve the purpose they are meant for, they may give a blow to the frame because of the rear fixing and that's not good. Those bars are supposed to bend and dissipate some of the energy of the impact, so they must be able to bend and to be straightened back in place again afterwards, unless the blow is so hard that they need to be replaced. The most sensible ones in that respect are probably the simple ones that are available from Royal Enfield. I went for slightly more protective ones but still with two attachments, not three. And even so, I added some provisions not to have them end up hitting the engine covers, just in case. As for the stock rear luggage rack, it is flimsy and if you put anything more that your gloves on it it will eventually break, especially if you are going to do any significant amount of off-roading. Better go for something more substantial (even if possibly not as pretty), like I did. As for panniers, I opted for soft ones and I'm glad I did, even if they too have obvious downsides but not as many as the hard ones in my opinion. However, with the soft ones some heat provisions must be applied to the muffler not to have it melt what's just above it. I took a more radical approach and lowered the rear of the muffler a bit.
Balancing the front and rear weight will be important. Maybe take it for a few rides fully loaded in the woods to test it out. Good luck, the TAT looks like alot of fun.
Great start to the video..... I’ve got the RE panniers look great and solid, plenty of lashing points for the dry bag.... that’ll be my luggage for my end to end ( uk) next year. I put Givi spots on to help being seen on the road and heated grips because I ride all year in the uk. I have the Hitchcock tall screen and it works very for me. Enjoying the vids and I now have some serious garage envy !
That is the most sedate Springer I've ever seen. I grew up with Springers, they are lovely dogs, but ours were black holes of emotional need. The second you got home they were all over you.
Raising the handlebar position will fowl with the clutch cable length and eventually will affect the clutch plates by providing unnecessary tension so do keep that in mind while modifying the handle bar position. If you want to raise the handle bar you might as well invest on a longer clutch cable so that nothing fowls with your clutch operation. 👍😎
If you haven't already bought a rear master cylinder guard, the standard one from the original 535GT fits directly. Just a couple of bucks from your RE dealer
Norally has a second hand Honda CB500 byke named Ronin and is still traveling on it. First two were Basanti Himalayan BS4 bought from Delhi and second was maybe second hand Himalayan BS4 Dhanno 😁😁😁😁😁
You don't like that hat, do you? 😀 My younger son wears his hats till they rot off his head too. If you sell a hat with your logo, I'd buy one. Love your channel. Great content and editing. Hope to say hi to you and Iron lady sometime with my wife on our soon tobe RE Himalayan.
I need 2" risers too.. is the clutch cable long enough? Also, don't forget a place for Rusty.. he's not planning on staying behind. You close with the best music .. makes me want to pour an Irish, hold the coffee. 😄
Great video, those mods are a lot of what I put on. You might want to check out Karmakaze Moto's channel if you haven't already, he has done several how to videos on the mods that I found helpful. Sounds like your bike will be all ready for adventuring next year, also Irish coffee is the best for cold mornings. We got quite a bit of snow this past weekend so my biking might be done for the year but I now have time to plan my trips for next year.
you picked most of the mods i have been looking at for my one in 2021. the mirrors ye i would only swap them once you smash the stock ones up. as you will prob drop the bike a few times if off road so dont fix till need be. good vid
Zana pannier racks and Ortlieb roll top waterproof bags, Zana beefed up tail rack and EBay barkbuster knockoffs (1/3 the price for functional equivalents) work for me and I used to ride KLR’s so you know I like to squeeze a buck. Edit: Hard bags seem to have an attraction for lower legs and ankles during (edit: insert "unplanned" here) get offs. Ask me how I know this.
It is a nice non perfect bike that invites owners to take care if it, like a child in a difficult period. I had and have much bigger bikes but i am increasingly fascinated by RE Hymalaian.
I don't know if you know this but RE sells a rear brake master cylinder guard too. Also, the RE pannier mounts come with the provision to relocate the turn signals more rearward. Your video made me hungry too! Every time you said "paneer" instead of pannier (pan-ear) I pictured paneer tikka masala!
@@OlManRonin No, not the reservoir guard. I knew a couple of guys who got heel guards that cover the brake master cylinder installed at the local RE service centre here near Delhi. If I remember correctly, it was something like this or exactly this - th-cam.com/video/NdSqnk25e4g/w-d-xo.html He did not get it as an accessory but from the spare parts section. It seems it is actually a spare part for the RE Continental GT 535.
@@OlManRonin Yes, I saw the aftermarket one. I was merely pointing out that an OEM option exists. Just a bit of information that may or may not be useful to you. Well, not that useful since you already have an aftermarket part. Side note - I find your content very interesting because it is hard to picture a Harley rider taking interest in an adv bike, let alone a simple, low power one like a Himalayan. Of course, you are not the kind of Harley owner who thinks Harleys are best and others are trash so that plays a major role here. And yes, there is many a rider who has a proper adv bike next to a big Harley in their garage. Still, it is nice to see a cruiser rider have so much fun on a Himalayan. The designers clearly put a lot of thought into this bike and really embraced the principle of back-to-basics motorcycling. They are doing the same with their 650 twins. Best wishes from a subscriber in India!
@@twowheeledparadox I have ridden Harleys since I was 14, but I've also had other motorcycles as well. Harleys have a special place in my heart, BUT, others do too like my Norton 850 Commando, my Triumph Speedmaster, Honda CB650, Suuki GS1100E, and on and on. I'm a motorcyclist first and foremost. My music tastes are just as varied along with my culinary interests. I've been blessed b being able to travel all over the world. So I guess that piqued my interests in all aspects of life??? I REALLY appreciate these kind of comments, it helps explain why TO SOME I'm all over the board on my motorcycle loves! THANK YOU!
Not.As long as its 45-50 top gear is your best mpg on this bike.It definitely drops off after 55.I got up to 72 mpg 45-50 mph.60 mph about 62 mpg.65 to 70 down to about 59 mpg.
Having ridden motorcycles for over 50 years, I determined that would be the perfect height adjustment for my body and yet maintain complete control whether sitting or standing! Thank you so much for that great comment and for subscribing! Cheers!
When you say you are keeping the stock H/bars ,,I think thats a MISSTAKE..the stock one ain,t that strong,,, and an upender will see you with bent bars,,,, I would fit Renthal bars,,, Maybe abit pricey but worth it in the end
I have enjoyed your videos. I am a big guy, 300 lb, and am worried the bike will not have enough power. I noticed you are a little bigger as well (not 300) but could give your opinion on larger guy on this amazing bike. Thoughts?
@@OlManRonin thanks for your reply! I am short, 5’10’’. Your videos have gotten me through the past few days. I have covid so not riding right now. Thanks for the fun videos! I just shared them with a buddy of mine!
It's extremely light for me to lift. So when I add more stuff to it I'll left you know what I think. Its nothing compared to my Harleys. Thank you do much for the comment and subscribing ! Cheers
Like your proposed mods. I have done many of them. Givi crash bars are great. I got them for the same reasons you spoke about. I have the RE hard boxes and frame. I am going to get some LOMO soft luggage as I find the RE boxes just too small for me and I end up carrying an unnecessary extra bag. I found that the rear light could not be seen from the side when I had RE boxes fitted so I moved my rear light to the pannier frame cross bar box at the rear. This allows the light to be seen very easily from the side. I also moved the temp sensor forward as in the current position the temp readings are out by a long way. This improved/corrected the problem. One item you did not mention was installing a hugger at the rear wheel. I would recommend this as the dirt builds up around the rear shock and the linkage in that area. I also have added some spot lights. ( I like to be seen on the road. Safer). The hand guards I fitted were Barkbusters. There have been other items but I will not bore you any longer. Am looking forward to your adventure on the TAT. John
Awesome tip, thank you
Some excellent ideas there :-)
Some things you may like to consider -
When you raise the front mudguard more mud and cack gets thrown on to the headlight. Some people fit a fender extender to the FRONT of the mudguard to alleviate this problem.
Hard panniers do cause top speed to drop and acceleration is slightly affected. My Himalayan is noticeably more nimble when I detach the panniers. However, their usefulness and convenience far outweigh any disadvantages since my bike is my main form of transport and I ride every day. I also like that my groceries don't get squished when I go shopping ;-)
I have the Royal Enfield hard panniers and they are certainly good value for money being robust and water tight. Other brands may be quicker to attach and remove but mine are almost always on the bike so I have no issues. The fixture points on the top of the panniers make it easy to secure luggage and other items across them and the pillion seat.
You may also like to fit a larger and more substantial rear rack.
While they are not the cheapest option to go for, Barkbusters hand guards really are the best! (They are called "barkbusters" with good reason.) With the 'Storm' shields my gloves stay dry and my hands are warm even in winter. If it is possible to do so, go have a look (in person) at *any* motorcycle that has already had them fitted and compare them to the other types of hand guard available.
Fit a magnetic sump plug. The type I use is made by Dimple which is an American company. I have used them on all my motorcycles for many years and it's amazing how much swarf and gritty bits they stop from wandering around your engine.
Ride safe and have fun!
Thanks for the tips!!!
I consider to buy this bike already for such a long time. Seeing these videos make want to run to the dealer!
Hurry! lol They are selling quite well!!
Your contents real solid Sir. Just purchased my Himalayan. Watching your videos gets me more passionate for going around and exploring. Last year went over to a valley called Lahul Spiti, in Himachal Pradesh - India. Have certain trips planned out for this year as well. Thanks a ton for the content you post. Keep Getting After It.
Jealous of your garage my friend. Looks like a great place to tinker or have a beer in.
It is lol Thanks for watching!
Back in the 60's manufacturers of small on and off road motorcycles had an accessory rear sprocket that fit over the street sprocket and bolted to it with tabs welded to that optional large sprocket. It also came with a length of chain that was inserted into the existing chain using quick links. That large sprocket also came with spacers and longer bolts so when the large sprocket was no longer desired it was unbolted, the spacers fit between the street sprocket and the large sprocket tabs and bolted down safely stowing it without taking up any space at all and you don't need to remove the rear wheel to switch between them. That large sprocket was just smaller than the inside of the tire rim. They were marketed to hunters and I remember seeing a picture of a Hunter dragging a monster Moose out of the woods with a small bike fitted with a dual sprocket kit. I had one on a Yamaha and top (cruising) speed with it installed was just 25 MPH. 1st gear was the ultimate granny gear, 2nd gear was a nice gear to start off in, 3rd and 4th gears were higher than street 1st or 2nd gear but now instead of being stuck in 1st or perhaps 2nd street speeds you have the gearing to "mountain goat" the bad spots or drag your buddies heavy adventure bike out of a deep gully or ravine. Someone could sell a kit consisting of both a slightly smaller than stock street sprocket, a large mountain goat sprocket, spacers, bolts and nuts, a length of chain and quick links, and a chain/sprocket guard or adaptor brackets that are easily adjustable between both sprockets.
A lot of people bad mouth the top box. I had one on my Africa Twin. I never put anything in it when I was riding but when I got off the bike, I used it to secure my helmet and gloves when I was stopped. With my Himalayan I intend to go more minimalist.
I picked up a 2021 Himalayan today. Bark busters, mirrors, fuel and water jerry cans are first on my list. Mine came with rack system and RE hard cases that lock. Christmas came early over here in Texas ☃️🎄
Santa was awesome for you congratulations ho ho ho lol
David I'm also from Texas. How do you like the RE so far?
@@westwoodcoronado it's awesome all round bike 👍
@@davidskaggs9914 Where did you get your RE? I live close to Houston and the only dealership is in Katy. Trying to find a good deal/dealer. Thanks
@@westwoodcoronado got mine in Kerrville near San Antonio
Finally someone who thinks of a more practical luggage option, like a duffle bag acting as back rest. 🙂👌
The RE panniers are too small.. and I find them annoying. Throw over bags like the Lomo bags are fantastic. Two 40L sidebags with a 40-60 top is awesome. The Double Take mirrors are a MUST. You will hate putting the camera on the windshield. The bolts on the bottom won't stop the vibration on the windshield. Heated Grips and break lever covers will be helpful on long trips. An aftermarket exhaust will save you some weight. Think about extra lighting (never know when you are in the dark). They make great hard plastic tubes you can store stuff in (I would put them inside the pannier racks) for lots of extra storage (repair tools, cook kits, etc). Also, 10L bags (like the Lomo bags) can be attached to sit on the pillion pegs for more storage (I would put rain gear, jackets, first aid kit). That will give you a lot more storage that is down low and compartmentalized.
The beauty of modifying a motorcycle is following personal tastes, if I may suggest some recommendations... I would consider placing the hand guards from Barkbusters, before deciding to buy mine, I saw them in action and I definitely decided on them, I think they are the best on the market despite the price.
I remplace a windshield that is completely adjustable and includes a gps holder, it is top quality, it is from Argentina but I understand that they do international shipments, the price is very cheap and the quality is excellent (I leave the link in the comment below).
Another important improvement, I added a button to have hazard.
Watch out for the rear rack, I broke mine 3 times, I am thinking of replacing it with a customized and more reinforced one.
Thank you fr the heads up. Yes, I've heard the rear rack has issues which is why I wouldnt be mounting a top box. But I will be using a soft waterproof duffle though. Thanks so much for the other info as well! Cheers!
I recommend the GIVI racks for panniers. They have the Canyon soft bags or hard bag options. I already had Givi on my Honda nc700x, so I can put them on or use the soft bags, depending on if I'm on road or dirt. Always use soft bags on dirt. Might save a broken leg. Yes it happens. I use a Wolfman duffle on top. Gas, I don't think you'll need that much, carry a qt. gas bottle and leave it at that. I put bags on those front racks and place some heavy items there to get the weight forward.
Great Tip Dale!!
You are not only the rider but also deep knowledge of technical know how . And have good modification knowledge too . I have RE thunder bird ...proud to be indian .
Your garriage is super making me jeleous ...keep going man 👍
Thank you so much
Great video! Thanks for posting. I appreciate the content.
Thank you for watching!!!
I put the GIVI system on mine. I had the same on my NC700xdct, so I already had hard cases. I then purchased the GIVI Canyon soft bags so I could have the best of both worlds. The Canyons have a quick release system, so they are easy to take into a motel.
Awesome tip! Thank you so very much for watching and for subscribing! Ride Safe!
That is cool Dale, i was just thinking of contacting you to see how your Himy was still going. I too have been looking at one, but we'll see.... :{)
Oh, I just remembered ... I've spent a lot of time at the KRiver and other Sandoval events. Yeah, washing his bike is not one of his top priorities. I told him that I heard his Harley say, "waaaash meeee" and Adam said, no man, he said, "riiiiide meeee!". But I am with you ... gotta at least start a big ride with a clean bike and keep those bugs off her.
I guess I'm different. I respect what my monies buy. Of course I've never gotten a FREE bike either lol
Leave your friend alone!
1) a light patina of dirt protects the paint
2) time spent washing bike is better spent riding.
3) dirty bikes dont get stolen as often as shiny dazzling bikes.
4) nothing has an affinity for the ground like fresh shiny paint
5) perfection is too heavy a cross to bear...
Leave it dirty and loved..
@@michaelmorley331 um ok ... rat bikes need love too huh? lol
@@michaelmorley331 Heh-heh, yeah, there is some truth to that, but I offered to just get those bugs off. With bike paint or specifically clear coats, the acids can leave paint stains, which basically etch into the paint surface. I thought it was the least I could do. Besides, the beer was good and I wanted to give his cause and him something more back.
Cheers Adam!
Best mod Ive done on mine is the RE touring seat. The original was too soft for me and painful after 30 mins, the touring version doesnt seem much firmer but made a huge difference.
The original Indian made battery is rubbish so I'd swap it for a good quality one as mine didnt last 1 year despite constant use.
Also its worth lubing the inside of the throttle and clutch cables as my throttle went graunchy then snapped, on inspection it was bone dry so I lubed up the new one before fitting it 2 years ago and its been fine and smooth since.
I intend on replacing the battery as next spring! As far as the seat, it does change after 500 miles 800km I've noticed!
There is a Brand called Invictus Touring Gears they sell frame bags for himalayan. It comes up front the place where you install jerry cans. They are kind of more useful, you could either carry fuel and water or use it as an extra luggage space too.
Exactly thank you
Great cup for Coffee 👍
Thanks
Traveled on mine from coastal NC to northern ID and back through the month of September. The bike does decently on the slow course. It's abysmal on the interstate. I mean Funder Ucking Powered. My cargo was me at 190 lbs, 2 hard panniers, and a large dry bag plus a large tank bag. All said, that 420 lb bike was hauling an extra 300 lbs. Passing at highway speeds was near impossible, and going up mountain grades had me being passed by 18-wheelers. The speed on flat surface and no wind tops out at around 82mph, but that takes about a mile to reach.
I'm considering a mod that squeezes about 4 horsepower to its 25 rated. That may make long journeys tolerable.
I'm enjoying your mods video. From my personal experience I recommend Oxford heated grips. I suggest you install them at the same time you put on the lever protectors. I installed Bark Busters and heated grips on my NC700X and loved them for winter/rain riding. I just traded off that bike for CRF250L. The Himalayan was in the running but decided on a lighter duel sport instead. 73, Mike
Good video(s)... Might one suggest that if riding off-road you should definitely be looking to mount soft panniers, i.e. in preference to hard ones. As some else (Stephane Bruneaux) similarly commented (below), hard panniers have a nasty habit of doing damage to ones lower leg and / or ankle, most typically if you have a sudden need to dab a foot down (e.g. for some urgent balance in the soft stuff) and said foot then gets whipped backwards straight onto the leading edge of the hard pannier... plus that hard panniers can be very unforgiving if you happen to have an 'off' and get your leg trapped betwixt the ground and the pannier (been there, done that).
I've got 3 scooters at the moment (with still an urge for yet more... really need a bike for every day of the week):
- A 2012 BMW R1200GSA (fitted with Touratech Zega Pro hard panniers, plus Wunderlich Rack Pack WP40 pannier lid bags for extra space... therein leaving the pillion seat clear) and which I tend to ride only on the road, therein lowing the risk from hard panniers damaging me.
- A 2015 KTM 1190 Adventure 'R' (fitted with Kriega Overland 60 soft panniers) which I ride off road, hence why it's shod with soft panniers and with a Wolfman Expedition Duffel for the tail bag.
- A 2016 Royal Enfield Classic 500 (black) with OEM soft panniers... and I must add that the RE is sweetest of them all, i.e. the ride with the biggest stupid-grin factor.
Next into the stable (if I can somehow sneak it past the wife) will be a RE 650 Interceptor... and maybe a Himalayan as well.
As for having an Irish Coffee as a wee sharpener... my excuse is that "the sun is always past the yardarm, somewhere in the world".
Looking forward to seeing the modifications & upgrades to the Himalayan
Man these videos are addictive
Awesome thank you
I've also been owning a BS4 "Himmi" since November 2019 and I'm more than happy with it. I too did a number of mods and additions to it, far too many to list here but I may eventually make a video on that as I believe it can provide useful hints also to others. Just for the records, the latest mod was shortening the side stand by about 10mm and those who own this bike know why I did it. Just one remark regarding the GiVi crash bars, in case you have not bought them yet and may want to take into account my suggestion. I had also considered those but then I went for different ones because having three points of attachment looks fine at a first glance but I do not think it is such a good idea. If they ever happen to serve the purpose they are meant for, they may give a blow to the frame because of the rear fixing and that's not good. Those bars are supposed to bend and dissipate some of the energy of the impact, so they must be able to bend and to be straightened back in place again afterwards, unless the blow is so hard that they need to be replaced. The most sensible ones in that respect are probably the simple ones that are available from Royal Enfield. I went for slightly more protective ones but still with two attachments, not three. And even so, I added some provisions not to have them end up hitting the engine covers, just in case. As for the stock rear luggage rack, it is flimsy and if you put anything more that your gloves on it it will eventually break, especially if you are going to do any significant amount of off-roading. Better go for something more substantial (even if possibly not as pretty), like I did. As for panniers, I opted for soft ones and I'm glad I did, even if they too have obvious downsides but not as many as the hard ones in my opinion. However, with the soft ones some heat provisions must be applied to the muffler not to have it melt what's just above it. I took a more radical approach and lowered the rear of the muffler a bit.
Great comment
Balancing the front and rear weight will be important. Maybe take it for a few rides fully loaded in the woods to test it out. Good luck, the TAT looks like alot of fun.
Great start to the video..... I’ve got the RE panniers look great and solid, plenty of lashing points for the dry bag.... that’ll
be my luggage for my end to end ( uk) next year. I put Givi spots on to help being seen on the road and heated grips because I ride all year in the uk. I have the Hitchcock tall screen and it works very for me. Enjoying the vids and I now have some serious garage envy !
Thank you ... looking at the Givi Spots as well. Cheers!
pb 65 mohali india man your are taking idea from indian bikes mods ✌✌💐💐
That is the most sedate Springer I've ever seen. I grew up with Springers, they are lovely dogs, but ours were black holes of emotional need. The second you got home they were all over you.
LOL, truth, and Rusty loves to greet us. It's in their nature
Raising the handlebar position will fowl with the clutch cable length and eventually will affect the clutch plates by providing unnecessary tension so do keep that in mind while modifying the handle bar position. If you want to raise the handle bar you might as well invest on a longer clutch cable so that nothing fowls with your clutch operation. 👍😎
artofmotorcycles.co/
"Art of motorcycles"
Check out their website. These people specialise in royal enfield bikes and modifications.
If you haven't already bought a rear master cylinder guard, the standard one from the original 535GT fits directly.
Just a couple of bucks from your RE dealer
Awesome 👍
Thank you for watching
Great presenting style, like hanging out with a mate. Looking forward to following your journey.
Thank you sir! Youre welcome to come along!
I highly recommend installing heated grips for long cold trips. They’re lifesavers.
Thank you for the comment! Cheers!
Norally has a second hand Honda CB500 byke named Ronin and is still traveling on it. First two were Basanti Himalayan BS4 bought from Delhi and second was maybe second hand Himalayan BS4 Dhanno
😁😁😁😁😁
Yes she does. She's got a great channel!
Great video on the mods!. Personally I feel acerbis/barkbusters hand guards would look better and give more protection than the standard RE ones
You don't like that hat, do you? 😀 My younger son wears his hats till they rot off his head too. If you sell a hat with your logo, I'd buy one.
Love your channel. Great content and editing. Hope to say hi to you and Iron lady sometime with my wife on our soon tobe RE Himalayan.
Himalayan oil cooler is already guarded and the tank guard already has bracket to hold jerry cans.
Thank for the comment. I think added protection is always a plus.
Maybe remove the rubbers from the footpegs. Price: 0$ ;-)
The Himy on the TAT. That’s going to be fun.
I will off road, until then the rubbers are perfect vibration buffers! Thank you for watching!
I need 2" risers too.. is the clutch cable long enough? Also, don't forget a place for Rusty.. he's not planning on staying behind.
You close with the best music .. makes me want to pour an Irish, hold the coffee. 😄
Not sure on the cables yet, I think no and will need longer cables and wires..no worries easy fix.
Great video, those mods are a lot of what I put on. You might want to check out Karmakaze Moto's channel if you haven't already, he has done several how to videos on the mods that I found helpful. Sounds like your bike will be all ready for adventuring next year, also Irish coffee is the best for cold mornings. We got quite a bit of snow this past weekend so my biking might be done for the year but I now have time to plan my trips for next year.
Thanks for the tips! And especially thanks for watching!!
Cool mods. Gonna be sweet
thank you
you picked most of the mods i have been looking at for my one in 2021. the mirrors ye i would only swap them once you smash the stock ones up. as you will prob drop the bike a few times if off road so dont fix till need be. good vid
exactly!!
Zana pannier racks and Ortlieb roll top waterproof bags, Zana beefed up tail rack and EBay barkbuster knockoffs (1/3 the price for functional equivalents) work for me and I used to ride KLR’s so you know I like to squeeze a buck.
Edit: Hard bags seem to have an attraction for lower legs and ankles during (edit: insert "unplanned" here) get offs. Ask me how I know this.
Thanks for the heads up! And super thanks for subscribing! I get you on the hard bags. Seems the older I get, the shorter my legs are lol
It is a nice non perfect bike that invites owners to take care if it, like a child in a difficult period. I had and have much bigger bikes but i am increasingly fascinated by RE Hymalaian.
Its so much fun!!
Nice dog😍😍😍
I now realize that real men stir their spiked coffee with a screw driver.
lol
I don't know if you know this but RE sells a rear brake master cylinder guard too. Also, the RE pannier mounts come with the provision to relocate the turn signals more rearward.
Your video made me hungry too! Every time you said "paneer" instead of pannier (pan-ear) I pictured paneer tikka masala!
lol Hillbilly talk sorry and yes I posted a pic of the reservoir guard but forgot to mention it in the video.
@@OlManRonin No, not the reservoir guard. I knew a couple of guys who got heel guards that cover the brake master cylinder installed at the local RE service centre here near Delhi. If I remember correctly, it was something like this or exactly this - th-cam.com/video/NdSqnk25e4g/w-d-xo.html
He did not get it as an accessory but from the spare parts section. It seems it is actually a spare part for the RE Continental GT 535.
@@twowheeledparadox I have that as part of my Mods right before the reservoir pic. Not a RE OEM, but a aftermarket one. Check it out!
@@OlManRonin Yes, I saw the aftermarket one. I was merely pointing out that an OEM option exists. Just a bit of information that may or may not be useful to you. Well, not that useful since you already have an aftermarket part.
Side note - I find your content very interesting because it is hard to picture a Harley rider taking interest in an adv bike, let alone a simple, low power one like a Himalayan. Of course, you are not the kind of Harley owner who thinks Harleys are best and others are trash so that plays a major role here. And yes, there is many a rider who has a proper adv bike next to a big Harley in their garage. Still, it is nice to see a cruiser rider have so much fun on a Himalayan. The designers clearly put a lot of thought into this bike and really embraced the principle of back-to-basics motorcycling. They are doing the same with their 650 twins.
Best wishes from a subscriber in India!
@@twowheeledparadox I have ridden Harleys since I was 14, but I've also had other motorcycles as well. Harleys have a special place in my heart, BUT, others do too like my Norton 850 Commando, my Triumph Speedmaster, Honda CB650, Suuki GS1100E, and on and on. I'm a motorcyclist first and foremost. My music tastes are just as varied along with my culinary interests. I've been blessed b being able to travel all over the world. So I guess that piqued my interests in all aspects of life??? I REALLY appreciate these kind of comments, it helps explain why TO SOME I'm all over the board on my motorcycle loves! THANK YOU!
Thanks OMR. Great job. Good info. God bless. Happy trails.
LETS GO BRANDON
Rusty Rules! ;-) (new subscriber)
He sez thank you !!
I believe I could turn out custom sized front fender spaces on my lathe.
I bet you could extremely easily
I enjoy your videos sir. Can you please share where one can find the GPS phone mount that sits behind the windshield?
I have a couple video on them already. Its the Enfield Accessories Pro Mount
Tamil Nadu number plate😁
sorry Ronin, its not an Irish Coffee without the cream.
it is in my Irish family ;)
hell man im down with that coffee.
awesome. Cheers
Just a quick heads-up on the RE panniers (possible water ingress): th-cam.com/video/obPzXOu3lmc/w-d-xo.html
You I’ll get better mileage off road than on, going way way slower, lots of experience on a vstrom.
Not.As long as its 45-50 top gear is your best mpg on this bike.It definitely drops off after 55.I got up to 72 mpg 45-50 mph.60 mph about 62 mpg.65 to 70 down to about 59 mpg.
Kaffekask!
hva slags kaffe
Oh Google translate it lol.Swedish to English.
@@matsjohansson3645 yepper
A bit early it looks like to be Irishing up that coffee, mate.. Wish I could get the Black Rifle Coffee here in Greece
Never too early lol.
Love your videos, remember a longer throttle cable if you put bar risers on, Hitchcock's sell them.
Thank you
Take a look at KARMAkazi Moto he did quite a few mods one of which was an interesting pannier rack.......
@@julianrose810 I have and he watches here to. He's made several comments. Great guy.
Why 2" hi rise handlebar , opposed to 1 or 3"
Having ridden motorcycles for over 50 years, I determined that would be the perfect height adjustment for my body and yet maintain complete control whether sitting or standing! Thank you so much for that great comment and for subscribing! Cheers!
When you say you are keeping the stock H/bars ,,I think thats a MISSTAKE..the stock one ain,t that strong,,, and an upender will see you with bent bars,,,, I would fit Renthal bars,,, Maybe abit pricey but worth it in the end
Thanks for the tip !
Any performance mods in the future?
Very possibly, no wait definitely Stay tuned
@@OlManRonin th-cam.com/video/GHoqvbAnvEo/w-d-xo.html
It seems he is AR fan
??
Are you really drinking Irish coffee? What Irish whiskey are you using?
I like Jameson mostly. But Bushmill as well too
@@OlManRonin My go to is Jameson.
Why don't u ask @KARMAkaze Moto about the himalayan , he has done Seattle WA to Alaska on his Himalayan..
Thanks for the comment! Cheers!
2nd on the left bottle is nere empty need to order a new one
I'll get right on it ;)
For some inspiration on Himalayan mods:
th-cam.com/video/1BS5zblBhu8/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=HitchcocksMcs
I mentioned them on the wind screen. Looks like great people! Cheers
How do you plan on raising the front fender? Bushings and longer bolts?
Fabricate one probably, but I have seen a few companies that make them
I have enjoyed your videos. I am a big guy, 300 lb, and am worried the bike will not have enough power. I noticed you are a little bigger as well (not 300) but could give your opinion on larger guy on this amazing bike. Thoughts?
I ride 2 up with my gf up in the mountains. I’m 180 lb and she’s 140 with 2 hard panniers semi full no problem.
6'2" 250 so not far off. Depends on your height would be my only concern. if I was over 6'5" I think it might be a little tight
@@bovver6092 truth. my wife has ridden with me as well
@@OlManRonin thanks for your reply! I am short, 5’10’’. Your videos have gotten me through the past few days. I have covid so not riding right now. Thanks for the fun videos! I just shared them with a buddy of mine!
@@rjrushton Get well my friend and thank you so very much for watching and subscribing!! Cheers
You can check for this video if you want any accessories. th-cam.com/video/7OJ1HLlhQFE/w-d-xo.html
You use a KLERUG coffee make but ride a RE HIMALAYAN!?
In the shop I do. In the kitchen dif story. Next intro I'll show from kitchen JUST for you! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Where is rifle scabboard??
too many states with different gun laws lol
Tail bags ruin handling
all luggage and added weight affects handling on all motorcycles
The bike is already HEAVY...a good mod...is to take weight out of it...make it lighter...KISS...KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid)...
It's extremely light for me to lift. So when I add more stuff to it I'll left you know what I think. Its nothing compared to my Harleys. Thank you do much for the comment and subscribing ! Cheers
What's your email address?
olmanronin@gmail.com in the description
@@OlManRonin I'll mail you
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