Why The Royal Enfield Himalayan is the New BMW GS -- The Best Value for Money Motorcycle 2020?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- The Royal Enfield Himalayan is rapidly gaining international acceptance and recognition. This does not come as a surprise though, back in 2016 until 2018 I vigorously rode the motorcycle on some truly treacherous terrain, including the Himalayan land of high passes, "Ladakh."
It was there that this motorcycle really proved itself and showed me that it was an extremely capable adventure motorcycle.
Slowly since then over the years, the company has released new and improved versions of the existing model, improving on its flaws and strengthening its weaknesses.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan is now sold internationally. The motorcycle definitely proves itself as a high value for money machine. Combining many characteristics that prove itself as a true adventure motorcycle however at an affordable price for your average joe to enter the market.
This is why I like to label the Royal Enfield Himalayan as the new BMW GS prodigy, for your average joe.
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I have both bikes, the Classic 500cc and the Himalayan and even the Classic bike I have traveled from Delhi over the 3 worlds highest mountain passes over the Himalayas and it never broke down even after crashing the bike it kept going through rivers and rough terrain. The Himalayan bike is more comfy over hard terrain and its great value and will also take you anywhere, maybe not as fast as other bikes, but with a smile.
I bought a Royal Enfield Hymalayan last may and after 6000 miles, I really love this bike, always an Adventure while riding my Hymalayan ! 😊
Got mine two weeks ago. Absolutely love it. I love the slower bike and relaxed pace.
A Nepali fella loaned me his Royal Enfield bullet In Pokora 🙏I absolutely love the simplicity and look of the Himalayan 😃🇨🇦
I was going to buy a Tenere 700 until I seen the Royal Enfield Himalayan now I'm stuck researching more because I like a slower lower bike and it's a beautiful classic looking bike 👍
lols im doing the opposite. had my himalayan for 3 years and done 16k miles now, its pretty trashed, no idea what they will look like in 10 years time! the paint is all flaking off my engine lol!
@@fobode have you had any major repairs in those 16k miles I'm looking for dependability as well I ride a Yamaha V star on the Street that has 123,000 miles and using a 21 TW200 for my off roading now ! Would be worth giving up the TW ? Hoping for a response and Thank You in Advance 🙏
@@tdublove9558
Yo! Top end rebuilt as it used 1.5ltrs if oil over a 3k trip in the alps. Starter motor is on its way out. Brakes are pretty trash, there is a recall on them currently. Paint on engine is peeling off a bit. I look after the bike really well with xpc etc. Its a great bike don't get me wrong, I really love its character etc. You kind of get what you pay for i guess. ..
I got a 2nd youtube channel with loads of himalayan stuff on. Search running with the wolffs
@@fobode thanks I appreciate the insight 🙏 I'll watch the videos 😃
I believe you. Noraly literally showed what it can do. Lots of people would be prejudiced against it because of the price & that it is made in India.
I have my own opinion about "German engineering".
Great video and pure honesty, I really appreciate it. I have a Himalayan 2020 in Colombia and it can handle this Mountainous terrain like a champ.
try that on a monster bmw! no way without a pickup truck following......
Yo me acabo de comprar hace 3 semanas una en Vietnam y la verdad que me he quedado sorprendido con el torque y lo estable que es
I live in Colombia, and I am going to try and buy one next year. I just wish it had a sixth gear like the AKT 250 TT does. It would make traveling at 70 mph/112.7kph (where feasible) SO much easier.
I'm also in Colombia and trying to decide between the Himalayan and the Honda XRE 300 (only available for the Latin American market, I believe). A critical factor for me would be comfort for the pillion. Any thoughts?
@@cafeteropiper2811 Hey, i haven’t ridden the XRE 300. I can tell you my wife got a big trunk and she rides in comfort 🤣 I’m 6’1 and we both fit and love to go for rides.
I'm proud that I own RE Himalayan
I rekon if they put their 650 twin engine in a version of the Himalayan with a long range tank and priced it so the working man could afford it, they would clean up worldwide.
yep
I am hoping so much for a new version with the 650 engine
Disagree.
They just want to make a 34 hp version of this single.
yeh I agree with that and I'll be waiting for one
Recently i spoted testing 650 Himalayan 🔥🔥🔥matt black what good looking
I bought a new BMW G310GS today. I had to find one online because even though I live in a town of over 300,000 people, my nearest BMW stealership is 75 miles away, and when I called about the bike they told me they don't have one and aren't getting any more until the next model year. The 2021 bikes are already selling in India but won't be in the US for another few months. I called around and found a new old stock 2019 model 475 miles away.
Before finalizing the BMW purchase, I stopped at the Royal Enfield dealer in my town and they had four in stock. The build quality looked good but they were all road bikes and not the Himalayan. I wish the Himalayan sold in the US for somewhere close to what it costs in India. It's quite a bit more, and the first batch of 2021 Himalayan bikes were all pre-sold online. That's a warning sign to the other bike manufacturers who are having trouble moving last year's inventory to make room for the new colors they're selling this year.
I bought the BMW a bit for the reputation and "Beamer appeal" and a bit for the aesthetics, even though I generally avoid such things. I'm 60 and I've always ridden single cylinder dual sport bikes, and now I wanted something similarly nimble and capable of very mild off road, but mostly for back country and secondary roads. I imagine myself riding on back roads, arriving at a scenic location and riding gravel roads and maybe some logging roads or mining roads to get to a spot where I can camp, and the G310GS seems ideal for that kind of old man adventure touring. If I was going to explore India, I'd definitely do it on a Royal Enfield Himalayan.
I love the Himalayan design philosophy. The major bike companies can't make a practical bike like the Himalayan because their corporate culture is driven by street racers. That's why they all put high revving street bike engines in their adventure bikes, as if horsepower is everything. The Himalayan proves that low end torque is more important in rough terrain adventuring. It's not an enduro race. The Himalayan is the love child of an old army jeep and a mountain goat. Most adventure bikes today are marketing driven street bikes with a bit more ground clearance. The high ground clearance and low seat height of the Himalayan is genius. Kudos also for putting a large fuel tank on a bike that gets such good mileage for a very useful range without the hassle of carrying fuel jugs for all but the most remote adventure. My new G310GS has a puny 11 liter tank. That's pathetic. It should be twice that. Bonus points for a low revving lower compression engine on the Himalayan that runs well on regular gasoline instead of these prima donna "adventure bikes" that require 91 or 93 octane fuel that you probably can't get in most places a real adventure bike would travel.
That said, I wish one of the big manufacturers would rip off the simple design genius of the Royal Enfield Himalayan and implement it with modern manufacturing techniques, stellar quality control, a few practical amenities such as ABS, bomb proof tuneable suspension, a large luggage rack and even integral pannier racks, solid switch gear, reliable solid state electronics with high quality alternator, and make it look more like a modern bike... albeit the off road adventure version.
The KTM 390 ADV is a notable attempt, but it's still a high revving "race ready" engine with a high seat height to go with the ground clearance. I tried to look at a 390 ADV today too, but the local KTM dealer only had their off road bikes and the 390 ADV was too "street" for them. They did have a DR200 and DR650 and they looked much nicer than my old DR350, but again, a race derived dual sport rather than something designed for slow steady off road adventure riding.
As far as I can tell, the Royal Enfield Himalayan has that market all to themselves, and good for them. As their market share inevitably increases, maybe the other bike manufacturers will acknowledge what the Himalayan is doing right. In too many industries, the manufacturers tell the consumers what they want. That's backwards. The major bike manufacturers have only recently admitted, reluctantly, that an adventure bike doesn't need to be 800cc for women and girly men, and 1250cc for real men.
Well said.
However if one of the "big manufacturers" made a copy of the Himalayan, and put what is standard on their adventure bikes, we will end up with what they currently offer ! Inevitably !
The essence of what the Royal Enfield Himalayan is, will be lost. Needless to say, the price will shoot North !
Noraly put over 60,000kms on the Indian model. She renewed the steering bearings at a shop. The clutch was renewed by some side-of-the-road mechanics. I can't remember if the sprocket-and-chain set was renewed too. The owner can do quite a lot on his bike. This is excellent for an Indian made motorcycle. On the other hand, because it is Indian made, faults will be found with it. Was it to be made in Sweden, Germany or Italy, there might even be accolades !
But, Royal Enfield like Bollywood, and certainly unlike the other adventure manufacturers, does not depend on markets outside India to survive.
.........and they can keep it inexpensive !
Peace.
Trinidad & Tobago.
can you give a bit more detail?
@@stevec-b6214 - Details about what?
Great to hear another positive review from someone with extensive experience on the Himalayan. Taking delivery on mine in a matter of days. Thanks for the video!
How exciting... ride safe mate!
4:20 : Regarding why India took so long to produce a dual-purpose motorcycle? Probably because everyone used the old Bullet for that option, it historically served as an Army bike after all.
emissions! the old 500 bullet motor was killed by this - the bullet will do amazing things off road (I have one and do so regularly)
Since the first 2016 or '17 problems with the frame, quality control, etc. I haven't seen any bad reviews for the Himalayan. They are all balanced and generally very positive.
I worked in a Jawa/ Triumph motorcycle shop in the mid-60s and saw my first Royal Enfield then, all these years later I now own a Himalayan and love it.
As the owner and rider of a 2022 Himalayan, I can attest to what you suggested in your excellent video - that Royal Enfield has continued to improve and refine the motorcycle. It is the most impressive motorcycle I’ve had the pleasure of riding.
India makes a really good Royal Enfield modern and in the British tradition. As time moves forward the production and quality of these bikes will just get better and better. Remember Japan in the 60s now look at Japanese motorbikes now. India's reputation for good quality-price competitive products will grow as the country becomes more industrialised moving well into the 21st century.
Absolutely it’s the same with what some say about Harley Davidson I rode one thousands of miles with no problems and most of those doubters have never even ridden one ….. with you totally long live the Himmy just bought one today 👍
Loved your passion!! Wonderful bikes for sure. Picking mine up in a couple of weeks and can't wait!
@sonu singh LOL
When you have to compare a bike with ones costing much much more
Its says it all.
The Himalayan will be my next bike for adventure riding. You are right in that people unfairly compare it to much more expensive adventure bikes, moaning about its on road speed/ performance. If I want to go touring on the road at speed, I’d use my Kawasaki Z1000SX. Great video of real world use.
I've had one for a year and it has about 5000 km on it now. She's a reliable mule, not a finicky race horse.
I just bought myself one 2 days ago. I knew very little about the RE Himalayan as up till now I have only ridden Japanese built bikes. The price was what caught my eye. I as yet have not taken possession of the bike due to lockdowns in Auckland New Zealand but am chomping at the bit for restrictions to be lifted so I can fetch my bike. Due to the waiting situation I have watched heaps of videos about the RE Himalayan and everyone is raving about it. I do believe that soon, very soon I will be raving about mine also. Thanks for your insight about the bike.
Take the 400 cc engine, which is not a bad design.. add 5 hp and 10 lb/ft torque and it's a winner. I don't want complexity.. I don't want expensive, or more weight.. I want just a little more road capability... then it will replace every other bike I have.
I definitely agree about that. I'd love a little more power too. It does really let you down on the highways and stuff hey.
@@Wanderer1 One other bike of mine is a Beta Alp 4.0 with a Suzuki DR350 power plant delivering about 27 hp. Like the Himalayan, it is air cooled and with low compression ratio, so I believe that squeezing an extra 5 bhp from that 411cc engine should be doable. If that happens then the Himalayan will become THE adventure bike for many.
RoyalEnfield has a more powerful twin-cylinder 650 engine on 2 other bikes, many of us in India are hoping for a Himalayan 650.
@@Bro-the-cast I have a 500 classic and a 650 interceptor. I like the power and smoothness of the twin, but, for the Himalayan I want simplicity. A balanced, well tuned single based on the Himalayan design but of 500+ cc would be a killer.
If hp is torque X rpm if you gain 10 lb/ft.... you're probably looking at needing a 600cc (xt600e 35.5lb/ft). For reference a drz400 make 25.6 lb/ft RE makes 23.6 lb /ft. Drz makes 33.4hp from 399cc
👍🏼 RE Himalayan needs to be bored out to 450cc, with output updated to 27 to 30 bhp & 36 NM of torque at lower RPMs than the present 411cc motor. A six speed gearbox & a slipper clutch would help too. Don't touch the design or suspension. Keep it as low end as possible so that any roadside mechanic can repair or service it.
big bore kit is now available from Hithcocks in UK - I think its about 465cc - anything else? slipper clutch? use gloves dude ;)
They have made a bike like what you described…KTM 390 Adventure plus it is lighter…so many bikes and so little time…ride what makes you want to ride!
@@richardlandry5020 The 390 adventure has alloys, and that motor is a very stresses unit and vibrates a good deal.
@@RipsawEV_2 I have never cracked an alloy but it can be done. I owned the Himalayan and it vibrates as well...thumpers...ride on!
I'll give myself a royal enfield himalayan as a Christmas present! The impatience is already killing me! Hahahaha
That is such an awesome Christmas present and a great way to start the new year 👍😁😁
@@Wanderer1 ohh yes! it is!
Its funny how a loose bolt can become a reason for not considering a bike that can do a multitude of things. :). Every motorbiker needs to be familiar and aware of the basic maintenance checks prior to any adventure ride. I tested this once and I agree with most of what you've covered. Rugged, and perfect for the roads here. (or the lack of it on occasion :P ) . This bike wasn't on my radar and now its back on :).
Nice thorough review! I'll likely be selling my '21 Himmy because I have to ride 100 miles on 55-65mph paved roads just to get to the part of the state that I like to ride. It's just not fun riding on highways for that length of time with a low powered bike. Also, I've realized that a bike of this weight is not fun or safe at age 62 on deep sand two tracks (I need a MX bike for that), so I've made the decision to stay away from them altogether. Unfortunately pretty much all of the fire and national forest roads here in MI are sand and sometimes deep sand. Even with "street knobby" type tires, it's just not happening. Now I'm sticking to only paved and gravel roads, and with that in mind, I want something that has more power for highway riding and safe passing, so I'm eyeing the CB500X, V-Strom 650, and the Versys 650. I don't have any complaints about the Himmy, it does everything that it's supposed to do, it's just that my riding needs are better suited to something that's more high speed road focused. I do have a Suzuki Van Van 200 for mild off road playing and exploring 🙂
This motorcycle is also perfect for South America, where even city riding needs ADV performance lmao. And then here in Colombia you have the Andes, the Orinoco plains and the Amazon jungle to have fun with it. I jusyt bouth mine and should have it delivered next week!
Thanks for the Clarity...
Now I'm pretty sure that gonna buy this bike by the end of the year ...
Also they have launched the BS6 Variant recently with major changes , especially improved breaking.
Im happy that your himalayan is not like mine. After road 30000km Ive replaced third head gasket. I live in Brazil and here, my brother this bika presented several problems, including low quality plastic materials. I agreed that RE has a big chance to dominate many bikes market over the world but in Brazil it will have to improve its quality because we have the feeling that other counties like to send us industrial waste. This bike is beautiful for me(allthoug its polemic design), but beauty is not all we look for in a bike. I cant use a bike based in what its can be but in what it really is and in Brazil those problems are firing the brand. What a pity... But good luck with your machine. Good trips. Enjoy the freedom feeling that only riding a Bike can provide. Grretings from Brazil. 🇧🇷
I believe they have a manufacturing unit in Brazil now ? Maybe the issue is with the Brazil unit.
15k and no problems? Wow it´s a miracle! Seriously though: The idea is great, the design beautiful, but I need to wait for some years to see if they are really that good.
Watch the TH-cam channel itchy boots...she rides a himalayan all over the world...hope that helps....cover 22000 kms in mine....still now I had only 1 puncture and no breakdowns whatsoever....I have the 2018 model,bs4.the present bs6 version has switchable abs so it’s more value for money.
Wait some years. Yes...........to see the world passing by !
@@ramishrambarran3998 The problem is build quality. I have seen the Himalayan and even tried it in EICMA 2019 where they were showing it off. It was a brand new bike but the quality was horrendous, especially with respect to the quality of the metals used at the engine itself. RE has a huge manufacturing problem in several angles because they lack the expertise (or maybe care). This concept taken by Honda would be a resound success, but RE simply cannot do it, at least not yet.
I love those front luggage racks/ petrol tank crash protectors you're using, it's a real challenge to mount the weight towards the front to save messing up the handling (by having all the luggage at the rear), and I really don't like tank bags- OK for on road, but they get in the way a bit on rough roads.
Yeah the front petrol plastic tanks are not only a good way to carry extra fuel, but they balance the bike more.. and act as crash protectors when you fall over. You can also mount soft luggage to the front. That's what I love about the himalayan
greeting from Ireland, riding a Himmy for 20000kms and no problems. perfect for Ireland!
I bought an Africa Twin, but I regret not buying a RE Himalyan.
If you've bought an Africa Twin, you'd regret not buying a RE Himalayan too.
Paarth Garg You're right.
If any enthusiast could ever truly think that a Indian and Japanese motorcycle aiming for a similar target can ever..at this point be compared has there eyes closed. The Indian market continues but the technology on there designs is old.. multiple times surpassed by Germans, Japanese and Italian designs.. and that is using respectful language..the Indian and Chinese may get there but at the middle to low end they look @10 years away
Oh Randy, did you think we were making a like for like comparison between the Africa Twin and a Himalayan? Context Randy, context. Motorcycles in India have always been utilitarian - commute vehicles, unlike Japan or in the West where they're hobbyist machines. The Indian ecosystem is just about beginning to get into the high-performance side of automobiles. Case in point - two Indian makers (Hero & TVS) have been competing and completing the Dakar for the last 4-5 years now. India has been a forerunner in Formula E racing with it's Mahindra team (were we talking about technology here?). All KTMs road bikes under 400cc are developed and manufactured in India and exported for the world. Last I checked Austria was pretty close to Germany.
Yeah, India doesn't have the pedigree or the experience of other 'first world' countries when it comes to Industrial progress, but when a country's back is broken because of the needs of its colonisers I wonder who's to be blamed for it. Oh btw, India's successful space missions cost under a 10th of NASA's similar projects. If they got a 100-year headstart and we're only 10 years behind, I'd call it progress, I don't know about you friend, maybe open your eyes?
Gerald Prost : I’ve got an Africa twin and a Himalayan, both good bikes in different ways. I like the simplicity of the Enfield and Im happy to take it off road, the AT is better for long distance - not yet taken the AT off road, not sure if I dare risk dropping it (just yet anyway!)
Thank for your honest review. I own 2021 Himalayan, 2019 F850GS & 2016 1200GSA. The Himalayan is a great looking motorcycle and probably a great choice for traveling in India, Ladakh, Nepal etc. but certainly not for USA roads that most are in great condition and it's not the best choice for Off-Roads either. It falls in between. I wish it was the same design, but build by BMW standards. At the end of the day, the cost of the motorcycle is a small portion of the total cost of your investment and experience when you add it all up together. Cheap is Expensive.
Great bike by all accounts. I'd buy one in a minute but...it can't survive on North American super highways if it only does 110km/hr. A slightly bigger cam, more compression and bigger valves would give the bike about 30-35hp - enough to do the job - but I don't see that problem being addressed in 2021 by RE. Admittedly, most roads travelled by me would be 80km/hr or less, but 4-lane hwy capability is an absolute must because sometimes there's just no other way.
Last year I bought Interceptor 650, which is also a great bike and next year I'm planning to buy Himalayan 🙂
If you didn't watch Itchy boots you need to watch it.
also watch `nathan the postman` - this man knows his stuff
For Pete's sake Royal Enfield make a 650 Himalayan!!!
Agreed on Royal Enfield, it is a great motorcycle. When I listen to Siddhartha Lal he reminds me of Soichiro Honda. I think we should keep our eyes on Sid and RE. Good things to come.
Love the footage. Just bought the interceptor 650. I have been riding for 50 years and saw the start of the japanese domination. I think RE are headed the same way.
Couldn't agree more!
got one, love it, any advice on who to contact for a trip to the Himalayas , and seeing those spectacular ranges on a R.E.Himalayan.
Yeah mate.. so you can contact these guys g.page/mototour-ladakh?share and ask for Tundup, he's the owner.. they have heaps of himalayans for hire and mention my channel and he will look after you for sure. 👍 Enjoy.. it's the best place.
Thank you bro, for your genuine review, I'm gonna have in near future... Your review boosted my dream plan. thank you!
$7690 in Aus for 2020 model- straight from the RE website as at March 21 with 2021 models still to come!
In this film you’ve said everything that I’ve been saying about this great little bike to the people that I’ve met while travelling. I’ve had it a year and ridden 27000kms on and off road. Great video👍🏼
Was very skeptical of going to Himalayan. Reason, given the Royal Enfield DNA of old tech, long stroke engines and their love of sticking to old designs, was pretty sure Himalayan would have similar vibes. Very surprised with Himalayan when I did take it for spin! Don't get me wrong it is heavy and is a tad bit difficult to ride on very busy, congested Indian roads. The moment you are able to even amble along with 30kmph ride gets comfortable. Beyond that it truly shines, doesn't matter you are riding on highway or broken paths. It is not a highway scorcher like KTMs but can maintain respectable speed of 90kmph on highways for long time. Broken roads and/or undulating stretches is where it outshines above all. I have seen other bikes struggling on such stretches mostly because though they have high revving engines they lack low end torque and grunt of Himalayan! Suspensions comes second in these scenarios. Himalayan is nimble as well on highways too (though not as nimble as GS). But with the given price, trade off it's a great choice. Went for Himalayan and every time I ride it, I have a smile on my face!!
DR650/DR400/KLR 650/ F650. All better bikes but ride what you like, buy what you like just know there is a larger world out here. Hope they make the 650 H.
Don't try to help.. just be there to tow them to a mechanic
I think you really love this bike.
I wish the rest of the world could enjoy RE India prices though. That would put more bikes in ppl hands. Over here its 5k ish.
Makes sense to travel to India and buying a Hymalayan to travel the whole India.
Anyone who doubts this bike’s reliability should watch Itchy Boots, which is why I bought one. The engine power will not set the world alight, but I no longer compete in enduro!
Ive got one and im so pleased i also have a bullet and ican see the difference.
I was in a great confusion between Bajaj D400 and RE HIMALAYAN, but thanks a lot for clearing my confusion.
The RE is what it is. What it is not is the BMW GS killer.
If I want BMW GS, my option is old GS 100 with classic air cool flat twin with carburetors and kickstart...this GS was canceled in 1991. But if I want modern enduro, I want Royal Enfield Himalayan because this enduro had inspiration from enduro motorcycles from Rallye Paris-Dakar from 1980's
They both are good.
A great looking bike , thanks for the review. Now I want one to explore Australia with one but! I have to learn to ride a motorcycle first... 😂
Awesome man. You should totally do it. It's not hard to learn just takes some time. Book in for the motorcycle course to get your learner licence they teach you from scratch 😁
I have a herohonda karizma by which I climbed to falut via sandakphu which is way way way tougher than khardungla
Booked in December.. Waiting for delivery of BS6 2021 version..
Ride what you like. But, a GS is a super tourer that is unrivalled on bitumen and can travel on dirt roads and fire trails. The Himalayan is an awesome trail bike that can also go on bitumen. Decide on the use, then the bike.
GS 310s price is double than himalayan... I cna buy two 411cc himalayans in price of one 310 cc BMW tagged TVS motorcycle
The Himalayan and the KLR are about the same price in Canada (around $7K CDN). But, with no real dealer network here, I would be more inclined to get the KLR than the Royal Enfield.
you dont need a dealer if you get a himmy! can you mend a fuse unaided? then you can service a himmy - if you cant be bothered, thats your decision.
@@stevec-b6214 Lol, I've been biking for over 45 years, I assure you I can change a fuse. The issue would be waiting extended periods for parts and having no place for warranty work to be done. Our bike season is short here and it's much nicer to be able to run down to a dealer for a new clutch cable than wait two weeks for one to ship. Plus, the KLR is probably twice the bike.
im starting to think its the next bike for me
You are 100% right... We ride the bike we should know bit of here and there fixing and caring...
The thing that gets me interested is its simplicity. Its a basic, reliable bike. And if for whatever reason it does break down, it can be fixed anywhere and by basically anyone with basic knowledge of motorcycle mechanics. It costs a third or a quarter of a BMW GS, but can manage the same terrain and distance. A BMW GS is, of course, more than capable of, say, going down Africa, but if it craps out nobody but a BMW mechanic can fix it, and you'll pay out of your arse for repairs. Buying anything but a RE Himalayan, or an old Africa Twin or Tenere for major adventure riding is just ridiculous.
In all fairness, I never had to check a single bolt on a BMW 😂
15-18k is still a fresh bike by adventure standards.
i've riden it , i think its a great little bike, perfect for india
Sensible review,you tell it as it is,safe riding
Ppl are unable to believe that india can produce such a great bike. Twin 650 is also best in its section.
Not seen that much difference in price of used BMW310GS or RE Himilayan here in the UK
great review , just hope going forward they keep it basic and functional and not lots of teck added, so do you own one now?
Sounds great , only question I would have is were you furnished with the bike at no cost?
Give me 650cc’s and at least a 34” seat height and I’m in!!! Being 6’4” & 240lbs the current Royal just wouldn’t work for me unfortunately!
True.. Its baby tiger
Its NOT the new bmw gs, (I had one and was glad to sell it) the bmw will cruise at 100 mph all day, two up with luggage. but it will NOT go where the himmy can go safely, alone, which is how I prefer. I could not travel on bad terrain solo on the gs, if I fell on mud/sand I could not guarantee to pick it up, I would have to get help. The guy that bought my gs is happy, i bought a 500 bullet and now i am happy.
Great review. Loved the riding footage. Totally Agree: probably best Bike for the Indian subcontinent. One simple question: would you buy the Himalayan for Europe?
Bought it for europe and never regret it
Imagine stopping in front of a house asking for shelter or any kind of help with a brand new all option GS when the GS costs more then the house or even entire street 🥴
well said!
Bro which one is best, royal enfield himalayan or bmw310gs???? .???
Waiting reply
What is your definition of “best”? If you’re talking strictly performance, that’s one thing, if value is a consideration, the answer may well change.
@@jamessloanofficial i dont know anything about bike, i need a bike for touring about you 3 lakhs is worth for that bmw just tell me plsss
If you want to tour mostly on highways and occasionally on rough terrains then pick gs310, if you want your bike to go all places then pick himalayan, the Himalayan can maintain 100kmph which is above average for most indian roads apart from the expressways. Also there is limited service points for bmw in india whereas every roadside mechanic can fix your himalayan. Gs310 is a more modern bike.
My WR250R, 38,000 kms and not one problem
My only complaint would be that it needs just a little more power for highway speeds. Maybe a 650 cc.
Would you buy a RE Himalayan for usage in aus? The 2021 version looks like a great improvement to the 2017-2018 version
The RE is a fantastic motorcycle and a POS. Perspective is everything.
Great video 👍
The BMW 310GS is also made in India but it's $1100us more and engine won't pull under 5000rpm. I love the look of the GS but the Himmie isn't hard to look at either.
genuine advice and proper advice loved it man much love from India❤️
I agree, sooooo many people are so against it because of BS3 model, it really annoys me!! A vid I watched that was released in 2021 was slagging it off with pics of snapped frames, it was 20 pics of the same 2 bikes that had issues back in 2016 of bs3 models, the very first model!! Oh and because 1 got a frigging puncher!...you can't slag a bike off because it gets a puncher! I believe its all the people that bought a dominar instead and hate themselves 😂
Same dude posted earlier how the bike totally FAILED and he was screaming at it....ONLY thing that saved him is it died at the top of mountain allowing him to coast down....otherwise he'd have been F'D!
u r right.new bs6 is more refined.its a good bike
But I like if Mahindra could work on a adventure tourer like Himalayan with 250cc.or else even TVS but Mahindra build quality was awesome.
What is your weight and height? does the suspension can cope up with it well?
Interesting but not totally convincing. It sounds kind of staged to me, though I long to hear exactly that message: The HIM is reliable. Seen too many clips of failure and reliability is the most important thing to me, as I always ride alone. Thanks for your statement, though.
Every bike fails.. Would you know the faililure rate for the Himalayan? .. There were early problems with the first gen of this bike.
Just buy a recent version. If you need reliability stay away from KTM
@ I had two KTM. Both brand New. Not reliable. You are totally right, Juan :-)
Those who bash the Himalayan without even owning one and who even call it "a rust bucket on two wheels" should check out the honest and dependable 36000 Km review by Noraly, which is based on facts rather than on gossip: th-cam.com/video/z6sPF1PYPW8/w-d-xo.html . The only actual issue that she had and that can be tracked down to the quality of the components was with the head bearings, which are known to be a weak point of this bike and are likely going to need to be replaced after 10000-12000 Km. However there are better quality Europe-made SKF replacements that I'm sure can last forever so that's something that can be fixed. Apart from that, I think that the pros and cons that Noraly is giving in her review are worth listening to. Every bike has issues, especially when used on a real adventure trip like Noraly's and the Himalayan is no exception in that respect, but its capabilities when it is used for what it is intended to largely outperform its shortcomings.
You cannot realistically compare an Himalayan and a GS. The Himalayan is great for bikers on a budget granted it depends where you are taking it for the long ride, I would not trust an Himalayan in the scorching hot sandy conditions of North West Africa. The GS are proven bikes as far as reliability goes granted the Royal is easier to fix yourself. I don't see an opposition between the two, these are probably bikes you are going to ride in different times in your life. Young guys yeah sure they will go for the Himalayan because it is dirt cheap, sporty / enduro type of riders won't go for either GS or Himalayan, they will go for a KTM, Husky, 700 Tenere or maybe Africa Twin or lighter 850 GS because it goes everywhere. If I was to go for a small ADV, my first pick would be the new Honda CRF300L Rally or if I am on a tight budget I would go for the DR650 or new KLR650 (with injection) simply because they are cheap, bullet proof, easy to maintain yourself and parts are super easy to find with a vast range of accessories to upgrade from. The Himalayan you cannot upgrade that easily, it is way too low for average to serious off-roading. So really it depends on your destination and whether you intend to stick to the main "roads" or explore a lot. Keep in mind your gas consumption. Older smaller engine sucks more gas and oil, when you have to push them harder you easily go 12 to 15 litres per 100 kilometers. When the terrain is so rough or so loose that you struggle to go past second gear, that's where the range in the middle (650-850cc) performs better from my experience unless you are a lighter rider (65-70kgs). It is rare to be able to afford a bike upgrade straight away but it is wise to do it gradually. You might upgrade the springs only, or the front fork or rear shock entirely. Suspensions set-up is maybe the most critical aspect of your ride that riders will chose to ignore completely and it is a mistake. When your bike is sagging at the rear because your shock is not properly set, your bike will tend to go in a straight line. Travel distance of your suspension is paramount and should probably be the first upgrade to look at. You may also want a better carburetor that gives you better throttle response, a lighter exhaust, your chain interval and sprockets, add more protection to your bikes, a proper skid plate (factory skid plate are a joke when they are large and protect everything they are made of plastic, when they are made of stainless steel or aluminium they usually don't even protect the frame), hands/lever guards, upgrade instruments or extra battery, save your battery by getting LED lights, and the list can be long. You will usually start by fixing the weaknesses that are known to your specific model hence the importance of trusting a proven model. The Himalayan is not the new GS, it is like saying the CRF300L is the new Africa Twin. It might be that it is best suited to you but not to others. I am 90+kgs, I travel long distance in proper off-road conditions, the Himalayan is definitely not for me. Even on a budget, you have to know what bike will suit you best and if it means you have to wait and save an extra $2000, do it because it will save you a lot more down the line. Be aware also on the maintenance cost and that's maybe the one aspect where you can compare Royal Enfield and BMW, yes Japanese bikes are cheaper to maintain. Sadly Royal Enfield is very popular for the badge and it feels like it when you visit your mechanic. So yes they are cheap to buy not so cheap to maintain outside the UK. You pay for the badge. Do your research on all these aspects of owning a bike.
Realy good post
I need more horsepower. An option for it would be nice.
Nice speech.
where in Ladakh is this particular bike rental? were you caught in India this pandemic lockdown? thanks, just wish RE puts a 6 gear and slipper clutch on this bike (present clutch fries in constant tight situations)
Check out Hitchcocks replacement clutch parts options ... and the rest of their RE catalogue.
Would you ride around the wolrd in duo with the Himalayan?
Thanks bro for the advise 👍 very informative video... M from India, planning to buy RE Himalayan. Could u pls tell me about the chassis cracking / breaking issues on it? I have seen few videos in youtube So little bit confused...
The first batch models had those problems which have already been solved in the bs4 version, now its even better in the bs6 version.
high ground clearance mmmmmm sorry mate i dont think so , a better stronger skid plate is needed ! and top speed on open roads needs attention but the rest of the bike is ok . be safe .ps. its a great bike a hidden gem , my old bikes i have had are transalp 600XL , KLR 650, SUPER TENERE 750 and now i have a 2003 BMW f650gs and if i was going to buy a new bike i would go for the 2021 himalayan for sure . BE LUCKY .
need more variants and versions of himalayan.
650 is on the way spoted testing in India 🔥🔥 cheers
Don't you feel heavy?
I agree 100% 👍🏼