Well done Ian, saw mts Ian there with the camera, what a team, love it thanks for the effort, not asking about the aches the following days, good to see, thanks again both
I'm suprised Sue cleared you to do that. If you really must go off road at your (our) age, you should be playing around on a 125/200. Stay safe and upright.
I'm a physician. The best advice I can give you is that, if your joints are good, and you have adequate leg and upper body strength, age is not really an issue. Get your vision checked, use strength exercises (weights, calisthenics/resistance) flexibility exercises, and stay on your bike.
Just got around to subscribing although I've been watching your stuff for a while, and very good it is too. I live in County Durham, am in my 60s and often take myself off into the wilds of Weardale, etc, park up and do a bit of walking. A couple of years ago, I'd done just that, and when I got back a chap had pulled up on his Himmie. We got to chatting and it turned out his wife had bought it for him for his birthday. He was 82. She's what you call a keeper! All the best, Mate.
Hi Ian I have the same bike same colour yes they are a little obese. hard to pop the front wheel over an obstacle if needed. The power is like getting pulled along by a big rubber band. Cheers Les Sunshine coast Queensland
Great riding Ian. Interesting how the helmet cam shows the level of work and thought the rider puts in whereas the 'roadside' cam makes it look easy. A good test for your bash plate here too, which is inevitable with this type of riding. Thank you for the great tips here too.
The only thing to be concerned about is if you are on your own and you get hurt and are unable to ride the bike because of injury or damage to the bike, other than that as you say take your time and enjoy it while you can. I am also 66 with the same bike, I'm hoping I've got a few more years yet.
Great video and superb riding skills. Could there be much weight lost from the bike by removing things or changing them for lighter options? Cheers, Michael.
I am just over 70 and have just started biking again after giving it up 20 years ago. I bought a Meteor 350 earlier this year and was enjoying it on the road but we have a lot of tracks over the mountains here in the south of Spain so I bought a second hand Himalayan 411 it is actually much better for riding with my group on the road. I have done a bit off road with the Himi but last time I stalled the bike against a rock on a steep incline and it took me over half an hour to get the bike back up on its wheels by stacking up rocks under each end until it was high enough for me to lift it. I wont be riding off road solo again. Luckily I had water with me but it was 37c ,middle of the afternoon and I was sweating so much my boots were wet inside.
I am 65, and recently I joined Armidale Adventure Riders Group here in OZ. The group have 750 members and 150 are active riders. As it had been a while since I was last offroad, they took me under their wing, and gave me a weekend to brush up my old skills riding off road. It has been a godsend, with my new 411cc. We have skatey granite roads here in this area, and it is bloody dangerous to ride on, if you are not used to it. But I am gradually getting my skills back, with their help. I don't think age comes into it, un less you are severely arthritic, or not very fit. I have a PT at the gym, and attend the gym twice a week to keep my strength up, without this, I doubt if I could ride very far at all.
Yup, can deffo see you've ridden to a decent standard off road, the way you move your body around on the quicker stuff is a dead give away 👍🏼 There are a lot of wannabes out there, not so many done itabees 😉
These roads would be national highways in parts of Nepal. When we did The Mid Hills Highway, Madhya Pahari Lok Marg, last year, there was everything from Japanese made black top, to bit with more potholes than road, and big sections where landslides had taken out the whole hillside. So we got it all. Maybe I should try a Himi on the next trip, but I'm still keen on the Bullet.
I rode till 68 although had to quit due to non-associated family issues. That said, I took a tumble my last year and survived well. Stay in shape, keep your weight down and eat right. Drink plenty of water, keep your riding skills sharp and don't ride beyond your capabilities. Wear the correct gear and have fun if you're up to it.
Hi Ian. Searching through the Himalayan 411 fora I found a post for a direct replacement on the front brake caliper with a out of the box perfect match brembo higher quality brake caliper. I searched and indeed it's a direct replacement, a brembo caliper from older xt660/ gilera gp800(left). So I ebayed one for 50$ from Italy and man does it make a big difference. 28*28mm piston instead of 26 OEM, and a decent bite and stopping power. I can send you the exact part number of you want. Do you have a fb/insta account? I can send you pics as well.
Brilliant. I am 62 just retired from enduro competition looking forward to getting a himalayan. Thanks for taking the himalayan off road
Great video Ian! You've inspired me to off road my Himalayan more👍 Not done any since competing in Trials years ago, enjoy mate! 😎
Give it a go. You will enjoy it👍
Nice one Ian, apart from the weight these bikes are just like the old Japanese trail bikes of a similar size, looks like you had great fun👍
Very true!
Looks like brilliant fun.Beautiful countryside.Good deals on Himalayans at the moment-very tempting.😊
It was!
Fantastic, love it all 😊
Thanks
Great video !!! atb
Thanks 👍
Well done, good to get out of your comfort zone :))
Always!
You 'lightweight'... I'm 77...have a hima, live rural…ride s**t roads all the time…also just got a Speed 400...loving it...have a nice day, ride safe.
Well done Ian, saw mts Ian there with the camera, what a team, love it thanks for the effort, not asking about the aches the following days, good to see, thanks again both
Years of experince on show there💥
Too many to count. Nine seasons of riding the British championship Enduro
For 66 you do just fine. You're not too old yet.
I'm suprised Sue cleared you to do that.
If you really must go off road at your (our) age, you should be playing around on a 125/200.
Stay safe and upright.
I'm a physician. The best advice I can give you is that, if your joints are good, and you have adequate leg and upper body strength, age is not really an issue. Get your vision checked, use strength exercises (weights, calisthenics/resistance) flexibility exercises, and stay on your bike.
Just got around to subscribing although I've been watching your stuff for a while, and very good it is too. I live in County Durham, am in my 60s and often take myself off into the wilds of Weardale, etc, park up and do a bit of walking. A couple of years ago, I'd done just that, and when I got back a chap had pulled up on his Himmie. We got to chatting and it turned out his wife had bought it for him for his birthday. He was 82. She's what you call a keeper! All the best, Mate.
Still getting it done.👍
Hi Ian I have the same bike same colour yes they are a little obese. hard to pop the front wheel over an obstacle if needed.
The power is like getting pulled along by a big rubber band. Cheers Les Sunshine coast Queensland
Great riding Ian. Interesting how the helmet cam shows the level of work and thought the rider puts in whereas the 'roadside' cam makes it look easy. A good test for your bash plate here too, which is inevitable with this type of riding. Thank you for the great tips here too.
The only thing to be concerned about is if you are on your own and you get hurt and are unable to ride the bike because of injury or damage to the bike, other than that as you say take your time and enjoy it while you can. I am also 66 with the same bike, I'm hoping I've got a few more years yet.
Great video and superb riding skills. Could there be much weight lost from the bike by removing things or changing them for lighter options? Cheers, Michael.
Yes, absolutely
I've heard stories about two story outhouses but never saw a three story till this video
It was originally part of the old hydro electric plant. That was a distribution tower back in it's day😂
What a nice off-road area, wish i was there, and your riding was good👍
I am just over 70 and have just started biking again after giving it up 20 years ago. I bought a Meteor 350 earlier this year and was enjoying it on the road but we have a lot of tracks over the mountains here in the south of Spain so I bought a second hand Himalayan 411 it is actually much better for riding with my group on the road. I have done a bit off road with the Himi but last time I stalled the bike against a rock on a steep incline and it took me over half an hour to get the bike back up on its wheels by stacking up rocks under each end until it was high enough for me to lift it. I wont be riding off road solo again. Luckily I had water with me but it was 37c ,middle of the afternoon and I was sweating so much my boots were wet inside.
Know how you felt. Stay safe and keep the shiny side up as they say
I am 65, and recently I joined Armidale Adventure Riders Group here in OZ. The group have 750 members and 150 are active riders. As it had been a while since I was last offroad, they took me under their wing, and gave me a weekend to brush up my old skills riding off road.
It has been a godsend, with my new 411cc. We have skatey granite roads here in this area, and it is bloody dangerous to ride on, if you are not used to it. But I am gradually getting my skills back, with their help.
I don't think age comes into it, un less you are severely arthritic, or not very fit. I have a PT at the gym, and attend the gym twice a week to keep my strength up, without this, I doubt if I could ride very far at all.
Yup, can deffo see you've ridden to a decent standard off road, the way you move your body around on the quicker stuff is a dead give away 👍🏼
There are a lot of wannabes out there, not so many done itabees 😉
Thanks. It takes a bit more doing these days though
I hope not cause I'm 88 and riding one, plus a Bonneville1200, a RE Classic 350 and a Yamaha XT250 plus I'm still flying my tricycle gear Bush Plane.
Long may you continue
These roads would be national highways in parts of Nepal. When we did The Mid Hills Highway, Madhya Pahari Lok Marg, last year, there was everything from Japanese made black top, to bit with more potholes than road, and big sections where landslides had taken out the whole hillside. So we got it all. Maybe I should try a Himi on the next trip, but I'm still keen on the Bullet.
I certainly hope not! I'm 67 and off-roading on my Himalayan AND my Africa Twin! As long as my knees hold up I'm good to go!!!😂😂😂
Good on you. Keep it up
If it was’nt for all the huffing and panting I would have thought it was just easy
It would have been easy 30 years ago lol
I rode till 68 although had to quit due to non-associated family issues. That said, I took a tumble my last year and survived well. Stay in shape, keep your weight down and eat right. Drink plenty of water, keep your riding skills sharp and don't ride beyond your capabilities. Wear the correct gear and have fun if you're up to it.
Well said especially about not riding beyond your capabilities.
Its my wife that stops me enjoying my self , she worries so much she has taken all the pleasure out of it, I’m only bloody 75 FFS.
That not old 😂
Well done indeed on that 411. As a solely road rider, who is also getting on in years now, why not keep going at it as you are doing so well?
Standing up , sorry not for me that’s why you have tar macadam and a seat lol. At least you enjoyed yourself .
He did at the time lol
Nah 😂
Hi Ian. Searching through the Himalayan 411 fora I found a post for a direct replacement on the front brake caliper with a out of the box perfect match brembo higher quality brake caliper. I searched and indeed it's a direct replacement, a brembo caliper from older xt660/ gilera gp800(left). So I ebayed one for 50$ from Italy and man does it make a big difference. 28*28mm piston instead of 26 OEM, and a decent bite and stopping power. I can send you the exact part number of you want. Do you have a fb/insta account? I can send you pics as well.
My FB page is facebook.com/oldschooladvrider