For anyone who comments about the electronic ignition having nothing to do with the fuel injection. I am aware I mixed up my words, I meant to say ‘and no carbs’ not ‘so no carbs’. Sorry for the confusion guys! Haha
My Himalayan is the 9th motorcycle I've owned, and by far my favorite. It's steady, sturdy, comfortable and capable. I ride it in town and on gravel/dirt/mud trails up at the farm. I've taken it on the highway, but a sustained 70 mph is asking a bit much. It'll comfortably go 60 mph all day long.
Great Review, guys! In my opinion, the himalayan is what you really can call an "adventure bike". It is cheap, it is light, it is focussed on the essential aspects. It has got all you need for a ride onroad and offroad. It is not a bike for posers, nothing to impress the neighbours or the girls in the city....nothing to compensate a small and short prick. I really like the royal enfield bikes
@Fat Freddy that's a matter of opinion. For a competition bike it would be of course too heavy, but for an adventure/ touring bike is everything with less than 200 Kg absolutely lightweight (for me). My own motorcycles are all much heavier; the "tiny" one has 265Kg; the heaviest 370 Kg.
Good review! At present I'm watching Itchy Boots' 274 videos, and she's done 2 large trips with the Himalayan. Now, I'm 67, and after an interval of 38 years (!) I started riding again, and when looking for a bike , I ran into a Honda CBF600SA from 2010, that I could obtain for only 2400 $. Now, I can't fault the bike in any major way (handling/power/braking) but it DOES lack in one regard: it doesn't have a character...It's like an electric motor, the torque is there, but it grows so linear, more like a car. With the Himalayan you look forward, and see a nice & simple instrument before you, with that Honda it's more like a dashboard of a car... Granted, the RE doesn't have much hp, but my days of fast driving & cornering have long gone... Besides, there's a 462cc cylinder upgrade & with a powertronic unit available for this RE, that does a great job in giving more torque, as well as a slight hp increase. That's where my question comes in: 8 out of 10 times I'll ride with my wife, and how is that (power-wise), when accelerating & braking with a passenger? Must add, both of us are no heavy weights (combined about 135kg's)...Could you (maybe) do a short review of this bike with a passenger?
markus barth I said it’s not ideal for that. You could do 1000 miles on a unicycle if you wanted, but that wouldn’t make it ideal for it. And have you seen the rubbish roads in the UK? Plus we have very few trails and if you do find one; some git will moan at you.
@@markusbarth1 A guy road from Australia to the UK on a Honda Cub I agree with D.O you can do anything on a bike except perhaps off roading on a sports bike. I think he was looking at mr average. Who does the odd journey or 2 week holiday.
@@Lee-70ish I rode 5000 km on the Himalayan fro Spain to Germany and back and made a couple of more long distance trips. This bike is built for travelling. Unfortunately many people just go on motorways and think this is travelling. In this case you are right, this bike wouldn't be for you.
So. Been thinking about the Himalayan as a 1 bike does all. I have a commute from Nottingham to Leicester which used to be on the train, but i don't fancy that viral tube anymore so two wheels it is. I collect my Himalayan tomorrow. Watch out for me haring through the Charnwood hills! This was a really useful video in helping make the decision.
It's been fun. Went bimbling about the Amber Valley last Sunday in the sun then commuted to Leicester in the week. Took on the A60 in rain at night which was OK. Lights are good. It's really smooth ride. It just smoothes its way through bad road. It has a huge grin factor on small lanes. It hawls you up hill no problem. Basically, after 10days I am really happy.
@@PixelLife101 Flying through the Charnwood Hills in the dark with gusting winds at 40mph was quite exciting. some movement but i mainly felt the wind on my body. the bike was largely unperturbed. The weight is low down so it has a lovely balance and stability to it.
I love the look of this bike, nearly bought one last year, went for a BMW 650GS in the end, more power and torque, better build quality, 24 hp does not do it for me.Now if they brought out a 40 hp version that could cruise at 70mph then that would be a different story.
Himalayan is updated in 2020. Updates include switchable ABS, hazard light switch, white lit instrument console and new colour schemes. I think its a welcome update but we still need that 650 cc engine of interceptor on this bike.
Sounds like very modest changes. Was really hoping for the engine upgrade. 400cc may be enough for trails and dirt roads, but on a highway we need more power for passing.
the_Luk Thanks my friend! We have done some deals with other manufacturers and are reviewing some amazing bikes! We are still doing Harleys too of course!
Something to remember on things like windscreen. The bike is designed for south asia and Himalayan countries where the average height is 5'5. I am short American living in India and can comfortably do a 600 to 300km a day in a mixture of very rough and muddy roads to black top with no problem.
Cory Chartier Yes that makes sense about the screen. Also for the rides you describe the bike is perfect. My comment about long journeys (thinking about the UK) is apt because we dont have trails, just motorways for the journey I described.
Hi I have been ridden this bike for one years and have Been riding both the off and on road, anyways it’s so called Himalayan and fits right rights into Himalayas Love from Bhutan 👍👍👍
I have just ordered a new 2021 Himalayan. Being 54yrs young, I stopped having fun on the big capacity bikes, it's time to hit Spain again on the 'B' roads for once, village hotels and meet the locals in the bar :) also i can hit the green lanes in the lake district where i live, but i am firstly buying one for the sedate fun riding and actually seeing the scenery from no motorways :D in 2 weeks time it will be more smiles per mile :) brill vid and new sub :D
Good review and nice to see some positivity. I see a fair number of negative reviews - people seem to forget this is a lot of bike for the money. Thanks for mentioning what it's like for taller riders as well. Good effort.
Having ridden one nearly a year on roads only as a commuter I would say it's a nice bike to ride, comfortable relaxing, easy to ride. Achilles heal I have found is the build quality. Less than 6,000 miles have left me with a blown gasket and link from shifter to the gearbox. It's a shame as without this I could just completely enjoy the machine. It has an automatic speed limiter to stop you losing your licence on 70mph roads, it won't really do 80 comfortably, which I wanted so appreciate. I think 6th gear would be nice but that's because most of my travel is at 70mph so it would be cheaper to run and smoother. Acceleration is great on the 0 to part, runs out of pull at 30 or so and there are a number of cars with better 0 to 60.
Tony Brenton Thanks for your insight Tony! I think the opinions about its suitability for long motorway hauls are relative to what other bikes one has experienced. My Harley-Davidson cruiser sits at about 2500 rpm at 70mph, bearly tickover, so the RE is screaming at the same speed. Perfect for everything else though
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I wanted something lower powered so accepted the revs would be higher, around 5,000 rpm at 70. Closest to HD I had was a Buell, lots of fun, not as easy on keeping the licence though.
Hello there I am Ujjwal pradhan from Sikkim a small Himalayan state in the North Easte India and I am a royal Enfield Himalayan rider since 2017 and have ridden about 17000 km on it in the Himalayan ranges across Nepal ,Bhutan and India and it is amazing bike it has taken me to breath taking places with a view and never let me down ,much love for the Royal Enfield Himalayan all around the world ❤️ #royalenfield #himalayan
"... it's not designed for long journeys like that [south of England to Scotland]" Haven't you seen Itchy Boots' channel? Her trip from India to the Netherlands, and now from Argentina to Alaska, has demonstrated to more than a few that the Himalayan is indeed an ideal bike for a long haul. Although I have had large displacement bikes of various kinds, I am increasingly inclined toward think that she is right, and I now find that smaller, lighter bikes, especially for long travel, are ideal. I love speed as much as anyone, but one must wonder why we are in such a rush to get someplace. Cheers.
MinnJohn I’m not saying you can’t, but it wouldn’t be ideal. At 70mph its revving very high, whereas my Harley is at about 2750 rpm. Some people walk from lands end to john’o’groats but it would be easier in a Porshe
@@MrDarcy-OlMan If you want to rush over the motorway from one point to another, you are right, but this is not what I'd call a journey. On normal roads you'd go +- 60 mph and at this speed the Himalayan performes really well. My longest trip so far was around 1000 kilometers and the bike did really well.
Outdoors Bushman Thanks my friend! My point about it’s suitability for riding long journeys was from a UK perspective. Our roads are overcrowded, congested, wet, and dangerous. We have virtually no trails and I completely agree that in a warmer, less congested country, longer journeys would be fine.
Nice to hear it being called a Trial bike, when did trailie's become "adventure bikes" ,reminds me of a mis spent youth on my old xl125 blasting round the fields in the 80's. I like your reviews good to have opinions from different age groups 👍
Funny the way the Himalayan stimulates people to comment. I have one as a second bike and it makes me smile when I ride it and even when I walk past it in the garage. It's not a great bike but it is just so honest, if you get my drift.....
johnston stewart Yes I agree. When we were filming, people were interested. The next bike we’re testing will be a good comparison. Thanks for your support! 👊🏼
I have had this bike from last two years.. and have ridden about 19000 Kms. There is only one major issue with this bike that is it's cone set gets play in it after every 5000 Kms and the bearings in the cone set also gets rusted quite easily during the rainy season... One just need to find a way to permanently fix these two problems, it'll be considered among the top 10 light weight adventure motorcycles in the world. It's a value for money proposition 🙂
What a beautiful place to live and explore! Thanks for such a thorough review. I am new to riding and would absolutely love to try one of these bikes! Ride safe!
Nice Video Buddy, I live in a country where fixing a flat tire is a pain and highways have high speed.... Through you, I would like to request RE to please put the sixth gear and tubeless tires in Himalayan and Interceptor .......
you know what else is a pain? dinging the rim and losing all your air pressure without a way to patch it. himi does ok at 120, 130 is ok-ish. not really a highway bike but it'll do it.
I think what many overlook on this bike is a really simple thing that pretty much defines motorcycling... bikes are for fun, for the style or for crazy performance, the freedom, the elements or summed up - for their character and the RE Himalayan has a really strong one. No one NEEDS a bike, we just WANT them! If you look at adv bikes they're all these mantis-looking, high reving plastic chunks you need space engineers to keep running. There is barely any difference between a modern Honda, BMW, Suzuki, Ktm and such, of course they all have their specialities, but in the end they ride and look the same... and suddenly RE plops a bike with an new yet elderly character into the market, that fully represents the old styling and simple but fairly underpowered and cheap tech of the brand. It feels like all brands build on the exact same frame while RE was like "Nah, we are ACTUALLY going to do our own brand's thing when we try to reach customers we couldn't reach before" and I love it! My current bike, a Honda CMX500 Rebel, also has a unique character but now I need a bike that is even cheaper to maintain and make long travels, camping and dirt roads more comfortable and (in my opinion) doesn't looks like a weird kind of insect - BOOM! RE releases the Himalayan! Just perfect for me, can't wait to get my hands on it after multiple test rides :)
I like the simple little things like a split link chain which you can take off easily, clean, lube and pop it back on without having to use a chain breaker and a new solid link. It doesn’t have a ton of plastic to remove to get at the head bearings and those front tank protection bars are ideal for hanging the bike up when changing the fork oil. (Garage rafter and a tie down strap). But......(it was always coming)..... I still don’t know why I hesitate when it comes to actually purchasing one. I ride a 1000cc Honda which to be fair hasn’t been overly reliable. But I do see a fair few of these second hand for sale and it makes me ask why when I’m unsure about letting a 14 year old Honda go. I would probably miss the power. Not the top speed but the low down grunt when I’m two up and loaded with luggage and need to go. I don’t have to drop a gear on my CBF but I imagine with this I would have to drop maybe two and it still wouldn’t pull as I like. I am comparing apples with oranges mind. I used to ride 6hp Vespas and I loved them. Maybe it’s a state of mind.
I had forgotten about this review! I had already seen it, but watched again to refresh my memory (and like/comment for the algorithm) before watching the new (2022) review. Funny that my comment on the Classic 350 video mirrors a lot of what you said about the Himy here. I don't think it's a coincidence that so many reviews of it reach the same conclusions though. Now off to watch the new review!
Interesting review. Great that RoyalEnfield are getting bikes back to where they’re meant to be. You only need a the big bikes for highways and taking pillions. I like the Honda CB500X which is a great value all rounder, even for the experienced rider...
It's the perfect Enduro / Dual Sport just gotta google the closest Dealer to me. My last one was a DR-650 Suzuki & had no close Dealerships. Honda / Yamaha Dealer is closest to us & Harley stopped making Enduros ages ago. We're in South East Morris County New Jersey USA. The $4000 price is the best part.
Mahwah NJ is the nearest Royal dealer to us kinda far@@MrDarcy-OlMan . NJ has the most people per square mile / kilometer in the states around 8.5 million residents. Many potential customers here. Mahwah is way North NJ so don't miss out on central NJ & South NJ. West side of all regions here are least populated. Used to go to a Triumph, Suzuki, Ducati & Norton dealership all in one dealership location in West Morris County but they closed down. Hanover Powersports in East Hanover is closest to us in East Hanover NJ with Honda, Yamaha & KTMs . Get in there Royal Enfield !!!
Joseph W yeah we’ve seen her vids, we only say it wouldn’t be suitable for England to Scotland because it is predominantly motorways and the Himalayan revs rather high at 70mph, she did say this herself in her review of it.
Great video fellas! Considering purchasing one of these but wanted to hear an opinion that didn't throw on extra mayo. Keep up the videos and good luck reaching your goal!
@@MrDarcy-OlMan regulations are debatable as not all mad. 20% vat or purchase tax on vehicles that can replace gas guzzling cars is crazy. Not just motorbikes but bicycles are taxed the same as twats going to Tesco in massive pointless pickup trucks. There is even vat on a bag of chips, the food of the poorest and homeless. Shitty system.
I've owned two of these motorcycles. 2017 model (carb) and 2020 model fuel injected. The screen is superb and works very well-not too big & not too small. He really does deflect the wind when you're getting along at speed in a normal riding posture. I think the reviewer is referring to a small fly screen like the one's Dart makes, suggesting you need to bend down & lay on the tank. This is total nonsense. The factory screen works very well as is, no change required, unless you're a very tall rider. If you are then you'd likely find the seat height on the Himalayan too low at 805 mm.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan How tall? I'm 6'2" and find its good, wind just hits the top of the helmet and the bike fits me just fine. Knees fit the tank indents perfectly.
I’m 5’7” and for me the screen is terrible with wind roar and buffering. A friend who’s 6’ had the same problem. He cut his screen down to the frosted bit. I just threw mine away. Other than that the Himalayan is a good little machine.
@@Rick-ve5lx put it back on. Wait till you have ridden in the rain with it off and filled the dash plug with water....ask how I found that expensive mistake out, I find the screen fine in the upper position, but not the best in the lower hole
I just discovered your channel. I really like your review, I would certainly like that bike I think. I’ve got a Road King which I love and a 1972 HondaCL350 to put around on, but this would sure be nice
An easy going relaxing bike not tall,enough performance on mountain,off roading well it had rounded the world from the Himalayan mountain across Soutb America, Africa,America to Alaska,Asia, Central Asia and at an affordable price where every one can ride on it.
Hey guys - just wanted to let you know I got myself a Himalayan, in large part thanks to this review. I'm really enjoying it although I had a bit of a bad start, the dealership provided it with a run down battery that then died on me on my 2nd road trip.....they took it back looked and said there was a bad fuse so battery was not charging at all from the engine. Despite this slightly scary start I've had it back for a few days and am riding with more confidence and really enjoying it. Kind of mad to me they want you not to go above 37.5mph during the run in period though!
Thanks. I’m 6’7” so I don’t think it would be too small for me from your images of you on it. Might add some padding to the saddle to reduce that set position. You are the only person I have seen that thought that the front brake is strong. Everyone else says it is adequate only. I like cheap and simple. You could get the whole set up including luggage for far less than anything else, and have money left to go travelling.
Mark Bright We would advise seeing if you can get a flat seat without the stepup because that is incredibly restrictive. Otherwise it’s certainly a nice simple, easy to get on with motorcycle
Rare to see a tall rider. My husband is 6 3, he loves his. The screen is a tad low but servicable. Pirelli MT60, as supplied, are better all round tires.. as far as not travelling fast for long distances, tell that to the cowboy that did Seattle to Alaska at 70+mph! It's an all around fun bike, and cool looking too. 😍
Nice, I wold like to have one.Ive got a M G Stelvio 1200 NTX and it is big and havy,so for going the TET, this bike is a lot more suteble. TET is the trans Europeen Trai. I like you`re video.Thanks for shering. (Geir ,from Norway)
I ride since 1981, did approx 750.000 km, mostly tours, including Sahara and had several bikes. After relyability for me the most important thing is weight, especially on journeys; looking back, my most beloved bike is Honda XL 600 R, which I drove 130.000 km without any damage except some rear bulbs (none of the indicators!) and, of course, the usual spare parts. For long journeys and trips, the bike should provide, this is my experience, 35-40 horse power minimum - more than 50 is not necessary - to enable a fluid style of driving; with luggage and sometimes on ascending roads it is a factor of security because it shortens the overtake. Having said that to justify my opinion, I think maybe this bike has too much weight. My first one, a Yamaha XJ 650 had 196 kg, but with 4 cylinders, 72 hp and kardan instead of a chain. My XL provided 44 hp and 142 kg, which was perfect. In Turkey, I crossed a river in a rowing boat because the bridge was broken, and some days later I manoeuvred my XL into my ground-floor-room just beside the bed (comfortable position to do some maintainance), because the room lessor recommended it to avoid theft. Nevertheless of course a really good bike I guess, but I would have given it an engine just as the new Fantic Caballero 450 has and lower the weight to under 160 kg.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Hi and greetings to GB whichI visited several times, too, on bike.Yes, modern bikes astonishingly are very heavy compared to those in the 80's or 90's. Improved technology and better materials should have led to the contrary - lighter bikes compared to same size / issue / power. It is also absolutely crazy that there is not a single bike out there which comes close to my XL 600 R on the factors power and weighth. They have a 250 cc with 23 hp (Honda, too). If you'd force me to choose - a light one with 25 hp or a heavy one with 45 hp for long journeys - I'll take the light one. This costs hours and tears during long boring distances and makes you eat dust and dirt behind lorries you can't overtake, but overall on long tours average speed is around 60 km/h or even less and not 100 or more.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I have to specify: The last sentence in my first post ("Nevertheless...") means the Himalayan, not my XL, which was perfect. The engine went to Japan (130.000 km with 1 piston and all other parts unchanged) for examination, and I guess, this helped developing the oncoming 650 Dominator.
Cives Romanus what do you think of the ‘scooped’ seat on a lot of these kinds of bikes? I hate the fixed position it forces you to ride in. Totally wrong for off road rides
Love the bike. Looks good. Cheap parts. Easy maintenance. I rode sections of the Trans America trail, mountains Colorado, rough canyons of Utah, long stretches of deserts in Nevada it performed flawlessly. Engine sounds great, the little Himi just chugs along like a burro. The best part it’s fun to ride and comfortable long rides, compared to my Yamaha wr250r. 🍻
Good all round review well done guys. Subbed you. I would buy a Himalayan but no more room in my garage (F850GS/Ducati SSS) but deffo one for the future. Ride safe & stay safe everyone 😷
I very much enjoyed your review and agreed with everything you had to say. I have a Himalayan in India and have ridden in the Himalayas with it and I consider it the perfect bike for that terrain. The Spitti Valley was absolutely the worst 'road' I've ever ridden, worse than Ladakh. The Himalayan managed the ride with elegance. The only thing that broke was that guard they have in India, by law, to stop women's garbs from tangling in the rear wheel. I threw it away.
Thanks Keith. I would agree with you about the trail riding suitability of the bike in the Himalayas. I wondered what the guard was for on Indian bikes I’ve seen. 👍
Sorry about the late response. Didn't see your message. Anyway, the guard - I believe it to be a legal requirement here. It's on the left side of the bike. When riding pillion, Indian women almost always ride side-saddle. The guard prevents their garments from getting tangled in the rear wheel. It seems ridiculous having such a guard on an adventure bike. Can't imagine riding in the Himalayas with a female pillion riding side-saddle. 😏
Keith Popplewell Thanks Keith! Very interesting. I doubt the guard does much to stop loose clothes getting caught but I guess it depends what the lady is wearing.
Up here, in northern India, they wear what they call suits, which comprise baggy trousers, baggy smocks and long scarves. By the way, I don't live here. I'm stuck in India due to this bloody Corona crap. I keep a Himalayan and a Thunderbird here. I came to motorcycle in March and got stuck. ☹️. Should've flown home on 8th April.
Neesay Y I know it would, but England to Scotland is just motorways and no trails, so unless you’re happy to take a few days and stop off here and there, Id say there are other bikes better suited to such a journey
Great review - thoughtful, thorough and answered some questions I had about the bike. Definitely seems up my alley for some simple country/trail riding, but still able to do the city life in relative comfort...the equivalent of some SUVs...although much cheaper!
It looks as though the upper front fender is there to direct air downward towards the front of the cylinder... a mudflap on the lower front fender would help in keeping the water off your feet.
Actually the front fender can be the main mudflap if you intend to do offroading. In this case you remove the lower mudflap so that mud doesn't buildup between the flap and the tyre, once you are done you wash the tyre and bolt the mudflap back on for general road use.
It's a really cool looking bike looks very much capable I bought a TW200 and basically did everything I could to make it adventure worthy minus the highways and interstate travel 😂
Hi , informative video, I’m going to ride around the coast of Great Britain in July for a month covering anywhere between 50 to 200 per day, the roads will be b and c and unclassified country lanes with the occasional A rd if I absolutely have to. This bike looks like it’ll be ideal but I’m a bit concerned that you commented that because of the front mud guard your legs would get soaked if it were raining ? I don’t mine getting wet but I’m not keen that the front mud guard would not be adequate? I’ve seen a used Himalayan from a local dealer which I am keen to get as it has panniers fitted but I’m a bit concerned about your comment ? Can you explain please. Thanks in advance Andrew
thanks Mark. It's a good bike for sure. We'd call it a slow-pace on/off road bike, and good for general riding and great for commuting. It's no enduro bike nor is it a long-distance bike, despite the Itch B**ts fanatics insistance that it is.
SmartY Yone I say it is not for long motorway rides as the bike will be sitting at high revs. Itchy boots is travelling using mainly trials which is something we don’t have much of in the uk, people seem to be getting the wrong end of the stick...
thanks to you two, i am a French biker 34 years that i ride a motocycle and i really like this bike i like you vidéo it is simple cool good job.....take care of yourself because of this fucking virus....Hi...
GS vintage is an ecologist point of view with drone and géographic travel. I love your picture because it's an: All day use review, motorcyclist test for all motorcyclist. I think , himalayan , is a well born bike. Good handling, good engine, like the old UK big single with modern technology. About tyres , have you riding with other than Pirelli ? 10 000 KM should be the maximun for the rear tyre ? Thanks for your beautiful celtic country and the sheep. Congratulation from France. Didier MOREL
@@carolfranks6551 Hello Carol, I love Peltier, french country, but I also like the only "vintage" story and sound of a flat twin or big single in celtic garden because I am a little britany's man . Peltier is the south french man , I love is job too. May the force be with you. Sorry for my Frogglish .Didier
Thanks for this guys I’ve a speed twin and hate getting it covered in crap ..... I think it might be a second bike for riding in crap .... regards fred
@@DraganBakema , Tja, in NL weet ik het niet, heb het gezien hier op YT , heel de uitlaat eraf en ook dat witte beschermplaatje, ze deden al die onderdelen zandstralen , en daarna mooi ceramic zwart spuiten., geen vieze hitte plekken meer te zien.
@@moodyfan4ever ja ik heb dat dus ook op TH-cam gezien die jongen die van Seattle naar Alaska reed en onderweg zijn uitlaat ceramisch liet spuiten. Maar goed ik wil deze motor in maart gaan rijden en vroeg mij af of jij wellicht wist waar je dat in Nederland kan laten doen.
Good to know about the vibration issue at 60mph and above....most other reviewers of this bike either downplay that or don't mention it at all. As for Itchy boots..I don't think she ever pushes her bike that hard for extended periods. I find your backing sound track a bit annoying ..ditch the hipster millennial-snap beatbox and find something less distracting..just my opinion..
Yes anyone whos a fan of Ms Itchy is a bit blinkered. It’s a great bike and what we said in the video is true. It’s not great for extended periods above 60mph bit great on farm trails or B roads. We’re limiting music to some or none, depending on the video. Check out our latest upload! No music 👊🏼
there is no vibration issue, compared to my dr650 the himalayan is smooth as sand. slight vibrations above 75 but once again nothing compared to any other bike. people who complain about the vibes need to try a 690 or a dr650, those are vibey bikes.
Enjoyed your video as I have a Himalayan myself down here in New Zealand. You said you may not want to ride to Scotland yet Noraly from Holland ( Itchyboots on TH-cam) is riding one quite nicely from Patagonia to Alaska - they are good on long distances.
Glad you enjoyed the video, her journeys are predominantly on dirt tracks, as I said I don’t think it’s suitable for long motorway journeys as when the bike is doing 70mph it revs quite high, which itchy boots also said in her review of the bike.
Awesome review!! thank you so much... I cant wait to ride one.
julian mejia Thanks Julian! Don’t forget to subscribe for more! Definitely have a testride! 👊🏼
For anyone who comments about the electronic ignition having nothing to do with the fuel injection. I am aware I mixed up my words, I meant to say ‘and no carbs’ not ‘so no carbs’. Sorry for the confusion guys! Haha
My Himalayan is the 9th motorcycle I've owned, and by far my favorite. It's steady, sturdy, comfortable and capable. I ride it in town and on gravel/dirt/mud trails up at the farm. I've taken it on the highway, but a sustained 70 mph is asking a bit much. It'll comfortably go 60 mph all day long.
Mark Lowry Awesome. Pretty much sums up what I said in my review. Safe riding buddy 👊🏼
Great Review, guys!
In my opinion, the himalayan is what you really can call an "adventure bike". It is cheap, it is light, it is focussed on the essential aspects. It has got all you need for a ride onroad and offroad.
It is not a bike for posers, nothing to impress the neighbours or the girls in the city....nothing to compensate a small and short prick.
I really like the royal enfield bikes
Michi Schalusenbach Haha you have a way with words! 👊🏼 Yes it’s a thoroughly good bike!
@Fat Freddy that's a matter of opinion.
For a competition bike it would be of course too heavy, but for an adventure/ touring bike is everything with less than 200 Kg absolutely lightweight (for me). My own motorcycles are all much heavier; the "tiny" one has 265Kg; the heaviest 370 Kg.
“Itchy Boots” (check out her blog) who is riding around the world on this bike has me convinced that this is the perfect bike.
Don Riedel Thanks yes, we’ve seen it. I’d recommend a testride at your local dealership, it’s a nice ride
Good review! At present I'm watching Itchy Boots' 274 videos, and she's done 2 large trips with the Himalayan. Now, I'm 67, and after an
interval of 38 years (!) I started riding again, and when looking for a bike , I ran into a Honda CBF600SA from 2010, that I could obtain for
only 2400 $. Now, I can't fault the bike in any major way (handling/power/braking) but it DOES lack in one regard: it doesn't have
a character...It's like an electric motor, the torque is there, but it grows so linear, more like a car. With the Himalayan you look forward,
and see a nice & simple instrument before you, with that Honda it's more like a dashboard of a car... Granted, the RE doesn't have much hp,
but my days of fast driving & cornering have long gone... Besides, there's a 462cc cylinder upgrade & with a powertronic unit available
for this RE, that does a great job in giving more torque, as well as a slight hp increase. That's where my question comes in: 8 out of 10 times
I'll ride with my wife, and how is that (power-wise), when accelerating & braking with a passenger? Must add, both of us are no heavy
weights (combined about 135kg's)...Could you (maybe) do a short review of this bike with a passenger?
Thanks Ray. It’s fine with a passenger but as long as you don’t expect stump ripping torque. For exploring the back roads it would be fine.
Just use EBC sintered brake pads at front & rear, one can tour 2 up on Himalayan with panniers having combined weight upto 166 kgs.
Itchy Boots has made this bike popular for sure. Go Noraly!
Wade MacNutt She sure has!
In the review they mention that the bike is not apt for long distances - And there she goes tens of thousands of miles :D
markus barth I said it’s not ideal for that. You could do 1000 miles on a unicycle if you wanted, but that wouldn’t make it ideal for it. And have you seen the rubbish roads in the UK? Plus we have very few trails and if you do find one; some git will moan at you.
@@markusbarth1 A guy road from Australia to the UK on a Honda Cub
I agree with D.O you can do anything on a bike except perhaps off roading on a sports bike.
I think he was looking at mr average.
Who does the odd journey or 2 week holiday.
@@Lee-70ish I rode 5000 km on the Himalayan fro Spain to Germany and back and made a couple of more long distance trips. This bike is built for travelling. Unfortunately many people just go on motorways and think this is travelling. In this case you are right, this bike wouldn't be for you.
I was thinking about getting the ktm duke 390 until I saw Himalayan and my mind was instantly made what I want.i mean need
Great! When are you going to get it?
This is such a fabulous channel;
when I get my A license, i'm 98% sure I'll buy a Himalayan.
So. Been thinking about the Himalayan as a 1 bike does all. I have a commute from Nottingham to Leicester which used to be on the train, but i don't fancy that viral tube anymore so two wheels it is. I collect my Himalayan tomorrow. Watch out for me haring through the Charnwood hills! This was a really useful video in helping make the decision.
Ahh excellent choice! Totally agree with the avoidance of the Covid Express!
How has it been?
It's been fun. Went bimbling about the Amber Valley last Sunday in the sun then commuted to Leicester in the week. Took on the A60 in rain at night which was OK. Lights are good. It's really smooth ride. It just smoothes its way through bad road. It has a huge grin factor on small lanes. It hawls you up hill no problem. Basically, after 10days I am really happy.
@@daveweston5003 that’s good to hear!
@@PixelLife101 Flying through the Charnwood Hills in the dark with gusting winds at 40mph was quite exciting. some movement but i mainly felt the wind on my body. the bike was largely unperturbed. The weight is low down so it has a lovely balance and stability to it.
I pick my Himalayan up this afternoon! Should be the perfect bike for the Ecuadorian countryside.
Fantastic! My best friend from school lives in Ecuador (Vladimir Vargas Anda, son of Frank Vargas).
I love the look of this bike, nearly bought one last year, went for a BMW 650GS in the end, more power and torque, better build quality, 24 hp does not do it for me.Now if they brought out a 40 hp version that could cruise at 70mph then that would be a different story.
Mike Hurley Yes, the Himalayan is a gentle trail/road bike
@Gary Dodgson Mine is 2007, not made in china.
Gary Dodgson Seems to be quite a trend.
Himalayan is updated in 2020. Updates include switchable ABS, hazard light switch, white lit instrument console and new colour schemes. I think its a welcome update but we still need that 650 cc engine of interceptor on this bike.
Yes and hopefully we'll get to testride the new mode soon!
Sure sir!
Sounds like very modest changes. Was really hoping for the engine upgrade. 400cc may be enough for trails and dirt roads, but on a highway we need more power for passing.
like the fact that you are reviewing also other brands than harley. keep going =)
the_Luk Thanks my friend! We have done some deals with other manufacturers and are reviewing some amazing bikes! We are still doing Harleys too of course!
Something to remember on things like windscreen. The bike is designed for south asia and Himalayan countries where the average height is 5'5. I am short American living in India and can comfortably do a 600 to 300km a day in a mixture of very rough and muddy roads to black top with no problem.
Cory Chartier Yes that makes sense about the screen. Also for the rides you describe the bike is perfect. My comment about long journeys (thinking about the UK) is apt because we dont have trails, just motorways for the journey I described.
It's capable of a world tour, no problems. Itchy Boots.
Equaliser Sure is!
Hi I have been ridden this bike for one years and have Been riding both the off and on road, anyways it’s so called Himalayan and fits right rights into Himalayas Love from Bhutan 👍👍👍
Sounds like you love it! 👍👍
One other thing to add. If you check Itchy Boots, a young woman from Holland who's been riding around the world on a Himalayan. She loves it.
Thanks Keith, we did have a look 👊🏼
I have just ordered a new 2021 Himalayan. Being 54yrs young, I stopped having fun on the big capacity bikes, it's time to hit Spain again on the 'B' roads for once, village hotels and meet the locals in the bar :) also i can hit the green lanes in the lake district where i live, but i am firstly buying one for the sedate fun riding and actually seeing the scenery from no motorways :D
in 2 weeks time it will be more smiles per mile :)
brill vid and new sub :D
Excellent. Perfect use for it!
This seems like the best bike to go from Alaska to the southern most point on South America. One day I’ll be doing that.
Sounds like a good plan!
Good review and nice to see some positivity. I see a fair number of negative reviews - people seem to forget this is a lot of bike for the money. Thanks for mentioning what it's like for taller riders as well. Good effort.
Thanks Mike! We are planning on re-visiting the new Himalayan model soon
Having ridden one nearly a year on roads only as a commuter I would say it's a nice bike to ride, comfortable relaxing, easy to ride.
Achilles heal I have found is the build quality. Less than 6,000 miles have left me with a blown gasket and link from shifter to the gearbox. It's a shame as without this I could just completely enjoy the machine.
It has an automatic speed limiter to stop you losing your licence on 70mph roads, it won't really do 80 comfortably, which I wanted so appreciate.
I think 6th gear would be nice but that's because most of my travel is at 70mph so it would be cheaper to run and smoother.
Acceleration is great on the 0 to part, runs out of pull at 30 or so and there are a number of cars with better 0 to 60.
Tony Brenton Thanks for your insight Tony! I think the opinions about its suitability for long motorway hauls are relative to what other bikes one has experienced. My Harley-Davidson cruiser sits at about 2500 rpm at 70mph, bearly tickover, so the RE is screaming at the same speed. Perfect for everything else though
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I wanted something lower powered so accepted the revs would be higher, around 5,000 rpm at 70.
Closest to HD I had was a Buell, lots of fun, not as easy on keeping the licence though.
Tony Brenton Haha yes!
Subscribed after watching the first video, the review is very honest and the accent is beautiful. Very enjoyable and pleasant to watch.
贾小民 Thank you very much! Welcome! 💯
Great review. Here like most everyone else, because of Ms. Itchy Boots. You guys are cool. Well done, subbed!
JP Stone Thanks JP! We appreciate your support 👊🏼
Hello there I am Ujjwal pradhan from Sikkim a small Himalayan state in the North Easte India and I am a royal Enfield Himalayan rider since 2017 and have ridden about 17000 km on it in the Himalayan ranges across Nepal ,Bhutan and India and it is amazing bike it has taken me to breath taking places with a view and never let me down ,much love for the Royal Enfield Himalayan all around the world ❤️ #royalenfield #himalayan
Awesome!
"... it's not designed for long journeys like that [south of England to Scotland]" Haven't you seen Itchy Boots' channel? Her trip from India to the Netherlands, and now from Argentina to Alaska, has demonstrated to more than a few that the Himalayan is indeed an ideal bike for a long haul. Although I have had large displacement bikes of various kinds, I am increasingly inclined toward think that she is right, and I now find that smaller, lighter bikes, especially for long travel, are ideal. I love speed as much as anyone, but one must wonder why we are in such a rush to get someplace. Cheers.
MinnJohn I’m not saying you can’t, but it wouldn’t be ideal. At 70mph its revving very high, whereas my Harley is at about 2750 rpm. Some people walk from lands end to john’o’groats but it would be easier in a Porshe
@@MrDarcy-OlMan If you want to rush over the motorway from one point to another, you are right, but this is not what I'd call a journey. On normal roads you'd go +- 60 mph and at this speed the Himalayan performes really well. My longest trip so far was around 1000 kilometers and the bike did really well.
markus barth Great! Safe riding my friend.
Outdoors Bushman Good points! 👊🏼
Outdoors Bushman Thanks my friend! My point about it’s suitability for riding long journeys was from a UK perspective. Our roads are overcrowded, congested, wet, and dangerous. We have virtually no trails and I completely agree that in a warmer, less congested country, longer journeys would be fine.
Nice to hear it being called a Trial bike, when did trailie's become "adventure bikes" ,reminds me of a mis spent youth on my old xl125 blasting round the fields in the 80's.
I like your reviews good to have opinions from different age groups 👍
I had an XL125 too! I agree, with the 'adventure' bike thing too. Make sure to subscribe for more! Lot's coming after the lockdown.
Funny the way the Himalayan stimulates people to comment. I have one as a second bike and it makes me smile when I ride it and even when I walk past it in the garage. It's not a great bike but it is just so honest, if you get my drift.....
johnston stewart Yes I agree. When we were filming, people were interested. The next bike we’re testing will be a good comparison. Thanks for your support! 👊🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I wait for this. You both make very intelligent and reasonable statements. True bikers. Stay healthy in those days.
Cives Romanus Thanks bro 👊🏼
Simple, Direct, Honest, Personal touch review. Thank you so much. Subscribed. Cheers mate Well Done!!!!
Thanks Roshan. Have a look through our other videos too 👍🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Definitely I will Take care mate
Roshan Lewis 👍🏼👍🏼
I have had this bike from last two years.. and have ridden about 19000 Kms. There is only one major issue with this bike that is it's cone set gets play in it after every 5000 Kms and the bearings in the cone set also gets rusted quite easily during the rainy season... One just need to find a way to permanently fix these two problems, it'll be considered among the top 10 light weight adventure motorcycles in the world. It's a value for money proposition 🙂
simrat singh Thanks for your insight Simrat! 👍👍
I road one of these around the Himalayas this time 2 years ago. Epic fun and a great bike to ride as a beginner as i was.
Wow that’s great! Just what it’s built for
What a beautiful place to live and explore! Thanks for such a thorough review. I am new to riding and would absolutely love to try one of these bikes! Ride safe!
Jackie's Moto Garage Thanks Jackie! Good luck choosing the right bike. Make sure to subscribe because we’ve got some interesting bikes coming up!
I was given one of these as a demo when my bike was in the shop. Thought it was pretty neat
Well done review.
Yes it’s pretty good really. Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already 👊🏼
Nice Video Buddy, I live in a country where fixing a flat tire is a pain and highways have high speed.... Through you, I would like to request RE to please put the sixth gear and tubeless tires in Himalayan and Interceptor .......
Thanks my friend! Hopefully RE will take your comments onboard. 🤞
you know what else is a pain? dinging the rim and losing all your air pressure without a way to patch it. himi does ok at 120, 130 is ok-ish. not really a highway bike but it'll do it.
0xsergy yes true. Good point about the highway speeds but Itchy Person fans will have a hard time understanding that 👊🏼
I think what many overlook on this bike is a really simple thing that pretty much defines motorcycling...
bikes are for fun, for the style or for crazy performance, the freedom, the elements or summed up - for their character and the RE Himalayan has a really strong one. No one NEEDS a bike, we just WANT them!
If you look at adv bikes they're all these mantis-looking, high reving plastic chunks you need space engineers to keep running. There is barely any difference between a modern Honda, BMW, Suzuki, Ktm and such, of course they all have their specialities, but in the end they ride and look the same... and suddenly RE plops a bike with an new yet elderly character into the market, that fully represents the old styling and simple but fairly underpowered and cheap tech of the brand. It feels like all brands build on the exact same frame while RE was like "Nah, we are ACTUALLY going to do our own brand's thing when we try to reach customers we couldn't reach before" and I love it!
My current bike, a Honda CMX500 Rebel, also has a unique character but now I need a bike that is even cheaper to maintain and make long travels, camping and dirt roads more comfortable and (in my opinion) doesn't looks like a weird kind of insect - BOOM! RE releases the Himalayan! Just perfect for me, can't wait to get my hands on it after multiple test rides :)
You've hit the nail on the head! You are exactly what this bike is built for! Go for it - it's ideal.
I like the simple little things like a split link chain which you can take off easily, clean, lube and pop it back on without having to use a chain breaker and a new solid link. It doesn’t have a ton of plastic to remove to get at the head bearings and those front tank protection bars are ideal for hanging the bike up when changing the fork oil. (Garage rafter and a tie down strap).
But......(it was always coming).....
I still don’t know why I hesitate when it comes to actually purchasing one. I ride a 1000cc Honda which to be fair hasn’t been overly reliable. But I do see a fair few of these second hand for sale and it makes me ask why when I’m unsure about letting a 14 year old Honda go. I would probably miss the power. Not the top speed but the low down grunt when I’m two up and loaded with luggage and need to go. I don’t have to drop a gear on my CBF but I imagine with this I would have to drop maybe two and it still wouldn’t pull as I like.
I am comparing apples with oranges mind.
I used to ride 6hp Vespas and I loved them. Maybe it’s a state of mind.
Scooty Man Great points bro! 💯
Loved my Vespa PX 150. A fantastic scooter 60 mph all day, faster than most Harleys!
I had forgotten about this review! I had already seen it, but watched again to refresh my memory (and like/comment for the algorithm) before watching the new (2022) review. Funny that my comment on the Classic 350 video mirrors a lot of what you said about the Himy here. I don't think it's a coincidence that so many reviews of it reach the same conclusions though. Now off to watch the new review!
Thanks buddy. Yes there’s something very right about the Royal Enfields.
Great video, very informative, keep up the good work! You've sold me on one. Subscribed in Texas!!
Thank you! 🇬🇧🇺🇸
Interesting review. Great that RoyalEnfield are getting bikes back to where they’re meant to be. You only need a the big bikes for highways and taking pillions. I like the Honda CB500X which is a great value all rounder, even for the experienced rider...
Pete Sudhana Good points Pete! 👍
I plan on the cb500x also. I love the RE but highway speeds won’t cut it.
@@Spot_the_dog and 24bph isn't much. That's the same as the CRF250L.
Another great review fellas, I think you may have convinced the wife and I this will be our next bike!
Robert Blake Thats great! Will you both ride it?
@@MrDarcy-OlMan it'll mainly be for her. Although I'm sure I'll be allowed a go occasionally !
Robert Blake OK awesome 👊🏼
Thanks for the very recent review. Looking forward to getting my own soon.
Kane Slade That’s great! and thank you 👊🏼 We’re sure you’ll love it!
It's the perfect Enduro / Dual Sport just gotta google the closest Dealer to me. My last one was a DR-650 Suzuki & had no close Dealerships. Honda / Yamaha Dealer is closest to us & Harley stopped making Enduros ages ago. We're in South East Morris County New Jersey USA. The $4000 price is the best part.
James wallen Awesome! Hope you find one not too far away. 👊🏼
Mahwah NJ is the nearest Royal dealer to us kinda far@@MrDarcy-OlMan . NJ has the most people per square mile / kilometer in the states around 8.5 million residents. Many potential customers here. Mahwah is way North NJ so don't miss out on central NJ & South NJ. West side of all regions here are least populated. Used to go to a Triumph, Suzuki, Ducati & Norton dealership all in one dealership location in West Morris County but they closed down. Hanover Powersports in East Hanover is closest to us in East Hanover NJ with Honda, Yamaha & KTMs . Get in there Royal
Enfield !!!
James wallen Thats interesting! Thanks buddy
Check out 'Itchy boots' she is riding one around the world, so South of England to Scotland is no problem.
Joseph W yeah we’ve seen her vids, we only say it wouldn’t be suitable for England to Scotland because it is predominantly motorways and the Himalayan revs rather high at 70mph, she did say this herself in her review of it.
Nice vid guys, RE are doing very well in the market atm and are putting the other manufacturer to shame with their price points
Davy Mac Thanks! Yes they are getting things very right! Thanks for your support
Great video fellas! Considering purchasing one of these but wanted to hear an opinion that didn't throw on extra mayo.
Keep up the videos and good luck reaching your goal!
Thebigkev07 Thanks Big Kev! We tell it how it is. Nice bike. If it had a flat seat, it would be great!
Loved the review. The UK gets so screwed on prices. That bike $4300 dollars not pounds. That is crazy.
Available in 2500 dollars in india.
The UK government likes to get their cut. Plus we are over regulated.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan regulations are debatable as not all mad.
20% vat or purchase tax on vehicles that can replace gas guzzling cars is crazy. Not just motorbikes but bicycles are taxed the same as twats going to Tesco in massive pointless pickup trucks.
There is even vat on a bag of chips, the food of the poorest and homeless.
Shitty system.
julian shepherd yes the system is greedy and the spending by it is often extravagant and unnecessary
@@MrDarcy-OlMan they tax you and spend millions of the money on refugees from other countries in aid and housing.
Great review.. thanks! Looking forward to a test ride soon!
Great and thank you 👍🏼
I've owned two of these motorcycles. 2017 model (carb) and 2020 model fuel injected. The screen is superb and works very well-not too big & not too small. He really does deflect the wind when you're getting along at speed in a normal riding posture. I think the reviewer is referring to a small fly screen like the one's Dart makes, suggesting you need to bend down & lay on the tank. This is total nonsense. The factory screen works very well as is, no change required, unless you're a very tall rider. If you are then you'd likely find the seat height on the Himalayan too low at 805 mm.
The reviewer IS a very tall rider, hence the screen doesn’t work
@@MrDarcy-OlMan How tall? I'm 6'2" and find its good, wind just hits the top of the helmet and the bike fits me just fine. Knees fit the tank indents perfectly.
I’m 5’7” and for me the screen is terrible with wind roar and buffering. A friend who’s 6’ had the same problem. He cut his screen down to the frosted bit. I just threw mine away. Other than that the Himalayan is a good little machine.
@@Rick-ve5lx put it back on. Wait till you have ridden in the rain with it off and filled the dash plug with water....ask how I found that expensive mistake out, I find the screen fine in the upper position, but not the best in the lower hole
6’2” 👍🏼
Great review guys! Was keen on this bike anyway, now I just need to sort my licence 😬
tris7 Great! It’s well worth the money!
Great you replied to everyone
abhishek yadav we aim to reply to as many as possible!
I just discovered your channel. I really like your review, I would certainly like that bike I think.
I’ve got a Road King which I love and a 1972 HondaCL350 to put around on, but this would sure be nice
An easy going relaxing bike not tall,enough performance on mountain,off roading well it had rounded the world from the Himalayan mountain across Soutb America, Africa,America to Alaska,Asia, Central Asia and at an affordable price where every one can ride on it.
Yes that sums it up well.
Amazing bike, excellent review as usual!
Thanks very much. We will be reviewing the updated Himalayan again in a few weeks
You guys rock, this was an awesome review video!🤘🏾
Thanks bro! Have you checked out our other reviews? 👊🏼
Thank you very much, we enjoyed your reviews 😀
Really insightful review, thank you guys!!
matt nash thanks Matt! 👍
Hey guys - just wanted to let you know I got myself a Himalayan, in large part thanks to this review. I'm really enjoying it although I had a bit of a bad start, the dealership provided it with a run down battery that then died on me on my 2nd road trip.....they took it back looked and said there was a bad fuse so battery was not charging at all from the engine. Despite this slightly scary start I've had it back for a few days and am riding with more confidence and really enjoying it. Kind of mad to me they want you not to go above 37.5mph during the run in period though!
That’s great thank you! Shame about the battery issue and the run in speed. We’re sure you’ll be up and running at full speed soon 👍🏼
Thanks. I’m 6’7” so I don’t think it would be too small for me from your images of you on it. Might add some padding to the saddle to reduce that set position. You are the only person I have seen that thought that the front brake is strong. Everyone else says it is adequate only. I like cheap and simple. You could get the whole set up including luggage for far less than anything else, and have money left to go travelling.
Mark Bright We would advise seeing if you can get a flat seat without the stepup because that is incredibly restrictive. Otherwise it’s certainly a nice simple, easy to get on with motorcycle
Great video guys, very interesting review. Cheers
Tony Thanks buddy! We’ve got an interesting eclectic mix of bikes coming up! Harleys too.
Very impressed by this bike 👍 great review ATB 👍
Thanks bud! 👊🏼👊🏼
That really confused me. I thought the background looked familiar. I used to walk my dog up the hill to Neville holt every day 😂😂. Great Review.
Yes really pretty there. Thanks bro 👊🏼
nice review, hugs from brazil
Vitor San Yhanks my friend!
So many folks are buying these as a second bike so RE must got it just right.
Yes it’s nice and simple and not too pricey
very nice thorough review in an absolutely beautiful country environment
Thank you Constantin 👍
Rare to see a tall rider. My husband is 6 3, he loves his. The screen is a tad low but servicable. Pirelli MT60, as supplied, are better all round tires.. as far as not travelling fast for long distances, tell that to the cowboy that did Seattle to Alaska at 70+mph! It's an all around fun bike, and cool looking too. 😍
Carol Bucholtz Thanks Carol !
Many thx for honest review :)
Where is the beautiful countryside with the sheep in the background? Stunning!
Yhsnks bro! It’s filmed around the borders between Leicestershire and Rutland county, not far from Uppingham
Cheers, we in NZ and have some nice spots but yours compares with the best of anywhere. We really don't know how lucky we are :)
@@tonyblackie3277 thanks Tony!
Only for short distance rides? Someone needs to give Itchy Boots that memo.
It's not suited to long journeys on motorways. That's very different from riding trail routes across Africa.
You beat me to it!
It's definitely not only for short rides. I rode from Hoshiarpur in the Punjab to Kathmandu. Perfect bike for that long ride.
She has never been in Africa yet! 🤣
@@smartyyone2000 She does know. In a Honda Africa Twin lol
Awesome video sir.. really like simple sentences chosen to explain the over all bike details .. much appreciated 👍
Mohammed Irfan Thank you Mohammed! 💯
Nice, I wold like to have one.Ive got a M G Stelvio 1200 NTX and it is big and havy,so for going the TET, this bike is a lot more suteble.
TET is the trans Europeen Trai. I like you`re video.Thanks for shering. (Geir ,from Norway)
Geir Kristiansen Thanks for your support buddy! Yes, we don’t think heavy trail bikes are a good thing. The Himalayan isn’t too bad in that respect
I ride since 1981, did approx 750.000 km, mostly tours, including Sahara and had several bikes. After relyability for me the most important thing is weight, especially on journeys; looking back, my most beloved bike is Honda XL 600 R, which I drove 130.000 km without any damage except some rear bulbs (none of the indicators!) and, of course, the usual spare parts. For long journeys and trips, the bike should provide, this is my experience, 35-40 horse power minimum - more than 50 is not necessary - to enable a fluid style of driving; with luggage and sometimes on ascending roads it is a factor of security because it shortens the overtake. Having said that to justify my opinion, I think maybe this bike has too much weight. My first one, a Yamaha XJ 650 had 196 kg, but with 4 cylinders, 72 hp and kardan instead of a chain. My XL provided 44 hp and 142 kg, which was perfect. In Turkey, I crossed a river in a rowing boat because the bridge was broken, and some days later I manoeuvred my XL into my ground-floor-room just beside the bed (comfortable position to do some maintainance), because the room lessor recommended it to avoid theft. Nevertheless of course a really good bike I guess, but I would have given it an engine just as the new Fantic Caballero 450 has and lower the weight to under 160 kg.
Cives Romanus very good points Cives. I agree about weight; so many adventure bikes are cumbersome and very heavy.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Hi and greetings to GB whichI visited several times, too, on bike.Yes, modern bikes astonishingly are very heavy compared to those in the 80's or 90's. Improved technology and better materials should have led to the contrary - lighter bikes compared to same size / issue / power. It is also absolutely crazy that there is not a single bike out there which comes close to my XL 600 R on the factors power and weighth. They have a 250 cc with 23 hp (Honda, too). If you'd force me to choose - a light one with 25 hp or a heavy one with 45 hp for long journeys - I'll take the light one. This costs hours and tears during long boring distances and makes you eat dust and dirt behind lorries you can't overtake, but overall on long tours average speed is around 60 km/h or even less and not 100 or more.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I have to specify: The last sentence in my first post ("Nevertheless...") means the Himalayan, not my XL, which was perfect. The engine went to Japan (130.000 km with 1 piston and all other parts unchanged) for examination, and I guess, this helped developing the oncoming 650 Dominator.
Cives Romanus wow that’s impressive
Cives Romanus what do you think of the ‘scooped’ seat on a lot of these kinds of bikes? I hate the fixed position it forces you to ride in. Totally wrong for off road rides
it will arrive tomorrow I can't wait
LEOZEN 150 Oh wow! Excellent! You are going to be so happy! 👊🏼
Super camera work
Dilu C thanks! 😊
Excellent review.
Upanishad Thank ypu! Don’t forget to subscribe; we appreciate your support 👊🏼
Love the bike. Looks good. Cheap parts. Easy maintenance. I rode sections of the Trans America trail, mountains Colorado, rough canyons of Utah, long stretches of deserts in Nevada it performed flawlessly. Engine sounds great, the little Himi just chugs along like a burro. The best part it’s fun to ride and comfortable long rides, compared to my Yamaha wr250r. 🍻
Yes spot on. It's a great trail bike
Excellent review. Might become English because of this.
Thanks buddy 🇬🇧
Good all round review well done guys. Subbed you.
I would buy a Himalayan but no more room in my garage (F850GS/Ducati SSS) but deffo one for the future.
Ride safe & stay safe everyone 😷
Thanks bro! Welcome on board! Lots more to come after lockdown!
Awesome review chaps 👍🏻
Thank you! Very nice of you to say.
I very much enjoyed your review and agreed with everything you had to say. I have a Himalayan in India and have ridden in the Himalayas with it and I consider it the perfect bike for that terrain. The Spitti Valley was absolutely the worst 'road' I've ever ridden, worse than Ladakh. The Himalayan managed the ride with elegance. The only thing that broke was that guard they have in India, by law, to stop women's garbs from tangling in the rear wheel. I threw it away.
Thanks Keith. I would agree with you about the trail riding suitability of the bike in the Himalayas. I wondered what the guard was for on Indian bikes I’ve seen. 👍
Sorry about the late response. Didn't see your message.
Anyway, the guard - I believe it to be a legal requirement here. It's on the left side of the bike. When riding pillion, Indian women almost always ride side-saddle. The guard prevents their garments from getting tangled in the rear wheel. It seems ridiculous having such a guard on an adventure bike. Can't imagine riding in the Himalayas with a female pillion riding side-saddle. 😏
Keith Popplewell Thanks Keith! Very interesting. I doubt the guard does much to stop loose clothes getting caught but I guess it depends what the lady is wearing.
Up here, in northern India, they wear what they call suits, which comprise baggy trousers, baggy smocks and long scarves.
By the way, I don't live here. I'm stuck in India due to this bloody Corona crap. I keep a Himalayan and a Thunderbird here. I came to motorcycle in March and got stuck. ☹️. Should've flown home on 8th April.
Keith Popplewell OK I see. It must be a wonderful place to ride. Stay safe!
Great video really enjoyed it 👍
Jo Jo Thanks JoJo! Much appreciated 👊🏼
You could do South England to Scotland, if you wish to... it's a very capable machine, sir 👍😊
Neesay Y I know it would, but England to Scotland is just motorways and no trails, so unless you’re happy to take a few days and stop off here and there, Id say there are other bikes better suited to such a journey
Great review - thoughtful, thorough and answered some questions I had about the bike. Definitely seems up my alley for some simple country/trail riding, but still able to do the city life in relative comfort...the equivalent of some SUVs...although much cheaper!
Yes would be great for that, glad you enjoyed the video! Make sure to check out some of our other videos!
It looks as though the upper front fender is there to direct air downward towards the front of the cylinder... a mudflap on the lower front fender would help in keeping the water off your feet.
That may well be the case!
Actually the front fender can be the main mudflap if you intend to do offroading. In this case you remove the lower mudflap so that mud doesn't buildup between the flap and the tyre, once you are done you wash the tyre and bolt the mudflap back on for general road use.
arijit patra IK great! I didn’t think of that 👍
Really good review!
Thanks 👍
Thanks buddy
It's a really cool looking bike looks very much capable I bought a TW200 and basically did everything I could to make it adventure worthy minus the highways and interstate travel 😂
excellent! yes maybe not the best highway traveller
Put the 650 twin from the interceptor in it and I would buy one. I think that would be a winner especially at the price point RE come in at.
Yes that would be good
@@MrDarcy-OlMan R&d going on for 650
Hi , informative video, I’m going to ride around the coast of Great Britain in July for a month covering anywhere between 50 to 200 per day, the roads will be b and c and unclassified country lanes with the occasional A rd if I absolutely have to. This bike looks like it’ll be ideal but I’m a bit concerned that you commented that because of the front mud guard your legs would get soaked if it were raining ? I don’t mine getting wet but I’m not keen that the front mud guard would not be adequate?
I’ve seen a used Himalayan from a local dealer which I am keen to get as it has panniers fitted but I’m a bit concerned about your comment ?
Can you explain please.
Thanks in advance
Andrew
Have you seen our recent Himalayan Review? I think the mudguards are ok tbh and no worse than anything else.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I’ll have a look, thanks
I really like the sound of the bike..
Thanks yes! 👍🏼
Good review, l guess a good all round bike and as you said in your comments touring on the rough stuff - Africa, India etc...
thanks Mark. It's a good bike for sure. We'd call it a slow-pace on/off road bike, and good for general riding and great for commuting. It's no enduro bike nor is it a long-distance bike, despite the Itch B**ts fanatics insistance that it is.
It's just ridiculous what you say. She is traveling through the whole world and you say is not for long distance??
SmartY Yone I say it is not for long motorway rides as the bike will be sitting at high revs. Itchy boots is travelling using mainly trials which is something we don’t have much of in the uk, people seem to be getting the wrong end of the stick...
thanks to you two, i am a French biker 34 years that i ride a motocycle and i really like this bike i like you vidéo it is simple cool good job.....take care of yourself because of this fucking virus....Hi...
unjourpeutetre Toscan Thank you ! Merci! We love France! Stay safe!
Love from India 🇮🇳
Thanks my friend
Four grand and with a centre stand as standard. Every other manufacturer take note, all chain drive road bikes should have a centre stand. 😡
Pretty good value 👍🏼
Back in the day pretty much every bike had a main stand, it was the norm
Back in the day they did.
AND an enclosed chain. Jawa/MZ rider.
Thanks mate well done
Royal Enfield will never let you down 🔥
Mahesh Bansal 100% 👍
I have a feeling an accidental wheely isnt a problem with this bike
James Saxton Haha yes!
GS vintage is an ecologist point of view with drone and géographic travel.
I love your picture because it's an: All day use review, motorcyclist test for all motorcyclist.
I think , himalayan , is a well born bike. Good handling, good engine, like the old UK big single with modern technology.
About tyres , have you riding with other than Pirelli ? 10 000 KM should be the maximun for the rear tyre ?
Thanks for your beautiful celtic country and the sheep.
Congratulation from France.
Didier MOREL
Merci! We try to keep our reviews from a riders point of view, rather than just read out the specifications.
Yeah top mamn dominque peltier..brilliant films but needs change to RE vintage now ha ha
@@carolfranks6551 Hello Carol, I love Peltier, french country, but I also like the only "vintage" story and sound of a flat twin or big single in celtic garden because I am a little britany's man . Peltier is the south french man , I love is job too. May the force be with you. Sorry for my Frogglish .Didier
Thanks for this guys I’ve a speed twin and hate getting it covered in crap ..... I think it might be a second bike for riding in crap .... regards fred
Wilbury Castle Hi Fred. It would make a really good second bike. Thanks for your support buddy
I would buy a black one, and make the exhaustpipe ceramic black.
Waar kun je hem ceramisch zwart laten sluiten en wat kost dat?
@@DraganBakema , Tja, in NL weet ik het niet, heb het gezien hier op YT , heel de uitlaat eraf en ook dat witte beschermplaatje, ze deden al die onderdelen zandstralen , en daarna mooi ceramic zwart spuiten., geen vieze hitte plekken meer te zien.
That would look great!
@@moodyfan4ever ja ik heb dat dus ook op TH-cam gezien die jongen die van Seattle naar Alaska reed en onderweg zijn uitlaat ceramisch liet spuiten. Maar goed ik wil deze motor in maart gaan rijden en vroeg mij af of jij wellicht wist waar je dat in Nederland kan laten doen.
@@DraganBakema , Nee hoor, ik zou het niet weten, maar wellicht weten ze dat wel waar je de motor koopt???, waar ga je de motor kopen???/.
Good to know about the vibration issue at 60mph and above....most other reviewers of this bike either downplay that or don't mention it at all. As for Itchy boots..I don't think she ever pushes her bike that hard for extended periods. I find your backing sound track a bit annoying ..ditch the hipster millennial-snap beatbox and find something less distracting..just my opinion..
Yes anyone whos a fan of Ms Itchy is a bit blinkered. It’s a great bike and what we said in the video is true. It’s not great for extended periods above 60mph bit great on farm trails or B roads. We’re limiting music to some or none, depending on the video. Check out our latest upload! No music 👊🏼
there is no vibration issue, compared to my dr650 the himalayan is smooth as sand. slight vibrations above 75 but once again nothing compared to any other bike. people who complain about the vibes need to try a 690 or a dr650, those are vibey bikes.
Enjoyed your video as I have a Himalayan myself down here in New Zealand. You said you may not want to ride to Scotland yet Noraly from Holland ( Itchyboots on TH-cam) is riding one quite nicely from Patagonia to Alaska - they are good on long distances.
Glad you enjoyed the video, her journeys are predominantly on dirt tracks, as I said I don’t think it’s suitable for long motorway journeys as when the bike is doing 70mph it revs quite high, which itchy boots also said in her review of the bike.
this bike is getting very popular now days
JK ENTER 10 yes it certainly is