@@cisium1184 for us in europe who want to travel for example to africa, we have to pass through major highways.. a little more power to cover distance in boring highways would be much apreciated.. making a 650cc twin model doesnt mean they have to stop making the 400cc..
Because Indians are blinded by "muh heritage" and "muh royalty". They're too blinded by the name "Royal Enfield" to notice any flaws in the bike. They convince themselves that these flaws are just extra features and give the bike character. Truly stupid if you ask me.
@@panthervish30 i agree that they have not made any changes in their engine or watsoever .. but thats not the issue here ... I just pointed out that the ride height will be shorter for this guy because the bike was made keeping in mind the Indian market and hence it is suited for Indian riders who are comparatively shorter than the person in the video ...... P.S : i am not an RE fan
Even an inch of heights increment in seat of this bike and it will not suit many Indian/Asian Rider and this product is build for Indian/Asian market specifically
International market have far better off-road motorcycle than this one but in India this is our only option as of no other manufacturer are interested in off-road motorcycle
I have been riding RE since the 80s whit a few model upgrades. The improvement in quality is minimal. Thank god they have gotten rid of the tappet adjustments.
I have also keep my royal enfield bullet with me of manufactured year 1974. The oldest model. I have not face any issues with comfort or maintainance till now.
Pavlin and your friend. Keep it up. Good content. But I would suggest before leaving India just make one more video on upgraded Himalayan 2018 with Abs and Fi. They sorted almost 80%issues. Your dedication is superb towards rider, products and our country.
Some of these issues have been fixed in the BS4 model. The sidestand switch, switches off the engine as soon as the gear is engaged, with the sidestand down.
This is an adventure bike...having a mechanical nanny could put your life at risk. Anyone who wants the engine to shutoff automatically has never had a malfunction in the middle of nowhere where a broken switch left you stranded. I had to sleep out in sub freezing weather when my switch broke and I couldn't find the problem before I lost light.
@Dr James Crabapple. Ya now I will but when it was important and I was going through every reason my engine won't start a broken kickstand switch wasn't on my mind and I bet not on many peoples.
It's funny how when ever I have a problem on my bike internet people tell me that the part that turned out to be broken is the first place I (they would have) should have looked. How about we don't deliberately but a switch on bikes that can kill the engine next to the ground.
@Ponga Pandit maybe but my way of thinking is adding stuff that can fail is a mistake...especially on an adventure bike. Everyone likes the new shiny bells and whistles on stuff until they have to pay to fix it or fix it themselves. I'm a huge fan of technology, but many people mistake change for technology. ABS is technology...a switch that kills your bike if the side stand is down is change.
@@shashankbiswas1458 I m ur father on bike knowledge...i know jawa yezdi is an old company which was closed and now reopened with Mahindra..... don't teach me
@@motorcycleadventures No, really, Jawa is back in India and will be huge and will be a home market bike - no tariffs. Ignore and RE will pay. Just like Harley did when they finally got competition in the late 60's - early 70's and almost died.
Thanks guys. I didn't ride the Himalayan long but found it ergonomically perfect for my 5'10" (178cm). It is one of the few bikes I immediately felt comfortable on, both sitting and standing. I am sure you are right about the seat being too soft, I have heard this many times on different reviews. I think the handlebar position is very very personal. The first thing that went in the rubbish when I bought my 2003 VStrom1000 was the handlebars (Made of chocolate and total garbage in every respect). I put flatter bars on it with slightly less of a rise. This made it way more sporty and controllable on the road and it was still comfortable standing. Incidentally, the way I rest my backside on long rides is to ride standing up. At about 110-120kmph, you can even let the wind support your body. You are right about the crash bars - that is just very poor design. A better design would not need to be heavier, or more expensive to manufacture. - I'll probably make my own. Cheers, Campbell
Well, not only in India men are short. Most Bulgarians too, if they are elder. And short people have to buy special links from USA to touch the ground (as it was with my Aprilia Cube). There must be a solution for adjustment, or at least for choosing the seat height.
@@nspinicelliagreed, and not only them. I am 5'10" and I had a yamaha xt which was fantastic to ride. Adventure bikes and enduro has to be tall bikes by definition (they have to handle off road).
Finally one reasonable man reviewed the Royal Enfield. It was cool to ride this junk may be 15 years back. You got money, you gat resources? Why not improve. I think the interceptor and continental gt are a step in the right direction, but still a long way to go. Not a Royal Enfield hater. I just want it to improve.
RE is trying to build brand image outside of India similar to Harley. In many countries HD is twice the cost as the USA so RE fills that gap. instead they need to be working on product development and quality control. Rumor has it HD is building an Adventure bike so the typical HD customer will lose interest in the Himalayan or just pick up a used one for cheap. Also word is RE maybe building the bikes for HD in India for India market. How will that affect the future RE production and quality if they can't pump out quality now
I was planning to own the Himalayan ABS version. After watching your vlog I suddenly postponed that idea. I am not into adventurer riding. I choose this bike for its suspension setup, all mechanical and no electronic controls (only ABS), improved quality in compared to the BS 3 version and the riding position. As you've seen India you must know what is the conditions of our roads. This bike offers a better riding comfort in those kind of roads for sure. Altogh the caption this bike comes with 'For all roads,for no roads' is a bit exaggeration as a lot of enthusiast took this bike into a lot of terrains in India as well as abroad and proved that this is only an entry level adventure bike and we should not expect nothing much of it. Irrespective of the fact that , as you know, it is a little underpowered, I was not going to feel that as I am not into high speed riding. 80-110kmph would be adequate for me. But in India in this particular segment and this price bracket there is still no other bikes till date. We have a confirmed news that KTM is bringing the 390 Adventure very soon. And if KTM could hold the price segment, the the RE Himalayan would face a serious competition. But considering the electronic parts, the ownership cost only time will tell how the KTM 390 Adventure will be received in India. As we should not forget the heart broken story of the BMW G 310GS, which has a higher price and little service centres in India. Lets see. Thank you for your review. 👍
KTM Adv if and when it arrives will cost more than the Duke as well as RC, probably around 40k over the Duke. It definitely will cost more than the Himalayan. So as far as the price bracket is concerned, Himalayan will most likely never have a competition. However, you can be assured the KTM will be a quality product. More powerful and feature packed than the RE.
@@aaassaeer That is what we all are about to see. As you know there is a rumor that this year at EICMA KTM is supposed to launch this vehicle. But as you have adequately mentioned the price might be higher than that of the Duke or RC considering the technologies that the bike will be loaded with, like Ride by wire, oil cooler, switchable ABS with modes, adjustable clutch and brake lever, upside down WP forks and lots more. But if KTM manages to bring that within the 3 lacs bracket then it will surely grab the attention of a lot of bikers. Earlier also the company has managed to bring bikes that does have had a mass appeal. On this Diwali let us hope that KTM will bring the price point at a comfortable level for the Indians. After all it is the market all biggies are eyeing to.
Good points Pavlin,Certain points i.e Ergonomics,Grip on the Fuel Tank,Handle are directly related to the height,The average height of Indian Men is 5'8-5'9 and looks like this was kept in mind while designing it.I understand it might not work for non Asian market :)
My only request to RE is concentrate on Quality first and Quantity next They have to manufacture foolproof bikes like the Japenese If we're Quality head at RE only 5 to10 bikes will be sent out of the factory Poor quality painting oil leaking etc should be totally avoided Engineering is not up to mark Pathetic after sales service Otherwise they will lose their market I owned 2 old model bullets did not go for new RE due to above reasons
You have made a really excellent long term review of the bike with your friend. The suggestions you made are really simple & cost not much. Royal Enfield guys please act on it to make this a better bike.
What is not understandable is that this 2 guys could have pointed out all this improvements to come from the factory in any bike. But this is the cheapest and the only equipped with a lot of adventure reafy parts.... Guards, racks, skid plate... Etc.....
I must say only a true and passionate biker could go so detail in explaining these mistakes. I must say hats off for both of your efforts in explaining and giving your ideas on what could have been better. I have Royal Enfield starts taking things seriously. Biking is a passion and it's a risky thing we risk our life's on the bike. When these silly mistakes pops us we loose the confidence in our bike and which gets the fear from living our passion. Please consider building bikes from a riders point of view and take the suggestion or complaint s giving by owners seriously.
I do like the front mudguard, but if you dont like it, take it off. The seat is a personal thing, might suit some guys, and might not suit others. If your knees dont connect with tank, put some pads on the side of the tank. If you want a bigger tank and seat height, buy a BMW GS. I can live with mod cons, as long as the bike runs well and reliable. Keep up the great videos, thanks.
Most riders like the lower seat. It is ideal for stop start traffic and it lowers the centre of gravity for riding while seated. I am only 168cm and I prefer the low seating position. I also prefer a soft seat. What is needed is the right rate of return to original position. Sprung seats with additional cushioning used to provide that. I don’t like the practice of curving the back of the seat up like a back rest. It usually puts pressure on my coccyx bone. I prefer a straight bech seat like the Royal Enfield Interceptor. The upper carry racks provide the option of water or fuel containers. Other carry baskets could be fitted if desired. Your change would limit one to extra fuel only. In the event of the bike falling and bike landing on the rider, the lower crash bar would reduce the chance of the rider’s foot or leg being pinned to the ground. If crash bars protrude too much they widen the bike and can easily get caught, actually causing an accident. Side saddle bags can be dangerous for the same reason as they can get caught on branches and posts. Riders have to adjust their sense of space when carrying add on luggage. I like slow cruising so I like to keep my back fairly straight. The lean forward position soon gives me back ache. I can see that the Himalayan does not fit all sizes. I haven’t ridden a Himalayan so I can’t say if it would be ideal for me but rather than change the design to suit tall people there should be some ability to adjust seat height. I live in Thailand. Many women riders are only about 130cm. Most women here have a motorcycle licence and they can outride me. They ride CVT scooters or centrifugal clutch commuter bikes. If the bike had CVT transmission or dual clutch auto the ability to adjust the foot peddles forward or back may be possible. I ride scooters with CVT transmissions. CVT transmissions are great in traffic, make riding relaxing and for sealed roads and dirt roads are fine. Honda are just starting to sell trail/road crossover bikes with CVT but they don’t match the Himalayan’s price. Thank you for sharing your evaluation and ideas, enjoy the ride.
I guess there's no ideal bike... You just have to make a choice at some point and adapt the bike to your height, weight, preferences, riding... It's just marketing. Trying to approximately fit everyone. There are so many good bikes on the market, but you have to adapt them to your riding! We all do that, it's not a big deal, and we love doing it. Ride long, ride safe!!!
All points are highly recommended for Himalayan but most important think is Fuel Tank should at least 20L, and also the shock absorber will improve someone who likes to Ride long specially mountain road
2500 $ 400 cc bike produced for LOCAL market,where peoples are barely maximum 5 feet 4 inches on average and 60 kg maximum. I used a moped with a just a side stand for 10 years and only forgot it maybe twice. Your remark about the switch only comes from the fact you are "spoiled " by a cut off switch,wich originally was installed for occasionnal users. The first thing you do once sat on your bike before starting the engine is to remove the stand,it's like pooping,you remove your clothes first,that's basic stuff.
Solve most of your problems by being 6 inches shorter, like me (a shrimp, stretching to make 5'6 ")- Great channel, good content. Your experience is very informative. Thanks.
A bigger tank makes the bike heavier and harder to pick up, extra fuel cans can be unloaded to lighten the bike to lift it up. You can add a pad to the seat to raise your position. I've been riding for 43 years and have never ridden off with the side stand down because I know I'm on a motorcycle not in a car. There are very few bikes, even ones at three times the price of the ENFIELD that fit everybody out of the crate. If you intend doing a long trip, prepare the bike to fit yourself and the trip before setting off.
The average height of a indian man is around 165cm, so the seat height and leg position will be perfect for indians. When it's comes to technology RE is far behind, my 150cc hero xtreme (2014) have the engine kill side stand switch that you have said. It also have a engine immobilizer facility. Hero is also an indian brand with a much better build quality than RE
@@wolfgang4078 as i mentioned, they are far behind when it comes to technology. I think they don't know how to make a height adjustable seat. Poor engineers
Wolf Gang They’re free to export wherever there is demand. And since it’s selling abroad, there is one. And if you tell me it isn’t then you should look at the number of reviews this is getting abroad. They are catering to shorter height rider segment.
Name one engine of hero except maestro 125 engine that hero has made from scratch? Hero is indian but they had collab with honda dont forget that, most of their engines are basically hondas. In that respect RE hasn't collab with any foreign co
Pavlin, I have one question for you. Do you have any experience with a motorcycle that has a carburetor (not electronic injection). What interests me is whether it is possible to cross the Himalayas without adjusting the carburetor. So, to set the fuel mixture at the lower starting point approx. 450-650m above sea level, and to pass the passage 5900m above sea level, without intermediate adjustment of the carburetor ??
Good points, Especially for side stand even honda have applied the side stand switch in their automatic scooters. The engine won't start if you dont put the side stand up And they cost not more than 20% of himalayan does 😅
With all that modification that won't be Himalayan anymore. You asking them to change whole bike In the first place they make this bike for price friendly Market. Yours suggestions are very good they can make a new bike with all that info.
I thought of purchasing RE Himalayan with ABS VERSION. But after watching this vlog, i would wait for a little bit of improvement by RE GROUP to their Himalayan.
Hi, 1.The seating ergonomics can be improved slightly. 2. The frame for the headlamp is there to reduce the headlight and other parts weights mounting on to the handlebar . This will make the handlebar light which will help in handling in off road. 3. The scoop in the tank is given for the strength of the tank 4.the beak is given for the protection from mud or slush without hitting on the headlamp 5.there are good aftermarket crash guard 6. The wind sheild is not ok for me the wind blows directly on top of the helmet . 7. Himalayan range is 450 kms. Thats ok for me! There are much more problems other than this.😂😂😂
I wish RE is watching and listening your suggestions. I am hoping to buy RE Himalaya 650 for long journey trip. I think RE needs to take these suggestions seriously.
Like your video. A couple of questions: How tall are you? Is there an aftermarket bigger tank? Aftermarket shocks? Also, would you different if you were 5’5” to 5’8”?
Great video thanks for the upload, your right, those side bars are designed to hold gas cans ( Rotopax ) if you look underneath the R.E. logo you will see four holes, on top of those holes are welded four nuts, there to be used for the " Himalayan Jerry Can Brackets " mounting hardware. Currently waiting for the Himalayan 650cc due to come out 20/21 and hope the incorporate all your suggestions, cheers.
You guys should take a look. She has ridden over 30,000 kilometers starting in India and is now in Turkey riding a Himalayan - great stuff. Enjoyed your video.
I think now RE top honcho Shri Sidarth lal has said openly that only if they are convinced the 650 twins will leave the factory I had posted a stinker on quality onthe RE site I am a die hard bullet fan I owned 2 350 re at diff times But present RE are not reliable They have to give top notch quality like Japanese bikes Unfortunately they have British DNA Britons are not great engineers unlike Germans or Japanese
Mostly these bikes are made for the Indian rider so hence the low seat. Personally at 1.77m tall this bike is a breath of fresh air as far as seat height, low tech and price are concerned. There's plenty of high seat bikes on the market if your tall.
Royal Enfield should think of increasing the wheelbase to international standards and giving a bigger tank with flexible riding angle like Kawasaki Vulcun 650.
Many valid points. As said in some other comments, RE has omitted many basic features for years (ABS prominently) which should have been the number one safety feature in the first place.
in my humble opinion the Himalayan was designed involving engineers who probably aren't off-roaders and possibly not avid riders themselves. It also looks like not enough research went into it given that Himalayan has failed its eager customers in and out from faulty engine to other vital components breaking during rides. I think it would be safe to vote the Himalayan as the most problematic bike of the year. I pray that the upcoming RE 650 series aren't a disappointment...
Wise advice. I did spiti valley and ladhak on this bike. I can relate to all of this. 1. You need to carry extra petrol because of the small tank and the milage is not that good as well. 2. Standing ride is not that comfortable because of no grip. 3. Seat is not comfortable for long rides. 4. Gear liver is so poor that it breaks or bents very often.
Pavlin.. It's a cheap bike made cheaply for a shorter Indian rider. For rest of the world..again. You would only buy it because it's cheap. I was RE 500cc owner once. All I remember is engine knocking & poor brakes. Forget this let's talk about Tenere700 😊
Hey.. can you tell whats the good cruising speed on Himalayan? I own a classic 350 and post 80km/hr the vibrations are unbearable. Can you tell how is it on Himalayan at different speed between 80-120km/hr as I mostly like to cruise at 100-110km/hr.
@@motorcycleadventures so at 100-110 km/hr the vibrations pop? And is it unbearable like other enfields? Should i wait for 650 twins on Himalayan to get launhed?
I think if you made the seat firmer, which seems to be common in Europe, you would also sit a bit higher, and the position of your legs would be more comfortable. Pavlin is just too big for the bike, or bigger than the rider RE designed the bike for. As for the frames alongside the tank, I think that is a great item, making it possible to carry some luggage up front, spreading out the weight. Look at the bags Nathan the Postman carries in his videos. It would be a shame if this option was removed. And regarding the forks, most riders seem to feel they do a great job. I think a ton of thought went into this bike, and it's not old technology like some people here have commented. Harris engineering did the frame and the engine is completely new, so it's not like an old Bullet.
If these two guys have found so many issues in this bike, why cant the RE design team found it earlier. Well actually they did found the issues and delivered us the good machine. For people who are all saying Himalayan is a bad ride, you should take a test drive atleast once in your life time to speak about it.
Please note, I live in Australia and purchased my RE Himalayan from a bike shop some 650 klms from my home and rode it back home in one fell swoop and although the seat is soft I had 2 big rashes on my inner thighs were they were rubbing against the side frame after 650klms Yes the handlebars could be a big bigger in diameter and a bit higher and back towards the rider some, not being that tall myself the tank is not a problem for me, but agree a slightly bigger tank capacity would not go astray! There is a plug under the seat and once disconnected will stop that awful noise from the side stand siren when the side stand is down, but does not effect the side stand display indicator! Also, I found a lot of bolts quite loose all over the bike ( not sure if they use any torque wrenches in India? ) The front brake is just barely adequate in my opinion! I have only had the bike now for 3 weeks so still early days for me with this machine Regards Alan Reilly
I really love the Himalayan-- but I already have a 2003 Transalp 650. It is a great bike (but heavy)-- I am hemming and hawing about selling it and getting the Himi. It is light and fun. Am I crazy?
This is not only with Indian brands even Honda , Kawasaki other brands neglected this simple things for I don't know for what!! Nice video! Special for side stand because we Indians too many have 2 wheels!
The rider of a bike will ultimately know the missing things in a bike no matter how experienced the company's engineers are. That's why users views are important to look upon.
These bikes are made to alter... They are made with basic configuration with a very very low price tag - that means you are supposed to make the alterations. They have a lot of products that can be purchased after sales including touring seats, additional fittings, engine guards, pads etc... Just because some people are taller that doesn't mean a company to Change the whole model
Not got this particular bike but understand what you are talking about and feel the suggested adjustments would improve the bike and would probably create more sales. I would like to see a Himalayan on sale with the modifications! I’ve just bought a second hand Triumph Tiger 2015 model and love it, but the 2018 model has loads of improvements that I would like but can’t afford the hefty price tag. I hope you’re successful and Enfield take notice of its customers. And no matter how good you feel you’re bike is there is always room for improvements especially when it comes to safety. Thanks for the video 👍
I think its important to keep in mind that companies work to averages and the average Indian male is about 5' 5" or in that range and the Himalayan is made for that. I don't think that say Triumph or BMW would consider building bikes for shorter customers because they build for Western public. Although your points are very good ones but I really think as an individual it would better to customize your bike to your preferences rather than feel the company (RE) should be doing this.
Being a tall guy is problematic in India when it comes to bikes. All have short seat height. Pavlin is 6'1" and I am a 6' tall guy and I can definitely relate to the seat height issue and the seating position. That is why I never purchased this bike. I will stick to bikes that have a seat height of 900mm and above which ends up with enduro and rally bikes. I am so glad you made this video Pavlin. You are the only person that pointed out these issues.
Thank you for sharing this. Like you always say its your opinion on how to make it better. All the bashers who said you get what you pay for dont really understan the content. Some of the mods or upgrade suggested will likely reduce cost. Sure there are a few i dont agree with but that the whole point of sharing the video. He puts his neck out to share his views. Its not easy. Thank you sir again for a good video. Ride safe
So that's a tall, harder seat, bigger, long-distance tank, bigger handlebars, upside down forks and decent crash bars. Great review born of experience. The bike was definitely designed for shorties, that's why the Dutch girl doing "Itchy boots" videos on TH-cam at the moment likes it so much. RE should offer options for taller people and they will double their market because the bike is basically very suitable for cheap adventure holidays.
The biggest problem on this model is the build quality. This is the main reason why I will never spend my money on it, even if they put 650cc as they promised.
Im 5ft 5in in height about 60kls. Ergonomics? seat height? cushion? Theyre just right for me.maybe d himalayan is not meant for tall or heavy guys. Probably a gs1200, africa twin,ktm wud be better for them which unfortunately will not work for me.i tried them all i cant ride none of them.but wid my hima i take my wife with me all d time even on rough roads wid ease.were having such a good time with it
It’s a small bike, just 410cc, maybe not built for us 1.85m guys I like the front metal tank guards, protection and yes to put bags or whatever on. At over 110 kpl, you don’t need a bigger tank?
These are all valid suggestions and I'm sure it would not take any additional cost to make these small changes. Some of them might even make it cheaper to manufacture. Some of the changes can be done by a home craftsman such as the crash bars. They are simply too weak and need some additional bracing or redesign.
Agree with most of it, but poor quality upside down forks can be more trouble, we have had leaking/seal issues with KTM which was later resolved. Indian conditions are very rough, so suspension will cost more to design.
People who REALLY REALLY know how to ride off road LOVE this bike in Canada and US and Australia and UK . I'm in Canada and there is a new Royal Enfield company in the US! Canada will get the Himalayan next year ( 2019) . I live close to Lake Huron and will be ordering one for sure ...the price is so good I might get 2- that Desert Storm Bullet looks amazing as well.
@@motorcycleadventures you are wrong!! People in America are using it the mountains and canyons and for trail blazing . People really like the way this bike is ...and some people don't . This bike is supposed to have a style , you can GET a different bike too. Or maybe you like the Himalayan ?!!
The only thing I want on the Himalayan is the 650 twin with the 6 speed gear box.
Bro true broo 😨
Add an extra 30 pounds so American dentists can ride it on the highway? F that.
@@cisium1184 for us in europe who want to travel for example to africa, we have to pass through major highways.. a little more power to cover distance in boring highways would be much apreciated.. making a 650cc twin model doesnt mean they have to stop making the 400cc..
The points you covered were not noticed by any Indian customer or any reviewer. Thanks for sharing it was great help :)
Was not noticed because we indians are comparatively short
GanEsh bk you might be short.... I'm 5'11
@@ankurpandey7452 i am 5'8 sir and 5'11 is not that tall ... Compared to the man in the video you are short ..
Because Indians are blinded by "muh heritage" and "muh royalty". They're too blinded by the name "Royal Enfield" to notice any flaws in the bike. They convince themselves that these flaws are just extra features and give the bike character. Truly stupid if you ask me.
@@panthervish30 i agree that they have not made any changes in their engine or watsoever .. but thats not the issue here ... I just pointed out that the ride height will be shorter for this guy because the bike was made keeping in mind the Indian market and hence it is suited for Indian riders who are comparatively shorter than the person in the video ......
P.S : i am not an RE fan
RE should seriously hire you! Such a valid points which seriously makes RE Himalayan an outstanding motorbike in this segment.( if implemented
Even an inch of heights increment in seat of this bike and it will not suit many Indian/Asian Rider and this product is build for Indian/Asian market specifically
International market have far better off-road motorcycle than this one but in India this is our only option as of no other manufacturer are interested in off-road motorcycle
I totally agree with u Shailesh.
Bobs Vagine yes?
@@BatMan-ke4ov do you have brains? Ki dimag se hagta hai tu??
Royal Enfield were not known for quality. They really need to work on quality and safety, to capture market share.... good reviews
Really Royal Enfield and quality... I accept that they provide at best price point but still quality is awful.
Royal Enfield - quality 😂😂😂
How could you know sir. Royal Enfield is not for quality.
I have been riding RE since the 80s whit a few model upgrades. The improvement in quality is minimal. Thank god they have gotten rid of the tappet adjustments.
I have also keep my royal enfield bullet with me of manufactured year 1974. The oldest model. I have not face any issues with comfort or maintainance till now.
RE manufacturers want their owners to spend more money in their service centers changing parts.
Hilmalayan is one of the cheapest in europen's market far far away the other brands.
@@r2ddu because it's cheap quality. The same with recent low displacement KTM bikes.
Then better u sell ur bike and thre are lots of others to buy it...👊
S I agree
Pavlin and your friend. Keep it up. Good content. But I would suggest before leaving India just make one more video on upgraded Himalayan 2018 with Abs and Fi. They sorted almost 80%issues. Your dedication is superb towards rider, products and our country.
Some of these issues have been fixed in the BS4 model. The sidestand switch, switches off the engine as soon as the gear is engaged, with the sidestand down.
This is an adventure bike...having a mechanical nanny could put your life at risk. Anyone who wants the engine to shutoff automatically has never had a malfunction in the middle of nowhere where a broken switch left you stranded. I had to sleep out in sub freezing weather when my switch broke and I couldn't find the problem before I lost light.
@Dr James Crabapple. Ya now I will but when it was important and I was going through every reason my engine won't start a broken kickstand switch wasn't on my mind and I bet not on many peoples.
It's funny how when ever I have a problem on my bike internet people tell me that the part that turned out to be broken is the first place I (they would have) should have looked. How about we don't deliberately but a switch on bikes that can kill the engine next to the ground.
@Ponga Pandit maybe but my way of thinking is adding stuff that can fail is a mistake...especially on an adventure bike. Everyone likes the new shiny bells and whistles on stuff until they have to pay to fix it or fix it themselves. I'm a huge fan of technology, but many people mistake change for technology. ABS is technology...a switch that kills your bike if the side stand is down is change.
@Ponga Pandit great idea. A compromise that I think anyone could get behind.
The low seat height is one of the reasons shorter rider's buy this bike,but the suspension and tank mods are a good idea
Now they will make RE bikes more better because in India there is a new competitor coming that is jawa 🤣......
You wish...
JAWA is not new competitor I think you are new to bikes check about the company
@@shashankbiswas1458
I m ur father on bike knowledge...i know jawa yezdi is an old company which was closed and now reopened with Mahindra..... don't teach me
Ab royel Enfield ki band bajegi...😁😁 lo beta bahut paisa kama liya ab jawa dubayega tumhe...
@@motorcycleadventures No, really, Jawa is back in India and will be huge and will be a home market bike - no tariffs. Ignore and RE will pay. Just like Harley did when they finally got competition in the late 60's - early 70's and almost died.
Thanks guys. I didn't ride the Himalayan long but found it ergonomically perfect for my 5'10" (178cm). It is one of the few bikes I immediately felt comfortable on, both sitting and standing. I am sure you are right about the seat being too soft, I have heard this many times on different reviews. I think the handlebar position is very very personal. The first thing that went in the rubbish when I bought my 2003 VStrom1000 was the handlebars (Made of chocolate and total garbage in every respect). I put flatter bars on it with slightly less of a rise. This made it way more sporty and controllable on the road and it was still comfortable standing. Incidentally, the way I rest my backside on long rides is to ride standing up. At about 110-120kmph, you can even let the wind support your body. You are right about the crash bars - that is just very poor design. A better design would not need to be heavier, or more expensive to manufacture. - I'll probably make my own. Cheers, Campbell
Except increasing the seat height all the points are valid cuz most Indians are short , bike is already tall for us .
True
Yes
Well, not only in India men are short. Most Bulgarians too, if they are elder. And short people have to buy special links from USA to touch the ground (as it was with my Aprilia Cube). There must be a solution for adjustment, or at least for choosing the seat height.
I prefer slightly taller seats... But if there was a change of seats for short and tall, that will be nice
Shut up you midget bihari
Sir this bike is not for u...ur very tall..go for tiger or BMW
Taller people in other countries are potential customers too. A lot of tall Americans for example, with money ready to spend on a 650cc version.
@@nspinicelliagreed, and not only them. I am 5'10" and I had a yamaha xt which was fantastic to ride. Adventure bikes and enduro has to be tall bikes by definition (they have to handle off road).
Finally one reasonable man reviewed the Royal Enfield. It was cool to ride this junk may be 15 years back. You got money, you gat resources? Why not improve. I think the interceptor and continental gt are a step in the right direction, but still a long way to go. Not a Royal Enfield hater. I just want it to improve.
Agree
It is because the Continental GT and Interceptor are designed and developed in England.
Great guys. Royal Enfield should hire you as their Quality Controller.
Wow...
The european model with ABS has a working side stand kill switch.
RE is trying to build brand image outside of India similar to Harley. In many countries HD is twice the cost as the USA so RE fills that gap. instead they need to be working on product development and quality control. Rumor has it HD is building an Adventure bike so the typical HD customer will lose interest in the Himalayan or just pick up a used one for cheap. Also word is RE maybe building the bikes for HD in India for India market. How will that affect the future RE production and quality if they can't pump out quality now
RE competes on price point, Himalayan will be cheaper than the HD adv bike even in US
I was planning to own the Himalayan ABS version. After watching your vlog I suddenly postponed that idea.
I am not into adventurer riding. I choose this bike for its suspension setup, all mechanical and no electronic controls (only ABS), improved quality in compared to the BS 3 version and the riding position. As you've seen India you must know what is the conditions of our roads. This bike offers a better riding comfort in those kind of roads for sure. Altogh the caption this bike comes with 'For all roads,for no roads' is a bit exaggeration as a lot of enthusiast took this bike into a lot of terrains in India as well as abroad and proved that this is only an entry level adventure bike and we should not expect nothing much of it. Irrespective of the fact that , as you know, it is a little underpowered, I was not going to feel that as I am not into high speed riding. 80-110kmph would be adequate for me. But in India in this particular segment and this price bracket there is still no other bikes till date. We have a confirmed news that KTM is bringing the 390 Adventure very soon. And if KTM could hold the price segment, the the RE Himalayan would face a serious competition. But considering the electronic parts, the ownership cost only time will tell how the KTM 390 Adventure will be received in India. As we should not forget the heart broken story of the BMW G 310GS, which has a higher price and little service centres in India. Lets see.
Thank you for your review. 👍
Biswajit Chakraborty wait for xpulse
KTM Adv if and when it arrives will cost more than the Duke as well as RC, probably around 40k over the Duke. It definitely will cost more than the Himalayan. So as far as the price bracket is concerned, Himalayan will most likely never have a competition. However, you can be assured the KTM will be a quality product. More powerful and feature packed than the RE.
@@aaassaeer That is what we all are about to see. As you know there is a rumor that this year at EICMA KTM is supposed to launch this vehicle. But as you have adequately mentioned the price might be higher than that of the Duke or RC considering the technologies that the bike will be loaded with, like Ride by wire, oil cooler, switchable ABS with modes, adjustable clutch and brake lever, upside down WP forks and lots more. But if KTM manages to bring that within the 3 lacs bracket then it will surely grab the attention of a lot of bikers. Earlier also the company has managed to bring bikes that does have had a mass appeal. On this Diwali let us hope that KTM will bring the price point at a comfortable level for the Indians. After all it is the market all biggies are eyeing to.
Buy a Dominar instead
@@AmalDevYT Why? Have you read my priorities?
Good points Pavlin,Certain points i.e Ergonomics,Grip on the Fuel Tank,Handle are directly related to the height,The average height of Indian Men is 5'8-5'9 and looks like this was kept in mind while designing it.I understand it might not work for non Asian market :)
5.6 is average height I am 5.9
@@yukeshvs9856 Considering we are wearing riding boots :)
My only request to RE is concentrate on Quality first and Quantity next
They have to manufacture foolproof bikes like the Japenese
If we're Quality head at RE only 5 to10 bikes will be sent out of the factory
Poor quality painting oil leaking etc should be totally avoided
Engineering is not up to mark
Pathetic after sales service
Otherwise they will lose their market
I owned 2 old model bullets did not go for new RE due to above reasons
Even Europe doesnt have 5"8 average height let alone India
Even if the average height was 5’5”, your knees still hit that sharp corner of the tank. Useless design.
You have made a really excellent long term review of the bike with your friend. The suggestions you made are really simple & cost not much. Royal Enfield guys please act on it to make this a better bike.
What is not understandable is that this 2 guys could have pointed out all this improvements to come from the factory in any bike. But this is the cheapest and the only equipped with a lot of adventure reafy parts.... Guards, racks, skid plate... Etc.....
I must say only a true and passionate biker could go so detail in explaining these mistakes. I must say hats off for both of your efforts in explaining and giving your ideas on what could have been better. I have Royal Enfield starts taking things seriously. Biking is a passion and it's a risky thing we risk our life's on the bike. When these silly mistakes pops us we loose the confidence in our bike and which gets the fear from living our passion. Please consider building bikes from a riders point of view and take the suggestion or complaint s giving by owners seriously.
I do like the front mudguard, but if you dont like it, take it off. The seat is a personal thing, might suit some guys, and might not suit others. If your knees dont connect with tank, put some pads on the side of the tank. If you want a bigger tank and seat height, buy a BMW GS. I can live with mod cons, as long as the bike runs well and reliable. Keep up the great videos, thanks.
You didn't get the point of the video. IT TALKS ABOUT THE HIMALAYAN AND HIS EXPERIENCE WITH IT.
@@bicky210 Sorry !
And my opinion also
@@organiclandscapers1187 U cant trust the quality of the spare parts as well .
Most riders like the lower seat. It is ideal for stop start traffic and it lowers the centre of gravity for riding while seated. I am only 168cm and I prefer the low seating position. I also prefer a soft seat. What is needed is the right rate of return to original position. Sprung seats with additional cushioning used to provide that. I don’t like the practice of curving the back of the seat up like a back rest. It usually puts pressure on my coccyx bone. I prefer a straight bech seat like the Royal Enfield Interceptor.
The upper carry racks provide the option of water or fuel containers. Other carry baskets could be fitted if desired. Your change would limit one to extra fuel only. In the event of the bike falling and bike landing on the rider, the lower crash bar would reduce the chance of the rider’s foot or leg being pinned to the ground. If crash bars protrude too much they widen the bike and can easily get caught, actually causing an accident. Side saddle bags can be dangerous for the same reason as they can get caught on branches and posts. Riders have to adjust their sense of space when carrying add on luggage.
I like slow cruising so I like to keep my back fairly straight. The lean forward position soon gives me back ache. I can see that the Himalayan does not fit all sizes. I haven’t ridden a Himalayan so I can’t say if it would be ideal for me but rather than change the design to suit tall people there should be some ability to adjust seat height. I live in Thailand. Many women riders are only about 130cm. Most women here have a motorcycle licence and they can outride me. They ride CVT scooters or centrifugal clutch commuter bikes.
If the bike had CVT transmission or dual clutch auto the ability to adjust the foot peddles forward or back may be possible. I ride scooters with CVT transmissions. CVT transmissions are great in traffic, make riding relaxing and for sealed roads and dirt roads are fine. Honda are just starting to sell trail/road crossover bikes with CVT but they don’t match the Himalayan’s price. Thank you for sharing your evaluation and ideas, enjoy the ride.
I guess there's no ideal bike...
You just have to make a choice at some point and adapt the bike to your height, weight, preferences, riding...
It's just marketing. Trying to approximately fit everyone.
There are so many good bikes on the market, but you have to adapt them to your riding!
We all do that, it's not a big deal, and we love doing it.
Ride long, ride safe!!!
You make too much sense! People like to complain, otherwise life is meaningless.
If you could choose between the himalayan or the 660 tenere? Which one would you take now?
Of course the Tenere, Himalayan is perfect for India, Nepal, Pakistan, but not a good option for Europe
All points are highly recommended for Himalayan but most important think is Fuel Tank should at least 20L, and also the shock absorber will improve someone who likes to Ride long specially mountain road
Awesome. Great vid. Thanks guys.
You are welcome anytime!
With Jawa coming back, RE's lethargy in fixing their bikes is going to go for a toss.
2500 $ 400 cc bike produced for LOCAL market,where peoples are barely maximum 5 feet 4 inches on average and 60 kg maximum.
I used a moped with a just a side stand for 10 years and only forgot it maybe twice.
Your remark about the switch only comes from the fact you are "spoiled " by a cut off switch,wich originally was installed for occasionnal users.
The first thing you do once sat on your bike before starting the engine is to remove the stand,it's like pooping,you remove your clothes first,that's basic stuff.
your feedback is really precious. But Im sure no other company in this world is offering a package like himayalan for this price.
The price is cheap only in India. In Europe it is 6,500 euro.
@@motorcycleadventures in Germany the Bike costs 4700 euro (08'2019) ;)
Customer feedback is always good to set things in the right direction. Hope RE will meet you guys in person and take note of these points.
They already did it.
Yes true 1:09
Also passenger seat is useless
I need a small refrigerator on the back 😎
.
.
.
.
🧐 what ?
I'm I asking for more "
I've ridden it for around 7000 km and I'm agree with you.
Thanks for the video.
Bs3 or bs4??
Solve most of your problems by being 6 inches shorter, like me (a shrimp, stretching to make 5'6 ")- Great channel, good content. Your experience is very informative. Thanks.
Hahahahaha cut the leg
A bigger tank makes the bike heavier and harder to pick up, extra fuel cans can be unloaded to lighten the bike to lift it up. You can add a pad to the seat to raise your position. I've been riding for 43 years and have never ridden off with the side stand down because I know I'm on a motorcycle not in a car.
There are very few bikes, even ones at three times the price of the ENFIELD that fit everybody out of the crate. If you intend doing a long trip, prepare the bike to fit yourself and the trip before setting off.
The average height of a indian man is around 165cm, so the seat height and leg position will be perfect for indians.
When it's comes to technology RE is far behind, my 150cc hero xtreme (2014) have the engine kill side stand switch that you have said. It also have a engine immobilizer facility.
Hero is also an indian brand with a much better build quality than RE
The average height of a indian man is around 165cm...ok, than they should produce it only for india and not for export
@@wolfgang4078 as i mentioned, they are far behind when it comes to technology. I think they don't know how to make a height adjustable seat. Poor engineers
Wolf Gang They’re free to export wherever there is demand. And since it’s selling abroad, there is one. And if you tell me it isn’t then you should look at the number of reviews this is getting abroad. They are catering to shorter height rider segment.
Name one engine of hero except maestro 125 engine that hero has made from scratch? Hero is indian but they had collab with honda dont forget that, most of their engines are basically hondas. In that respect RE hasn't collab with any foreign co
@@ohok6 Research a bit about how South Korea developed with the help of Japanese companies.
Pavlin, I have one question for you. Do you have any experience with a motorcycle that has a carburetor (not electronic injection). What interests me is whether it is possible to cross the Himalayas without adjusting the carburetor. So, to set the fuel mixture at the lower starting point approx. 450-650m above sea level, and to pass the passage 5900m above sea level, without intermediate adjustment of the carburetor ??
Yes I have enough experience and no, you cannot cross the Himalayas without adjusting the carburetor.
@@motorcycleadventures So I predicted, the air at high altitude is so sparse that the mixture would be too rich, the engine would suffocate ...
Good points,
Especially for side stand
even honda have applied the side stand switch in their automatic scooters. The engine won't start if you dont put the side stand up
And they cost not more than 20% of himalayan does 😅
Bravo my friend at last a honest and constructive review of the Himalayan. Congratulations, good work, keep doing please!
With all that modification that won't be Himalayan anymore.
You asking them to change whole bike
In the first place
they make this bike for price friendly
Market.
Yours suggestions are very good they can make a new bike with all that info.
India mei kuch bhi bikega😄
Totally agree with you Satish it would no longer be a Himalayan and would put the price up
Agree. That's the whole point. You get what you paid for. Want more? Buy a bike that fits your purpose more.
I thought of purchasing RE Himalayan with ABS VERSION.
But after watching this vlog, i would wait for a little bit of improvement by RE GROUP to their Himalayan.
Himalayan is a practical bike, so your observations about practicality are perfect.
Hi,
1.The seating ergonomics can be improved slightly.
2. The frame for the headlamp is there to reduce the headlight and other parts weights mounting on to the handlebar . This will make the handlebar light which will help in handling in off road.
3. The scoop in the tank is given for the strength of the tank
4.the beak is given for the protection from mud or slush without hitting on the headlamp
5.there are good aftermarket crash guard
6. The wind sheild is not ok for me the wind blows directly on top of the helmet .
7. Himalayan range is 450 kms. Thats ok for me!
There are much more problems other than this.😂😂😂
I wish RE is watching and listening your suggestions. I am hoping to buy RE Himalaya 650 for long journey trip. I think RE needs to take these suggestions seriously.
I really doubt that they will, but who knows...
you need a Suzuki VStrom
Like your video. A couple of questions: How tall are you? Is there an aftermarket bigger tank? Aftermarket shocks? Also, would you different if you were 5’5” to 5’8”?
Hi Pavlin, that is, what we use to say "constructive criticism" from to very experienced riders. Best regards to your friend! Ride safe, Hans
Great video thanks for the upload, your right, those side bars are designed to hold gas cans ( Rotopax ) if you look underneath the R.E. logo you will see four holes, on top of those holes are welded four nuts, there to be used for the " Himalayan Jerry Can Brackets " mounting hardware. Currently waiting for the Himalayan 650cc due to come out 20/21 and hope the incorporate all your suggestions, cheers.
Valid points, RE did update one of your suggestions regarding side stand in BS4 model, it doesn't start if the side stand is engaged
You guys should take a look. She has ridden over 30,000 kilometers starting in India and is now in Turkey riding a Himalayan - great stuff. Enjoyed your video.
Who are you talking about? 😂😂😂
My guess would be Itchy Boots - Naroly
I hope they pay atention, but very unprobable
I think now RE top honcho Shri Sidarth lal has said openly that only if they are convinced the 650 twins will leave the factory
I had posted a stinker on quality onthe RE site
I am a die hard bullet fan I owned 2 350 re at diff times
But present RE are not reliable
They have to give top notch quality like Japanese bikes
Unfortunately they have British DNA Britons are not great engineers unlike Germans or Japanese
Very good points !
That bike is too small but how tall are you?
Mostly these bikes are made for the Indian rider so hence the low seat. Personally at 1.77m tall this bike is a breath of fresh air as far as seat height, low tech and price are concerned. There's plenty of high seat bikes on the market if your tall.
Royal Enfield should think of increasing the wheelbase to international standards and giving a bigger tank with flexible riding angle like Kawasaki Vulcun 650.
Agree
Although very serious, the side stand issue is hilarious. It's just lazy design and QC.
Many valid points. As said in some other comments, RE has omitted many basic features for years (ABS prominently) which should have been the number one safety feature in the first place.
in my humble opinion the Himalayan was designed involving engineers who probably aren't off-roaders and possibly not avid riders themselves. It also looks like not enough research went into it given that Himalayan has failed its eager customers in and out from faulty engine to other vital components breaking during rides. I think it would be safe to vote the Himalayan as the most problematic bike of the year. I pray that the upcoming RE 650 series aren't a disappointment...
True
Second that
Great points. I have just returned from Sikkim tour on the Himalayan and I agree with your observations completely.
May be RE Himalyan is not for you... Others have been happy.... The Price Tag is attractive
Wise advice. I did spiti valley and ladhak on this bike. I can relate to all of this.
1. You need to carry extra petrol because of the small tank and the milage is not that good as well.
2. Standing ride is not that comfortable because of no grip.
3. Seat is not comfortable for long rides.
4. Gear liver is so poor that it breaks or bents very often.
Agree
Pavlin.. It's a cheap bike made cheaply for a shorter Indian rider. For rest of the world..again. You would only buy it because it's cheap.
I was RE 500cc owner once. All I remember is engine knocking & poor brakes. Forget this let's talk about Tenere700 😊
Who the duck you think you are if your so rich buy yourself some sense and respect any smaller or larger company and let people help and suggest em.
Where i live a versys300 is cheaper so no not cheap its €5600
This is a touring/survival bike,not a pure off road bike
A bigger tank would be cool!
Thanks for sharing these insights, now it's 2022 I'll see if they have made any adjustments.
Good to know.
@@motorcycleadventures Actually I just learned RE has: the SCRAM 411 !
It looks cool! better then any BMW GS, Kawasaki, yamaha etc. Cool rough style! Love it! yeah improve and I might buy one.
Hey.. can you tell whats the good cruising speed on Himalayan? I own a classic 350 and post 80km/hr the vibrations are unbearable.
Can you tell how is it on Himalayan at different speed between 80-120km/hr as I mostly like to cruise at 100-110km/hr.
90km/h is the cruising speed.
@@motorcycleadventures so at 100-110 km/hr the vibrations pop? And is it unbearable like other enfields? Should i wait for 650 twins on Himalayan to get launhed?
I think if you made the seat firmer, which seems to be common in Europe, you would also sit a bit higher, and the position of your legs would be more comfortable. Pavlin is just too big for the bike, or bigger than the rider RE designed the bike for. As for the frames alongside the tank, I think that is a great item, making it possible to carry some luggage up front, spreading out the weight. Look at the bags Nathan the Postman carries in his videos. It would be a shame if this option was removed. And regarding the forks, most riders seem to feel they do a great job. I think a ton of thought went into this bike, and it's not old technology like some people here have commented. Harris engineering did the frame and the engine is completely new, so it's not like an old Bullet.
You're right, i wonder how many riders buy a bike and don't alter anything, because the bike is perfect for them?
If these two guys have found so many issues in this bike, why cant the RE design team found it earlier. Well actually they did found the issues and delivered us the good machine. For people who are all saying Himalayan is a bad ride, you should take a test drive atleast once in your life time to speak about it.
RE are you listening..🤠 Good observations..🕵️
Hello. For tank I’d say, this bike is meant for an average Indian height which is 5’6” to 5’8”. That means it’s not for very tall or tall riders.
this man is a genius
You shoud start ... A star up for Himalayan bike modifications.... definitely u have right point against this machine...!!!
1000% correct complete ly agree
Please note, I live in Australia and purchased my RE Himalayan from a bike shop some 650 klms from my home and rode it back home in one fell swoop and although the seat is soft I had 2 big rashes on my inner thighs were they were rubbing against the side frame after 650klms
Yes the handlebars could be a big bigger in diameter and a bit higher and back towards the rider some, not being that tall myself the tank is not a problem for me, but agree a slightly bigger tank capacity would not go astray!
There is a plug under the seat and once disconnected will stop that awful noise from the side stand siren when the side stand is down, but does not effect the side stand display indicator!
Also, I found a lot of bolts quite loose all over the bike ( not sure if they use any torque wrenches in India? )
The front brake is just barely adequate in my opinion!
I have only had the bike now for 3 weeks so still early days for me with this machine
Regards
Alan Reilly
Yes, Alan, it is not perfect, but it's do the job.
I really love the Himalayan-- but I already have a 2003 Transalp 650. It is a great bike (but heavy)-- I am hemming and hawing about selling it and getting the Himi. It is light and fun. Am I crazy?
Stick with the Transalp.
Guys thank you so much for this video. I am considering buying this bike so it's good to know these things. Keep up the good work.
It is a good bike, capable to go anywhere anytime, but the build quality is still weak.
It is really a good review video.Each observation has relevance except side stand failure. I found sidestand safety working in bike.
Work on your bike?
That's called a Valuable Review & Constructive Criticism... Good to see it! Keep Up the Good Work! 👍 & I hope somebody from the RE will see it...
Thanks man!
Where is this place ? Exposed brick work looks amazing. Can I visit ?
Royal Enfield must listen to your positive feedback.. Lot's of love sir..
I hope they will...
Can u suggest a good comfort bike from india ?
Yes, Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Hello sir i am 6"2 and planning to buy himalayan for regular use not off roading.do you suggest himalayan to me.
Go and try it. You are the only person who knows that.
@@motorcycleadventures thank you sir
This is not only with Indian brands even Honda , Kawasaki other brands neglected this simple things for I don't know for what!!
Nice video! Special for side stand because we Indians too many have 2 wheels!
Thanks!
As always, excellent observations and suggestions.
Glad you like them!
You had your turn on the mic mate, now give the other guy his turn .
Wow. Very constructive criticism! Well done, I hope RE hears you before releasing the (hopefully) 650cc version!
The rider of a bike will ultimately know the missing things in a bike no matter how experienced the company's engineers are. That's why users views are important to look upon.
These bikes are made to alter... They are made with basic configuration with a very very low price tag - that means you are supposed to make the alterations. They have a lot of products that can be purchased after sales including touring seats, additional fittings, engine guards, pads etc... Just because some people are taller that doesn't mean a company to Change the whole model
No thanks! I don't want to own this motorcycle!
Not got this particular bike but understand what you are talking about and feel the suggested adjustments would improve the bike and would probably create more sales.
I would like to see a Himalayan on sale with the modifications!
I’ve just bought a second hand Triumph Tiger 2015 model and love it, but the 2018 model has loads of improvements that I would like but can’t afford the hefty price tag.
I hope you’re successful and Enfield take notice of its customers.
And no matter how good you feel you’re bike is there is always room for improvements especially when it comes to safety.
Thanks for the video 👍
I think its important to keep in mind that companies work to averages and the average Indian male is about 5' 5" or in that range and the Himalayan is made for that. I don't think that say Triumph or BMW would consider building bikes for shorter customers because they build for Western public. Although your points are very good ones but I really think as an individual it would better to customize your bike to your preferences rather than feel the company (RE) should be doing this.
As a tall feller, why didn't you get a KLR or something rather than a bike intended for short, new adventure riders?
Because I don't have a choice. The bike was given to me for ride India and Nepal.
Being a tall guy is problematic in India when it comes to bikes. All have short seat height. Pavlin is 6'1" and I am a 6' tall guy and I can definitely relate to the seat height issue and the seating position. That is why I never purchased this bike. I will stick to bikes that have a seat height of 900mm and above which ends up with enduro and rally bikes.
I am so glad you made this video Pavlin. You are the only person that pointed out these issues.
Thank you for sharing this. Like you always say its your opinion on how to make it better. All the bashers who said you get what you pay for dont really understan the content. Some of the mods or upgrade suggested will likely reduce cost. Sure there are a few i dont agree with but that the whole point of sharing the video. He puts his neck out to share his views. Its not easy. Thank you sir again for a good video. Ride safe
So that's a tall, harder seat, bigger, long-distance tank, bigger handlebars, upside down forks and decent crash bars. Great review born of experience. The bike was definitely designed for shorties, that's why the Dutch girl doing "Itchy boots" videos on TH-cam at the moment likes it so much. RE should offer options for taller people and they will double their market because the bike is basically very suitable for cheap adventure holidays.
The biggest problem on this model is the build quality. This is the main reason why I will never spend my money on it, even if they put 650cc as they promised.
Im 5ft 5in in height about 60kls. Ergonomics? seat height? cushion? Theyre just right for me.maybe d himalayan is not meant for tall or heavy guys. Probably a gs1200, africa twin,ktm wud be better for them which unfortunately will not work for me.i tried them all i cant ride none of them.but wid my hima i take my wife with me all d time even on rough roads wid ease.were having such a good time with it
It’s a small bike, just 410cc, maybe not built for us 1.85m guys
I like the front metal tank guards, protection and yes to put bags or whatever on. At over 110 kpl, you don’t need a bigger tank?
Ok
These are all valid suggestions and I'm sure it would not take any additional cost to make these small changes. Some of them might even make it cheaper to manufacture. Some of the changes can be done by a home craftsman such as the crash bars. They are simply too weak and need some additional bracing or redesign.
Agree with most of it, but poor quality upside down forks can be more trouble, we have had leaking/seal issues with KTM which was later resolved. Indian conditions are very rough, so suspension will cost more to design.
Better suspension fail more rare...
Agree with you guys, points are very much valid. RE need to work on it. Thanks for the info good job.
People who REALLY REALLY know how to ride off road LOVE this bike in Canada and US and Australia and UK . I'm in Canada and there is a new Royal Enfield company in the US! Canada will get the Himalayan next year ( 2019) . I live close to Lake Huron and will be ordering one for sure ...the price is so good I might get 2- that Desert Storm Bullet looks amazing as well.
People who really love off road will use a proper dirt bike machine.
@@motorcycleadventures you are wrong!! People in America are using it the mountains and canyons and for trail blazing . People really like the way this bike is ...and some people don't . This bike is supposed to have a style , you can GET a different bike too. Or maybe you like the Himalayan ?!!
All valid points and overall an excellent video. The manufacturer would be silly if they didn't seriously consider your suggestions.
I hope that they will listen.
Best review of Himalayan yet.. Thanks guys.. And Royal Enfield, please work on these valuable suggestions..