NSR: BS4 Royal Enfield Himalayan

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 5:40 am

For those thinking about the upcoming BS4 RE Himalayan, this YouTube video is pretty interesting. The reviewer is in England but sounds American, not that that should make any difference.
Personally, if I can't come up with enough dinero for a Triumph Scrambler, this may be my second choice.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lroWGOjbv_Q" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 6:03 pm

Interesting. 75 mph max on the flat is sort a a bummer. But heck, it's a 400. In the hilly/mountainous west, that could be a problem on the highway. Especially at altitude.

I'm nervous about that tick/rattle. I wonder what all that's about. Hopefully it's just a loose bracket and not the engine.

I wish he'd taken it off road in his review. I wonder how adjustable the suspension is.

RoaringTodd · Post by **RoaringTodd** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 12:20 pm

I saw that motorcycle 2 weeks ago at the Progressive Motorcycle Show.

I do have a Kawasaki Versys 650 I bought last year after giving up on the Genuine 400 motorcycle.

I loved the look and feel of the Enfield. The look, soul, slow motor, ruggedness, etc... My Versys does everything the Enfield does, but better, smoother, and without a hiccup.... yet sometimes its a yawn to ride.

I'm coming off a 2t Stella, that should tell you what I got used to riding, and grew to love. At the same time I also had a Honda Elite. Rock Solid. Fast. Smooth. But I always went for the Stella when I could.

Quality remains a ??????

This is the bike GENUINE SHOULD HAVE COME OUT WITH.

Point37 · Post by **Point37** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 2:32 pm

the bike name makes sense...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIb7gPa8O5s

PhillyKick · Post by **PhillyKick** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 11:36 pm

k1dude wrote:Interesting. 75 mph max on the flat is sort a a bummer.

Aaaaand unfortunately, knocks it out of contention for me. Not that I'm looking for a speed demon, but one of the reasons I'm looking for something bigger than a 125cc scoot is highway capability. I'm not touring the country on it, but getting to my sister's or my parents house involves the turnpike in a 70mph zone, and at 70 you'll get run off the road, even if the bike isn't about to run out of steam. I admittedly haven't seen the video, but being drag limited OR gearing limited that low is kinda surprising, when my kick will do north of 65 (indicated).

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 1:16 am

PhillyKick wrote:
k1dude wrote:Interesting. 75 mph max on the flat is sort a a bummer.
Aaaaand unfortunately, knocks it out of contention for me. Not that I'm looking for a speed demon, but one of the reasons I'm looking for something bigger than a 125cc scoot is highway capability. I'm not touring the country on it, but getting to my sister's or my parents house involves the turnpike in a 70mph zone, and at 70 you'll get run off the road, even if the bike isn't about to run out of steam. I admittedly haven't seen the video, but being drag limited OR gearing limited that low is kinda surprising, when my kick will do north of 65 (indicated).

You're comparing real world 75 MPH to 65 BMPH (which is actually more like 52 real world MPH). No offense, just sayin.

wheelbender6 · Post by **wheelbender6** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 2:10 am

You may get a little more top speed with a sprocket change, but low speed performance will suffer a little.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 6:07 pm

wheelbender6 wrote:You may get a little more top speed with a sprocket change, but low speed performance will suffer a little.

Seems like this model should be designed to optimize low speed and mid-range performance. Those who want more on the top end, are probably looking at the wrong bike.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Mon Mar 12, 2018 6:34 pm

Motorcycle.com just posted a review of the RE Himalayan. They put it to the test, so they have a lot to say.

Click Here to go read it for yourself.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Mon Mar 12, 2018 7:48 pm

Thanks for posting that, interesting read. I'm thinking if the Himalaya sells in enough numbers here, an aftermarket is sure to pop up to support buyers with all kinds of neat stuff like exhaust systems, engine and suspension mods, things like that. I'm getting excited! I love the adventure bike look but most of the ones currently in the market are too tall/big for me. The Himalaya looks to be a good fit. I can deal with the limited top speed because I rarely ride more than 5-10 mph above the posted speed limit. Can't wait to see one in person.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:04 pm

ABS coming next year on the Himalayan.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Tue Mar 13, 2018 2:42 am

k1dude wrote:ABS coming next year on the Himalayan.

More the reason to buy one this year then.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:16 am

An honest (I guess) review from an American reviewer of the Himalayan on American soil:

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/r ... 20Combined

Note the max speed he achieved: 85 mph (indicated, I assume).

And just for sits and grins, the upcoming RE 650 twins:

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2 ... 20Combined

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Mar 24, 2018 3:33 pm

babblefish wrote:And just for sits and grins, the upcoming RE 650 twins

Now the Interceptor twin is probably the model that would interest riders who are more concerned about performance on the highway. And it is drop dead gorgeous.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Sat Mar 24, 2018 8:40 pm

Dooglas wrote:
babblefish wrote:And just for sits and grins, the upcoming RE 650 twins
Now the Interceptor twin is probably the model that would interest riders who are more concerned about performance on the highway. And it is drop dead gorgeous.

RE is showing the 650 in Australia. The price I've seen quoted is 10,000 Australian dollars. At today's (3/24) exchange rate that is $7,699 exactly. That's nothing official, but it should be in a small ballpark of what it's going to be. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one of those. Really looking forward to it!

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 1:44 am

babblefish wrote:An honest (I guess) review from an American reviewer of the Himalayan on American soil:

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/r ... 20Combined

Note the max speed he achieved: 85 mph (indicated, I assume).

Bummer. That wasn't a particularly glowing review.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 2:54 am

k1dude wrote:
babblefish wrote:An honest (I guess) review from an American reviewer of the Himalayan on American soil:

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/r ... 20Combined

Note the max speed he achieved: 85 mph (indicated, I assume).
Bummer. That wasn't a particularly glowing review.

I suppose, but I doubt if the reviewer is the Himalayas target audience. The bike is also built to a price point so one has to make allowences for that.

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:11 am

babblefish wrote:
k1dude wrote:
babblefish wrote:An honest (I guess) review from an American reviewer of the Himalayan on American soil:

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/r ... 20Combined

Note the max speed he achieved: 85 mph (indicated, I assume).
Bummer. That wasn't a particularly glowing review.
I suppose, but I doubt if the reviewer is the Himalayas target audience. The bike is also built to a price point so one has to make allowences for that.

Who is the Himalayan's target audience (in your opinion)?
[genuine question - not sarcastic]

It seems to be quite popular around here.
I'm not interested in it at all - I'm much more interested in something like the Scomadi 400.

babblefish · Post by **babblefish** » Sun Mar 25, 2018 1:00 pm

Christophers wrote:
babblefish wrote:
k1dude wrote: Bummer. That wasn't a particularly glowing review.
I suppose, but I doubt if the reviewer is the Himalayas target audience. The bike is also built to a price point so one has to make allowences for that.
Who is the Himalayan's target audience (in your opinion)?
[genuine question - not sarcastic]

It seems to be quite popular around here.
I'm not interested in it at all - I'm much more interested in something like the Scomadi 400.

I think the main audience for the Himalayan are (in no particular order):

- new riders
- smaller/shorter/lighter riders (think of your typical East Indian)
- people who value a bike that is nimble and light enough to weave through city traffic or through narrow and tight single track rather than something that can do Mach 2 while carrying half of their worldly belongings
- people who look at price first and specs second

Generally, I think people who would thumb their nose at scooters would thumb their nose at the Himalayan (or any small motorcycle) because both vehicles make less than 100 HP and go less than 100 MPH.

And yes, that Scomadi 400 is a nice scooter, if they ever bring it to this country. Unfortunately, that's probably a slim to none chance.

RoaringTodd · Post by **RoaringTodd** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:50 pm

The Stella 2T has a horrible reliability record. My "Margs" constantly threatens to either develop an air leak, break a cable, or rattle some screws loose.

I love that thing.