Royal Enfield Himalayan

[Terry James]

I've just bought a Royal Enfield Himalayan and I'm really impressed with it. My XBR became too uncomfortable as I have an arthritic back and hips. The upright riding position suits me much better. I've got an MZ 251 Saxon for the winter months, but that's in pieces at the moment.

[timbo]

Excellent Terry. Great to finally 'meet' someone who has taken the plunge. Please keep us all up to speed on how things go. Where did you buy it from?

[spooky]

I was in my local RE dealer last week, I do like the look of them, but they look too high for a short a**e, maybe better off the stand but didn`t get a a chance to sit on it off the stand,

[iansoady]

Yes, it's a shame they've followed the fashion for vastly more clearance between tyre and mudguard than is justified by suspension travel.

[Richard]

As another 'vertically challenged' bloke with short legs I tried one for size at the Dragon this year.  It fits beautifully.

I reckon it could be the best rally attending bike there is, off the peg.

[Smithy]

Hi Terry

Like Timbo I would be interested in your ongoing impressions of the Himalayan. I've got an Enfield Classic and a BMW F650, both of which are great bikes, but if I was to have just one bike I like the idea of the Himalayan.

Ian

[timbo]

I must admit that I really like them. If I was buying a new, or newish bike, it would have to be an EFI, or a Himalayan. The only thing about the Himalayan that doesn't appeal is that I personally would prefer if it was a twin shock. Less arsing about maintaining linkages etc 

[CrazyFrog]

I must admit that I really like them. If I was buying a new, or newish bike, it would have to be an EFI, or a Himalayan. The only thing about the Himalayan that doesn't appeal is that I personally would prefer if it was a twin shock. Less arsing about maintaining linkages etc 

Yeah, I'm with you on that one Tim. I really don't get what monoshock rear suspension brings to the party unless you are competing in off road stuff at expert level. Certainly for the likes of me it's a waste of time and a maintenance PITA...

[Dave#22]

If the monoshock has a rising rate linkage, it is far better that twin shocks + it has the ability to travel much further giving a lovely progressive suspension...my DR750 has 8" of travel at the rear....like a magic carpet on poor roads.
If it doesn't have rising rate and is just linear, you get the benefit of more travel over  twin shocks, but not much else.
Dave.

[CrazyFrog]

If the monoshock has a rising rate linkage, it is far better that twin shocks + it has the ability to travel much further giving a lovely progressive suspension...my DR750 has 8" of travel at the rear....like a magic carpet on poor roads.
If it doesn't have rising rate and is just linear, you get the benefit of more travel over  twin shocks, but not much else.
Dave.

I could cope with it all Dave, if only the manufacturers would spend a couple of quid on grease nipples, but they don't. 

[Terry James]

Just a short post to answer some of the questions. I bought it from Newcombe Bros. in Chelmsford. The bike is a joy to ride. The frame was designed by Harris Performance. The seat height is low enough to get both feet flat on the ground. It does 80mpg. The clearance at the rear is for improved suspension travel. The finish is on a par with Japanese bikes and is supremely comfortable. The screen doesn't look much, but it works really well.
Terry.

[CrazyFrog]

Just a short post to answer some of the questions. I bought it from Newcombe Bros. in Chelmsford. The bike is a joy to ride. The frame was designed by Harris Performance. The seat height is low enough to get both feet flat on the ground. It does 80mpg. The clearance at the rear is for improved suspension travel. The finish is on a par with Japanese bikes and is supremely comfortable. The screen doesn't look much, but it works really well.
Terry.

Sorry Terry, I didn't mean to hi-jack your thread with my grumpy old git impression!

Welcome to TC and I too look forward to further reports of the Himalayan as it would be one of the very few new bikes I'd consider buying too.

[timbo]

Thanks for that Terry. All sounds good. Enjoy 
Just out of interest, what do you reckon its happy cruising speed is? Could it sit happily at 70 for instance, say on a motorway? What horse power is it compared to an EFI? Also, any of you lot know what the happy cruising speed of an EFI Bullet is?
I know us Thumpeteers mostly stick to the back roads, and both the Himalaya and EFI are ideal for our sort of riding, but I just wondered as sometimes we have to join the great unwashed on the monotony of the major routes 

[Andy M]

UCE EFI (2017 Euro 4) will cruise at 60 all day. Will probably do 70 all day but that's so boring I aren't going try it. It'll touch 80 two up  . 5000 miles on my 2017 now and starting to find some throwbacks from the iron barrels. Had to rewire the voltage regulator which they mount under the rear mudguard  and the oil bath outside the sprocket means you cannot fit a modern Japanese chain. The Himalaya supposedly has a lower power to weight ratio but if they've used fewer old Indian bits I'd give it a go.

Andy 

[Terry James]

Thanks for that Terry. All sounds good. Enjoy 
Just out of interest, what do you reckon its happy cruising speed is? Could it sit happily at 70 for instance, say on a motorway? What horse power is it compared to an EFI? Also, any of you lot know what the happy cruising speed of an EFI Bullet is?
I know us Thumpeteers mostly stick to the back roads, and both the Himalaya and EFI are ideal for our sort of riding, but I just wondered as sometimes we have to join the great unwashed on the monotony of the major routes 

Not run it in yet, so have to keep to 50mph for 300 miles. The BHP is modest at just under 25, but being a long stroke 411cc, it has plenty of torque, which is what I was looking for. I won't be using it on motorways. Other RE owners have told me the comfortable cruising speed of a Bullet is 65mph, if you can stand the vibration! The Himalayan has a balance shaft, the Bullet doesn't. The Himalayan also has EFI.