[100Kmphormore]

It is with mixed feelings I have to say that I have sold my beloved Ghata, my Rock Red Himalayan 411. After 21580 km on the odo with just a couple of days to the 2nd anniversary. Sold almost all my accessories with it to a direct buyer for a fair price considering how the market value dropped after the launch of the 450.

As I described my many experiences with the bike, both good and bad, the 411 should have been the 450 in all ways as I described in my short impressions post on the 450 thread, still, fingers crossed on the 450s reliability. Considering the 411 is a 2016 launch, it may have a great package then, gradually refining out the fiasco with the BS3/4 and this 2020 BS6 version being the best.

But the general robustness and ownership/maintenance experience with RE for someone who tours on road like me very frequently if I can and the fact that I grew out of it quickly, the desire for speed as well as strong brakes even for city commutes amidst our drivers/riders made it clear I had to move on. With my touring season for 2024 not seeing many planned trips due to career changes and only city commutes, I had grown apart emotionally from the bike except the still lingering emotion of "first bike, first long tours of many" to keep it as a 2nd bike, even if I had been able to.

Make no mistake, for a very sedate tourer/city rider and offroad rider this is STILL the bike. The 390 Adventure/Himalayan 450 cannot fill this gap by a long shot just because of that low end tractor torque. This sort of fits the gap between Xpulse and 390 Adventure/Himalayan 450 for someone looking in the preowned market for an occasional tourer, if weight isnt an issue for the rider.

P.S.

I am in exactly the other way round thoughts - own a Himalayan but want a scare you, updated with electronics bike like the Duke 390 now. The Himalayan is great for touring but not breakfast rides. I do breakfast rides every weekend and boy is the Himalayan slow.

My post from rahul4321s Duke/Himalayan thread in July 2022, a month after my first tour with my Ghata and 6 months of owning it. The next chapter is exactly what I had asked for then, the same feeling extended to touring after a year and 10000 km of ownership. Salaga is with me now, having just taken her today from her previous equally heartbroken owner who had to move on to complete his transition to his recently acquired preloved Duke 790. Touring all this time has taught me exactly as to what and how to modify any shortcomings, a stiff suspension no longer a problem. I will post some pictures and definitely try my strongest to write an ownership thread after I put a few kilometers on it.

A parting shot of Ghata on the way up to Zostel Wayanad. Had a great time touring on it for 1 and a half years and riding it for nearly 2 years. You will be missed!

[VijayAnand1]

Originally Posted by 100Kmphormore

.....and a half years and riding it for nearly 2 years. You will be missed!

Now I see that you've bought yourself a 2017 Duke 390, if I infer from your post on the Duke 390 thread. The 411 is a great bike, no doubt in that. Just as you think you've had enough love making with it, it delineates the good times one had with it, in a subtle way. Hence why even after parting ways, down the line, one misses the all the re-kindle.

It's a good bike, but not a great bike nevertheless. As you've correctly put, this should have been the 450 we'd all hoped right from the start. Lo, it's not bad a time we're living in and the mid segment is super-piping hot like no other.

Good luck on your new adventure.

Cheers!
VJ

[100Kmphormore]

Originally Posted by VijayAnand1

Now I see that you've bought yourself a 2017 Duke 390, if I infer from your post on the Duke 390 thread. The 411 is a great bike, no doubt in that. Just as you think you've had enough love making with it, it delineates the good times one had with it, in a subtle way. Hence why even after parting ways, down the line, one misses the all the re-kindle.

It's a good bike, but not a great bike nevertheless. As you've correctly put, this should have been the 450 we'd all hoped right from the start. Lo, it's not bad a time we're living in and the mid segment is super-piping hot like no other.

Good luck on your new adventure.

Cheers!
VJ

Indeed I did. Thanks for the wishes and advice and you're spot on about the Himalayan. It was my city bike as well and it was testing my patience with its poor brakes. Had it been a little more rev happy like the 450, it would have remained with me as the city beater despite the 24 hp, I didnt like the experience straining the engine past 5000 rpm, with a cam tensioner replacement already done earlier due to tappet noise. The gearshifts werent a good experience, the hard clutch and lack of a slipper clutch ruining the last moments of a tour when you were entering the city. This can be the second bike in the garage like how many have for moderate distance touring, no roads too daunting a task.

I'm learning to ride Salaga slow in the city now (one highway run to a temple done of 340 km with a super active 60 year old dad as pillion) and apart from a 10% difference that I see in the low end and the suspension, it all is regular business, except the infernal headlights that I posted about on that thread.

[bblost]

Just a short overnight ride to a tiger reserve in Jannaram. Did not spot any wild animals during the safari but the idea was to burn some petrol and chill out with friends.

My Himalayan at almost 6 years with 38,000 kms is still as it was when I got it.

Recently got it serviced and also rear brake oil topped up.

The no nonsense bike is the king of bad roads.

[bblost]

Just for information.

The plastic cover on my swing arm pivot thing had fallen off somewhere in the Himalayas.

My local RE service center did not have it.

But I luckily chanced upon this website and ordered it:
https://sparify.co/products/himalayn...41181305831481

Its absolutely perfect fit.




Disclaimer: I have no connections whatsoever with this website.

[jeeva]

Any ideas to improve the brake bite/feel on the Himalayan? The brakes doesn't feel progressive at all, feels almost like hitting on a piece of wood.

TVS Apache brake pads used to improve the brake feel on cars. Has anyone tried aftermarket pads for the Himalayan and can share their experience?

[100Kmphormore]

The plastic cover on my swing arm pivot thing had fallen off somewhere in the Himalayas.

Mine had too, in the city or on tour somewhere. Seems its a regular occurence.

Any ideas to improve the brake bite/feel on the Himalayan? The brakes doesn't feel progressive at all, feels almost like hitting on a piece of wood.

TVS Apache brake pads used to improve the brake feel on cars. Has anyone tried aftermarket pads for the Himalayan and can share their experience?

I used NS200 brake pads on the rear after the stock wore out at the 8000 km mark and had a marginal improvement in the city but none on the highway whatsoever. It wore out after 12500 km. In my friends circle even EBC sintered had the same effect. I would upgrade to the 450s brakes in an instant if possible.

[khan_sultan]

Had the infamous "cone-set" issue paying a visit to my Himalayan 411 with the khat-khat sound coming from the front fork side while going over speed breakers/potholes at normal speeds.

Took it to the RE Service center and they first tried tightening every bolt and seeing if the issue went away. It didn't go away and they had to eventually open the contest.





The bearing condition after opening.


This is the part that gets changed and it is not covered under warranty and is consumable so have to pay for both the parts & labor.


Total came to approx 1700 bucks! Next time if this issue happens, will get the art-of-motorcycle cone-set solution done!