[nasirkaka]

Just the other day my friend on the Ninja 650 had a tough time shaking me off. Though the Ninja can do speeds in the range of 160 but he was managing max 130-140 while I was doing 120~130. I have ridden the GT extensively too and I doubt it's capabilities in this regards even though it has some better components

Ninja 650 does 200+kmph easily on stock setup. It would be really difficult for himalayan to keep up with a high revving parallel twin on highway, track or twisting ghats, given their dynamics, tyre size, 25 vs 70 bhp, etc. They are so different machines, meant to satisfy different cravings. Off road is where the himalayan would feel at home.

Most of us do admire and respect himalayan for what it is and RE for creating such a product. There would always be a few trying to bad mouth a product. I myself would have traded my 390 for the H, if it had a bit more power. Thats where the news on RE developing a 750 twin is very exciting.

What is a bit annoying is that when you keep comparing the himalayan to other models from Re stable and outside with a negative undertone.

Agree with you that comparison is inevitable, but should have positive vibes. words like Himalayan will run circles around any other RE product sounds a bit demeaning. i know a few who have been riding TB500, test rode himalayan, and have decided to stick with TB 500. their reason, their choice!

When i mentioned GT 500, its definitely a faster machine and would out run himalayan in a quarter mile drag, given equal rider skills. But again, the purpose for which they are positioned is different. like you said, GT would induce pain if ridden for long or lag behind himlayan on a trail. comparing it to bikes like tiger or versys makes sense if done on a positive note as they all somewhat belong to adventure category. But again differ so much interms of displacement, equipment, electronics, price etc.

Words like someone rode himalayan for 90 kms on flat tyre, let me see versys or tiger replicate that - sounds negative and to an extent wannabe.

if riding without tyre on rim is in question, an avon cycle may feel more comfortable and go on and on as long as one can paddle it (we had a junked cycle without tyres and use to ride it just on rims as kids and it held fine).

But that is not the point. Himalayan is a great initiative, a good product at a great value, let us enjoy it.

Compare it to others on a productive/positive vibe, not trying to demean others, respect them for what they stand for, and enjoy riding whatever suits us.

[Red Liner]

Ah, I guess the only thing that will run circles around the himalayan will be your royal enfield mechanic.

Sorry, couldn't resist the troll.

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Compare it to others on a productive/positive vibe, not trying to demean others, respect them for what they stand for, and enjoy riding whatever suits us.

Whao, I seem to have hit a raw nerve with some Kwaker 650 owners. I can see that with the subjective likes on various posts. It's nothing personal mate, but comparing machines being taken as demeaning is stretching it a bit. I even see some mods comparing their Kwakers with the Himalayan and ridiculing it in sneering jest, never saw you complaining about that there. So this subjective memory doesn't cut it with me. In fact it is quite hypocritical just like the troll just above...lolz. Yes, there are minor issues with the Himalayan and I have honestly marked each and everyone of them on my ownership thread without any sugar coating. I will definitely compare with other products and it is a personal opinion. It is NOT binding on anyone and NOT personal in the least. And it is not meant in a demeaning way. That you took it so may reflect your own insecurity with your machine. I was a prospective Versys customer myself and I evaluated it on many parameters. But subjectively, to what it offered to fulfill my needs, for the price and value it offered. That it did not cut it for me and it did so for you is a personal decision and let it remain so. You took the 'Lets see' comment also in a negative breath that I did not intend. What I meant was that I have seen many of these 'pricier' bike owners, myself included, not stretching it to it's limits due to the heavy cost involved in it's repair if a similar thing happened with their bikes. So it kind of defeats the purpose of purchasing that category of vehicle. That the Himalayan is the most capable and all round bike in the present RE stable, is a again a personal opinion, not binding on anyone and you are free to disagree. That you take it in a negative vein is again your point of view, not mine. Hope that clarifies the air.

Cheers...

PS - The wikipedia says that the Ninja 650 is capable of a top speed of 175.08 kmph so can't comment on the 200+ speeds.

[ramvenky74]

Hi guys,

I have a Himalayan, and it's done 640 kms as of today. I hear a lot of knocking in the engine at lower speeds. I even tried high revving in lower gear but still I hear a lot of knocking.

Also I could hear tappet noise a lot.

Initially RE OMR delivered the bike to me without doing a PDI, it took a lot of effort for me to even change gears, fortunately one kind soul called me to inspect the bike for free and did all the corrections. But after 1st service I see this kind of problems.

I need suggestions on the following:

1. SAE 15W 50 is it a Synthetic? Will switching SAE 0W50 be effective for smother engine?
2. I'm intending to switch over to K&N. Which model number should I go for?
3. I'm looking to replace the stock spark plug with a Iridium one, where can I order online any model number suggestions?

Finally, any best mechanics outside of RE showrooms in chennai?

Regards,
Venky.

[anilp]

Originally Posted by ramvenky74

?
2. I'm intending to switch over to K&N. Which model number should I go for?
3. I'm looking to replace the stock spark plug with a Iridium one, where can I order online any model number suggestions?
.

Avoid K&Ns since it is very likely to void your warranty. These filters allow more particulate matter to get in, which the manufacturers will not take too kindly if there's anything going wrong. Also, just changing your plugs and a filter will not provide benefits worth the spend unless you change the spark plug leads and other associated items.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

Words like someone rode himalayan for 90 kms on flat tyre, let me see versys or tiger replicate that - sounds negative and to an extent wannabe.

if riding without tyre on rim is in question, an avon cycle may feel more comfortable and go on and on as long as one can paddle it (we had a junked cycle without tyres and use to ride it just on rims as kids and it held fine)

Excellent post Nasirkaka. The very thought of a Himalayan being compared to super-bikes brings out uncontrollable giggles and I have been refraining to post here as I thought it's not even worth the effort of a response

There was a time "Chrome" was king and now apparently the Himalayan is the "True blue adventure bike"

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Ah, I guess the only thing that will run circles around the himalayan will be your royal enfield mechanic.

No offense to owners but, that's what certainly seems to be happening going by issues that Himalayan is throwing up

[nasirkaka]

Sire, the tone of your post says a ton

Whao, I seem to have hit a raw nerve with some Kwaker 650 owners. I can see that with the subjective likes on various posts.It's nothing personal mate, but comparing machines being taken as demeaning is stretching it a bit. I even see some mods comparing their Kwakers with the Himalayan and ridiculing it in sneering jest, never saw you complaining about that there. So this subjective memory doesn't cut it with me.
In fact it is quite hypocritical just like the troll just above...lolz. Yes, there are minor issues with the Himalayan and I have honestly marked each and everyone of them on my ownership thread without any sugar coating. I will definitely compare with other products and it is a personal opinion. It is NOT binding on anyone and NOT personal in the least. And it is not meant in a demeaning way. That you took it so may reflect your own insecurity with your machine. I was a prospective Versys customer myself and I evaluated it on many parameters. But subjectively, to what it offered to fulfill my needs, for the price and value it offered. That it did not cut it for me and it did so for you is a personal decision and let it remain so. You took the 'Lets see' comment also in a negative breath that I did not intend. What I meant was that I have seen many of these 'pricier' bike owners, myself included, not stretching it to it's limits due to the heavy cost involved in it's repair if a similar thing happened with their bikes. So it kind of defeats the purpose of purchasing that category of vehicle. That the Himalayan is the most capable and all round bike in the present RE stable, is a again a personal opinion, not binding on anyone and you are free to disagree. That you take it in a negative vein is again your point of view, not mine. Hope that clarifies the air.

Cant comment about 'some' but i as a 'kwaker 650 owner' have grown with HH splendor>pulsar 150>machismo 350>Classic 500>Duke 390>versys 650>??. and i do respect all those bike for what they are and cherish time spent with them and the memories. Himalayan may be your first RE, but i have been riding REs for a while and love our bitter/sweet relation. I follow this thread occasionally only because of my interest in Himalayan and its progress. As said earlier, i would have booked one only if had a bit more power and torque which i am accustomed to after the UCE 535. Have never gone about bashing himalayan or any other bike or trying to establish how MY Classic 500 is superior to OTHER'S Electra 350. There will always be a few who go about beating a particular product/brand, and i do try and reason where i feel i am not up against a closed wall. You say its not personal, but some of your comments comes across as one. Someone else did feel the same and wrote about it a few posts back. Not sure if its the choice of words. All i was trying to say in my previous post was the different bikes are meant for different purpose and should be accepted and respect for that. Himalayan will excel in off road scenario, GT for that dash mixed with retro charm, versys for munching miles quickly and comfortably, tiger for.. well its a tiger.

PS - The wikipedia says that the Ninja 650 is capable of a top speed of 175.08 kmph so can't comment on the 200+ speeds.

Wiki says that for the qtr mile dash: 1/4 mile 12.06 sec @ 108.79 mph (175.08 km/h)
this is what cycleworld says for the N650:
1/4 MILE|12.35 sec. @ 104.21 mph
Top Speed : 125 mph (201.1kmph)

Mods: pls remove the post if its going OT.

[Mafioso]

Originally Posted by dkaile

Rode 90kms on a flat tyre!! Now let me see a Versys or a Tiger replicate that!!

#Himalayan #whatabike

Cheers...

I agree that Himalayan is a superior bike from RE stable but demeaning other world class bikes isn't good! It was pure madness to ride on a flat tyre so long or on a rim without a tyre! (whatever the challenge may be) If you love your bike, you surely would never do that. What was he trying to prove? Do you guys know what is the damage to rim after such run! Guess Versys & Tiger riders are matured who wouldn't indulge in such madness of riding on a rim! Himalayan keeps up to 120-130 kmph, but the amount of vibrations from the engine vs Ninja 650 cruising at this speeds are incomparable!

Everyone has a choice of bikes based on different needs, and everyone is free to compare against any bike they want either, but you should seriously compare like for like and not apple for oranges

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by Mafioso

It was pure madness to ride on a flat tyre so long or on a rim without a tyre! (whatever the challenge may be) If you love your bike, you surely would never do that. What was he trying to prove? Do you guys know what is the damage to rim after such run! Guess Versys & Tiger riders are matured who wouldn't indulge in such madness of riding on a rim! !

Mate it was at a rally and in certain stages where you have no support, there are no options but to ride till he reaches help.
Nothing wrong with that as it was a competition and I think the first goal of every competitor is to finish the rally.

PS: Second time reiterating that Jagat actually rode with a punctured Yezdi Roadking with his wife on the petrol tank and still managed to finish fourth.

In rally these things are pretty normal and should not be necessarily considered as a benchmark

[Red Liner]

There are plenty of ktms and Hondas and Beemers and other marquees who participate in the Dakar rally and subject the bikes to far far worse riding over a significantly longer period of time than any rally in India does. Now, that doesn't mean you rubbish everything else on the planet.

I would certainly like to see the himalayan doing the Dakar rally. Flat tyres are optional.

And before a certain troller comes and says that they are heading to leh/ladakh and that is testimony to the bikes prowess, please there are folks with just one leg bicycling all the way around the himalayas. Humility seems to be a very lost art around here.

[dkaile]

Getting things back to the positive note. After all we are all riding mates here sharing the same passion. My apologies if my comments have hurt anyone. Would like the same courtesy extended to the Himalayan that is expected in return.

Meanwhile got the 2nd Himalayan in da House today. Congratulations to fellow TeamBbhpian amberanand.







Cheers...

[ayon]

Originally Posted by ramvenky74

Hi guys,

I have a Himalayan, and it's done 640 kms as of today. I hear a lot of knocking in the engine at lower speeds. I even tried high revving in lower gear but still I hear a lot of knocking.

Also I could hear tappet noise a lot.

After the service center changed the parts under recall the excessive knocking and tappet sounds have almost dissappeared. Am sure your problem will be solved post the replacement.

[Dust_Harl]

Originally Posted by dkaile

Whao, I seem to have hit a raw nerve with some Kwaker 650 owners. I can see that with the subjective likes on various posts. Yes, there are minor issues with the Himalayan and I have honestly marked each and everyone of them on my ownership thread without any sugar coating.

Seems like some of my riding brothers here are too biased and looks like a situation of an owner claiming his bike to be the best bike in the world for now. May be it is. By the way I have spent my hard earned money on it and it better be.

Let me try to add my bit based on what I know a little on these bikes and clear the air on these bikes for folks to make an informed decision.

Versys is neither an adventure tourer nor a super bike and is something in between and hence the name versatile or versys 650 / 1000. It has design elements from dual-purpose bikes, standards, adventure tourers and sportbikes; sharing characteristics of all, but not neatly fitting into any of those categories. Some of the other bikes in this category are Suzuki V-Strom 650XT, Yamaha MJ F 09 and BMW S 1000 XR to name a few.

And Himalayan is supposedly a clear Dual Sport bike that is also built to be used on trails and can be compared to Kawasaki KLR 500 or 250 from their stable and not Versys. They both are different types of bikes meant for different purpose. Again, you can compare a Himalayan to a Tiger XCX or XCA and not XRX as the suspension and the built on XRA including the tune is different as it is road biased and not an off-roader or a trail bike.

Did you know you can use your Himalayan to jump at least few feet in a trail riding and climb few small obstacles at ease? And yes the tires are dual purpose from Ceat on a stock bike and Pirelli is an option if you are into trail riding.

And the tires are designed to run with punctures for few kms and yes during trail riding one of the option is to keep the tire pressure low so that you literally take it on bounders if need be. We have done this in our RX and Shoguns in our college and rally days especially on special Stages if you get what I am trying to explain. No logic behind it but that is how it runs. And versys or tiger XRX is not meant to ride like that nor on boulders. Get a KLR or similar option in KTM or Yamaha to do it.

I am sure your puncture was on a highway and you cruised on beautiful long roads sitting almost on the tank and topping air as required. We have done that on our splendor / RX and Impulse as well and no big deal in it. The maximum I have ridden with a puncture on my impulse is from Mysore to Bangalore and that is roughly 120Kms. And so does that make it the best bike in there?

By the way a modified impulse can do all that Himalayan can do so does that mean it is better than Himalayan? Try taking it on trails with lesser air pressure and you will enjoy the bike more. But no guarantee on the build quality or engine performance. Good effort from RE but it has it's own positive and negatives and it is individual's choice to buy what he deems is good for him.

Comparing Versys against Himalayan is like saying my Banana is longer than your apple and it tastes better. Both taste differently and is meant to be that way. Few like the bananas and others like apples and they both are completely different fruits for god sake!

Don’t compare a tiger or a Versys to Himalayan both are different! And I am not here to say Versys is the best bike and god's gift to man kind. It has it's own +/- again.

And finally what's on wiki may not be always right and I know few who have touched the insane speed that Nasir quoted and look for Kawasaki Ninja Owners group and you may find some videos on it if you happen to get into it.

No I am not a Ninja 650 owner

Cheers and happy riding and God Speed

[daverm]

Originally Posted by dkaile

Here's what happened from the 'horses' mouth -

Attachment 1531864

Attachment 1531865

Rode 90kms on a flat tyre!! Now let me see a Versys or a Tiger replicate that!!

#Himalayan #whatabike

Cheers...

Well I think tyres coming off the rim and a biker continuing is not a characteristic of bike. (He says he had no option)

It's the skill of the rider, don't you think.

Know many rally riders, where it happened with scooters.

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

There are plenty of ktms and Hondas and Beemers and other marquees who participate in the Dakar rally and subject the bikes to far far worse riding over a significantly longer period of time than any rally in India does.

Mate if you follow the Dakar rally from the beginning you must have seen the videos of motorcycles burning themselves to ash while overheating with brand names you've mentioned notwithstanding. There also have been motorcycles breaking down due to various issues and riders still riding them to complete the stages. Don't you think you are belittling the Indian National Rally as well as the riders by comparing it to Rallye Dakar. Remember that our very own Rally Rider CS Santosh had won many national rally championships including Raid de Himalayas to clinch a respectable 36th position during his debut in Rallye Dakar. The fact that the Himalayan rider rode it for 90kms on the rear rim without tyre speaks a lot about his as well as the motorcycles endurance and build quality. Also none of the marquees you've mentioned above offers their ADV Tourers in the sub 500cc capacity in India as of now. Once they start offering those is when the comparisons will make sense.

I would certainly like to see the himalayan doing the Dakar rally. Flat tyres are optional.

Whoa Mate! That's a pretty lofty proposition for a motorcycle which hasn't even completed a year in the market. The marquees you've mentioned above have been participating in Rallye Dakar since its inception and by now have specialized in their respective categories. If the above was just a sarcastic statement by you then you can choose to ignore what I have typed above.