[MunnabhaiMBBS]

Two units of Royal Enfield Himalayan (1 Graphite and 1 Snow) have been exported to UK on 20th Jun 2016.

Source : Zauba

[naturaldisaster]

I got a call few days back about an Offroad Test drive Experience organized by RE for the Himalayan held on 10th July. So i went and here is what i experienced.

The location was in a farmhouse in Kapashera near Gurgaon and starting time was 7am. I reached to find a well make and interesting test track waiting for me. There were also 5 or 6 Himalayans. So i filled my forms and jumped onto the bike.

Being the quintessential road rider, this was my first ever experience of proper offroading. And believe me, i was completely out of my depth! The front end was dancing all over the place continuously (something i have never experienced on my Ninja) and i kept 'almost falling' off the bike. Scary! Thoughts like "This kind of riding aint for me" and "Best to stay on the road" kept running through my mind.

As for the bike, she was completely at home. going over the rocks and logs proved to be no issue at all. There was a mud area too and because i was so slow i got stuck in it. But the Himalayan still managed to power through after being fed more gas. This means the tyres are excellent! And it was here that i noticed that the bottom end torque could have been slightly better. But on regular roads, you would not notice it at all. This bike could run out of breath on really bad roads on an incline. Another thing noticed was that the rear Monoshock dampens more when a heavier person rides. This made riding over the large logs more inconvenient for me than a lighter person. I managed to get the bottom (Mainstand/Oil Sump/Exhaust) to touch.

Once i somehow returned (izzat bachake), I realized that this kind of riding is a proper workout on the shoulders and forearms. Ill have to hit the gym and get fit before i go on any tours

But then something told me that i should try again, and i did. This time i was at least twice as fast . I was starting to get a feel of it and was a little more composed/relaxed. The trick is to focus on riding that on the front end losing grip. I even managed to get the tail to slide out on the final corners and those thoughts i had before were gone! Great experience. The other more experienced offroad riders were flying like crazy; jumping over the logs and drifting along the corners!

After all this thrashing, some of the bikes did have a few issues. One of the bikes developed a sound that resembled piston slapping (very probable for a first time OHC try.) RE guys asked us to stop using that one for a while and to let it cool down. One was the bikes got stuck in a gear or something and didnt budge. But the good thing was that there were no issues noticed with chassis, suspension or wheels/tyres.

All in all, great bike and great experience organized by RE. Thanks. Will surely go for all such events.

So here are my final points about yesterdays ride.

1) Tyres are awesome. Perfect for rough use
2) Motor is great once the RPM rises over 3k
3) Suspension is great but the bike might bottom out in some occasions
4) Bike might overheat after extended at lower speeds
5) Even though this bike is 180kgs, its a breeze to ride
6) I really need to get fitter

[Torqy]

Originally Posted by dkaile

I am facing a similar issue. The service icon flashing is not going away by holding both the hazard and trip button for 30 seconds. I did not try for a minute as you have stated. It changes from miles to kms and vice versa in this 30 second hold but does not reset the flashing service icon. Looking for a resolution too.

Cheers...

Exactly why i hate "unwanted electronics" at "unwanted places"... a.k.a. gimmicks. One software / hardware glitch and there goes your peace of mind. Now you'll never know whether it's for real when the Service Icon comes on. Also, being able to reset the Odo is a very nice feature. Royal Enfield is thinking ahead.

-- Torqy

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by Torqy

Exactly why i hate "unwanted electronics" at "unwanted places"... a.k.a. gimmicks. One software / hardware glitch and there goes your peace of mind. Now you'll never know whether it's for real when the Service Icon comes on. Also, being able to reset the Odo is a very nice feature. Royal Enfield is thinking ahead.

Please read resolution posted a few posts back before quoting. Thanks...

[Torqy]

Originally Posted by dkaile

Please read resolution posted a few posts back before quoting. Thanks...

Thanks. Saw that. But the Odo reset? I'm not an owner yet. Just watching the "developments / bug fixing" from the sidelines.

-- Torqy

[maker_of_things]

Originally Posted by Torqy

Exactly why i hate "unwanted electronics" at "unwanted places"... a.k.a. gimmicks. One software / hardware glitch and there goes your peace of mind. Now you'll never know whether it's for real when the Service Icon comes on. Also, being able to reset the Odo is a very nice feature. Royal Enfield is thinking ahead.

-- Torqy

dkaile posted the correct way to reset the service icon here.

Agree with you on resetting the odo bit. Seems like a bug popped in during the user testing phase!

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by Torqy

But the Odo reset? I'm not an owner yet. Just watching the "developments / bug fixing" from the sidelines.

If you go around messing with things you are not supposed to, bad things will happen, with any machine...

[Urban_Nomad]

The odo should not be resetting irrespective of what buttons / combos anyone pushes... Period!

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

The odo should not be resetting irrespective of what buttons / combos anyone pushes... Period!

In this case, I think it was just a one off. But looking at the broader picture, just search 'resetting digital odometer' on Google and you will get links to a thousand videos including even BMWs. At the end of the day these are all machines and can be manipulated with the right set of skill set. Some may be harder, some easier, but be in no fata morgana that it can't be done.

[nasirkaka]

some exciting unofficial news floating on the net about 750 twin on a GT. Wish it is true and they adapt it on the H.

[naturaldisaster]

Originally Posted by nasirkaka

some exciting unofficial news floating on the net about 750 twin on a GT. Wish it is true and they adapt it on the H.

Actually thats unlikely. I high revving shorter stroke parallel twin on this type of bike would be a tough bet.

[Ketan]

Hi Guys,

sorry if this is OT for the thread. I shall move it to a 'what motorbike' thread if one exists. However, I thought folks here, with recent experience on test rides and some already long term owners can really help provide inputs, hence posted here.

Looking for some inputs by those who ridden RE Machismo LB500 and RE Himalayan on and off the roads. I've had a very short ride of Himalayan which wasn’t so conclusive. I may get to ride REH for a while during a long NH7 ride (450+kms one way) + some bit of off-road trail when we climb Kolukkumalai hills early next month. I'll have slightly better idea by then. However, I'm still looking for some inputs on comparing various aspects and anything specific to be tested during the opportunity to test REH on long ride.
1> On-road/Highway characteristics - (although I have read a few owners and I feel it's going to give me enough power to ride at the speed I usually do on highways. Very few occasions I cross 110 or more, for a short stretch, REH and LB500 have got similar horses on paper at least)
2> Off-road capabilities - I'm sure this is why everyone's getting REH and I'm looking forward to test this when I get chance - I'm very much hopeful that the chassis and suspension are the major positives and top on the list for decision making
3> low end torque - I know this is what REH is designed for. However, my LB500 has got almost 25% additional torque (@40+NM) when compared to REH. I need inputs from someone who has ridden both these and can comment if I'm going to miss this with REH!!!

I've been reading about the niggles showing up with REH, I feel none of them are major or can drive the decision change so far and hoping all of them will be sorted soon. Inputs here would help me (and another buddy in similar state I know from this group) take a call on whether I should go for it or not, whether to go for complete off-road package + decent speeds on highways OR retain my trusty LB500 with better torque figures and those slow, thumping rides all the way!!
Thanks in advance!

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by Ketan

Looking for some inputs by those who ridden RE Machismo LB500 and RE Himalayan on and off the roads.

I should go for it or not, whether to go for complete off-road package + decent speeds on highways OR retain my trusty LB500 with better torque figures and those slow, thumping rides all the way!!

If your LB 500 is a recent acquisition, I would advise you to retain it. Himalayan, according to me, is a specialist bike built for a specific purpose, and is NOT for everybody.

IMHO It is the most superior bike built by RE till date, minor niggles apart, and all that torque advantage that you talk about is mostly relegated to paper. It will run circles around all other RE's built till date. I had talked about it's comparison to the TB500 on my test ride which I have also ridden extensively. Rest you should do a extensive and repeated test ride to ensure whether any bike suits your needs or not and not rely solely on other people's opinions.

Cheers...

[maker_of_things]

Originally Posted by naturaldisaster

Actually thats unlikely. I high revving shorter stroke parallel twin on this type of bike would be a tough bet.

Not necessarily. All of the proper adv bikes these days come short stroke engines. Moreover the newly launched Honda Aftica Twin is a SOHC parallel twin that redlines at 7500rpm, with the peak torque coming at 6000rpm. With a 270 degree crank, they've managed to keep the firing like that of a V-twin.

[naturaldisaster]

Originally Posted by maker_of_things

Not necessarily. All of the proper adv bikes these days come short stroke engines. Moreover the newly launched Honda Aftica Twin is a SOHC parallel twin that redlines at 7500rpm, with the peak torque coming at 6000rpm. With a 270 degree crank, they've managed to keep the firing like that of a V-twin.

Yes, that is a fairly longish stroke parallel twin with a bore to stroke ratio of 1.29. Plus the new crank would definitely help out. But i doubt the cafe racer 750 by RE would have such characteristics. I do not feel putting such a motor, albeit, a 750cc would be very beneficial. Sure it would be very powerful and all, but would be great in the Himalayan's true habitat?