[maskebail]

Found this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_RVrl7AtxQ

From 7:35, he talks about Rally edition. The bike's seat and tail section look good. Sadly however, it will be launched later next year (as per the video)

[Rahulkool]

There is a Rally edition as well with different tail section, arrow exhaust and tubeless rims. Tubeless rims will be launched with this edition. as per the below video.

I feel RE has done a incredible job with this bike, launch and variants. Its going to be massive hit if no blunders on pricing, which i highly doubt looking at RE's past launches and pricing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_RV...Gaadiwaadi.com

[antz.bin]

Looking at those specs, this is a sucker punch to KTM ADV and Triumph Scrambler both! But I see no way that this bike, when fully decked up, can be any cheaper than the Super Meteor so probably there will be a price difference between the 2 mentioned above and the Himalayan.

The ADV market is growing much faster than Cruisers globally not to mention the absence of a 21' front wheel ADV in the sub 500cc segment. This is going to be a superhit product all over the world.

Comparing with the recently launched Triumph Scrambler 400x
The Himalayan has:
Larger front wheel for superior off-road ability
50mm more travel on both front and rear suspension
35mm more GC
Adjustable seat height making it 30mm lower / 10 mm taller than the 400x
Roughly the same power but 8% more torque
4l extra fuel tank capacity
10kg extra weight but then this is a full fledged ADV, not a scrambler.
Full LCD console with built-in Google Navigation
Physically Larger in dimensions (releases more space for luggage/ pillion)
The option of Tubeless spoke wheels

These features (barring engine power) are more in line with a Tiger 1200 Rally Pro rather than a 390 ADV.

While Triumph Scrambler 400x may not be direct competition, the KTM ADV 390 definitely is and the Himalayan, if they have done the basics right, is a very good competitor to the KTM right now. KTM needs to refresh the ADV ASAP just to stay in contention.

Hero should also hurry up with their XPulse 400 offering so that the full spectrum of products are available on the market.

The 350-450cc segment customer is truly being spoilt for choice looking at the number of offerings in the market. What a time to be in the market!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Hero should also hurry up with their XPulse 400 offering so that the full spectrum of products are available on the market.

This made me perk up.

When?

Then again, most of my hardcore off road buddies still prefer the smaller Impulse over its bigger stablemate.

Cheers, Doc

[AulusGabinius]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

While Triumph Scrambler 400x may not be direct competition, the KTM ADV 390 definitely is and the Himalayan, if they have done the basics right, is a very good competitor to the KTM right now. KTM needs to refresh the ADV ASAP just to stay in contention.

KTM Adv 390 definitely. The SW version has taken a sucker punch. But I'd still get the Scram version of this, especially if it has alloy wheels, over the Scrambler 400x, but not the proper Himalayan. It just doesn't make sense to buy something that climbs boulders to climb a speedbreaker, which is where most urban/touring riders will be, especially the weekend warriors who aren't going that nuts off-road.

[aviator1101]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Comparing with the recently launched Triumph Scrambler 400x

Now that all the specifications have been revealed, would love to see a similar comparison between the Scrambler 400x, KTM 390 ADV SW and the RE 452.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by AulusGabinius

KTM Adv 390 definitely. The SW version has taken a sucker punch. But I'd still get the Scram version of this, especially if it has alloy wheels, over the Scrambler 400x, but not the proper Himalayan. It just doesn't make sense to buy something that climbs boulders to climb a speedbreaker, which is where most urban/touring riders will be, especially the weekend warriors who aren't going that nuts off-road.

Not one of these influencers would be doing that either, if it was their bike with their money. And they actually had to live with the same bike for more than a day and a half. Without a platoon of mechanics and spares on call in the company paid for hotel post the ride.

Cheers, Doc

[2000rpm]

I soooo feel like booking this, but I dont want to be a test mule. Would wait for 6 months before booking I think. I have been looking to get a bike but have been putting off the purchase for some time now.

This bike looks really promising.

Any tips to reduce weight further on this bike??

[2StrokeJunkie]

Originally Posted by AulusGabinius

The SW version has taken a sucker punch.

I was recently watching a skilled rider on the ADV390 SW riding on a track and some complicated/challenging terrain and I must say the KTM ADV is a very capable machine, it is lighter by a good 15 odd kgs compared to the new Himalayan, has more power - 3 bhp - the new 400 cc KTM motors make even more power and the KTM is physically smaller. That combo - lighter, more powerful and smaller makes the KTM an extremely competent machine that should be able to hold its own against the Himalayan.

The success of the new Himalayan will also depend on the way RE prices it and if can undercut the Adv-X 390. RE has got their marketing spot on for a while now, I am already seeing a lot of chatter online on Interceptor communities of owners wanting to sell their 650s for the new Himalayan before it has even been launched - that's how good they are with their marketing.

In order to price the Himalayan under the Adv X - it will have to be sold as a base version - with no bells and whistles and as the accessories list goes up I see the Himalayan price increasing leading it to cannibalize into the 650s price territory. The Super Meteor 650 at the moment is the most expensive/ premium product in the RE range but with limited appeal since its a cruiser. The ADVs on the other hand appeal to almost everyone given our excellent road conditions and its go anywhere capability.

The tubeless cross spoke rims are not going to see an India release anytime soon as it is a patented design that requires approvals from patent holders - RE has however got the rights to sell them abroad - not sure how that works - or how a simple design like cross spoke rims can be such a big issue for manufacturers to replicate. I guess we will have to wait for the patent to expire?

The new Himalayan is built specifically for its target audience, starting with people who do not find the KTMs appealing but are still in the market for an adventure machine. It is extremely appealing to RE loyalists, older Himalayan owners, older/larger riders and even Xpulse owners like me - I own an Interceptor and an Xpulse Rally besides other motorcycles but every time I see friends or acquaintances on their big adventure motorcycle (Tigers, Multistradas, GSs) go on long rides that include high speeds on highways and then offroad sections to get to their final destination - I think in my mind, the Xpulse would be perfect for the offroad section but would make me suffer on the highway and the situation would be vice verse with the Interceptor which is at home on the highway but not great off it. And that is exactly where the new Himalayan will fit in, bringing together the best of both worlds, not to mention the affordability that appeals to middle class sensibilities in terms of cheap maintenance costs and a wide dealership network compared to the big ADV imports.

With 40 bhp and 40 Nm, it will do decent cruising speeds on the highway and has the capability to handle the offroad sections with ease. it will also have better lower end torque and grunt compared to the existing ADV390. However, the downsides I see are that the tube tires are going to a pain to deal with, until the tubeless cross spoke rims come in, and looking at how long it took RE to release cast rims for the 650, i will say that RE will take their own sweet time. Way2Speed tubeless conversion to the rescue then? The KTM ADVs on the other hand, starting from the base version, come with cast wheels. The other point of contention would be the ergonomics and other niggles that RE is famous for - for example the ergonomics on the 650 - its been 5 years since that product debuted but they still have not fixed the ergonomics - or the electrical issues, the poor headlight, etc. I've already touched upon the tubed tire issues but have not got into the tubeless tire vs tubed tire brand options - that took RE more than 3 years to sort out, hopefully they have learned from those mistakes.

Eager to see all the options and trims it will be launched with from the base to the rally version.

But don't count the KTM out of this game, I would say that its still got enough to hold onto its crown and time will tell what happens once the new Himalayan is released.

So yea, I will wait and see. As they say, the proof is in the puddling.

[Proxima]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Physically Larger in dimensions

I think this is the biggest flaw of the Scrambler 400/400x. Generally, we Indians associate size to status - especially with cars and motorcycles. Something that looks as small as the 400 isnt going to sell in large quantities once the newness wears off especially when there are alternatives to be considered.

Originally Posted by AulusGabinius

But I'd still get the Scram version of this, especially if it has alloy wheels, over the Scrambler 400x, but not the proper Himalayan.

Me too. However, not sure if I can wait until then so will probably book the H450 it on day 1.

If it's niggle free and is priced right, I'm sure RE will sell as many of the H450 and the Roadster as they can make not just in India but around the world. Wonder what their capacity is...

[AulusGabinius]

Originally Posted by 2StrokeJunkie

I was recently watching a skilled rider on the ADV390 SW riding on a track and some complicated/challenging terrain and I must say the KTM ADV is a very capable machine, it is lighter by a good 15 odd kgs compared to the new Himalayan, has more power - 3 bhp - the new 400 cc KTM motors make even more power and the KTM is physically smaller.

Agreed, but I think the pricing will be key here. The KTM Adv 250 is the old Himalayan's competition, I'd say - that's easily 30k or so more expensive ex-showroom. If the Himalayan base version with spoke wheels, but with the TFT is a put 2.9 ex-showroom, I don't think the 390 Adv X has much of a case anymore. If the top-end version is about 20k less than the normal Adv 390, I think the rest of the pricing will be a strong reason to buy it over the KTM. The Adv's SW is what, 3.8 or 4L ex-showroom?

Originally Posted by Proxima

Me too. However, not sure if I can wait until then so will probably book the H450 it on day 1.

I swear I'm tempted. If only my wallet wasn't empty now :')

[shree_shell]

The Adv audience in the West is getting equally or more excited than the Adv enthusiasts in India. Some say, it will be their first adv / dual sports purchase after the 1980s, while some claim the "Himi452 comes with a complete set of nails for the KLR coffin". Prospects of the Himi452 potentially taking over the mantle of "unstoppable tractor" from the revered KLR650 is quite exciting.

On the other thread, I was getting questioned for adding the Himi452 to my shortlist, along with the XL750 Transalp and Tuareg660. While they may not be in the same segment, they each have their strengths and weaknesses off/on the road; the Himi452 being cheaper than others, has all the potential for building up with correct upgrades and kick some rear.

[MotoADV]

On a side note, CF Moto 450 MT will be premiered at Eicma this year. Could be an alternate choice to the H452.

Looks pretty close to the KTM 390 adv rally spy shots that were doing rounds last year.

Not sure about its arrival in India though.

[Sebring]

This end can accessory looks really cool

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Sebring

This end can accessory looks really cool

That's an Arrow, probably aftermarket or with the Rally version.