[shyamg28]

Here's a summary of sorts -

Day 0 - we reached Chandigrarh.

Day 1 - we were driven to Manali. The evening was spent in BGR (B. Govindarajan, CEO, RE), and Sid Lal (MD, RE) giving us an introduction to the motorcycle.
Uniquely, they had 6 pods, each helmed by RE engineers that specialized in the parts they owned, worked on or led -
- GMA (Genuine Motorcycle Accessories),
- Vehicle lead,
- Chassis design,
- Engine,
- Riding gear and lifestyle accessories,
- Tripper Dash (instrument cluster).

Day 2 - we rode about 250kms in total. We headed towards Atal Tunnel, took a left towards Tandi->Udaipur-Tindi. With the last 30kms (up & down) being complete off road.

Day 3 - again, we rode about 100kms in total. This time taking a right from Atal Tunnel towards Chatru.

Day 4 - we headed back home.

Most of the information is already available. Here's a few images from the presentations and the event -























The Tripper Dash which has been quite a talking point.
Point to be noted - this now works over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth.
From what I understood, we need to use the Royal Enfield mobile app, connect to the Dash over Wi-Fi (the dash offers an SSID to which the phone connects), you click "navigate" and the entire maps is then made available on the Dash. The app on the phone remains "soft-locked". You cannot "hard-lock" the device. Doing so, will remove the Maps from the Dash, but the Turn-by-Turn navigation still remains. This is more an Android/iOS limitation is what I understand from them.















The actual motorcycles from THE FINAL TEST -





CEAT Gripp tyres. These are tubeless. With tube type rims, a tube gets added to the same tyre. Which implies that when the tubeless rims will be made available, one need not change the tyres.
FYI, tubeless rims are to undergo BIS certification, but will be available from Day 1 in international markets.











DID chain -



RE ties up with REV'IT to produce all sorts of gear -

[shyamg28]

A bit more -

Rally variant -





The flat rally seat height is 855mm. It is very narrow at the front.

We were not allowed to sit on this bike.

The handguard is backed by a steel rod that runs through.
The grill is metal.
The accessory visor is 90mm taller than stock.



Because the Rally variant comes with custom side panels to support rackless luggage setup, they end up increasing the height of the rear number plate, thereby making it a variant and not just an "accessory package", as per homologation standards. This is my understanding.

Note, the Arror exhaust will not be offered in India, it is being worked on for European markets.





Open up the seat and this is what you get. Electrical info visible.



Tool kit. Note, the C spanner for rear shock preload adjustment comes standard.





That's all for now





Overall, an absolutely humbling experience meeting stalwarts of the automobile industry. We had extremely pleasant interactions and got to learn a lot from them!

P.S.: I totally get why the journos get treated to comforts, because it's tiring. Extremely tiring.

[aviator1101]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Open up the seat and this is what you get. Electrical info visible.

Nice info that you shared. Good prelude to the official review in fact.

From the pics what looks like the tank actually is a non-metallic tank shroud covering the air intake/filter and the actual fuel tank. So all those magnetic (RYNOX) tank bags usable with the old Himalayan go for a toss and start searching for the straps.

Moving on and assuming that the ban doesn't apply to you, few queries:

1. What's the usable fuel quantity? And actual tank range.

2. Pillion seat comfort over long distance, in case you travelled with pillion.

3. Where exactly is the fuel tank?
Could see it neither in the open chassis, nor in the pic with the seat removed.

4. What are these parts that I marked with red?
They look like banjo unions.


Thanks

[Rahulkool]

Originally Posted by aviator1101

Nice info that you shared. Good prelude to the official review in fact.

Fuel tank is in the usual location below the air intake ?

That looks like ABS unit and brake lines.

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by aviator1101

Nice info that you shared. Good prelude to the official review in fact.

From the pics could make out that the tank actually is a non-metallic tank shroud covering the air intake/filter and the actual fuel tank. So all those magnetic (RYNOX) tank bags usable with the old Himalayan go for a toss and start searching for the straps.

Haha...that's actually incorrect. It is indeed a metal tank.

Moving on and assuming that the ban doesn't apply to you, few queries:

Unfortunately, does apply to me as well. The specs are all that can be shared as of now. No opinions can be shared until the 10th.

1. What's the usable fuel quantity? And actual tank range.

2. Pillion seat comfort over long distance, in case you travelled with pillion.

3. Where exactly is the fuel tank?
Could see it neither in the open chassis, nor in the pic with the seat removed.

4. What are these parts that I marked with red?
They look like banjo unions.
Attachment 2525992

Thanks

1. Could not test. Tank range extrapolating the standard 28kmpl can be calculated as - 28 * 17 - 476kms.
2. Travelled with pillion. But I'm not allowed to answer as of now.
3. Below the air box. It's lower now.
4. Absolutely no clue

Please note, I was not there as an automobile journalist. We were invited in a social media content creation capacity (my wife is a mini celeb on social media). I personally, am an avid average rider, who loves to ride. The nuances of electronics especially, go way past me

[VijayAnand1]

Originally Posted by aviator1101

4. What are these parts that I marked with red?
They look like banjo unions.
Thanks

That metal box below and those bolts you see above, that metal box is the ABS Modulator and the bolts you see are the INLET and OUTLET hoses for the brake calipers from the ABS module.

Cheers!
VJ

[Mr.Ogre]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

A bit more -

P.S.: I totally get why the journos get treated to comforts, because it's tiring. Extremely tiring.

Wow..I never though I would say this, but I think I am going to test ride the new Himalayan. It looks like an honest effort from Royal Enfield after the Super Meteor.

To the 650 twin owners, has the 650 twin platform been issue and niggle free so far?

Between Bajaj made KTM, TVS and Royal Enfield I think Royal Enfield has made the most progress in overall quality department.

[caveman969]

Has anyone seen (or any videos?) Of the lower seat? I'm curious to see if it compromises on cushioning. A lower seat height would be a nice to have for vertically challenged folks (I'm 5'4), but 825mm is still okay (much lower than the 835mm of the gs, vstrom and 400x)

[gaurav_3000ad]

The arrow exhaust and the rally seat look amazing. I'm sure there can be workarounds to getting that end can in India.

Originally Posted by Mr.Ogre

To the 650 twin owners, has the 650 twin platform been issue and niggle free so far?

I got mine in October 2021 so it's been more than three years now. It has been a fill it, shut it and forget it experience for me. Nothing additional except for routine maintenance.

Although I haven't faced any punctures yet, but I'll be sourcing the tubeless alloy rims soon. Don't want to get stranded with a 200kg behemoth.

It's quite a departure for me considering that I have a 1999 cast iron as well. That sure does demand some TLC.

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by caveman969

Has anyone seen (or any videos?) Of the lower seat? I'm curious to see if it compromises on cushioning. A lower seat height would be a nice to have for vertically challenged folks (I'm 5'4), but 825mm is still okay (much lower than the 835mm of the gs, vstrom and 400x)

Yes. It is identical to the stock seat with less foam padding. Can't comment on comfort because we could not test it. It has the same mechanism as the stock seat, i.e., can be raised from 805mm to 825mm.

They had displayed bikes with all 3 seat heights, 805mm, 825mm and 845mm. We had a chance to sit on all of them.

We set this to 825mm and this is me on it. I'm able to flat foot with both feet down. I'm 5.10.



There is also a touring seat accessory which I believe would be the same seat height as stock.

[kkSolo]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

Haha...that's actually incorrect. It is indeed a metal tank.



Unfortunately, does apply to me as well. The specs are all that can be shared as of now. No opinions can be shared until the 10th.



1. Could not test. Tank range extrapolating the standard 28kmpl can be calculated as - 28 * 17 - 476kms.
2. Travelled with pillion. But I'm not allowed to answer as of now.
3. Below the air box. It's lower now.
4. Absolutely no clue

Please note, I was not there as an automobile journalist. We were invited in a social media content creation capacity (my wife is a mini celeb on social media). I personally, am an avid average rider, who loves to ride. The nuances of electronics especially, go way past me

Thank you for these early insights. Once the emargo lifts, could you also compare it with your Vstrom 650 riding experience. I know its not an apple to apple comparison, but something about the Himalayan makes me think, it might come close. I too own the 650 and tour 2 up, and i feel the Himalayan addresses few issue with the Vstrom, the ground clearance, the ability to park anywhere without having to worry about it, spares and service. If it pulls like, say, 60%- 70% of how the vee does at lower speeds under 100kmph, i think maybe this could be a good purchase.

[atluri_rkc]

Is it me only thinking or is it that the rally edition has a more visually appealing back half of the bike - mostly for urban use?

[aviator1101]

Looks quite promising.



Could never imagine the OG Himalayan or the Xpulse to deliver this performance.

Keeping fingers crossed that the bike turns out niggles (read breakage) free.

Pic courtesy : YouTube

Originally Posted by shyamg28

There is also a touring seat accessory which I believe would be the same seat height as stock.

Autocar India has published an article which says
"A better padded touring seat is also available which raises seat height by 7mm, and just like the stock seat this can be adjusted to two different heights. Equipping the bike with the touring seat raises seat height to between 832–852mm".

Link to article: https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-ne...evealed-429761

[howler]

Originally Posted by aviator1101

Looks quite promising.

Attachment 2526401

Could never imagine the OG Himalayan or the Xpulse to deliver this performance.

Keeping fingers crossed that the bike turns out niggles (read breakage) free.

Pic courtesy : YouTube


Link to article: https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-ne...evealed-429761

If the top circular bar is the tach, then this looks like it’s maxed out in 6th. I doubt that is its comfortable cruising speed

[maskebail]

Royal Enfield gave the Himalayan 450 to this youtuber named Abhinav Bhatt, not in Manali.
He has posted 2 videos with it, one on road test and one a trail run along with a Himalayan 411.

Road test :

https://youtu.be/5QzpI3f0_ok?si=nCLjePYBbpd8eZ5o

Trail run : with Himalayan 411

https://youtu.be/-si0T3Y3dfQ?si=jy7I_O9e10Upt8jq

The videos do not contain any comments or opinions, just plain ride videos.

As per videos, the bike is promising. In road test, the bike hits 150 in 5th gear at red line and on 6th gear at half way to red line, so the bike should have potential.

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Thanks for the support & understanding.