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Old 5th February 2024, 22:11   #211
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

My Kamet White is ready to be delivered.

RE has 2 adventure helmets that match the Hanle Black and Kamet White themes. They look great but are pricy at 6600 + 1800 for the goggles.
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Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review-pxl_20240205_103600650.jpg  

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Old 6th February 2024, 03:34   #212
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Originally Posted by Linea View Post
Would you mind sharing your booking date? It might give me a rough idea of when mine might arrive.
Hi. I had booked my motorcycle on 7th of Nov.
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Old 6th February 2024, 08:19   #213
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

1000 Km Ownership Review

I completed 1000 Kms this week with a small trip to Chikamagalur after getting the first service done. I must have done around 60-70 kms in the city and the rest on the highway. Here are some of my thoughts about the bike till now.

Some Pics

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review-pxl_20240130_025243784.jpg

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review-pxl_20240130_025254238.jpg

The good
  1. Excellent on the highway. The H450 keeps going, munching miles like candy and before you know it you've reached your destination. It is well planted, can do high speeds consistently and is fairly comfortable while doing so. Someone aptly put the H450 as being built 80% for highways and 20% for the off-road bits
  2. Suspension is just Brilliant. You can ride much faster over bumps. Just need to make sure that you don't do that with a pillion!
  3. Pillion comfort is good. My wife has rarely felt comfortable as a pillion on a motorcycle. She finds the H450 acceptable enough to ditch the car. That is a win for me!
  4. Maneuverability even with the large 21 incher at the front is great. I could lean effortlessly at corners and did not feel overwhelmed by the weight. Responsiveness is a tad bit late and this is where the weight is felt
  5. Brakes are great. They work really well and the ABS didn't feel intrusive. No complaints here
The not-so-good
  1. Can need a little readjustment with riding style while in the city due to the lack of low-end torque. Can't take full advantage of being a motorcycle in slow-moving traffic due to the length and weight.
  2. Vibrations are aplenty. From the foot pegs to the handlebar to the seat. The vibrations especially kick in at 4.7k rpm and settle down at 5.7k rpm. I tended to avoid this rev range by riding at a lower gear or riding at lower/higher speeds. Again this requires a readjustment in riding style because now to cruise at 95-110 kmph, you need to drop a gear to stay in the higher revs. I do have the Route95 Air Comfort grips installed.
  3. The seat is decent. I did face two challenges with it. First, I kept sliding forward while braking moderately hard at the 825mm seat height, will try the 845 mm seat height to see if this feels better. Second, the vibrations get through the seat and make it a little uncomfortable for longer distances. I was saddling every few 10s of kms to get some blood back to the butt and that helped a lot.
  4. Mirrors are useless at high speeds. It is just a shaky mess and makes you feel like watching a 144p video on a 4k screen. That's why RE has the touring mirrors option at the high price of ~Rs 6,850. They know the standard ones are useless and anyone who wants to tour will have to replace them!
  5. I still have not been able to connect to my Google Pixel. This is a major problem for me as I am stuck between getting a phone holder and waiting for the update to fix this issue.
Overall, I have enjoyed these 1000kms with the H450. I love riding it even with all the shortcomings. Luckily, I have not faced any mechanical issues. I am looking forward to lot more rides on this beast!
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Old 6th February 2024, 11:34   #214
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Originally Posted by NikhilosKage View Post
[*]Vibrations are aplenty. From the foot pegs to the handlebar to the seat. The vibrations especially kick in at 4.7k rpm and settle down at 5.7k rpm. I tended to avoid this rev range by riding at a lower gear or riding at lower/higher speeds. Again this requires a readjustment in riding style because now to cruise at 95-110 kmph, you need to drop a gear to stay in the higher revs. I do have the Route95 Air Comfort grips installed.
Many congratulations on completing 1K kms, I'm sure you'd have enjoyed this motorcycle around Chikkmagaluru winding roads. Thanks for sharing your experience so far, I'm liking that color on new Himalayan more I look at it.

This approach you're talking about is interesting! Avoiding a specific range of rpms. Again, it seems different for different bikes, I have read many folks mentioned 4.7K - 5.7K rpms. While the motorcycle that I used, had that from 5K - 6K rpm it seems.

In order to avoid this range, do you down shift to 5th gear (or even 4th!) once you hit this range and try to jump the range to get to something beyond 5.7k rpm in your case?

I haven't had a lot of observation on rpm range and speed number for the 5th or lower gears, someone who's tried that can tell more. I understand there would be quite some overlap between 5th and 6th gears for the rpm range/speed as well, so taking the approach you are talking may require to rev very high at lower gears. Please tell us if there's a magic combination that will allow you to be in the cruising speeds for Indian highways, remaining outside that viby range and keeping the engine also at ease at the same time!

Last edited by Ketan : 6th February 2024 at 11:35.
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Old 6th February 2024, 12:34   #215
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Originally Posted by Ketan View Post
In order to avoid this range, do you down shift to 5th gear (or even 4th!) once you hit this range and try to jump the range to get to something beyond 5.7k rpm in your case?
If I am just passing through the rev range or not going to be there for long, I don't put the effort into managing what revs I am doing.

If I was cruising at this rev range, for example, at 100 kmph (which I felt was the peak in terms of vibration at 6th), then I would downshift to the 5th gear to reduce the vibrations. It is just working with different combinations to figure out what suits you best.

The H450 can go upwards of 8k rpm, so riding at higher rpms is not a concern I believe. Might affect the fuel efficiency a little bit, other than that I don't see a downside to it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ketan View Post
Please tell us if there's a magic combination that will allow you to be in the cruising speeds for Indian highways, remaining outside that viby range and keeping the engine also at ease at the same time!
There isn't any magic combination per se. You would need to figure out what works for you.
I would recommend taking a rental once more and giving it a go. Please do note that vibes will most likely be higher on rental vehicles.
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Old 6th February 2024, 14:33   #216
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Does anyone have any feedback on panniers by a company called lama-g.com ? They had a stall in Motoverse 2023. They are having good pricing and discounts.
Bumping up for feedback please.
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Old 6th February 2024, 22:38   #217
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Bumping up for feedback please.
Just looked at their website. They look good and are attractively priced. I'm tempted too. Maybe try calling them to see if they have some installs near where you live?

A word of caution from someone who has purchased panniers for his other motorcycle - dont get it unless you regularly tour long distances. A good tail bag is a much more practical and affordable option for 99% of us.

Last edited by Proxima : 6th February 2024 at 22:42.
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Old 7th February 2024, 14:33   #218
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

Today I called dealer to get updates on my booking (made on dec 16, Kamet White). A week after booking I got call from dealer saying bike would reach by Feb 15. Hence thought of checking with them today to see if early delivery is available. To my horror, they said it will take another 45 days to reach bike to showroom because of some production issue/delay. Makes me think, Are they stopping production to fix initial batch issues?

4 months seems too long wait. I am already on fense to choose between scrambler 400x and Himalayan 450 with more preference towards RE. Planning to sit on this for another 2 days to see if this delay news gets digested.

Last edited by tech_rider : 7th February 2024 at 14:34.
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Old 7th February 2024, 17:36   #219
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Originally Posted by tech_rider View Post
Today I called dealer to get updates on my booking (made on dec 16, Kamet White). A week after booking I got call from dealer saying bike would reach by Feb 15. Hence thought of checking with them today to see if early delivery is available. To my horror, they said it will take another 45 days to reach bike to showroom because of some production issue/delay. Makes me think, Are they stopping production to fix initial batch issues?

4 months seems too long wait. I am already on fense to choose between scrambler 400x and Himalayan 450 with more preference towards RE. Planning to sit on this for another 2 days to see if this delay news gets digested.
Bike(slate blue) was booked on Dec 26th and has reached the dealership. Planning to take the delivery tomorrow. What is the booking status and tentative delivery date showing on your Royal Enfield app?

For me the tentative delivery date was 30th April but it got updated to bike in transit last week. You can also call the RE customer care with the booking number to enquire about the current status.
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Old 7th February 2024, 17:38   #220
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

I think it is demand/supply issue. This bike is a common sight in South Bengaluru, doing really well
Quote:
Originally Posted by tech_rider View Post
Makes me think, Are they stopping production to fix initial batch issues?
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Old 7th February 2024, 17:53   #221
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by tech_rider View Post
Today I called dealer to get updates on my booking (made on dec 16, Kamet White). A week after booking I got call from dealer saying bike would reach by Feb 15. Hence thought of checking with them today to see if early delivery is available. To my horror, they said it will take another 45 days to reach bike to showroom because of some production issue/delay. Makes me think, Are they stopping production to fix initial batch issues?

4 months seems too long wait. I am already on fense to choose between scrambler 400x and Himalayan 450 with more preference towards RE. Planning to sit on this for another 2 days to see if this delay news gets digested.
The stupid long waits in market is a buzz kill! Half of the excitement is lost and rest anxiety takes over with the half baked issues reported and to top it off one of the video claims that cross spoked wheels will be offered as a factory fit on hanle black and kamet white!

Also, there is a price hike to be considered as well in this whole fiasco. Same goes with the NX500 launch, would have taken a plunge on that as well but seems like the first lot was already sold and MAY is when they are expecting the second lot. I would rather take the himalyan over NX500 keeping the future road trips in my mind! RE's can be mended anywhere but it's not the same with hondas! (They need very little mending, but if they do it's not straight forward)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
I think it is demand/supply issue. This bike is a common sight in South Bengaluru, doing really well
Do we have any strings which can be pulled for my Kamet White? I'm in JP nagar but have booked it in Maverik (J.C Road) since I know someone who used to work there, now he's moved to Rajajinagar

Last edited by bhansali_hardik : 7th February 2024 at 17:57.
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Old 7th February 2024, 18:18   #222
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Originally Posted by P242 View Post
What is the booking status and tentative delivery date showing on your Royal Enfield app?
It is showing as 15-Apr from beginning. Today also same status.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
I think it is demand/supply issue. This bike is a common sight in South Bengaluru, doing really well
Or, they are reallocate bike to someone of their preferences like friends, influencers. 2 weeks back when I was casually asking about Kamet White arrivals at shop just to take a physical look, they said it started coming and they have almost delivered all November booking. Now for dec 16 they are taking 60 days (including 14 days since I asked them). Don't know what is dealer's deal.
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Old 7th February 2024, 19:01   #223
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Originally Posted by Sebring View Post
I think it is demand/supply issue. This bike is a common sight in South Bengaluru, doing really well
Have you seen any Kamet White Variants? I think Hanle Black and Kaza brown variants have been prioritized over the other three. My booking for Kamet white variant was done on 12th Nov and app gives tentative date of 29th Feb
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Old 7th February 2024, 19:01   #224
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

On the contrary I think the long waiting period is a blessing in disguise to eternally confused souls like me. With the long ride reports coming in from various SM and forums ( thanks to all members for their posts especially the ones that took the bike for rent and rode it for a day), I have finally decided to back out.

I did feel an uncomfortable amount of heat and vibrations during my test ride. Think all the initial reviews that praised the bike to no end set it up for failure in my mind.

I held on to the booking since like many mentioned the introductory price was a good deal but I can't really make peace with the amount of vibes on the bike (recurring issues over multiple gens like cone set etc. don't inspire confidence in RE engineering prowess either).

Note: Not sure about the negativity around Honda CB350 based adventure in the other thread. For me, while I am disappointed that Honda won't bring in their international models, to be honest I could never convince my middle class mind to put down that much cash on a bike. An adventure bike with that smooth engine would be amazing.

Has anyone here cancelled their booking online (I did place the booking on RE website) and is there a cancellation fee for it?
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Old 7th February 2024, 21:22   #225
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Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Review

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Originally Posted by JithinR View Post
On the contrary I think the long waiting period is a blessing in disguise to eternally confused souls like me. With the long ride reports coming in from various SM and forums ( thanks to all members for their posts especially the ones that took the bike for rent and rode it for a day), I have finally decided to back out.

I did feel an uncomfortable amount of heat and vibrations during my test ride. Think all the initial reviews that praised the bike to no end set it up for failure in my mind.
Yes, I am on the same page as you. Initially, I didn't even consider the Himalayan but after my friend convinced me really hard to at least try it. I got a short test ride in Bangalore and was blown away by the bike. The suspension is the best out there and engine felt good even though there were vibrations here and there. Since it was a short test ride, I couldn't judge the vibes. So I decided to drop the Scrambler 400X and decided to go with the Himalayan. I was actually so impressed with the bike.

Luckily, through my same friend got a longer test drive. Oh boy! I was so disappointed with the bike. The vibes were everywhere but the vibes in the seat was so uncomfortable! It starts around 5k RPM and makes the bike unbearable. The bike had 2300 on the ODO.

I so badly wanted to like this bike. Riding in the pothole ridden Bangalore roads felt amazing. The suspension is freaking good. Then I read the reviews from owners and my observation about vibes were shared by many others. I still can't understand why none of the Youtube reviewers mention about the vibes at all. All of them highlighted the vibes beyond 6k RPM in the Triumph Speed twins but they just glossed over the vibrations in the Himalayan.

I really wish RE fix the engine vibes because they have an amazing bike with the Himalayan.
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