My Himalayan 411 crosses 20,000 km: Why I'm planning to sell it off?

Odo stands at 20,700 km and the bike still feels great to ride, albeit slow and the gear shifts have begun to feel rough.

BHPian 100Kmphormore recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My Himmy crossed the 20,000 km a couple of weeks ago while on a ride to Ballari/Hampi, a 4-day 850 km trip. Not without drama though. The ignition key bolts and my power exhaust db killer fell off due to vibrations at 120 km/h cruising somewhere on the Chitradurga - Challakere stretch and the ignition switch cracked while trying to turn the handlebar when I was figuring out why the key and key insertion switch seemed to have fallen inside the ignition area metal tube, and the bike was not turning smoothly. fortunately was just near the RE service center in Ballari. Got the bolts fixed, but the internal switch started acting up on the day of my return, the bike completely switching off apart from when the key was at one particular position.

RSA was not very helpful in the fact that they would just send a tow truck to my location and get it towed to the nearest service centre (which was closed due to Sunday), what would I do for accommodation for almost a day and a half until the centre opened and they fixed it? That is if they could.

Spent a couple of hours at Hospete finding a mechanic to at least glue the internal switch and tape the outside cracked plastic so it would stay in place until I could at least return to Bengaluru and claim a warranty replacement on the ignition keyset, was a smooth return thankfully. You may go to Bhurat Motor Works in Hospete (if ever stranded and RSA gives up on you) and ask for Allabaksh, his repair is what I'm riding on even now, did a great job.

Had a lot of hassle trying to explain to the pathetic service guys, particularly the manager at Kadarenahalli upon my return after telling them what happened, as to why I would damage my keyset externally, as moving the steering after the bolts fell off left some impact damage on the ON/OFF/IGNITION LOCK print area around the key while unlocking the handlebar and riding the short distance to the service centre (this was after a second-meter replacement a month earlier due to vibrations and I had asked them to check all the bolts and tighten them). They seem to be their boss in approving warranty replacements, rather than approaching the company, saying external damage will not get me a warranty replacement, even after showing them the temp fix with tape and asking them to see inside and pathetic RSA experience and they haven't got back even after 3 days. Even having the general head of service for Bengaluru on this is not helping.

After this experience, the chances of the bike going on a tour are almost nil and I am thinking of selling it off on the first good offer I can get after the repair. Imagine if the switch had started acting up on the almost empty NH50! (Chitradurga - Hospet). It was extremely hot and empty, with barren fields all around for around 140 km until you approached a toll gate.

Odo stands at 20,700 km and the bike still feels great to ride, albeit slow and the bike/gear shifts had begun to feel rough, especially in the city. Was time for the 20k service and since Zoheb at AoM had carried out extensive work on suspension and brake lines, just did a general inspection and an oil change at 6600 km since the last service at Big Bear Customs Bengaluru, popularly known as Bosky. He recommended changing the rear brake pads too and hence have done that too.

Update on 17th Dec:

As of today, the status remains the same, after many follow-ups and heated exchanges with the RE helpline I got a call from a second Concerns team stating they would consider a replacement under special case and would get back. As for the RE helpline, they have mellowed from “No replacement” to “child part replacement” from the service centre, meaning they would source and replace the bottom cracked plastic and internal ceramic part, at least a problem fix if not aesthetically, am anyways bothered with proper functionality over form.

The bike is running smoothly after 200 km with the Liquid Gun oil used this time after 12700 km of Motul 5100/7100 and exhaust. Strangely the gear shifts feel smoother compared to Motul! It has been 7000 km with the Powerage and the vehicle seems to be “breathing” much better, also improved acceleration. almost immediately a reel from Big Bear confirmed the same which the bike was earlier it felt held back - in Bosky's words “strangled” seems to be apt here. I’d say get an exhaust if you want better sound + better breathing on the BS6 Himalayans at least. Almost every 2 out of 3 has an exhaust mostly the Powerage while a few have a Red Rooster and they have the same opinion. The only problem was the exhaust rattling when fixed with stock gasket after some 5000 km and their supplementary gasket was not provided with my unit Powerage shipped one over to my home - it is now fixed and does not rattle.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.