If I have to upgrade to a more practical bike, I will push for the Honda NX500.

BHPian Mach_1590 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

So I went to the RE SVC for my Interceptor's 3rd Service, and briefly tested the much talked about Himalayan. The test ride wasn't a very long one but I'll just share the experience anyway from the perspective of the Interceptor owner.

• Feels slightly heavier than the Interceptor to lift off the stand. However, it's easy to move/reverse once it is upright.
• The switchgear quality is okay, and the digital display has good visibility in the daylight.
• Seat height wasn't much of an issue for me even though I was tip-toeing. The chassis balance is good.
• Riding position is spot on! The ergonomics for both rider and pillion will make those long rides quite easy on the body. The stock seat is firm and most will not complain.
• The power delivery is very very linear, the torque feels flat and the bike gradually starts pulling after a certain RPM, and makes good progress provided you are in the right gear. Having said that, at no point, did the bike feel "torquey". Not sure if riders will enjoy the off-road part. The engine isn't tractable.
• VIBRATIONS! They are everywhere and it's bad. There is a noticeable buzz once you start ripping it. I also have a BS4 RC390 which is almost 7 years old now and doesn't vibrate as much. TR's bike was 1200 km old. The engine being the stressed member here, RE needs to provide better mounts.
• Suspension is best in class, none of the RE 650s have this kind of well-engineered and sophisticated setup. The bike is easy to manoeuvre in tight traffic, U-turns are a piece of cake and the bike feels eager to lean on curves. Speed-breakers? You don't need to slow down much. Also, Pillion's comfort is excellent on roads and no-roads.
• Brakes are good and RE has done a good job here. They are progressive yet have enough bite to come to a halt under hard braking.

Will I consider replacing my Interceptor with the Himalayan? I know a few people who have replaced their CGTs and Super-meteors with the new Himalayan!

But If I have to upgrade to a more practical bike, I will push for the Honda NX500 as I have tasted the refinement of a parallel twin. When it comes to Himalayan, RE has nailed the "cycle" part, it's the "motor" which needs to be worked upon. The next iteration (facelift) of Himalayan would be the one to go for.

Thanks.

P.S. Bike is readily available in Noida, Sector-63 showroom. No pre-booking nothing, just pay/finance and get the delivery in an hour.

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Royal Enfield has done a great job with the weight distribution. I really couldn’t tell this was a 196 kg motorcycle at any point.

BHPian rahulcmoulee recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Finally got a test ride of the new Himalayan 450 albeit a very short one on city roads. Here are some observations from a Meteor 350 owner's perspective:

Seat and Ergos

Being used to the 765mm seat height of the Meteor, I expected to face some difficulty getting my feet down. But surprisingly even with the seat set to the tallest height, I could easily get both my feet flat on the ground. The seat itself is very comfortable and I could see it remaining that way for long durations. The Ergos were also very comfortable. Spacious seat with room to move around, legs didn't feel cramped, Body was nice and upright, bar was nice and wide with good leverage. The standing ergos were pretty good too. The only thing I would change would be to get some handlebar raisers as I felt the bars were just a tad bit too low for my personal preference.

Engine

This was the aspect where the bike felt most un-RE-like. The bottom end is quite dull and I even ended up stalling the first time I tried setting off. Being used to the tractor-like torque from the J series engine, this was the area that needed me to retune the way I ride. But once I got used to it, it was a pleasant engine to ride at city speeds under the 4000rpm mark. Go past the 4k mark and the bike comes alive and pulls in one clean sweep till the redline. Performance is super strong and this will be more than adequate for touring in India. I managed to get upto 90kmph in 5th gear and there was only a mild buzz in the pegs and bar. Nothing that would be cause for concern.

Suspension

The absolute highlight of the bike for me. This suspension is just set up to perfection for Indian conditions. Small-medium size bumps are barely felt and the bike just glides over them effortlessly without any need to even think of slowing down. The larger potholes are also dealt with utmost composure and confidence. Barely felt the need to stand up over Bangalore’s potholed roads.

Weight

On paper, the Himalayan seems like a heavy bike compared to its chief rivals but apart from when I had to put it on the center stand, I really couldn’t tell this was a 196kg bike at any point. The weight is distributed well and the bike is very well-balanced. Once on the move, the weight is excellently masked and I could thread through traffic surprisingly easily.

So to sum up, in my opinion, the Himalayan makes for a very very good one-bike garage option. Priced well for what it offers, I think this is the perfect bike for Indian conditions. As per Teknik Motors Bellandur, some colours (I think Slate Poppy Blue and Slate Himalayan Salt) are readily available. Other colours will take up to 4 months to deliver. I can definitely see one of these in Slate Himalayan Salt making its way into my garage in the future. For now, I still have some memories to make with my Meteor.

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"Riding both of them for few days now and here are my very initial observations of the 450 as compared to my 411."

BHPian khan_sultan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Have had the Himalayan 411 for 2 years and is used mostly for long-distance touring and now bought the Himalayan 450 also for touring. Riding both of them for a few days now and here are my very initial observations of the 450 as compared to my 411:

Till about 60-70 kmph speeds and in 4th gear and low gears/low speeds/low rpms, the riding experience of the 411 is much better than the 450 and I will take the 411 over the 450, 10 out of 10 times.

The tractability of the 411 is much better and the 450 needs the gears to be worked (a lot).

At low speeds, in 411, I can be in the wrong gear/rpm combo, yet the 411 will not break sweat. In 450, it will just not tolerate the same and the 450 will let you know that it is just not comfortable in such situations. So, in such a scenario, the gears need to be worked a bit more in 450.

Somehow the sound of the 411 seems better to me than the 450 till about 80-90. (Not going about 90/100 in 450 as yet, so can't comment above that). The 411 has some characters that the 450 seems to miss. It's not bad in 450, but the character seems missing for me.

The 450 has some constant "electric whining" noise (for lack of a better term) and there are 2 distinct sounds that one hears. One is the exhaust/engine, and the other is that "electric sound" coming continuously. It's kind of irritating and takes away some part of the riding fun.

The "vibration/buzz" is there, in the 450, at a certain combination of rpm/speed/gear (yet to fully isolate the same) and my 411 is better in this aspect (at least till 80 speed/5th gear).

BTW, the lean of the side stand is something that is always at the back of the mind. The rest of the ergonomics/weight etc. is not an issue at all for me.

450 has a far more comfortable seat, an area on the seat to move around, and mind-blowing suspension & brakes compared to 411. The "features" of the 450 are obviously better than the 411.The 450, when on the move feels a lot "easier" than the 411.

Summary: The 411 and the 450 are two totally different machines and while enjoying the 450, I can't resist the fun of the 411 also. Had planned to let go of the 411 sometime after the 450 but the 411 is staying for sure! No way of letting it go as of now.

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I really liked the experience but I'll wait for 6 months to pass for issues to surface and problems to be solved before I put my money down.

BHPian Motard_Blr recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I took a test ride yesterday. Here's what stood out enough that it left an impression on me:

• The bike is really long! Very good for stability but finding parking in crowded cities is going to be tough with the bike sticking out so much.
• It felt very natural riding it. I didn't feel like I was riding a totally alien bike and did have to think about how it handled.
• My ride was just a few km in the city but I managed to hit the rev limiter in 1st and 2nd gears. Vibrations are ok and didn't bother me.
• The brakes were good but the lever and pedal feel were not. It's hard to identify the bite point of the brakes.
• The finishing was really nice but there are still a lot of crude parts. The sheet metal welded parts such as the tank side guards come to mind.
• I barely looked at the display during my ride but I think it's well-designed. Except for the indicator and other warning lights. They are also displayed on the screen, therefore they cannot be brighter than the rest of the screen. That's a mistake! There are too many people riding around forgetting that their indicators are flashing! The indicator is not self-cancelling and does not have an audible beep so it's easy to forget they're on. I think all two-wheelers should come with a beeper connected to the indicator.
• The link-type rear suspension is a big plus. This surely improves comfort and handling compared to direct-acting suspension.
• The suspension is really comfortable and it's easy to ride over bad roads that would make you wince or clench your jaw on many other bikes.
• I didn't look for or notice any delay or play in the throttle that some have reported.
• You definitely notice the weight at walking speeds! Extra care needed while manoeuvring on slopes and slippery surfaces!
• I'm 5'10" and I didn't feel any difficulty in mounting, sitting on or dismounting the bike even on the side stand.
• Ergonomically, the Himalayan is really well-designed. Everything feels like it's in the right place.
• There is not as much torque at lower speeds as I expected from a big single. So I needed to be in a lower gear than I initially thought to get enough acceleration. It doesn't bother me, though. For a bike making less than 100 PS/litre, I feel like that's sub par. All the KTMs make more than 100 ps/litre and have lower bottom-end torque but compensate nicely at the top end.

On the whole, I really liked the experience but I won't be booking it any time soon. I'll wait for 6 months to pass for issues to surface and problems to be solved before I part with my money.

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The incredible specs on paper & the hype online make us imagine that the grass is greener on the other side, and then one test ride slaps us back to reality.

BHPian klgiridhar recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I finally went for a test ride at the ITPL RE showroom. The showroom was packed even at 7 PM with one Super Meteor, one Himalayan Kaza Brown delivery taking place, and many others checking all the other bikes.

I currently ride the Honda CB 350 RS. So, you can consider my opinions from the point of view of someone who has done close to 25k km on that bike. The test ride was not a long one, around 4-5 km as few others were waiting after me. The route I took was from the showroom - Hopefarm signal - Prashanth Layout - Vydehi and back.

Here are my observations. I am a little disappointed, to be honest, as the bike didn't feel worthy of the hype primarily due to its engine.

Before going there, let's look at the pros as well:

• The fit and finish felt good with no rattling sound from anywhere.
• The mirrors remained fairly clear with no signs of buzz, although the field of view could've been better but I got used to round mirrors with the RS.
• The Suspension was the main highlight. If anyone knows the route I took, you would know that there are a lot of speed bumps, rumble strips, and a few patches near Brigade Tech Park where there is no road as well. I didn't feel a thing. On the CB, at low speeds, you do feel the bumps as it is slightly on the stiffer side (not uncomfortable though) but this one is at an altogether different level. Big thumbs up.
• Even though the bike felt heavy to take off the stand, it felt light and easy when moving around. I am 5 ft 9 and I didn't have any problem moving it around. I was almost flat-footing on both sides.
• The display felt crisp and with a nice resolution.
• The engine has a strong and progressive pull as the revs climb.

Now coming to the cons from my initial impressions:

• The engine was decent providing good punch from around 3.5k rpm but the low end was not the best, although decent enough. Coming from a long-stroke motor, I have expected this. But the main problem is the engine felt unfinished and rough, like a work in progress. The engine note is underwhelming as well.
• I wanted purposefully to test ride at night first. And the headlight felt useless (same as my CB350RS). Need aux-lights if you prefer touring at night as well.
• The position of the gear lever is bad and I didn't feel comfortable shifting the gears immediately, although might get used to it.
• Though the fit and finish levels are good, the indicator, and the joystick all lack the tactile feedback expected.

Vibrations

Before bashing out on the bike, I would like to put forward that I didn't get a chance to test the 5th and 6th gears. And this may be due to the test ride bike as well but the test ride bike was in very good condition. So yeah, coming to the vibrations, they are delivered in truck-loads - on the handlebar, on the footpegs. The seat felt fairly isolated though. I was mostly riding in 2.5 - 4.5k rpm and my hands almost went numb in that 5km test ride. Looking forward to taking it out onto the highway to see how it fares at speeds between 100-120 kph but as things stand, this bike almost goes off my consideration list straight away.

Coming from a Honda, the vibes on the Himalayan never felt like a buzz, they were like actual vibes. Add to that the rough and unfinished feeling of the engine, by the time I finished the test ride, I was disappointed that such a brilliant suspension and chassis setup could go to waste with the feel of the engine.

After the test ride, I took the GT out for a spin, and what a creamy smooth engine it is. Loved it. Eagerly looking forward to the Shotgun 650 and the Scram 650. Both have/are expected to have better ergonomics than the Twins.

Finally, came back and sat on my bike, the CB350RS, and turned it on. Don't know what magic Honda does, but the experience was surreal, I felt that I was taken back to the future with the refinement that it has. I do a lot of highway touring and this bike is perfectly good until 110 kph, the only thing is it is difficult or almost impossible to make a quick overtake at speeds of 100+. The upgrade bug is biting me after close to 3 years because of this reason alone. Also, the gearing is a little tall but you get used to it, thanks to the slick gearbox. For everything else, the CB twins are great motorcycles to consider.

So yeah, with all the incredible specs on paper, the hype online making us imagine that the grass is greener on the other side, then one test ride slaps us back to reality and in a way, makes us appreciate what we have as well. I forgot all the features the Himalayan had the moment I started riding it. To each, his own. Do take a test ride, you may not feel the vibes that much but coming from a Honda, my tolerance levels are fairly low.

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Is the motorcycle heavy? Yes, but it isn't as top-heavy as the Bajaj Dominar.

BHPian rishi.roger recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Went for a proper ~30m+ no-restriction test ride (with my wife as a pillion). Fortunately, the dealership had the 805mm seat height installed according to them and I was very easily able to flat foot on the bike with both my feet planted on the ground firmly and even then some room to bend the leg (I'm 5'7"). I think people with 5'5" should be easily able to ride the motorbike with low seat height accessory.

Few key points from the ride:

Engine

The engine is happy to rev but not as much hyped in Media. Yes, it has a very nice power surge after 3k rpm but I think you would not want to red-line it all the way. It feels harsh after say 6k rpm and IMO that band from 6-8.5k rpm is not as enjoyable. The sweet spot feels between 2-6k rpm where you don't feel any stress or harshness creeping in. Also, that range is very practical and enough. I wasn't bothered by buzz/vibes at all unless I was going beyond 6k rpm which would translate to ~120kmph in the last drive.

Low-End Torque

I was expecting a lot more engine knock and poor low-down torque but to my surprise, it wasn't that bad. 10/10 it won't stall in the city even in bumper-to-bumper traffic, unlike KTMs.

Engine Heat

Very noticeable even at 16-17 deg-C ambient temperature, while wearing denims and outdoor boots. I was riding it moderately. I'm not surprised though as I was expecting it, coming from a similar machine.

Suspensions

They're great but I think people have over-hyped it in media reviews. They do an excellent job in filtering out tiny bumps and smoothening out mid-size jolts but you're still going to feel the bad roads - just that with the 21" wheel, small bumps or breakers won't slow you down.

Brakes

Rear brake is wow! Crazy! Front brake is very good and progressive. Braking on this bike is definitely one of a kind!

Handling

The bike is not as top-heavy as the Dominar. It's heavy? Yes, but I think it's manageable if you're able to flat-foot it to an extent. On Dominar, even with a flat foot, it was a task. The handle is quite agile. The bike can be flicked but you need to gain confidence. The only situation where I felt the bike could pose a bit of a challenge was for cornering addicts, but that too would be more about trust and the learning curve. I was able to lean upto a fair extent but I didn't have all my gear so I didn't push too hard - and it was a wise decision, IMO.

I rode it in dense city traffic and it wasn't too much struggle (except for peak summers where heat might become a challenge).

Console

I didn't really mess around with the tripper-dash console. However, I noticed that it wasn't distracting at all. I had everything that I needed. In fact, it also seems to have a sensor which sets the mode from light to dark depending upon light sensitivity. (I noticed this when I entered a tunnel - and my phone wasn't paired with it for any map info).

Side/Rear-View Mirrors

The first thing I told my wife "I am going to change this and replace it with the Dominar's or some better RVMs the moment I get the bike". It honestly felt very small and the adjustment was horrible. Not sure if it was an issue with the particular bike but unfortunately they only had one unit in the showroom.

In short

The bike is extremely practical and fun to handle on bad roads and city as well. However, I don't think it's the bike I would recommend to my friends if they want something for the sheer pleasure of motorbiking on decent roads. I really couldn't connect with the engine in a way where I could say that I was able to feel the heart of the machine (Long stroke feel has spoiled me). It felt like any other ordinary engine but responsive and with more power.

If I wanted a machine with a great engine, particularly in terms of feel/signature, the 650s from RE are excellent. It makes me think that should I wait for RE to launch a Himalayan with a 650cc heart?

I must say this again, Himalayan 450 is excellent in terms of practicality. RE engineering team has knocked this one out of the park, but it also seems true to me that it won't win any medals in the design/looks/finish or feel department.

My decision after the test ride

Am I getting it? Yes, definitely because motorbiking is not just about taking the feel from the engine for me but also the ability to take it anywhere and everywhere without worry (this is precisely where Himalayan seem to tick everything on my list).

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

"I've been riding motorcycles for over 26 years now, and my list of owned bikes includes the Yamaha Enticer, Bajaj 220, CB 350"

BHPian Captain Slow recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I've always yearned for an off-road bike to navigate the challenging terrain of our city roads, reminiscent of the moon's surface.

The Himalayan appeared to be the perfect match, prompting me to swiftly make an online reservation on the day of its announcement.

Initially, I had booked the Hanle Black variant. However, upon inspecting the bike in the showroom, I found the color to be too flashy for my taste. Consequently, I contacted the dealer and requested a change to the more subtle Kaza Brown.

On the morning of Friday, December 15th, I received a call from the dealership, informing me that my bike was ready for pickup and that I could proceed with the full payment.

Wasted no time and promptly headed to the dealership, conducted a pre-delivery inspection (PDI), and settled the full payment.

It has been five days since I took possession of the bike. Acclaim Motors executed a commendable delivery process.

My points of contact, Syed and Manju, were exceptionally helpful and proactive (kudos to them).

Now back to the Bike -

I've been riding motorcycles for over 26 years now, and my list of owned bikes includes the

Yamaha Enticer, Bajaj 220, CB 350, Interceptor 650, and most recently, the Himalayan 450.

Speaking of the Interceptor 650, my firsthand experience provides insight into what Royal Enfield offers to the general consumer—a fantastic bike coupled with a less-than-stellar after-sales experience (more on that later).

Now, let's delve into what makes the Himalayan 450 special:

• It boasts a water-cooled 452cc single-cylinder engine, marking Royal Enfield's first foray into liquid-cooled engines. 40bhp (at 8000rpm) and 40Nm of torque
• The Engine has abundant low-end torque, making it adept at navigating challenging terrains by effortlessly pulling you out of tight spots, Now yes the engine emits a somewhat an Autorickshaw sound.
• It's not inherently negative, just not precisely what I had anticipated.
• Very Classy and feature-rich console.

• Weighing in at 196kgs, it's equipped with two riding modes: Eco, Performance (with rear ABS on), and Performance (with rear ABS off).
• The full LED lighting enhances visibility.
• Functioning as both a fun off-roader and a competent commuter, it strikes a balance between versatility and performance.
• Despite its substantial weight of 196 kg, it feels surprisingly light and easy to ride.
• The current price point offers excellent value for money.
• With a 17L fuel tank, it ensures substantial riding range.
• The seating position is excellent for comfort and control.
• The bike's suspension excels at gliding over potholes, making it perfect for navigating challenging terrain.
• Fuel Gauge seems reasonably accurate (compared to the 650 twins)
• The ride quality surpasses any other bike in its segment.
• Now, let's talk about the Himalayan 450 in more detail. First impressions? It's BIG! Myself Standing at 6'1", even on the main stand, my feet don't touch the ground.
• However, once in motion, it feels like any other bike. The new liquid-cooled engine is a milestone for Royal Enfield, demonstrating impressive performance without overheating in bumper-to-bumper conditions.
• For those who complain about heat on their legs, I would advise against riding this bike in shorts or mini skirts.
• The overall appearance may seem imposing, but once seated, everything falls into place, making for a comfortable and enjoyable ride.
• E20 Fuel compliant!
• On the Left side panel, there is a small window to check the coolant levels! (Standard green coolant is used here)

However, there are a couple of aspects I am not particularly fond of:

• The engine feels a bit harsh (especially when compared to the 650)
• Vibrations - Being a single-pot Engine this is not as refined as the 650.

After-sales service of Royal Enfield can be a hit for Miss! As we shall soon find out.

Ugly Saree Guard! This needs to go ASAP!

The placement of the fuel cap appears rather unconventional. When attempting to open the fuel filler cap, the key chain is bound to scratch or leave marks on the tank. It would have been more practical if the fuel filler cap were made removable, similar to the design of the 650 twins.

Moreover, the fuel tank features a metal rod in the middle, preventing the fuel nozzle from being fully inserted into the tank.

Additionally, the rubber seal on the fuel filler cap seems remarkably similar to that of the 650 twins. We encountered significant issues with this rubber seal deteriorating over time.

Another irksome aspect of the bike is the noise emanating from the fuel pump. Upon starting the bike, a persistent buzzing sound, like "bzzzzz," becomes apparent. Surprisingly, all 450 models have this sound, none of the reviews has even mentioned this.

Everyone admires the aesthetic appeal and overall feel of this bike! Surprisingly, even the guards responsible for protecting my cars from rats seem to have taken a liking to the new Himalayan 450.They appear quite comfortable perched on the bike, and convincing them to vacate their newfound spot is proving to be quite a challenge.

They enjoyed the new location so much that they decided to throw a party on the bike!

On the day of picking up the bike from the showroom, I noticed a problem with it pulling to the right always

Today, I visited the service center to have the issue inspected. After a couple of individuals from the showroom took test rides, they confirmed a pull towards the right side. Unfortunately, they have requested me to leave the bike with them for further assessment.

Uncertain if this marks a favorable beginning for my ownership report. I hadn't anticipated having to leave my bike at the service center so soon!

It seems like there might be an issue with the front suspension or rim.

My Interceptor 650 has been incredibly reliable. While I did encounter some issues with the cone set, I managed to address them within a couple of months.

As I post this, the bike is still at the service center, awaiting instructions from RE on the next steps :( Does anyone have a contact at RE who could assist me?)

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I took back-to-back test rides of the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650 and the Himalayan 450 before finalising my decision.

BHPian vishal.jayakuma recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello all! I had recently booked the Himalayan 450 in Hanle Black. I had booked the bike after just sitting on it but hadn't taken a test ride. Yesterday, I went to the RE Company outlet in Besant Nagar. Here are my observations after testing all the three 650s and the Himalayan.

Interceptor 650

Right off the bat, this felt super comfortable for me. This was my first experience with the alloy wheel version of the 650 twins. The difference between this and the spoke wheel versions is night and day. It immediately felt a lot more stable and planted as compared to the older version. There was absolutely no wobbling.

The front suspension is definitely setup softer than I would have liked; switching to a heavier fork oil is definitely in the cards. The tyres are the absolute weak link for this bike. The CEATs do not have enough grip for even the slightest sand patches, and in one instance, I ended up unsettling the rear tyre. Will definitely swap to the Vredestein Centauro STs from the CGT.

I have always adored the 650 engine, and it is still smooth and extremely tractable. Lots of torque low down; you can ride this at any RPM in any gear. Taking all of this into account, I think this is the perfect motorcycle for my style of riding.

Continental GT 650

Right after the Interceptor, switching to the CGT took slight adjustments to riding posture and style. It immediately felt more difficult to back out of the parking lot, because of the clip-ons. On the go, you tend to feel a lot more plugged in, on the GT. The ride was sublime, but in the long run I feel that the Interceptor would be better suited for my riding style. Overall, wonderful machine and definitely looks the best in my opinion.

Super Meteor 650

I have always loved the Super Meteor. I have always loved Harleys, and this is the closest you can get to owning one, sans the high cost, maintenance and dealership issues. It is definitely much more difficult to maneuver this gigantic bike i.e taking U-turns mainly. On the go, this is the most comfortable riding setup in terms of posture, but the ergos take some getting used to. The feet forward stance makes it difficult for 5'8 me to shift gears with the toe shifter. In my opinion, the shifter doesn't inspire confidence, especially the transition from 2nd to 3rd.

Apart from that, it feels rock solid and steady on any road. The suspension is definitely stiffer, but I quite enjoy that because of accurate feedback from the road, the bike and the weight perfectly supports it. The chassis is sublime, and I am thoroughly impressed with how far RE have come with this bike. The premium that Interstellar Grey carries over the Interceptor Black Ray (~50k on road price difference) has made me reconsider the decision.

Himalayan 450

Disclaimer: This is all purely my personal opinion. Kindly test ride the bike to decide for yourself how it feels for you.

This was an absolute shocker for me. The last test ride for the day and I was excited. I had booked the Hanle black without even testing it. I waited a year for this moment.

In short, disappointed. The handlebar felt a little odd; I am not sure why. I had recently tested the KTM Adventure 390 SW and its handlebar felt a lot more comfortable and suited for touring. Coming back to the Himalayan, there were vibrations at the handlebar and pegs. There was a lot of heating felt on the right leg, around the ankles. Mind you, I hadn't even crossed 200m yet.

The engine on the other hand feels extremely rev-happy and torquey in the mid-RPM range. The surge of torque feels similar to the 650s and the engine is the bike's strong point. I did not feel like the suspension was miles ahead of the Interceptor, which was surprising for me, but it is pliant and comfortable. The radiator fan was on just after a 2-3 minute ride and it just felt odd to me. The throttle shut off for the ride-by-wire felt odd and disconnected, even when I completely shut it off before shifting. It wasn't very confidence-inspiring. Refinement levels were not satisfactory according to me.

I have to mention that the Himalayan was being taken out continuously for test rides, so that could be the reason for the heating and radiator fan kicking in. Furthermore, I felt that the Kaza Brown and Kamet white look better than the Hanle Black in person. Just my personal opinion. I remember considering shifting my booking to Kamet White before the test ride. Test ride bike was in Kaza Brown.

Conclusion

I have decided to change my booking to an Interceptor 650 Black Ray. The showroom said 4-6 months maximum, which is kind of a deal-breaker for me, but I guess I just have to be patient and wait it out.

Sometimes you think you have it all figured out on paper, comparing facts and watching reviews, and becoming instant experts. It will all come crashing down like a house of cards the second you take a test ride. It all comes down to what your core requirements are, and how the bike makes you feel after that all-deciding test ride.

I am moving from 29 to 30, and my final choice of motorcycle perfectly suits my current and near-future requirements. An old-soul trapped in a moderately young body, this fits the bill. One look at the analog speedometer and rev counter will remind you of retro motorcycles and the charm they exude. 6 years and the Interceptor still feels and rides beautifully. Sometimes (in my case, a lot of instances), it is better to be analog in a digital world.

Oh and did I mention how badass the 650 engine makes you feel when you rev it out?

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The engine seemed to be lugging at 4000 rpm in 6th gear, so I used more of 5th gear which gave me a fuel efficiency of 33 km/l which is quite impressive.

BHPian aviator1101 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Finally, the Himalayan comes home

The selection

The other contenders were the 390 ADV and the Triumph Scrambler 400X.

The financial aspects

• Ex Showroom price:₹2,84,000.00
• Insurance (nil dep) : ₹22,944.00
• RTO Charges(BH registration) : ₹5,000.00
• Extended Warranty & RSA(4th 5th year) : ₹7199.00
• Teflon coating : ₹1,178.00
• On Road Price : ₹3,20,321.00

Delivery experience

Had pre-booked with Saraighat Riders, Guwahati on 7th November. Received a call from the representative on 21 December that the bike had arrived. I reached Guwahati on 22 December evening and reached the showroom on 23 December at 10:30 am sharp.

I must make a mention of Mr Sarma, the sales representative who handled everything very professionally. Payments were done online and all documentation was done prior to my arrival on the condition that I would do the PDI on arrival and only then go ahead with the delivery.

Everything was ready as promised. The bike was washed, teflon coating done and parked for inspection. I carried out a thorough PDI, and (fortunately) everything was OK, I gave a nod for the delivery.

Meticulously referring to the PDI list.

Traditional Assamese Gamusa

Customary key hand-over ceremony

Thanks to fellow BHPians chiranjitp and Yogi..Reeturaj and Mr Rakshak (my colleague) who were present and made the delivery experience special for me.

Posing proudly with my prized possession

All geared up to start the 190 km long ride back to Tezpur.

Started the ride back home with 10.8 kms on the odometer.

Ride experience

I had taken a 50 km test ride just two days prior. So no hassles on familiarity with the behaviour of the motorcycle.

The navigation feature is a boon. It bypassed the maddening traffic, took me through lanes/bylanes and in no time I was out of the limits of Guwahati city cruising towards Tezpur.

Water break en route

One for the road.

Reached home at exactly 200kms on the odo. What a coincidence.

I was riding in Eco Mode and ABS ON.

Since the bike is being run-in, I limited the rpm to below 4000. At 4000, the max speed achieved in 6th gear is 80-82 kmph which is a decent speed to cruise on any highway. I kept the rpm between 3000 and 4000 throughout in 5th and 6th gear which gave me speeds of 55-82 kmph.

Fuel Economy

The engine seemed to be lugging at 4000 rpm in 6th gear, so I used more of 5th gear which gave me an average of 33.0 kmpl which is quite impressive, though I would wait for a tankful to tankful method to confirm the actual economy figures.

The Ritual

Today's day began with a visit to the Holeshwar Mahadev Temple in Tezpur for the customary Puja ceremony, seek blessings and start our journey with Bagheera (name selected by the home ministry).

Her Highness doing the honours

Post puja, the maiden ride with pillion was undertaken to the Mahamrityunjay Temple which, with a height of 126 feet, is the World's largest Shivalinga.

That's all till day two of ownership. More after tomorrow's ride.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I took a test ride of the KTM 390ADV and in less than half a km, I returned the bike to the dealership disappointed. The engine was rough, had a lot of clatter and sounded very rugged.

BHPian n_aditya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello all, hope the year is revving with a positive vibe for you.

This is going to be a series of long posts, so kindly bear with me. I will document my Himalayan 450 ownership in as much detail as I can on this thread. Please feel free to ask any questions or share your suggestions which can help me and other H450 owners as well.

A little context:

Motorcycling is not new to me. I used to ride my dad's Kinetic Honda back in college and then moved up to a Hero Honda CD 100.

Later, I picked up a Suzuki Fiero and that started my passion in motorbiking. Although the bike was restricted to intra-city commuting, I did enjoy the revv happy nature of the Fiero. It was fast and a lot of fun.

Somewhere in late 2009, Kawasaki launched the Ninja 250R in India and it was love at first sight for me. I was so smitten that I spent all my free time obsessing over the bike, reading and learning about the history and popularity it had gained over the years. This was a new launch though, with fuel injection, liquid cooling and a first for me as well. I had only owned and ridden small capacity air cooled bikes prior to the Kawasaki Ninja 250R.

Here is my Ninja 250R ownership thread - link (2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - My First Sportsbike. 52,000 kms on the clock. UPDATE: Sold!).

I had the Ninja for 6 years and clocked 52,000 kms before I sold it. Made a lot of friends, went on a lot of rides (tons of places in KA, TN and KL) and also participated in IndiMotard's TWO Track School twice (Level-1 & Level-2). This significantly improved my riding skills and helped me unlearn some habits.

Some pics with the Ninja:

This pic was clicked by our dear Rudra, the God of photography:

Better than any pic from a marketing brochure or sales catalog, don't you agree?

The upgrade bug used to bite me in the backside every now and then but every time I took the Ninja for a spin, that thought would disappear.

Continue reading BHPian n_aditya report for more insights and information.