Royal Enfield Himalayan

A few asked me to keep updated with the Himmy progress well she arrived today so thought I'd start a build thread / update to see how I get on with it with the plan off going to Iceland and Norway.

Well I finally did it the Royal Enfield Himalayan! Bike 29 I've ridden an owned a variety of bikes over the years Elsies, Nortons, fireblades, gsxrs, rzv500r v4 2t etc. Adv wise I've had gsa1200te, vstrom 1000xt, f800gs, vstrom 650xt, a 390 adv which got rejected along with dads, the 1200gs Rallye TE and now the Himalayan.

My main daily has been a 1967 Norton 650SS for 4 winters now and I've been riding a 1927 Norton 16H Flat tanker 500 Longstroke which left a huge lasting impression on me 4.9hp and 252lbs and very quick with it.

She arrived today and my BMW R1200GS te Rallye got px'd.

Such a fun first day on the Himmy I think there's a bike out there for all of us an my Himalayan makes me very content I'd say that's my first impression really it's just such a nice place to be to take in the Adventure of Motorcycle riding.

Which is exactly what I wanted compared to the GS lighter weight a relaxed riding experience with an engine that just sounds really nice an not whiney. I very much see them as a modern day version of the old Long Strokes if you get them you get them. I'm more than happy to just chill out and take in the scenery and the beauty that is motorcycle adventure.

Handlings pinpoint as well which is good.

First video coming in the next day or two plan now is to get her ran in over the next few days and in for her first service. Then get her to 1500 miles and it's time for Scotland and Cornwall ^__^
Shall supplement the Nortons very nicely.

More updates to come this week.

Ordered a few bits today from cooperb vps for starters with the fitting kit, bars, risers and heated grips.

Next on the list is the seat thinking seat concepts just not sure which height yet so thinking bout that.

Thought a few might enjoy this so after 29 Motorcycles I've delved into why I let the GS1200 go for my Royal Enfield Himalayan
First half off the video is on my Himmy discussing it after the change over and the 2nd part is on new years eve on the last ride on the GS quite a long video but had alot to say honestly am so content with the Himalayan an it suits me to a tea very happy with my choice a few days in.

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norton_rider said:

Ordered a few bits today from cooperb vps for starters with the fitting kit, bars, risers and heated grips.

Next on the list is the seat thinking seat concepts just not sure which height yet so thinking bout that.

Thought a few might enjoy this so after 29 Motorcycles I've delved into why I let the GS1200 go for my Royal Enfield Himalayan
First half off the video is on my Himmy discussing it after the change over and the 2nd part is on new years eve on the last ride on the GS quite a long video but had alot to say honestly am so content with the Himalayan an it suits me to a tea very happy with my choice a few days in.

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If you haven't seen any then look out for itchyboots videos on youtube, she's a Dutch girl who's done lotsa miles all over the world on one

Glad you're enjoying the bike!

This was the video (part 1 of 3 I think) which sold me on a Himmy....

Oh yep Noralys stuff is ace I'll check that out thanks Cliffa

norton_rider said:

Oh yep Noralys stuff is ace I'll check that out thanks Cliffa

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By the way, what is VPS ? ( you mentioned it above).

Barkbuster handguards they do two styles Storm and VPS variable protection system can swap them both over onto the same guards mounting system

One thing I did do was to make a rear hugger from an old VFR 750 front mudguard as a lot of crud gets thrown onto the suspension linkage etc. However I see Hitchcocks now sell one ready made

That's a good idea mate the bikes so quick to clean apart from the shock when the panniers are on.

Exciting day today just got back from a 6 an a half hour round trip to cooperbmotorcycles huge thanks to Ian, Jack and Chloe for taking the time today to give me some tips on bits for my Himalayan for my next few purchases and today I bought a seat concepts seat for my Himalayan. My dad ran me down in his car.

Thanks to Chloe for putting up with me trying the different options on one of the bikes while it was pretty cold out. If it wasn't for the shoulder/neck injury that I sustained 2 years ago, I reckon with my height I would have got the tall but the standard height felt absolutely spot on for my deriere!

An my shoulder was great with it so that was the right choice

Well worth the trip, now it's time to plan a nice back road route down to CooperB for the service it's hard sometimes to find quality dealers where everyone rides an knows what they are talking about always makes it worth the trip in my book.

In the next few days I'll be getting my CooperB Bars, risers, an Barkbusters fitted along with the heated grips. The darn elbows really painful still from my fall on the ice yesterday walking back from the chippy 29 motorcycles track days mx year round riding an I bust my elbow on ice walking back from the chippy lol just goes to show at least it didn't re do my shoulder.

Crazy how different the weather is it's still sheet ice near me!






Another one from the other day

Today was a very good test of my new Royal Enfield Himalayan 80 miles or so off very tricky conditions low visibility etc over the Cat and Fiddle very poor road conditions and a ride to Matlock and Back she performed perfectly

Was grinning the entire way yay hope you enjoy a few mobile phone pictures just finished treating her to a wash

So far so good with it no issues to report.

The seatconcepts seat from cooperbmotorcycles is the best seat I've had on a Modern motorcycle really superb it's almost as though someone tailored that and the royalenfield Himalayan to fit me perfectly absolutely so happy I made the switch to the Himalayan it's a true case off for me personally less is More!

The next step tomorrow is to fit the heated grips, barkbusters, CooperB Bars, and 20mm risers, my Garmin Zumo XT and thunderbox for the power management.

So far no regrets and very happy the up and coming 7 hour ish round trip to cooper B for her first service should be a really good test that's if it doesn't end up being longer haha as I'm still playing with the route. Continues to be a motorcycle that makes me happy when I ride it looking forward to finishing the run in on her then it's a few down to Devon and Scotland then further afield.

One currently very happy Himalayan owner it's made it past the point we were having trouble with both Ktms so far so good. Should be cranking on alot of miles over the next few months which will be a good test for it an if there is any issues hopefully will show them up so they can be dealt with.

Sounds like a match made in heaven !

And that’s a very posh looking seat yer got there…

norton_rider said:

Today was a very good test of my new Royal Enfield Himalayan 80 miles or so off very tricky conditions low visibility etc over the Cat and Fiddle very poor road conditions and a ride to Matlock and Back she performed perfectly

Was grinning the entire way yay hope you enjoy a few mobile phone pictures just finished treating her to a wash

So far so good with it no issues to report.

The seatconcepts seat from cooperbmotorcycles is the best seat I've had on a Modern motorcycle really superb it's almost as though someone tailored that and the royalenfield Himalayan to fit me perfectly absolutely so happy I made the switch to the Himalayan it's a true case off for me personally less is More!

The next step tomorrow is to fit the heated grips, barkbusters, CooperB Bars, and 20mm risers, my Garmin Zumo XT and thunderbox for the power management.

So far no regrets and very happy the up and coming 7 hour ish round trip to cooper B for her first service should be a really good test that's if it doesn't end up being longer haha as I'm still playing with the route. Continues to be a motorcycle that makes me happy when I ride it looking forward to finishing the run in on her then it's a few down to Devon and Scotland then further afield.

One currently very happy Himalayan owner it's made it past the point we were having trouble with both Ktms so far so good. Should be cranking on alot of miles over the next few months which will be a good test for it an if there is any issues hopefully will show them up so they can be dealt with.

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Looking good mate

Thanks mate yep the seat concepts seat really compfy got all the way to matlock an didnt feel like I'd even done a mile so should be good for the bigger rides the one down to Coopers will be a good test

Hi everyone hope we are all well got out yesterday to try my new Seat Concepts standard height seat on my Royal Enfield Himalayan that I'm running in currently nearly at the point off being able to take a 7 hour or so round trip to Cooperb for the first service.


First impressions of both the bike and seat are brilliant some off the conditions were very nasty at points and she did really well in my humble opinion.


Loving the handling especially, engine characteristics and overall comfort at 6'2 and a 32 inch inside leg.


Obviously can't comment on higher speeds as I'm following the run in as I plan on keeping the bike for a long time an thats how I'd do it on my Nortons. For those that don't know I've come from a gs1200 an are new to the thread hard bikes to compare as they are different thing entirely but the Himalayan really suits me.


Seat fit wise has been superb retained the reach to the ground with the sensible seat height and has given me all day comfort to, my knees are just inboard off the edge off the infils which reminds me off my 350lc and I can gain 18mm by taking the rubber inserts out on the footrests if needs be which my boots were slipping on in the wet anyway.


The seat Height is identical pretty much to my Nortons in some way it's the bike I'd prefer Norton to make the grins are still continuing with the Himalayan, obviously if anything happens like the Ktms dad an I rejected i'll be the first to say with spending my hard earned cash on it.


So far so good though, the only thing I do wish we could buy was the Euro 5 service manual, as the owners handbook is lacking compared to my 1927, 44, 67 and 68 Norton riders handbooks that's my only criticism so far on what's been a superb bike as its handy to read and refer to especially when prepping for a few big trips like I hopefully am.


Personally I feel it'd be better for Royal Enfield to make it available especially with the marketing off the bike. You expect it especially when it's available for Japanese ADV bikes and a bit of an oversight in my book.


Apart from that all good! An no issues so far.


Tomorrow I'm gonna fit my Cooperb bars handguards heated grips n risers an thunderbox.

norton_rider said:

Hi everyone hope we are all well got out yesterday to try my new Seat Concepts standard height seat on my Royal Enfield Himalayan that I'm running in currently nearly at the point off being able to take a 7 hour or so round trip to Cooperb for the first service.


First impressions of both the bike and seat are brilliant some off the conditions were very nasty at points and she did really well in my humble opinion.


Loving the handling especially, engine characteristics and overall comfort at 6'2 and a 32 inch inside leg.


Obviously can't comment on higher speeds as I'm following the run in as I plan on keeping the bike for a long time an thats how I'd do it on my Nortons. For those that don't know I've come from a gs1200 an are new to the thread hard bikes to compare as they are different thing entirely but the Himalayan really suits me.


Seat fit wise has been superb retained the reach to the ground with the sensible seat height and has given me all day comfort to, my knees are just inboard off the edge off the infils which reminds me off my 350lc and I can gain 18mm by taking the rubber inserts out on the footrests if needs be which my boots were slipping on in the wet anyway.


The seat Height is identical pretty much to my Nortons in some way it's the bike I'd prefer Norton to make the grins are still continuing with the Himalayan, obviously if anything happens like the Ktms dad an I rejected i'll be the first to say with spending my hard earned cash on it.


So far so good though, the only thing I do wish we could buy was the Euro 5 service manual, as the owners handbook is lacking compared to my 1927, 44, 67 and 68 Norton riders handbooks that's my only criticism so far on what's been a superb bike as its handy to read and refer to especially when prepping for a few big trips like I hopefully am.


Personally I feel it'd be better for Royal Enfield to make it available especially with the marketing off the bike. You expect it especially when it's available for Japanese ADV bikes and a bit of an oversight in my book.


Apart from that all good! An no issues so far.


Tomorrow I'm gonna fit my Cooperb bars handguards heated grips n risers an thunderbox.

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I've got a Euro 4 manual I can send you if you like. It shouldn't be that much different.

What's a Thunderbox?

EDIT, answered my own question...

Thanks Cliffa yep I found the e4 one to

Hey everyone hope we are all well here's my latest ride report from my Journey to ride the Himalayan to CooperB for her first service 130 miles or so each way which should have been a 4 hour journey fate had lots in store for us though!

We start with day 1

6 hour ride down to CooperB today ^_^ got sat nav'd a few times with the route I'd done in Calimoto lol some fun insued with this unexpected greenlane.

I enjoyed it poor dad didn't! Hes bikeless at the mo after the rejection off our ktms 390 advs. So he decided to follow in the car at least one off us had fun on the lane i told him to wait while I checked it out.. an he must have been nah my i10 got this! Was a hard one to reverse off from as it was off a 60mph road. Came back to tell him to turn round an find him sulking as he nearly got stuck was great up until one corner the was deeply rutted. Luckily there was a good turning point for him.

Observations from today, after 6 hours with just a stop for fuel + my first green lane on the Himmy which went flawlessly for me I kept thinking to myself remember what Nathan said on his videos! Worked a treat. Turning the Himalayan on one is much easier than the GSA was.

Last time I tried one was on a gsa a few years back an that ended up with me nearly getting stuck.

Everything about the Himalayan from the Longstroke to the brakes seemed to make sense for me especially the risers an bars from coopers and the seat concepts seat made all the difference don't feel like I've even done a long journey.

Very happy still that I swapped the GS1200TE in for it over the moon infact. Really ticking the boxes for me currently just chilling in the Premier Inn with dad talking bikes it's days like that you never forget.

Return journey tomorrow all being well with the mighty Himalayan an removed the lane for us so after 2x 6 hour journeys should be able to have a good judge off her.








Day 2

Wow what a crazy long day an 8 hour ride completed for the return journey on the Royal Enfield Himalayan to get back home.

Very glad I made the ride to take it into cooperbmotorcycles as they clocked an issue with the swing arm, that a few off the e5 bikes are having where theve been over tightened in the factory an require shimming. Something you need to check if you have done the first service yourself. + a few other bits that I'd spotted one being the yokes miss aligned.

Just thawing out on the sofa now I had a feeling the roads in the peaks to get home in that part of the journey might be tricky with the temperature but didn't expect it to drop as much as it did + high winds which made some off the roads very treacherous in the dark so progress was steady an we hit all the rush hour traffic before that and some nose to tail traffic because it looked like something had happened on the m1 when we crossed over the top off it.

main thing is it took a while but I made it back home OK big thanks to everyone at CooperB for the work done at my first service well worth the ride.

Learnt alot about the bike on the 6 hour one yesterday which included a suprise greenlane and the 8 hour one today. Very impressed with the seat concepts seat and the Cooperb bars and risers.

Thoughts after the day after trip the headlight is truly dreadful.

The mods really transformed the bike, an felt very inspiring on the lane which was good for me, with the tricky night time conditions with wind 0 streetlights mist and cold icey roads left me with the impression I wouldn't want any more power really.

The heated grips were OK at 7 degree s outside Cook your hands above that anything under that just about kept my hands warm, got those checked at CooperB an they are hitting the 48 degeees they are meant to, so gonna wire my Keiss heated gloves into the thunderbox.

The bike was really good at 50mph can do that until 1200 miles then it's full capability time. Climbed some really steep bits in the peaks in the dark perfectly.

The seat concepts seat made all the difference 8 hours of riding on the way back in total comfort.

The back off my thighs are a bit sore today but no other aches or pains best bit is my shoulder is perfect so that was mission accomplished with the GS1200 sale.

Dads still very torn over what to get it's a shame there isn't more low cc or lightweight single choice he might end up with the CRF300L or Rally or a Himalayan that's already run in, soon as mines run in to 1200 miles I'll let him have a go as it's getting better and better all the time.

Oh yep it sips fuel.

Gear wise I need to sort some better base layers out for my Klim Badlands as my thighs were a bit cold my tour x pinlock failed ended up having to take it out, gonna order a new visor tomorrow. Had forgotten how much of a pain it is without one working at night in the cold.

Measured the suspension today to see where the sag is.

Front

Rider sag 72mm (36%)
Static sag 50mm (25%)

Front travel = 200mm

Rider sag 64mm (35.5%)
Static sag 40mm (22.2%)

Rear suspension travel = 180mm

Ideal figures
30% rider
10% Static

Just in the process of editing all the footage on my ancient mobile phone.

Hi everyone hope we are well in todays video I ride a 14 hour round trip on my Royal Enfield Himalayan to CooperB for my first service. Which wound up as nearly an hour long video.

During the ride I explore some back roads in the Peak District and across the country to CooperB including my first Green lane on the Himalayan by accident poor dad in his car (he's bikeless after the rejection off our ktms) dad and I sit down for 20 minutes in the hotel and cover Adventure Motorcycle Choice and how our changing opinions are confirmed by the amazing Austin Vince and Mondo Enduro although everyone is different an thats cool to!

The first section of the ride ends up starting as a 4 hour journey that turns into 6 hours and the return turns into an 8 hour journey due to poor road conditions and the poor headlight at night on the Royal Enfield Himalayan riding in and out off fog patches which is something I need to deal with as it was very poor and I usually do alot of night riding on unlit roads.

I also cover the issues found at the first service as I said as things happen I'll be honest and point them out.

Hope you all enjoy the video and I'll answer any questions you have I'm super happy with the bike still and after the long journey I learnt alot about it which I cover in the video.

Just to add to this the Himmys been rejected due to a multitude off issues so is being replaced with a Honda crf 300 Rally great to ride but very unreliable unfortunately which was a shame as it was let down by the quality of components.