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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #46  
Old 20 Feb 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VicMitch View Post
It boggles my mind that, after 10 years of hydraulic valves on the Bullet, they reverted to adjustable valves with short intervals. Who wants to be constantly checking valve clearances on a RTW journey?


I am almost 100% sure that the bullet has non hydraulic tappers and yes they will need adjustment occasionally. Not an issue.


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  #47  
Old 24 Feb 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erik_G View Post
Plus from my experiences

* Very easy to repair and maintain. (Simple tools and basic skills)
* Robust. => Can handle a lot without severe damage

/I have been riding Himalayan in Nepal.
Early model, before introduced in EU.
The only problem was charging system.
But generator replaced in the parking lot outside the hotel

It did was a very good bike for that type of ride. Slow riding on bad roads.
No highways, no Enduro style riding. Just driving gravel roads that were really bad at some times. I should not chose another bike for that type of riding.
The only feedback I've heard about the Himalayan in India was that it is a piece of crap bike not worth sinking your money into... but I'm not sure that the people who said this to me were riding it properly (Indians tend to ride a bit hard on their Enfields from what I've seen).

Considering that it is no GS, and that it's a nice offroad bike, it's probably worth the investment as there are not many other options within that budget in Asia.
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  #48  
Old 3 Mar 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler Scharf View Post
The only feedback I've heard about the Himalayan in India was that it is a piece of crap bike not worth sinking your money into... but I'm not sure that the people who said this to me were riding it properly (Indians tend to ride a bit hard on their Enfields from what I've seen).

Considering that it is no GS, and that it's a nice offroad bike, it's probably worth the investment as there are not many other options within that budget in Asia.
Itchy Boots seems very keen on her Himalayan and has ridden it from India to the Netherlands and the UK - on and off road and in all weathers. She is now in South America on it and travelling down to Ushuaia and from there back up to Prudoe Bay.

Here are some links:

https://www.itchyboots.com/

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...FRrL6BiVpKC3-e

Yes, there have been some issues but given the route she has taken it isn't unexpected that there would be some issues - regardless of the bike.
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  #49  
Old 3 Mar 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler Scharf View Post
The only feedback I've heard about the Himalayan in India was that it is a piece of crap bike not worth sinking your money into... but I'm not sure that the people who said this to me were riding it properly (Indians tend to ride a bit hard on their Enfields from what I've seen).

Considering that it is no GS, and that it's a nice offroad bike, it's probably worth the investment as there are not many other options within that budget in Asia.
The first model of the Himalayan, the carburated BS3 certainly had some issues. But it seems most of them have been ironed out on the EFI BS4 models. And now the BS6 model is out, hopefully improved and better.

I wouldnt expect it to be reliable as a Honda but for the pricetag it seems not a bad bike at all....
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  #50  
Old 4 Mar 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chasbmw View Post
I am almost 100% sure that the bullet has non hydraulic tappers and yes they will need adjustment occasionally.


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The EFI Bullet is hydraulic, so no adjustment required. Gives you time to play with the TPS

Andy
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  #51  
Old 24 Mar 2020
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I was going to try and arrange a test ride this weel on the Himalayan but it appears that I shall not be doing so as the only shops open are supermarkets / food and pharmacies. I wonder if motorcycling can be considered a drug so that I can still try one to get me my daily fix?
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  #52  
Old 26 Apr 2020
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I got back from my trip to Argentina and Chile just in time, at the beginning of March. After just over 10 000 km, with more than 2000km on dirt, I wrote a review of the Himalayan (and equipment I used, most of which was cheap). If anyone is interested, here's a link.

https://www.jetlagjon.com/review-of-...himalayan-bs4/

Spoiler: I really liked the bike

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Last edited by Jetlag Jon; 27 Apr 2020 at 00:32.
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  #53  
Old 27 Apr 2020
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Great review Jon. Looks like you got out there.
Like you say, just a bit more speed and it would be ideal – more for easier overtaking than faster cruising.
Mine was one of the most enjoyable bikes I've had in years, especially on the trails.
Never noticed the cylinder head bolts, only the head bearings went prematurely.

Just noticed it's smashed up and on eBay - currently at 1300 quid.
What a sad end to a great machine and the cover bike of AMH8 ;-D
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Royal Enfield Himalayan-s-l1600.jpg  

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  #54  
Old 27 Apr 2020
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good and nice review Jon.
How I understand you , Chris mate
I do not even know if i am going to buy a nice T7 - even If I had been waiting for 4 years !
Maybe keeping himmie also ?
Our ride to Almaty will be next year
Hopefully back in Morocco in autumn .
We had chosen to load on the crash bars and the front ( as a famous rider at the same time )
take care guys
Attached Thumbnails
Royal Enfield Himalayan-av-pp-pluie-eau-huile.jpg  

Royal Enfield Himalayan-hamac.jpg  

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  #55  
Old 27 Apr 2020
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Interesting review, Jon, but the RR is even better Great pics!


PS: I did parts of that on a push-bike, but that was years ago. Nowadays I'd also prefer the m/c
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  #56  
Old 17 Sep 2020
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My Himalayan Experience So Far - Update

I posted originally in October 2019 and at that time the bike had covered about 8,000 miles. The bike now has 19,000 on the clock and here is a small update to my first post.

I replaced the Pirelli MT60 tyres with Mitas E07's at 10,000 miles. The MT60 rear was bald at that mileage. The E07 rear has don9,000 and there is still a lot of tread left although squaring off now.

I changed the brake fluid at 10,000 miles (2 years old) and this made a big difference to the braking. much better.

I also replaced the standard seat with a RE Touring version, very hard, almost as bad as sitting on the very soft original.

I replaced the spark plug with an iridium one, NGK CR8EIX, at about 12,000 miles and I noticed a slight increase in power, the bike can now sustain long gradients without dropping down a gear.

At, 16,000 I eventually gave up the ghost with the OEM drive chain. Water had gotten inside the o-ring seals causing corrosion, which in turn was causing tight spots etc. Not wanting a catastrophic chain failure, I replaced the 520 with a DID 525. I put the replacement chain on to the original sprockets as I could not get 525 width replacements. Seems fine.

The bike developed a small oil weep from the rocker cover, new gasket paste solved that issue. Apart from that no other issues.

The bike has been ridden on all types of roads and surfaces, Motorways, fast A class roads, back roads, dirt tracks, very poorly maintained roads with lots of repair patches, potholes, lumps, bumps, fully laden at all times and no problems for the suspension.

Overall, the bike has performed better than I thought it might.

Value for money? Absolutely no question.

Economical? Again, absolutely no question.

Robust? Absolutely.

Reliable? Absolutely (never failed to start and never broken down)

Powerful? No

Comfortable? Sometimes

Overall it does what it says on the label. Goes anywhere cheaply and reliably as long as you do not want to go there quicker thant 70mph (110 kph)

Last edited by Madbiker; 17 Sep 2020 at 16:31.
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  #57  
Old 17 Sep 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler Scharf View Post
The only feedback I've heard about the Himalayan in India was that it is a piece of crap bike not worth sinking your money into... but I'm not sure that the people who said this to me were riding it properly (Indians tend to ride a bit hard on their Enfields from what I've seen).

Considering that it is no GS, and that it's a nice offroad bike, it's probably worth the investment as there are not many other options within that budget in Asia.
The difference is that I have been riding on around Nepal.
And you have hear about some feedback.
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  #58  
Old 4 Jan 2021
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This is a quick update on my experience with my Himalayan.

The bike has now done 25,000 miles (40,000 km)

Despite taking it off road and dropping it a couple of times on the dirt it sustained no major damage, just the usual cracked indicator stems. A bit of black insulating tape sorted those out. Other than that no problems.

Nothing has fallen off, it has still never failed to star nor broken downt, and apart from a vacuum chain oilier it is bog standard.

Still not had to adjust the clutch.
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  #59  
Old 4 Jan 2021
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Great to hear positive feedback.

I almost bought one for my wife, but ended up with the Vstrom 250. Just suited us a little better.

Have fun.
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  #60  
Old 4 Jan 2021
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Put the 650 engine from the interceptor in it and I'll b first in the queue.
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