Wrong direction indeed! Enfield will have to embrace fuel injection (and a more efficient head and valve design as well) if they are to survive into the future.

I'm quite sure the tech exists in India to help guide Enfield as so many of the BIG OEM's are now producing bikes there for export ... latest being BMW with the GS 310. KTM are there too with the 390's and I guess the big four Japanese OEM's are doing some production there as well.

The Chinese will prove to be the toughest competition for Enfield. I'm sure the Chinese bikes will pass emissions worldwide. Good luck to Enfield, but may be too little too late for them at this late date.

I struggle to see the caution now against simple ECU/EFI injection.

The technology is advancing so fast but for example I have a full diagnostics system on my smartphone using a bluetooth dongle. Where in the world doesnt have phones nowadays.

If the Himalayan was of better quality (from what Im reading) and conformed with EU/US emmissions standards they would be onto a complete winner. Simply having just a carb controled bike, is going no-where.


H

Yes, that's the obvious ... "IF" it was of better quality. But, apparently, it's not!
How can the board of directors be convinced that poor quality isn't a viable plan for the future?
Fuel Injection tech is now quite reliable, but if not done well, it will ruin your day. Remember, ALL F.I. systems require a very strong battery. Does any company in India even make a decent battery? I doubt it.

Bad battery means NO GO with F.l. A Carb bike will run FINE with a dead battery ... or no battery at all with some systems.

In very remote areas where no help available, I'd rather have a Carb. I've dealt with Carbs for 50 years. (since age 10!) I understand them. You can't really crack into an ECU or F.I. brain on side of road. Sure, you can plug in and see the Error Code on your smart phone ... but it says: A2 Sensor bad (or some similar gibberish). Now what?

Sure, most times, not a problem. Good battery, keep fuel clean (filters), as dirt and water are DEADLY for F.I. systems and will kill a high pressure fuel pump. Once you've bugger'd up your fuel pump or injectors you may be in trouble. Got Parts?
I'd rather carry a few tiny spare jets, a float kit and fuel filter rather than a $500 spare ECU, new $300 fuel pump, or spare throttle body assembly.

So good and bad on both sides.

But sounds to me the poor quality extends beyond the lack of F.I. To sell in foreign markets ... you can't fake it for long.
Even Harley are now on the rocks. Romantic nostalgia and ancient tech will only take you so far. Not far enough!

Review of Royal Enfield Himalayan: Without a doubt, the best money can buy - Firstpost
............. or the journos are lying, again.

__________________
Dave

Overall, a fairly balanced review IMO. I've not ridden the bike so can't really pick the review apart. The author seemed to gush a bit on the chassis, handling and suspension. But did point out the BAD as well as good. (poor welds, bad brakes,
lack of character in the engine, weight)

At one point he complains about "knarly" welds ... then proceeds to say build quality is good. But in fairness, he referred to the fact that in testing they could not break the RE. This is a good sign. During my testing days I tried hard to break bikes ... only ever succeeded with BMW's.

Sounds like this new RE is an improvement over previous Enfields' but never rode one, so can't comment from direct experience.

If I were to tour India I think I'd want something a bit lighter weight than an Enfield, but many old India hands swear by the Enfield. So which is it?
Modern Hero Honda or Enfield?

I still find it attractive, despite the negatives outlined. Time will tell if these things are improved upon. Lets hope so.

FI version will be in UK dealers shortly. Price looks to be at the CRF 250 Rally / Baby Strom / mini Versys level, so I can't predict much success.

I will go look at one at some point though.

Andy