Can I Ride my 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan on Interstate Highways? Sure, But...

#royalenfield #himalayan #motorcycles
In this video I share my observations while riding the 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan on a Interstate highway. I'll talk about the limitations of the motorcycle and its capabilities in the hope that they'll help provide some perspective as you consider a Himalayan motorcycle of your own.

[@clinterz]

Another great video. I've ridden my Himalayan 30 miles or more on interstates here in California like the 101. It can do it, but, I'm the slowest thing on the road, and I never really feel comfortable doing it. Before they built the 99, I used to always take the back road through Stormstown out to Tyrone. Man, I miss that ride.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thank you Keith for the kind words about the video. I suspect anytime I jump on the Interstate here will be the same as your experience - I’ll be the slowest thing on the road. But hey, someone has to be the slowest. I wonder if crash statistics exist that break down by speed on a highway. I hear a lot of comments from riders fearful of being too slow in traffic, or not going with the flow, but I have to wonder if the accidents in those situations are with the slow vehicle or the drivers anxious to get past. The road through Stormstown to Warriors Mark and then over the mountain to Bald Eagle is a fine, frequent route for me. Much better than I 99!

[@RollinTwentySix]

I ride the 5, 20, 49, 50, 65, 70, 80, and 99 with no problems. I love big trucks because I know I'm not the slowest as long as I duck :D

[@Ron_Esc]

Very accurate review of the Himalayan. Made me miss mine. I ride it on the highways sometimes but it enjoys the side streets/dirt roads more. I am back to Vespas lately. Yes, there is something wrong if your wife asks you if you like a motorcycle and you say that you are not interested in 1 in a sea of machines. :) Sending love from the Philippines! :) New subscriber :)

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I think the mix of the Himalayan and the Vespa is great and covers all the bases for my riding. Yeah, it is strange to look at a sea of motorcycles and not want any of them.

[@allans7281]

I love when there’s a good wind I feel like I’m flying an airplane. On my test ride I popped onto the highway hit 70 no problem and seem pretty comfortable at itPicking up a 2022 Himalayan same color as yours I’m very excited. Like you mentioned I don’t see any bikes that I really like in the show rooms they’re too big too high tech too heavy and no personality.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

The Himalayan does have character. It's like an old Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser!

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

An excellent overview of smaller displacement bikes vs highways. 👌 Very well done Steve! Eric

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Many thanks! Small motorcycles and scooters on four-lane highways is not for the feint of heart. Everything on the road is a big SUV, pickup truck, or tractor trailer. Where did all the VW bugs go???

[@peterc2248]

Great little video Sir. I'm picking up a 2022 Himalayan tomorrow here in the UK just outside London. I'm compelled to regularly do battle with the infamous M25 motorway (freeway in your parlance I guess), a road notorious for high speeds, traffic carnage, accidents and general lunatic mayhem. I'm downsizing to the Himalayan because I favour a more sedate approach to life as I get older and I just like the simplicity of the bike. Keep up the good work and much respect from across the pond :-)

[@ScooterintheSticks]

The Himalayan certainly is sedate. It’s exactly what I was looking for in a motorcycle - lighter, less twitchy power, and comfortable on dirt and gravel roads. I ride mine from time to time on a freeway for short periods but I it would not be my choice for long rides like that on a regular basis. Thanks for the kind words about the video. They’re enjoyable to make.

[@mikeleone2301]

Steve, if you haven’t already, try Gardiner Candies in Tyrone. They sell ice cream and they have lot’s of parking out back. Had the same thing happen at that restaurant last year and I even had my wife with me. However, they were closed for vacation! Enjoyed the video too.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thanks for the heads up on an ice cream location in Tyrone Mike. I'll be riding down to Kissell's next week. I'll have to stop for a scoop.

[@TheCoopdway]

Well done Steve! A very accurate and honest appraisal.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thank you Doug. The Himalayan is really growing on me. While it's not a perfect machine, it's perfect for me!

[@christopheratwood6487]

I recently surpassed 3,500 miles on my 2022 Himalayan because I regularly ride highways/freeways to visit my girlfriend. Your video and description is accurate. My Himalayan does well at 65 mph, fine at 70, and tops out at 75. I'm in Minnesota and have experienced those high speed crosswinds you encountered. I took the windshield and front beak off to lessen the crosswind effect. Not sure how much difference it made but I like the look better. Thanks for another great video!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in thinking the Himalayan is adequate on freeways. Sometimes I think I just am more tolerant of slowness. And thank you for your kind words about the video. Ride safe up there in Minnesota. It will start snowing anytime now!!!

[@christopheratwood6487]

@@ScooterintheSticks the Himalayan is the only motorcycle I've ever ridden on highways/freeways so I probably don't mind it at high speeds because I don't know any better. I just replaced the stock tires with Bridgestone Trailing TW42. They have similar tread to the stock tires but seem quieter/smoother on the highway. Keep riding, smiling, and stopping for ice cream!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@christopheratwood6487 Ice cream. I want some right now. The convenience store down the street has Haagen Das and Ben and Jerrys. I just need to ride down... I've ridden a number of big touring bikes on the Interstate highway. The BMW K1600GTL being the biggest and the BMW R1200 RT being the best. They are so smooth, so protected from the wind that it's easy to see how a rider would just go on and on. And it was strange how the normal sounds and vibrations that I associated with going fast just weren't there. A couple times I was riding along thinking I was going 55 and I would look at the speedometer and see 80. I'll stick with the Himalayan. Not for the freeway riding but for all the other things it can do for me. Thanks for the head's up on the tires. I'll have to look them up.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

I clearly recall riding back from the DC area on my Suzuki TUx 250 on I-83 in 35-40 mph winds. It wasn’t too bad… until a bridge or truck blocked the wind for a moment. Then the bike immediately jumped about 6 feet or so to the left. I can deal with rain, traffic, heat, and cold, but high winds can really push my skills to their limit!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Yeah, you need to be constantly on high alert when the wind and weather gets bad. I've more than once diverted to secondary roads to ease the riding pressure. I-83 can get pretty intense at times, especially in the stretch from DC up past Baltimore. I've ridden my Vespa GTS there but it's a nightmare. It was fine doing it once but I wouldn't want to face it every day.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

@@ScooterintheSticks I commuted back and forth from Perry County to Columbia, MD weekly for three years while helping care for my mother. I became way too familiar with the Baltimore Beltway and the York construction zone! The TUx has about the same highway performance as your Enfield. Once you get used to running at 65 while everyone else is going 70-80, it really isn’t so bad.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@clydeosterhout1221 You're right. Once you get used to things on the road it becomes far less unsettling. The York construction zone.... ugh!

[@whatsstefon]

I’ve sat on 110km/h for hours on mine. The bike can do it, but I couldn’t. I was happier on the b-roads.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Man, you raise a really important point about long rides on any kind of road -- it's not the machine but rather the rider that's the limiting factor. At my age, I find I want to stop to stretch and look around after an hour or so. Backroads are my choice as well.

[@whatsstefon]

@@ScooterintheSticks That's a really important aspect of riding. I'd happily ride a 7 hour day if I'm stopping hourly to stretch, have a drink and keep going. I recently went away for the weekend and we did short stints over a long distance. By the time we reached out destination, I was absolutely fine. The following day was significantly more strenuous and by the time I got home, I was absolutely shattered.

[@pinheiro92]

What are the RPM at 110kmh? Not to high to keep for long trip?

[@whatsstefon]

@@pinheiro92 just over 5000rpm. It’s not very happy. However, I will say I’ve done an additional 20,000km since my comment a year ago and it is happier at those speeds but it’s still hard.

[@SlowRiderDucati]

I have the same camo 2022 Himalayan. I live in the Northern Sierra CA mountains. The Interstate highways here say 65 mph but everybody goes 75 mph or 80 mph so I do short hops on and off when I am up in a lake Tahoe area and Reno NV.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

We have the same situation here on our Interstate highways. The limit is 70mph but most traffic is going much faster. I ride the Himalayan between 65 and 70 when I do get on the Interstate but generally only for an exit or two. The backroads and dirt roads are my goal.

[@gladteer873]

I rode my 125cc supercub for 10 hours once, fully pinned the throttle almost the whole time going 60 mph, I gave up before the cub...

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Modern machines are very capable. I've ridden for long distances with my Vespa with the throttle pegged and it was fine too. I didn't think a SuperCub could manage 60mph. That's pretty good!

[@liuhongqian]

anything under 300cc should not go on highway, it's a dangerous thing to both rider and other cars

[@noelbrown6771]

It's amazing that a 411cc motorcycle can cruse at 70mph with a taller person. I had a 600cc Yamaha XT that was probably less able on the Hwy than the Himalayan. The Himalayan would be perfect, but knowing how I get carried away on day rides; I'd venture too far and too deep into the local wilderness to want to ride back on secondary roads to get back home. I'd find myself on the interstate struggling to stay away from the Teslas and F-350s. at night. 😔

[@ScooterintheSticks]

While I'm comfortable riding the Himalayan on the Interstate highway if I have to, I am careful to not have to do that. But I understand the draw to keep riding. I tend to plan rides in a big circle.

[@willy_wombat]

Thanks Steve ❤. From Belgium 😊.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

My pleasure!

[@photon2004]

This bike is very comfortable 😮

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I agree!

[@DayneExplores]

Thank you for the video.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

My pleasure.

[@RollinTwentySix]

Highways are easy, it's _freeways_ that can be dicey if there is lots of fast-moving traffic. My 11K mile Himalayan with a 36T rear can cruise at 70 all day with bursts up to 80. It uses a lil bit of oil at 75+ tho. I'm 6'3" 230 and have to do a sportbike stance in a headwind to keep speed up. I recommend a cam upgrade and DNA intake along with a sprocket swap for freeways.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

You're right of course. I can travel on freeways around here with my stock Himalayan because the traffic is not intense. So it's pretty simple to be a slower vehicle. I've ridden my Vespa GTS and a variety of other motorcycles on "intense" freeways and it is no fun even being able to go as fast as the other traffic. So for me, bumping up the power and capabilities of the Himalayan is sort of pointless because I just don't want to be on two wheels in that chaos. And it's why the thought of even living somewhere like that where I have to drive a car is not my cup of tea. I'm either spoiled or a coward living in the sticks!

[@RollinTwentySix]

@@ScooterintheSticks Heh, I'm in the sticks too, but it turns into a charlie foxtrot of branches real quick in some directions of travel Even if you're not into freeway riding, the cam and intake really do wake it up and it make it kinda snarly lol. My '22 is my daily driver rain or shine right now, and taking the 70MPH freeway or 55MPH backroad is a 20 minute difference in commute time for work. I rode mine stock for 5K miles, then did a few upgrades and replaced the tires with Shinko 705s. The first time I heard my Himalayan doing a deep-throated "Yeti Yell" convinced me I made the right choice. I still have to duck in a headwind tho haha All that said, the Himalayan is such a great, friendly bike even in stock form. It has big personality, mine's name is Toto.

[@ianjohnson4753]

Nice video, thanks sharing.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Glad you liked it. The Himalayan is a fine all-around motorcycle.

[@ianjohnson4753]

@@ScooterintheSticks I have a 500 cc bullet at the moment, really interested in trading it for a Himalayan.

[@jaykarandikar]

Thanks for the great review!!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

My pleasure!

[@chaitanyashervegar8234]

Just wait for few months Royal Enfield going to launch a Himalayan-450cc-Scram-450cc .And also they are developing Himalayan-650 cc with more powerful engine.Also meteor-650 cc also coming in few months.More bikes are coming in the pipeline.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I'm content with the Himalayan I have. I have no need for more power or weight. My eyes are looking toward the additional of a Classic 350!

[@MrShoe321]

I really hope this is true. If the Himalayan could do 85-90 I would've already bought one

[@chaitanyashervegar8234]

Yes Royal Enfield is testing Himalayan-450cc,scram-450cc , Meteor-650 in Indian roads yu can see on you tube.So they may launch by year end let's hope so .As tentative launch date is not disclosed.Also they are developing Himalayan-650 cc which is in developing stage . With affordable price.

[@chrisruthford4492]

There is no way they are going to undermine the sales of Scrams, that just got to US dealers a couple months ago. Probably won't see a 450 Scram till 2024.

[@chadkline4268]

That's how I feel in showrooms. Everything is so specialized. Nothing is a good all around bike. The GS is too expensive, KLR too slow, and I want to tour fast and go off road too. It's very difficult to choose a bike. I kind of like the BMW R1250RS, but can't find it at any dealer, and can't find any English reviews on it. But it's also not a good trail bike 🙂

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thanks for sharing. I wonder how you arrive at the KLR being too slow? It will run 90 mph and faster. That seems plenty fast touring. The BMW Adventure bikes, especially the 1200 and above just seem way to heavy and cumbersome to me. They don't seem very functional as off-road machines save for those highly experienced off road riders. And they pretty much require riding with others in case you drop the bike. I suppose you could carry one of those nifty jacks made to pick up a heavy motorcycle. For me, the starting point for choosing a motorcycle or scooter is -- do I plan to ride fast or ride slow. I am definitely in the slow category and make conscious decisions to not need to ride fast. That's why the Himalayan fell into my landscape of choices. Mechanical simplicity, size, looks, and price were also factors.

[@stanleyne1]

I ride my 2021 himalayan on highway/interstate occasionally. Will it do it, yes however your the slowest thing out there which is unsettling. Usually I can cruise at 65-70 mph depending on the wind lol. Some times it struggles to get to 65 mph. Other times it will do 75. Keep in mind I have hard panniers on the back, soft tank bags on each side and weigh around 300lbs, yes I'm fat. The bike does it. But It's much more fun to take the backroads anyway. I have dine several round trips of 200 miles give or take at highway/interstate speeds and the bike handles it just fine.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I think the Himalayan is capable of a lot of highway riding as you say. The decision becomes personal though for each rider and how they address their expectations of the motorcycle and of themselves on the road. For me, traveling as the slowest vehicle, car or motorcycle, is perfectly fine in almost every situation. For others it isn't. But I agree with you, it's more fun to take the backroads anyway!

[@MrRourk]

I would hope a 411 can get on the highway my 300klx 300sm does just fine Maybe a sprocket change to cruise faster so you could cruise 65 to 70

[@ScooterintheSticks]

The Himalayan can definitely get on the highway, but for many, many motorcyclists, to only reach the speed limit seems wrong and dangerous. For me, with the goal of slowing down and seeing the world, I'm far from the maddening crowd. No need for me to change sprockets. The Himalayan will ably cruise between 65 and 70 if I want it to. There are few times I want to do that though.

[@RollinTwentySix]

Yeah, either switch to a 16T front or a 36T rear will do the job. With a 16T front, 70MPH is at 5K RPM. With a 36T, 70MPH is 5100. Front sprocket is cheaper. Stock is 70MPH = 5400RPM.

[@joeh773]

ice-cream addict here too, how dare they?! Should be considered essential business and have a stand at every cop/fire station :-)

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I just saw in the newspaper here an announcement for a new ice cream shop about 15 miles from here. It's on a farm and they use their milk to make their own ice cream. I'm anxious to check it out! I would also like a hot dog cart nearby selling Sabrette's hot dogs. Then life would be grand!

[@joeh773]

@@ScooterintheSticks Steve, don't even get me started on hotdogs, it just makes me mad... In Wisconsin, the brat state, you can't even get a brat, let alone hot dog, on the street, without going to some bro infested sports bar. Very few food carts (really a tiny food trailer, Madison's take on a foodtruck) and that's it. Coming from many years living in Chicago, where a stand selling dogs, sausage, italian beef, pizza slices is on every other corner (def. more then churches :-) ), this is really hard to adjust to. Not that I would be there all the time, but... I love grilling and spent 'therapeutic' two hours yesterday deep cleaning our gas grill, but firing it up just for one or two dogs... There are slightly more ice-cream/custard stands, still not enough imo, but at least a good ice cream is easy to buy in a grocery store and just as easy to enjoy outside leaning against the Ural ;) sounds like I should be picking your brains on heart attack recovery, if I will be "so lucky" :-D

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@joeh773 I used to grill all my hot dogs. And while I still enjoy them, I fell in love with the boiled Sabrette dogs in New York City. I rarely buy Sabrette hot dogs here in the grocery store because of heart attack conditions. I buy Hebrew National Low Fat dogs ( almost no fat), bring a pot of water to boiling, turn off the heat, put the dogs in, cover, and let stand for 9 minutes. I'll likely be making some videos about getting old, riding, and dragging along the baggage from heart attacks and other unfortunate medical conditions. I'm 7 years out now and my cardiologist says I'm doing fine. That's a lot better than the death tomes I read online that said 85 percent of people who had a heart attack like I did would have a second within a year and be dead in 5. Turns out there's some nuance to those statistics.

[@joeh773]

@@ScooterintheSticks congrats on being an outlier, that's good, I'm really glad. I've been with you just a tad over those seven years and there have been quite a few enjoyable, relaxing, and stimulating evenings binge reading your blog. And brief gts300 ownership. I'm in my mid forties, whole life high blood pressure and i do enjoy salty and fatty foods and that ice cream, so I'm interested whatcha got to say, getting ready... Reminds me name of a book from my other favorite motorcycle writer/KZbinr, channel "Nick Adams", from Canadian guy, owner of multiple old Moto Guzzis. Does not have a blog, but publishes inexpensive motorcycle travel books and one is called "do it while you can". Both of you have a good voice and pace for video too. When i grow up (ok, too late - when my daughter grows up) i wanna be like you. Cheers! And thanks for another vid.

[@TAYM]

Great video. 😊

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thanks!

[@user-be3mj2gd5x]

Excelent video

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thank you. The Himalayan is a fine machine.

[@user-be3mj2gd5x]

I know right?, I got a 2023 model 1 month ago, it's my first motorbike and Good lord, It's all I ever wanted. All the style you need to run over zombies on the apocalipsis Hahah, Would change almost nothing, maybe the mirrors and not much more. I appretiate your comments and agree with everything, It's important to feel in charge when getting to the limit speeds. Safe Rides!!!!@@ScooterintheSticks

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@user-be3mj2gd5x I'm confident that I can stay ahead of the zombies!

[@jeffreyhurst9552]

I just got my 2021 Himalayan back from the dealer after 10 weeks. A very lean engine took that long to diagnose and await parts. My 1100 mile odometer was replaced because of a faulty instrument panel and I picked up the bike with the odometer now showing just 10 miles (!). Under “hard” acceleration, my engine rattles a bit. No other single cylinder bike I’ve owned has done this. Does your engine sound much different under harder acceleration? I’m also scanning Craigslist and CycleTrader for a 300cc Vespa to replace my big Burgman. Thanks for your advice and reviews.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Sorry to hear of the troubles you're having with your Himalayan. Hopefully, things will sort out well. My 2022 Himalayan has no rattle under hard acceleration. But the valves make sounds that I suppose some might call rattle. So far though I don't notice anything out of the ordinary. Good luck with your GTS search. They're still pretty rare where I am.

[@JustAGuyYaKnow42]

Is that 70mph on the speedometer, or using a GPS app? When my Himalayan's speedometer shows 70, GPS shows I'm going more like 63.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

That's the speedometer indication. I did a measured mile on the Himalayan and found 60mph to only be 2 mph off. I've never checked with a GPS device. On the road, I mainly judge my speed by either how I want to ride, or by the pace of the other vehicles. Anyway, when the speedometer on the Himalayan reads 75 I assume around 73. Not as far off as yours seems to be. The ambient temperature gauge though is way off!

[@thesaurusrex7919]

How are the vibrations at those particular highway speeds?

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I didn't sense any vibrations. At least nothing comes to mind. It didn't seem any different than my BMW K75.

[@thesaurusrex7919]

@@ScooterintheSticks thank you for replying . Really comforting to see KZbinrs reply to comments

[@corriecole4687]

I feel your pain about lack of ice cream.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I've been bad and eating more ice cream lately. I delude myself into thinking the cheap store brand is somehow healthier than the expensive stuff with more fat. Insanity...

[@flatgrindrides]

If the ice cream shop has been open you’d have been all sugared up and giddy. Some of those unattractive bikes might have looked more attractive. 😉

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Maybe. But as I wandered around looking at all the new and used motorcycles, I was left feeling they were all just bloated, overly complicated, machines. They may be fun to ride and capable of a lot of things on and off the road, but I just don't see them fitting into my riding life now. The one thing I do know is my mind changes with the wind. How I feel about something mutates. But I suspect my leanings towards a more minimalistic riding style won't change. It's all part of the adventure of living. Each day is a new opportunity to change!

[@flatgrindrides]

@@ScooterintheSticks I was just being silly, but I hear you, especially on the complexity. It’s getting harder and harder to find things that are built with elegance and simplicity.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

@@flatgrindrides It's that the truth. I've grown more careful over the year and try and focus on things that do reflect elegance and simplicity. Maybe it explains why I still have fountain pens.

[@ZbigniewSiwiec]

🍀🌏🇲🇨👍👍👍👍

[@ScooterintheSticks]

😎