Is The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 a Good Adventure Bike?

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks for watching everyone. Yes, I had a Leatherman on me (always carry one) but it didn't cut the wire. Fencing wire 1, me 0 😂

[@anotherguyonabike4726]

From one Curtis to another well done mate, this is the type of realistic riding potential owners want see and honestly I enjoyed seeing it do these things on rubbish tyres thinking about how much better again it would be with some decent rubber thrown on. Great job mate🤙

[@jaspreetbains2776]

Good to see you didn't panic mate!

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers. It's either that or stay stuck 😂

[@ComfyDadShoes]

Reminds a bit of the old KLR vids that got me hooked on the channel! Great riding as always!

[@onthebackwheel]

The good ole days!

[@aussiesam01]

Great to see the rest of the ride. That fall was an absolute bitch, imagine being stuck like that under a GS or the Tiger 1200!

[@onthebackwheel]

Not wrong there mate. That wire bloody pinned my leg, let alone the extra weight of one of those big rigs

[@anotherguyonabike4726]

😅

[@simulacrae]

Eh, I don't see why another 40 or so kilos would make that much of a difference.

[@davidmatthews3093]

@@simulacraeReally? Try it you will soon find out.

[@mikeschlup5279]

You nailed that. After 350 pounds , the answer is he'll no

[@adventurebikesaustralia7627]

Top vid mate. Love the drone shots too.

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate!

[@caldasReport]

So the fuel leak ended up not being an issue? Awesome vids, love them!

[@leighhill9185]

Good work getting out of that one and staying cool and calm! Enjoyed the vid as always man!

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks Leigh, always appreciate your comments

[@markcollins5026]

Man, nice I'm 70 recently traded off my 2022 KLR650 just to heavy anymore, maybe I should take a look at a Himalayan !

[@MuddyM]

Take a look at its closest competitor - cfmoto 450mt

[@rd2957]

Does show how easy it can go bad even at slow speed. That River crossing track looked amazing! Another awesome vid. Thanks for sharing.

[@martyman25008]

Nice one ! Really starting to love the idea of the Himmy 450 - great roads!

[@onthebackwheel]

It's a good thing

[@Tailsupbikeadvetures]

Great vlogger as always, can’t wait for you to review the upcoming new models: GS450, KLE500 and New 390 AdvR! As I need a smaller bike to complement my GSA1250! Keep it coming Curtis!

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers mate, keen to try them too. Why not go smaller again? Something like a 300 or 350?

[@The_MotoRebel]

I carry a very sharp leatherman with me. Had you had one, it would have made quick work of that wire. I'm glad you didn't get seriously injured! That barbed wire was seriously invisible!

[@billblogs8206]

Going to be struggling to cut high tensile barbed wire with a multitool, would need the grip strength of a gorilla! The cheap and nasty hobby farmer stuff you could probably cut though.

[@onthebackwheel]

I had a leatherman on me, just cut out the footage of me struggling with it 😂

[@elador28]

Great video ❤ I hope your lag is fine by now🙏🏽 What are the 50/50 tyres you w'd go for the himi?

[@BlackdogADV]

Great vid! I’m in the market for a 400-500 adv bike, haven’t decided yet. You’re lucky, every time I crash I don’t have my camera on.

[@onthebackwheel]

There's some good options ATM isn't there. Which ones are you looking at?

[@alangluyas3658]

Good video Curtis. Just bad luck with the wire. I haven’t dropped my Himmy yet, obviously not trying hard enough!

[@onthebackwheel]

Haha or you are more skilled than me

[@johnharris7353]

Nice, great rider and great bike, imo ! Was trying to figure where you were, I didn't think it was UK, I guessed NZ, then saw Australia in the description! Beautiful ! Man that wire is bad news, that could've been much worse. Cheers from John, St Louis, Missouri.

[@onthebackwheel]

You're right, I was pretty lucky considering. I used to live in Illinois and visited St Louis a couple of times, loved it

[@twasb2000]

You certainly had an adventure. Thanks for sharing this

[@onthebackwheel]

Was a good time. Besides the wire incident it was a super chill ride

[@Chooky88]

Good vid. I'm carrying a leatherman, pliers, and a foldable saw. Glad you got out!

[@onthebackwheel]

Good idea. I had a leatherman on me, could quite do the job unfortunately

[@steveyeates8443]

Loving your videos on the Himmy Curtis. In one of your other videos you bent the gear lever. Did you bend it out yourself or replace it? Keep up the great videos and keep safe.

[@adityan3208]

He did it himself. That lever is meant to be bent and unbent.

[@modulate72]

Looks like I need to add wire cutters to my kit. Keep up the great vids man!

[@juliancain6128]

Glad you made it out! Such a beautiful place - looks like something out of Jurassic Park!

[@onthebackwheel]

It does a bit, some proper bush there

[@ThePeachteats]

Great video - there is no proper adventure without some hardship. So cool

[@andrewtreloar7389]

Cinematography is getting better and better Curtis, well done mate. Now compare it to the CFMoto 450MT!

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers bud. Just waiting for mine, keeps getting delayed 😭

[@andrewtreloar7389]

@@onthebackwheel I have heard a 6-month wait list here in Oz due to insanely high and unexpected demand.

[@stevesanelli90]

Ohh crazy man Curtis, thank god that barbed wire was underfoot not at body level. The himi is certainly a capable bike with better tyres it will tractor everywhere. To me, it's not an appealing bike styling wise, but the fact that you managed to take it everywhere on stock tyres just proves it's more than capable. A credit to your riding experience & abilities. The ultimate test will be the 450MT on the same roads as you've taken the himi. Hopefully with warmer weather in summer, those tracks should be drier. The only question I have is having tubed tyres make you carry a spare tube just in case? Let alone decent wire cutters 😉

[@onthebackwheel]

It has a face only a mother can love 😛

[@billcotton1551]

Got myself stuck under a bike a couple of years ago on a steep slope, with no leverage. Someone walking a dog saw me, and got me out. If they hadn't come along , my skeleton would still be stuck there. Glad you got out, Curtis!

[@onthebackwheel]

Haha it happens doesn't it? Makes for a good story though

[@twistandgo3414]

Cracking video mate, glad the barbed wire didn’t cause any damage and you weren’t on a bigger and heavier bike… you might have been making phone calls!

[@onthebackwheel]

Phone calls, I'd never hear the end of that 😂

[@notgamingwithmax]

Hey Curtis, I'm looking for a set of 50/50 tires for a new Himalayan 450 and was wondering if you think the 75mph rated speed on a front Shinko 244 would bother you? If so what tires could recommend? I chose the Shinko's because they offer a lot of bang for the buck. But seeing as how the bike can cruise faster than that speed, I'm uncertain if that is a risk I'd wanna take.

[@artwallace5925]

Maybe check out the Shinko 805's?

[@jamesmcgrath5822]

What a awesome bit of back roads they are and not far away as well i think panic would of set in getting stuck like that haha

[@1971MTB]

Great video. Just a question about Monsildale Rd, did you ride the whole thing entering up just west of Jimna? Thank!

[@onthebackwheel]

Not on this ride, but I have done in the past

[@AgricUltra]

I reckon it’s looking pretty damn good as a ‘normal’ ADV bike. Gravel roads and light off-road, avoiding the usual highways. Perfect at that price. Sounds great too.

[@onthebackwheel]

It does sound good hey

[@Blake_Seven]

Good to see you get free, personally I keep a leatherman zip tied to my handlebars.

[@onthebackwheel]

Had one, it wasn't strong enough 😬

[@Blake_Seven]

@onthebackwheel unlucky

[@retiredwaterdoctor]

Seems to be a good all around bike...maybe someone has built the Swiss army bike! Can't wait for your final review of it. Garth

[@andik.4235]

Glad, you got out under the bike without getting hurt. Poor Himi is used like it should be, and its taking the beating and shrugs it of. Still an impressive machine for the price.

[@pedrovillegas7833]

Hola, hermosoo lugares, tu video me recordó, hace unos años en una salida, se detuvo bruscamente la motocicleta, al no ir muy rápido quedó en eso. Me podría haber dañado y seriamente, se enrredó en el pedal de apoyo mi bota junto comando del cambio, se incrusto el alambre de púas, mesalvó la bota petrolera con la punera de acero. Muy buenos videos, abrazote desde la Patagonia Argentina.

[@dirtbikelunatic]

Hello! Would it be okay to use it in compilations and maybe on some of ours Social Networks? You will get full credit for it. Thanks

[@onthebackwheel]

Go for it

[@dirtbikelunatic]

@@onthebackwheel Thanks a lot :)

[@TheSar]

On ya, Curtis. Still having a chuckle after that bloody wire! Sticks and fences dude.......your nemesis

[@onthebackwheel]

Haha certainly are mate 😜

[@JamesBurr-vk7kh]

Yay you got to keep your leg😅... All jokes aside I'm glad that you're okay

[@guzzoofoz]

Great video mate. 👍🇦🇺

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate

[@psaunder1975]

Curtis now takes fencing pliers on his rides. 😀 Thanks for leaving this in, just goes to show how things can go sideways in an instant - this is why I'm careful about riding by myself in remote areas - shit happens.

[@FernitoAM]

Do you think the touring screen (taller) would improve comfort on the highway or the bike just doesnt have enough protection at all (fairing). Interesting to check the comparison with the 450mt in this aspect

[@jimbob67]

Shame you didn't have a camping stove when you had your little sit down 😉😂. Great video as ever 👍

[@florme6494]

I assume this is an upgrade on the KLR, especially with suspension and gear box?

[@onthebackwheel]

Yes I believe it is

[@scottdaniells8524]

Hey mate what back road did you take from Wivenhoe to Linville?

[@onthebackwheel]

I went the back way from Tagooolawah. I believe it's called ivory creek road. Just a little detour off the highway

[@lowend5566]

You didn't take side cutters with you?! All the gear all the time matey.

[@onthebackwheel]

Didn't take my full tool kit because it was a 'cruisey' ride 😂

[@ogoshikimura5621]

How does this bike accommodate taller riders? Or is the KLR650 the only tall guy thumper out there?

[@onthebackwheel]

I'm 6 ft and it's spot on. Taller than that? Not sure tbh

[@green_genie]

I always carry a leatherman wave multi tool on me when i go for a ride either in my jacket or pants pocket. Never needed em in a situation like you found yourself in but the wire cutters on the leathrman would have made life a lot easier for your situation 😂

[@onthebackwheel]

Had one on me and it didn't have the guts

[@toltod]

Even those sometimes are not heavy enough for thick barbed wire...i broke a pair on farm when i was younger. At least my husqvarna 501 toolkit came with some lineman pliers .

[@jonwoodworker]

Dude, you're getting old taking a nap in the middle of your ride lol. You could hear when your bike hit the barbed wire. Low bikes with low foot pegs are more vulnerable. I put lowered pegs on my DR because everyone says that's the cool thing to do. Then I kept catching the pegs on all kinds of stuff.

[@onthebackwheel]

I just needed a rest ok?!

[@ShadowVonChadwick]

Obviously, you have shown "ya do". I always take an old pair of electrical pliers with me (being an old sparky) and do worry without the full roll I made for this bike, As in your case hard to get the seat off. I do worry. Now only having half the upper body strength I once had, getting a 200kg bike off if that sort of shit happens. Fing barbed wire, man, that could have been far worse. Blackbutt Creek ?

[@gutsbiker]

I was hopelessly trapped under a 600 lb bike on a backroad in the mountains. A guy driving a fully loaded log truck came along stopped and helped me. After 40 years of riding, it was the first time something like that had happened. I spent a lot of time on self reflection.

[@onthebackwheel]

Did it change anything for you?

[@gutsbiker]

@@onthebackwheel Yes, I made a string of mistakes that put me in that situation. Poor choice of a place to turn around, I was on a incline, I had a new gel seat pad that changed the seat height and was a loose fit. I was dead tired from riding the previous day, I had a bad night with little sleep. And the worst mistake was, I think I used the front front brake in a slow turn. Lessons learned, don't use the seat pad on curvy back roads, don't touch the front brake on slow turns, don't ride when dead tired. And I asked myself if I'm getting to old to be riding a heavy bike, late 60s. I think not.

[@SomewhereInside]

Was visualising a python wrapped around your leg as you focussed in with your helmet cam. that would have been very freaky 🙃Also wearing a Apple Watch with telstra reception , can come in handy .

[@drifterdave01]

Been there, pinned. Dr650 is as heavy as ill go solo now.

[@helios9663]

When can we expect the final review to drop by ?

[@onthebackwheel]

It'll be next week, away this week so don't have the time

[@helios9663]

@onthebackwheel thank you!

[@JL-cn1qi]

What in the hell what that fuel leak? I'm sure you checked it before continuing but that kinde looked like getting on something that might ignite at any point..

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi, this is what happens when you ride by yourself absolute craziness some people die doing this , I’ve been riding motorbikes for 56 years and I never would go on a adventure like this by myself. I had a friend years ago nearly died Stuck under a motorbike. With a broken leg.

[@onthebackwheel]

If I wait to ride with anyone I'll never ride! Had reception and a plb, no worries

[@joshdoddadbod]

This is why a sub 350lb dual sport is better of you ride alone. Obviously that can still pin you too though lol. This is being said by a guy who rides a T7 alone so don't take my advice to heavily lol

[@ladytradiej8027]

Omg!! That's aweful! What are the chances! 😮

[@onthebackwheel]

Hehe yep

[@kostaachin4428]

This is the problem with adventure riding especially with the big bikes that people buy. With one of those might have been a broken leg.

[@ken4carver]

Super Dave Osborne would be proud!!

[@onthebackwheel]

I had to look up who that was and I'm not disappointed 😂

[@EricEsnault-g7d]

Belle maîtrise nerveuse👍👍👍

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks!

[@jnano2071]

I heard that the ergonomics are not made to stand up and I hate that for offroad

[@onthebackwheel]

I find them pretty spot on standing

[@jnano2071]

@ maybe it was for an earlier model then, good to know

[@steve2me414]

OK I take it back.

[@maccas44]

Geez bud you have earned a few schooners and where only half way through the video……good work

[@onthebackwheel]

The beer always tastes better after a little struggle 😂

[@Moonlight-zp5rj]

If the bike had a crash guard, it would be easier to get leg out

[@serfdogg]

Big spider gonna come out to eat me & thats why I had to get sober.

[@clarkjordan4519]

The same thing happened to me 30 minutes trapped until a dog walker helped me. CCM gp 450

[@onthebackwheel]

Bloody wire hey?!

[@RichardS-qh8mi]

Hate barbed wire, horrible stuff that inflicts terrible wounds on animals and people and even death.

[@Zw285]

This poor Himalayan has been brutalised XD

[@onthebackwheel]

She loves it

[@brrraaaapp8502]

You do have a particular set of skills, of getting yourself into trouble 😅👍

[@onthebackwheel]

Lol it would seem so

[@The10thManRules]

[3:36] Adventure implies danger.

[@seawench555]

The 'RE Himalayan is not for me, I'm a Cfmoto mt450 girl, lighter, more accessories standard. But each to their own, thanks for sharing 🇦🇺🌟

[@onthebackwheel]

My mt450 is arriving soon. Keen to see how they compare 😊

[@seawench555]

@@onthebackwheel oh awesome, you'll be absolutely stoked, its a great bike.

[@slakk5093]

It’s only about 2-4kg lighter and doesn’t come with a centre stand. Remove the centre stand off the himi and they weigh the same.

[@AbhishekPatel-bd8cu]

what is the price difference between the both?

[@shamefulmanny4542]

@@AbhishekPatel-bd8cu In Australia they're about the same. The himi ranges from 9.2k - 10k depending on colour choice, the 450mt is 9.5. Having demo'ed both a few times my opinion is that they're both good, they just have different attitudes and "the best" is whichever suits you better.

[@tomhengel7244]

At least it wasn't raining when you got stuck

[@jimmydickson8854]

This shit happens mate it happend to me once took me a bit of effort to get out ,this is a problem riding by your self

[@onthebackwheel]

Yeah it happens, what do you do though? Shit happens 😂

[@Eltombrae]

Did anyone else feel a sudden urge to watch 127 hours?

[@steve2me414]

I think it's funny, 2 wines making me say that.

[@onthebackwheel]

It was bloody hilarious 🤣

[@dantelossantos7562]

Every bike than is twice your weight is a bike way to heavy.

[@benniewenniger2075]

Better not to ride alone off pavement😂

[@onthebackwheel]

I'd never ride if that was the case, my life's too chaotic 😆

[@titaniumquarrion9838]

People have their own tolerances for risk and experiences both as solo and in groups. In my experience all of the stupid behaviour and accidents I’ve seen are on group rides. That aside riding alone is an amazing experience. People ride solo all the time and even if they have difficulties with breakdowns, getting stuck etc there is something very rewarding and exhilarating in working through and overcoming those events with only yourself to rely on. Dare I say adventurous. So yeah, you may not want to ride alone but I’d dispute your claim it’s simply better to not ride alone as many of the best adventures I’ve had have been alone, same as countless humans throughout time. Some of the worst rides I’ve had are group rides.

[@drifterdave01]

Some of us don’t have a choice.