Royal Enfield Himalayan -- My 8 Essential Upgrades.

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

Another great contribution to the Himalayan community. Well done. Eric

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thanks Eric. I try to give back a little of what I receive from the content I find useful myself on KZbin. It's pretty amazing what's out there.

[@AliasMrHackenbacker]

There is a lot of stuff available here in the UK to modify your Himalayan to suit your exact requirements from extra fuel(gas) cans mounted where your bags are to full luggage, heated grips, extra lights and so on. My Himalayan was an ex demo bike and the dealer had specced it up with oil cooler guard, engine bars, master cylinder guard and the braced Royal Enfield handlebars. I’ve added a front fender extender so the road muck doesn’t end up on the bottom of the frame, a small Beeline sat nav device, custom seat,USB socket and luggage. Like you I’m doing the mods to increase my enjoyment of the motorcycle. This motorcycle makes me want to ride it and explore some of the fantastic scenery we have here in my part of the UK. I don’t need excessive speed these days as I want to take in the surroundings not whizz through them. Really enjoying your channel.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

There seem to be endless mods possible with the Himalayan. I find it easy to lose myself online exploring them. So far I've restrained from any further improvements save for a SW-Motech tank bag. I'm glad you find some enjoyment in the videos I post. I hope they remind you of how much fun it is to wander through the countryside!

[@danielben-avraham1539]

I would say one mechanically essential upgrade would be the FuelX pro, ECU autotune, fuel optimizer. The problem is that the Himalayan runs super lean below 3,000 rpm due to the Euro5 emission standards. Because of the emissions compliance, the Himalayan runs hot, and is always starving for fuel at low rpm. Unfortunately that is where most of us like to ride it off road and on country lanes. The lean condition lowers performance under 3,000rpm, causes difficulty starting, unsteady idling, loss of power and stalling at idle. Iit also makes the engine run hot and over time will reduce the life of the engine, typically by burning the valves. So what I listed are common symptoms of a lean running engine and just happen to be the exact same symptoms that a majority of Himalayan owners struggle with. Most of us who do our own mechanics on our bikes, eliminate the fuel injection mapping problems that will reduce performance, riding pleasure and engine life by simply installing an ECU autotuner. There are several out there, but the FuelX was built in India for the Royal Enfield bikes and they are the least expensive.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I wonder if the Euro5 models are different than those that are sold in the USA? Mine idles fine and seldom stalls on start up. So I've felt no need to tinker with the computer or fuel controllers. I've not heard about valves being burnt. Again, is the a Euro5 issue only? I'll look into the FuelX Pro. Thanks for sharing the information.

[@danielben-avraham1539]

@@ScooterintheSticks Honestly I had the same thought while writing. But I remembered several videos from people in the US complaining about the stalling, and others riding Royal Enfields and KTM 390's saying the units definitely improved low end engine power and performance. Also I purchased my unit from FuelX USA (paid $44 for international shipping) and asked them if it would eliminate my stalling and they replied, of course, that's why we sell so many of them. So if they said that, I am assuming that the bikes in the US run the standard Euro5 compliant ECU mapping and are also running too lean. Also Ben from the YT channel On Two Wheels Ben from India is in my opinion one of the most knowledgeable people on the Himalayan and his motorcycle engine sounds very quiet and has a much quicker throttle response than our stock bikes do. Everyone owning a Himalayan would love to have their bike running like his and he shows you exactly what you need to do in his vids. Here is a vid that he did on the Himalayan that every owner should watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5jdmqeofcR2f7M

[@Gregs_World]

I appreciate you sharing that with us I hope to be riding mine a lot this coming weekend thanks for always being a shining example of what is right about KZbin a kind, decent, and honest human being sharing his life with us here a great blessing to all of us the very best to you and your entire family, always

[@ScooterintheSticks]

It's kind of you to say the things you have about the things I share here. While blogging with text and photos on Scooter in the Sticks, I've always tried to share my personal experiences. With KZbin I want to follow on that same path. I hope all is well with you and your family too!

[@Gregs_World]

​@@ScooterintheSticks the things you share mean the world to me and all those who are lucky enough to found you here in KZbin. Not just KZbin but the world needs more people like you. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me

[@whatsstefon]

Great set of mods. I haven’t found I’ve needed the side stand mod. The hand guards are extremely versatile for different climates and also for some light off-roading, as are the engine and master cylinder guards. Top stuff!

[@ScooterintheSticks]

The ability to modify the Himalayan is sort of mind boggling. So much available that you can customize things for your own specific needs.

[@whatsstefon]

@@ScooterintheSticks very true. Being such a popular bike makes it great that companies do everything from aesthetic mods to “performance” upgrades.

[@ranplan]

Looks great. Definitely gonna buy some of these items after I purchase my Himalayan.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

There's definitely a lot available in terms of upgrades and modifications. I just try and be honest with myself about what I actually need and not get caught up too much in just adding farkles and things as a way to combat boredom!

[@christopheratwood6487]

Thanks for sharing which upgrades you've done. I'm having fun adding accessories to my Himalayan. Installing a LED headlight makes a significant difference for riding at night.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

If I did any nighttime riding I would definitely add the LED headlight. Like you, I'm having fun customizing the Himalayan to support the rides I make. It's a great motorcycle.

[@thomaskeller5699]

Great video, great upgrades you put on for sure.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Thanks 👍. Since making that video I have added an SW Motech tail bag and side cases for more storage. Nice gear but pricey.

[@kittywampus]

Very nice. Since I got mine last month I've added what I could afford at the moment. Basically, bark busters were the big purchase. Next I discovered that I could clip the saddle bags from my bicycle onto the front guards. They are roll top dry bags so they'll do for now. And lastly, I just mounted a case from Harbor freight on the back as a box that I can lock and put a couple necessities in. It's a slow process on a fixed income but I'm happy with the way things are coming along. I hope you have some great rides this summer and I'm looking forward to more videos Thanks

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Adding storage was one of the first things I did with the bag on the tail. I wanted to be able to carry something. Sounds as if you have things covered pretty well. Have fun riding! More videos are "in production." That means in my head...

[@hthompson7952]

Lomo makes some nice dry bags as well, and even with shipping from the UK >US aren't too expensive.

[@kittywampus]

@@hthompson7952 I'll give them a look, thank you

[@geraldscott4302]

I have a 2013 Royal Enfield B5 Bullet 500 that I converted to an Amal Concentric MK1 carburetor, and installed an aftermarket exhaust on. I got both from Hitchcocks in the UK. I bought it new, and it currently has right at 22,000 miles on it. A lot has changed in those 9 years. Due to several disabilities, I can barely get on it. I'm fine once I am on it, the problem is swinging my right leg over the seat. I seriously considered a Himalayan, but discovered I was unable to get on and off the seat without standing on something. It's a cool bike, it looks like what a motorcycle should look like, unlike modern Japanese and European dual sport/adventure type bikes that tend to look like a spaceship on wheels. But at this point in my life, I am no longer able to get on pretty much any bike with long travel suspension. The Himalayan might work if the seat were flat all the way back. But since it is so much higher in the back than where you actually sit, I can't get my leg over the back part of the seat. Old school standard bikes, like my former 1973 Honda CB750 and 1966 Triumph Bonneville had seats that were almost completely flat and level, front to back. Even the back part of the seat on my RE Bullet is higher than the front part. I've never used any kind of hand guards on off road motorcycles. I started riding at age 8, back in 1967, on a 100cc Bultaco. Back in those days, handguards were not a thing, and while I've tried them, I found that they got in the way. I did carry an extra set of levers, in case one broke. I had good luck with Double Take mirrors, which use adjustable RAM mounts. They could be positioned about anywhere you wanted them, and if you dropped the bike they would fold in instead of break. Not cheap though. To me, the most important thing you can have on a dual sport bike is a centerstand, and RE saw fit to put one on the Himalayan. On a bike with tube type tires, where you have to remove the wheel to fix a flat, you have to have some way to support the bike. I have 3 bikes with tube type tires, my 2013 RE Bullet, a 2016 Honda Rebel 250 (currently for sale) and a 2001 Yamaha XT225, which I no longer ride much any more. The Bullet came with a centerstand, I put an aftermarket centerstand on the XT225, and the Rebel does not have a centerstand. I can no longer fix a flat on a tube type tire, so I have to stay close to home with those bikes, within towing range of my road service plan. That is a very nice looking bike. I love the paint color.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I understand too well the inability to swing my leg over the seat of the Himalayan. And pretty much any other motorcycle save for the low slung cruisers. I struggled mightily to get on and off the Himalayan until my friend Paul suggested a simple solution -- get on and off "Cowboy style." That means when I get on the bike I place my left foot on the left peg, stand up on the peg, and I can easily swing my leg over and sit down. I do the reverse getting off. It was a miracle. I'm not sure why I struggled so much and that solution did not occur to me. I'll have to make a video! And I agree with you that the Himalayan looks to me as well what a motorcycle should look like. It's in that mental realm that's occupied by the Triumph Bonneville and the Harley Sportster. Bikes I remember from my youth. I carry tire irons, wrench, air pump, and extra tubes on the Himalayan. I sure hope I never have to use them and I wonder if I do get a flat if I just won't call for towing service. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate reading them.

[@dewipeach]

Steve, you've covered all the eventualities.. myself the Himalaya came with Panniers and RE Hand guards, so when in stock the RE heel guard for sure, if I covered more green lanes/forestry tracks the fender riser an I've heard the headlamp screen is then a must.. and a jar lids should be an essential, got to remember to pick it up.. or invest in a bigfoot. Hey ho..

[@ScooterintheSticks]

The headlight guard looks cool but I'm not sure how necessary it really is. I've put a lot of miles on the Vespa on gravel and never had anything hit the headlight. But considering how inexpensive it was, easy to install, and looks cool, I figured what the heck. The bigger foot for the side stand is fantastic. Best thing I've put on the Himalayan.

[@danielevanhunt]

I have the same jacket. Looks cool.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

KLIM makes some nice gear. Well made and the fit is excellent.

[@PubRunner]

I know you said you weren’t interested in performance upgrades but the DNA air filter is query doing as it smooths the bike out. It doesn’t improve the 0-69 time but dies make it more responsive.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

A friend has installed one on his Himalayan and reports more response and a slightly different engine sound. Not sure I'll take the plunge. At least not until I go through the two air filters I currently have!

[@PubRunner]

@@ScooterintheSticks fair enough. One thing to remember if you do decide to give it a go put one in cold and let the bike idle for about 15 minutes. It apparently sets the ECU to the new filter with increased air flow.

[@HouseOwl]

gee you're Old, I Mean Slow, I MEan _______ Cool Video 😉

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Hah! I’m not good but I am slow!

[@HouseOwl]

@@ScooterintheSticks 😇SOUND's GRRRR8🤡

[@MrMewtwo95]

What are the side bags you have on the front of the bike?

[@ScooterintheSticks]

They are 5-liter Sedici bags that I purchased from Revzilla. They are attache using the velcro straps that came with the bags along with four zip ties.

[@toadslayer2242]

Interested in the mirror extension where did you purchase then

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I bought them from Baxter Cycle in Marne, Iowa. I think they imported them from Hitchcock in the UK. Baxter is great to work with.

[@AliasMrHackenbacker]

I got some for another bike off eBay, I think they came direct from China.