STREET vs DIRT: Royal Enfield Himalayan

[@VanBlamm]

Get $50 off your first Riders Share rental when you use my sign-up link: www.riders-share.com/welcome/Elliottw+MLqnb

[@robertsieger1121]

Hey VB! Great video! It had everything I need and nothing I don’t! Like the RE Himalayan! Have to agree with all you said. I just turned 62 and the Himalayan is replacing my old “mule” of a KLR 650 which was a BIG mistake for my first ADV bike purchase. My KLR was great. . . Until I dropped it . . . Now I appreciate less power, lower center of gravity and 40 lbs less weight. I like that saying you referred to: “ It’s easier to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow!” So true! I find that my new Himalayan matches my speed pretty well! Ha! Thanks for the honest review of the R.E. Himalayan!

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks for stopping by! Glad to hear you're enjoying the Himalayan. When I first got into riding I wanted a KLR 650, but now I think I'd rather take a Himi anywhere I would have gone with the KLR.

[@drury2d8]

They weigh the same! Except that the RE carries it weight lower down because of that heavy engine!

[@markberry7193]

Great video! I purchased a 2021 Himalayan last May and have 5400 miles on it now. I ride it on dirt and paved roads here in Colorado. It is amazing the places I have ridden it on and thru, miles and miles of light jeep trails and dirt roads. It is also too much fun on windy paved roads. I have ridden and raced dirt bikes for 50 years and I can honestly say this is one of the best motorcycles I have ever owned, maybe because I am 60 now and don't mind slowing down to look at things but whatever it is FUN!

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! I am glad to hear your Himi is getting the love and use it deserves.

[@rond.6470]

I live in Colorado and have been over squaw pass many times. I also had a Himalayan and agree with all of your comments. I sold.It last year because I thought it was too underpowered but now I wish I had it back! I can't put my finger on it but it's just a fun bike and handles really well. This is coming from an old guy with 50 years riding experience. Good video.

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

Now the cam is available I am going to get one.The 3-4 h.p. and 4-5 ft. Lbs. Will put the bike just about right.The booster plug also helped a lot.

[@markjacobs3956]

I live in Iowa half the year and Summit County the other half. I had one for 2000 miles. I've been on a Tiger Rally Pro for last 10,000 trouble free 50/50 riding. Yes way more money but you get what you pay for. Having only 25 or probably 18hp at 12,000 feet just is not appealing to this 58 year old.

[@suryateja933]

That's a pretty balanced motorcycle. In India it's used for pan subcontinent road trips. It does that without breaking a sweat & also not breaking the bank. That is all motorcycling should be all about.

[@CollinsGroupLuxury]

I have a Himilayan and love it off road. Getting the Tec camshaft upgrade for a bit more power for paved roads.

[@VanBlamm]

Nice! Let me know how that works out!

[@gcprost]

I had an Africa Twin. It was brilliant but it was too big and heavy for me off road. I bought a 2021 Himalayan. Yesterday I rode 100 km on dirt roads. It was great. I am very happy.

[@VanBlamm]

Glad to hear it!

[@gcprost]

As a new 2021 Himalayan owner with only 1,200 km, I think your observations are pretty accurate.

[@ScooterintheSticks]

I enjoyed watching you work the Himalayan on both dirt and pavement. Your commentary helped me better understand the motorcycle. I purchased one in January and am waiting to ride as soon as the weather warms. I’ve only put 110 miles on mine so far but like you I’m looking forward to adventure on the dirt!

[@andypollock9239]

Loved Idaho Springs. Rode mount Evans last summer.

[@TheRealChetManley]

RE make some great machines these days. That’s a cool bike. It doesn’t have to be the fastest most powerful bike to be fun. I ride my sons 12hp cr125f sometimes and it’s a blast to ride. I’m happy to see RE stepping up the quality and still offering affordable bikes. I love the Interceptor.

[@VanBlamm]

Darn right. I'm still very strongly considering getting a Himalayan of my own.

[@turningwheels2584]

Ive had mine 3 years now and never stop loving that exhaust note! I do have to say the brakes get alot better! It's a low powered (not under powered) bike so takes time for breakes to bed in! If you want to ride sporty style..... Buy a sports bike! The himy is an over-lander, adventure bike and does that superbly, cheaply and simply! Nice vid 👍

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks for the input! A few months later, I am actually seriously considering buying one of these (🤫). I'm thinking it'd eventually get some better pads, a +1 front sprocket, and the TEC cam, although I'd be happy running it stock for a while.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Thanks for sharing your experience. We are thinking of getting one as a supply runner to keep on the back of our expedition truck.

[@VanBlamm]

It would be an excellent choice as long as you have a mount that can safely handle the weight. Every time I see a van, truck camper, or RV carrying a motorcycle on a hitch hauler, I just think that's a person who has life all figured out.

[@walkerhjk]

Take a look at Itchy Boots who rode a Hjmj from Delhi to the Netherlands and from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia then to Peru where she had to repatriate home when Covid hit

[@balexwilcox]

Well done video and review. But, and this is a big but! Your repeated exclamations of its gutlessness is perhaps a slightly over the top, I realize you’re making an observation and not complaining. Yet, it’s of course purposely not built for the highway. I own a 2018 here in Southeast Asia (and unfortunately we have big highways here to get to the mountains). The Himalayan has more than ample power for me. Most important, and somewhat related to its limited horsepower, we should give huge credit to Royal Enfield coming up a bikes that are mechanically simple, so more easily repairable without depending on dealerships. This is its biggest advantage, along with its price tag.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! I should have emphasized in this video that while the horsepower may be modest, I do not wish it had any more. The simplicity and durability of this understressed motor is one of the bike's greatest assets, especially here in the US where one might live several hours away from the nearest RE dealer who can fix any problems that arise. The lack of power is not a problem so much as it's just something to be aware of.

[@stimsonromano2258]

Mate this was an amazing show thanks for sharing big love from Australia 😊😊😊

[@luisribeiro4267]

Honest review, as always, well done. You're right, when we want more performance and specs, we have to move over to bigger, heavier and more expensive bikes, hence less approachable and more demanding on your own rider's skills. It's a trade-of, and one has to discover and commit to the sweet spot of our own choice. Being long-time Itchy Boots fans, we grow to love BASANTI and DHANNO... and that old-school single headlight makes the entire bike as I see it. But then you start feeling everything else is lacking... Ohhhh If only we could have that modern-classic looks, with a decently powered parallel-twin, full specs Ohlins suspensions, brembo dual disk brakes, and decent 70-30 tires with the ideal nobly balance and size for paved-fun plus gravel-road and green-lane wondering offs... UUUhhh I know what that sounds like!!! I do, I do... and I don't think it will be long before we see you test-riding and reviewing one for yourself here on th VB channel ... just saying. Cheers and best regards from PORTUGAL - Long live the Royal Enfield Himalayan ! Hurra

[@VanBlamm]

Hahaha I think I have a vague idea of what bike you're talking about! I definitely want to test ride one and see if I can overcome my fear of its height & weight.

[@luisribeiro4267]

@@VanBlamm brother, I'm 1.75m tall (5 feet 9 inches) ... tried the XE: NO GO, it was bound-to-be dropped; ... tried the XC: bought it! it's as manageable and as confident-inspiring as our old Street Twins, weight similar to the Speed Twin And honestly, It's not my ambition, and I don't think you'll see many XC's, doing heavy OFF-road (!) Too heavy and expensive. LOL It's just sweet and perfect for gravel roads and green-lanes, besides being a peach on the high-ways. Couldn't be happier. YOU'LL LOVE IT FOR SURE. Rent one out, c'mon. Stay safe, take care, have a nice weekend, and best regards to Miss VB ;)

[@skotty1962]

Hi from Australia. Thanks for this. I'm 58 a returning rider and looking for cheap, go anywhere, reliable, fun bike. This is on my list.

[@ecnavttocs]

Me too. 64 year old returning rider..... seriously top of the list so far and good for a shorty like me.

[@fedbar5652]

Me too. I would buy my second motorcycle having low costs of mainteinance and insurance since usually my rides for year usually are not higher than 1000km. I'm 52 thus high performances are not my First interest. For these reasons RE himalayan Is One of my favourite (together the Honda nc750x, Kawasaki z650 and ducati scrambler). I booked a test ride to understand if the low Power of the Himalayan is not boring on paved roads. Cheers from Italy!

[@nigelharris885]

using a selfy stick round bends try that on a gs or triumph!!

[@VanBlamm]

Every time I do it I tell myself I won't do it again. And yet...

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

A stock Himalayan eats dirt and gravel better than any of the big adventure bikes.It is actually comfortable and confidence inspired going down most dirt tracks.And it handles exceptionally well on th highway.You can ride 16 hours with just 20 minute stops every 200 miles.60 mph ? So what the faster you go the more dangerous riding is.A good steady moderate speed allows you to enjoy your ride and the scenes.

[@VanBlamm]

6 months later and I am really seriously considering buying one. For all those reasons.

[@amuxpatch2798]

its based on a British army bike used in the 60/70s built to withstand harsh conditions and built like a gun (RE motto).

[@donsmith3573]

Very good review thanks I’m getting the scram 411 as a second bike for green lane work I may upgrade the suspension and fit a new cam but hey I can because everything is so cheap including the bike.

[@VanBlamm]

The Scram looks so cool

[@philipdevenish9416]

I have switched over to a Himalayan from a Suzuki Burgman with ABS and twin front discs and I have to say I find the Himalayan’s brakes pretty good.

[@VanBlamm]

Maybe I've just been spoiled by Brembos!

[@josephmitchell6340]

Jus what I been looking for, some friends of mine have Harleys and high cc bikes. Intested as my first bike being that I am in PA and big mix of bumpy roads and dirt trails. Seems ideal but nervous I won't keep up with friends when I join them. Will I keep up in city and is it to rough to do highway speeds I'd 70 with for half hour at a time or?

[@VanBlamm]

The Himi is pretty good on the freeway, especially for its size. You could easily do 70 for half an hour or more, but you won't have much passing power left at that speed. It tops out at about 80. Your Harley friends will pull away from you from stoplights, but it won't take you long to catch up once they're up to speed. I think it'd be a great first bike, and starting out on a smaller bike that you can really push will make you a way better rider when you do eventually add a Harley to your garage. Check out Ol Man Ronin on KZbin, he's a H-D guy who also has a Himalayan and loves it.

[@nohandleava]

U must understand that Bhp and torque are inversely proportional. The ktm might have bhp but Himalayan has torque at low rpm which is imp for off road

[@joevince8538]

It does matter only in india,outiside india they have 650 and 1000 cc monster off roaders with too much torque low down the rev range.So no,this argument only works in india.

[@blogmapostvideo]

Good review ... I stumbled on your channel since looking for 2021 RE reviews and recognized the ride you took since being originally from WY and CO. And now DC.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! I honestly think a Himalayan would make a great DC bike too

[@andytopley314]

Good review, LOVED the music and the editing! For anyone looking at the Himi's off-road capabilities check out Nathan the Postman here on YT, he uses them for guided tours on and off road and seems really impressed by them.

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@alanbriggs7177]

I bought a Himalayan after riding one of Nathan's off road in Devon.

[@kymstock1852]

I am thinking that this might be my retirement bike in two years when I hit 70. I have been dirt riding for 40 years and adventure riding for about 15 of those years. I have ridden ADV modified dirt bikes ( XR 250R Honda with a 20L tank, DR650 RS, DRZ400E with a 28L tank) then a 650 V Strom and a Tiger 800XCx. Maybe the stability of the Himalayan ( heavy, but weight carried down low) , lack of power and weaker brakes ( better for dirt riding) are the recipe for sedate touring. I think it would be fine as long as the suspension can cope with corrugations on the road or sudden sharp hits at its cruising speed.

[@VanBlamm]

I like that thinking!

[@alexkrasteff4061]

Yep, the Himalayan is completely gutless on an open road, like a fish out of the water... To be fair sometimes it feels even dangerous in heavy traffic where you don't have the punch of power for emergency situations, it is a niche bike, quite more capable offroad than people give it a credit for, but I am seeking to replace mine as I am living in Europe where there are a lot of well-paved fast roads and the Himalayan just lacks the power and sometimes turns into a chore riding it on the road to the offroad/dirt road destinations... It would be my choice of a bike for a post-apocalyptic scenario tho...

[@SrinivasGanesh]

I enjoy your edits a lot!!!!

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks!

[@royalchakma5392]

Hey brother love from India being a Himalayan rider 🥰

[@meditatewithme6254]

Himalayan is made for tallest and harshest mountain on the planet. These small mountains would do nothing to it

[@jackvliet]

If you still answer these, what jacket is that you are wearing? The brown leather looks good

[@VanBlamm]

That would be the Rev'It Flatbush. Sadly discontinued.

[@jackvliet]

@@VanBlamm thank you!

[@qwerty5638]

Hey bro. Does it suit for daily usage and city rides or can I go for meteor

[@VanBlamm]

Yeah you can definitely commute on a Himalayan. The Meteor would be good too if you like the looks, but I would prefer the Himalayan.

[@pocalypse5726]

As a brand new rider do you recommend this bike? I’m thinking about street riding and some off-road

[@VanBlamm]

Absolutely! You can do an awful lot on a Himi, and still do it safely, cheaply, and with ease.

[@pocalypse5726]

@@VanBlamm awesome!

[@Steve-du4yx]

Hey bro ! My craze is for Himalayan. However the purpose is 75%commute and 25 % touring. What should I choose meteor or Himalayan?

[@VanBlamm]

Absolutely the Himalayan. The only reason in my mind to pick the meteor is if you really like the looks, or if you're very short. Almost any bike that's good off-road will also be good on rough city streets.

[@VVoltz]

Great video as usual, excellent comparison. How were the brakes on the bike?

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! They get the job done, but when you pick up the pace you run into their limits pretty quickly.

[@hazcat640]

I bet you could get an easy 4 - 6 more HP out of the engine without pushing it. It has to pass Euro emission so it is strangled for air. The pipe is double wall so it is actually much more restrictive than it looks. Just open up the air intake, get a better filter, get after market exhaust pipe and free flow muffler and there you go.

[@VanBlamm]

You're making me want a Himalayan even more than I already did!

[@fedbar5652]

Hi Hazcat. In addition your suggestions, 20% more horsepower can be obtained replacing the camshaft, as reported by kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXnSoqmYdtOpe9E Bye

[@mattyb7736]

Double wall pipe? Nope....its plain single wall exhaust tube. The cats restrict it most certainly, already cut mine out which is why i can confirm its only single wall pipe

[@georgedowd4689]

Check out Nathanthepostman YT channel he rides a friends himi with a Tec camshaft init Their not to expensive gives you 29bhp don’t sound a lot but it’s a good percentage increase But what it does do is shift the power 1000rpm lower in the rev range Leaving scope in the gearing to change speeds (different sprocket

[@WakeBoris]

Nice balanced summary Van, without any hint of $$ for comments. As a new to bikes learner i've watched multiple reviews, and all the negatives of this Himalayan are what I find comforting, except for the brakes. I am getting a 2020 model that has ABS but not with the push button to disengage. Just wondering if that is a game changer for off road riding at the novice level. I could spend another 1k for the 2021, but with 160km on the clock, this 2020 is cheap and new. Thoughts?

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! As a fellow dirt noob, I think the only time I was really glad for the switchable rear ABS was when trying to stop on dirt while facing downhill. With the ABS on in that situation, the bike really did not want to stop. At all other times it didn't make a big difference, but that's with my very cautious dirt riding. Maybe there's a fuse you can pull to disable the rear ABS manually on a 2020 model? And I think if I were to own a Himi of any year I'd be upgrading to nicer pads and braided lines in the front.

[@WakeBoris]

@@VanBlamm that makes sense. Got mine a week ago and love that feeling of low power, reminds me of my '87 Hilux 2.2 ltr diesel, or like an old Land Rover - tough, simple, no power/speed, but to a newbie - the fun of riding/driving anything is great. All the best mate.

[@markjacobs3956]

That was pretty much a paved, dirt road. Take it over Red Cone and check back in. Thanks.

[@VanBlamm]

Lol yeah when I saw the Corvette I knew I wasn't in anything serious

[@AniruddhaRajguru]

How much range do you think it has on regular tarmac? 4 Gallon tank feels decent.

[@AniruddhaRajguru]

Nvm 😅

[@alanbriggs7177]

Easily over 200 miles. Your ass won't want you to test that range though :)

[@starlordstarlordman8489]

@@alanbriggs7177 I don't know if I would say easily over 200 miles. If I'm riding on back roads I average about 65 miles to the gallon, US gallon. At the 200 mile Mark I start getting nervous about where the next gas station might be. But I think that's about right for a reasonable range. By the way I'm at about 9300 mi on my 20/20 Himalayan, and that mileage is stayed pretty steady. If I get on the highway it goes down pretty quick

[@starlordstarlordman8489]

I've got a 20/20 Himalayan and I see about 200 miles as a reasonable range, I've got a few problems with my fuel gauge so I usually fill up at about 160 to 180 miles, and as someone else said your backside will thank you for more frequent fill ups.

[@martinsander2805]

Dont you have a lot of wind noise in your helmet? I am 6. 1 and it is too loud for me

[@VanBlamm]

Hmm, it wasn't any worse than most naked bikes for me (5'8")

[@gypsywheels]

👍 👍 Nice Bike i own one

[@shivu1298]

I'm shiv from India The video is excellent, place and bike are super

[@VanBlamm]

thank you shiv!

[@zanotron]

Great review!

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks!

[@DenizDivine]

i'd like to see the 650 interceptor engine in this chassis. also, i like you

[@VanBlamm]

Thanks! I agree, 650cc Himi would be awesome

[@BlackHawkTejas]

650 based ADV from RE is coming!! The pandemic has pushed back the timeline a bit though. 650 engine based Cruiser/Scrambler/ADV are all in the pipeline.

[@hondaslex]

@@VanBlamm But then they have to upgrade the brakes. :-)

[@georgedowd4689]

Check out Nathanthepostman YT channel he rides a friends himi with a Tec camshaft init Their not to expensive gives you 29bhp don’t sound a lot but it’s a good percentage increase But what it does do is shift the power 1000rpm lower in the rev range Leaving scope in the gearing to change speeds (different sprocket

[@VanBlamm]

Wow, that would make this bike extremely flexible

[@tizianocrivellari9702]

Impianto a gpl su Royal enfield Himalayan con vaporizzatore scaldato dalla marmitta e bombole nelle valigie laterali clima

[@franciscoburguete9959]

500 cc six speed 👍

[@MrFelipe8686]

Leaving comments just so you realize I’m binging your channel 😂

[@VanBlamm]

Haha glad to hear it

[@iamlegend5065]

Mine one deliveres 32-35 kmpl which is fair enf but the way u ride wooooooohh and still getting 64 miles per gal.. maaaaaan.

[@pinkeye00]

Your panniers are backwards.

[@VanBlamm]

Haha I was kinda wondering about that!

[@Wog68]

This bike is made to go through real Himalaya, like Ladakh, Nepal with components that are available everywhere. I think in places like North America and Europe this bike is expensive on services and cost of parts not to say that not available every corner.

[@pookiewookie7679]

It's pretty cheap in Europe compared to most other bikes

[@Wog68]

@@pookiewookie7679 of course, since made in India. Cheap labour and cheap cost of parts and assembly. Compare that with bikes like BMW and other that require robotics and high tech assembly as well as maintenance machine shops. But models such as “Bullet” and later “Himalayan” are made for poorly maintained roads and rugged rural and high altitude hills and mountains. At such places you can fix it without much training most of the time.

[@pookiewookie7679]

@@Wog68 ok well make up your mind. Is it expensive or is it cheap lol

[@Wog68]

@@pookiewookie7679 Not cheap in North America and Europe (true cost to own)

[@pookiewookie7679]

@@Wog68 you obviously don't know what you are talking about. Also BMWs aren't expensive because of robotics lol...it's because of the high labor costs here in Europe.

[@johncarter9964]

Off-road bikes have less sensitive front brakes on purpose.

[@owenfarmer4197]

ABS!!!!!!

[@vinodrajendra9951]

Hi this bike is designed for Indian roads max speec not more than 120 kmph we have large pot holes cattle that walk on roads also we have mixed vehicler traffic cycles, bullock carts slow moving mopeds etc. So not built for your kind of roads.

[@VanBlamm]

I still had a lot of fun. It's a wonderful bike

[@georgedowd4689]

TEC even do a YT video on how to fit it not to difficult if your handy with the spanners they do lots of triumph stuff as well VB i have nothing to do with the company just a fan of their work check out the himi airfilter mod video eye opener kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYiWqGiZq66YnqM

[@mr.joystick9382]

Its not a 2021 himalaman.....

[@VanBlamm]

It actually is a 2021 in North America. We didn't get the Tripper unit, but we did get the switchable rear ABS.

[@mattyb7736]

Tripper on the late 2021 models in the world market. Europe has tripper already, US is getting it.

[@sunnyverghese8232]

Still think RE should come out with a 650 cc Himalayan. Then you will have the perfect road and dirt bike …..

[@VanBlamm]

You and me both. And give it an alloy frame while they're at it. This thing deserves to be ~400lb wet.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

A bike like the Himalayan Nisha have an enclosed change protected from the dirt

[@petittrainguernsey3297]

And then we are back into heavy, bloated bikes that are, in reality, a pain off road. All the main manufacturers are producing smaller capacity adventure bikes for a reason.

[@blanvamm]

BrO iT's NoT a 2021 bRo

[@levigato125]

In the US, yes it is. I own one.

[@alanbriggs7177]

BrO, yes it is bRo

[@allanotoole3304]

Ever hear the saying horses for courses🤔you buy/ride it for what it is and you’re riding style is different too the next person. Hopefully you’re comments won’t deter new riders.

[@brianrahuba6919]

Just get a better master cylinder for the front brake . Problem solved .....

[@funkthat]

Who in their right mind would loan out there bike to a stranger? And who in their right mind would borrow a random persons bike? Would not want someones grubby paws all over my bikes no wayyyyyy

[@petittrainguernsey3297]

How is it a mini adventure bike? The bloated offerings from the main manufacturers that have got bigger and bigger over the past 20 years are no good to “Adventure” on. I know folk who have ridden 125’s all over the world.

[@VanBlamm]

You're absolutely right! For most of us, today's 1200cc ADVs are adventure bikes in name only. Thankfully, we're seeing the mid-size ADV segment grow more popular, and more competent. Tenere 700, 890 Adventure, etc.

[@MotoRiderz]

If you don't have space to keep money then only buy a Royal Enfield bike. it's a kind of Waste of money product.