Himalayan

Cool, I’ll be very interested in your thoughts on that Sam.
Will let you know, when I took one on a test ride it was pretty much what I expected. I didn't expect a fire breathing monster and I was right !
It just felt like an easy to ride bike that can do a bit of green laneing and won't require a ton of maintenance. And it was so cheap new .
 
I've done about 150 miles on it now and everything is good apart from the seat, it really is a crippler after about 35/40 miles. Cliffa has pointed me in a direction to hopefully get it sorted. When I first got it home and read the manual it states for the first 300 mile a top speed in 5th of 40 mph, it's been impossible sticking completely to this , otherwise I would be run over , but for the most part I do try. the engine feels willing but obviously not fast, I'm sure it will be capable of normal speeds (mine , not yours) when it's run in . The handling is just great and I felt immediately at home with it, suspension is also good. Of course being such a budget price it won't be as good as an equivalent Honda etc , but that suits me just fine, it's not sterile. I do really like it already, can't wait till I can go just a little quicker.
 
Sam, sounds great!

IMHO such strict running in instructions are really rather unnecessary these days.

Don't thrash it, don’t labour it, otherwise ride it normally. That’s my approach anyway.

I’m really not sure why so many manufacturers get away with fitting such awful seats these days ?!?
 
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You're probably right about the running in instructions, and yes the seat is in common with a lot of others
 
Mine can hold 120Kph on the motorway, and absolute max is 130. Without the panniers top box and frame maybe a bit more as they are pretty heavy. ( I could shed a few kilos too) :rolleyes:
 
I’m really not sure why so many manufacturers get away with fitting such awful seats these days ?!?
To get you stuck into the 'accessories' catalogue :)
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Indeed, I get that’s why they do it… but I don’t get how / why the press and us punters allow them to get away with it ?!
 
To get you stuck into the 'accessories' catalogue :)

Indeed, I get that’s why they do it… but I don’t get how / why the press and us punters allow them to get away with it ?!
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I guess your average Indian rider is a fair bit lighter than us and the seat is a fairly soft compound. I think it would be better with less 'give'
 
Indeed, I get that’s why they do it… but I don’t get how / why the press and us punters allow them to get away with it ?!
I guess your average Indian rider is a fair bit lighter than us and the seat is a fairly soft compound. I think it would be better with less 'give'
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I’m not having a go at RE only though Sam, it’s across the board these days.
 
As mentioned before, when my mate bought a new Triumph last year I was surprised at the amount of 'add ons' and aftermarket stuff they have, and really push it as part of the sales pitch too (on the road performance figures take second place to 'personalisation').... I guess 'off the shelf' is a thing of the past, now...
 
The bike is the loss leader, the accessories are the profit. Once out the door the accessories lose most of their value.
 
It's funny you should mention it, but I have just received a 39 page colour booklet from Hitchcocks listing roughly 4 accessories or upgrades on each page for the Himalayan.
 
It's funny you should mention it, but I have just received a 39 page colour booklet from Hitchcocks listing roughly 4 accessories or upgrades on each page for the Himalayan.
You’ve had the catalogue a month now Cliffa… what did you buy ??
 
You’ve had the catalogue a month now Cliffa… what did you buy ??
HaHa, nothing from them. I did buy a new battery for it though :D

One think which is irritating is the fact that as soon as you switch on the ignition the lights are on, so if the battery is low it's bump time. I need to look into fitting a light switch.
 
HaHa, nothing from them. I did buy a new battery for it though :D

One think which is irritating is the fact that as soon as you switch on the ignition the lights are on, so if the battery is low it's bump time. I need to look into fitting a light switch.
Yes, that annoys me as well but I think all new motorcycles suffer from the same legislation. I just bought the Givi crash bars from them.
 
Yes, that annoys me as well but I think all new motorcycles suffer from the same legislation. I just bought the Givi crash bars from them.
Mind you are are really easy to bump start, but I always worry that all the current is just feeding the lights.
 
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