Himalayan owner here! I have an early 2021 one, have ridden it thru mud, mountains and rivers and I’ve held my own even against DR650s and KTM690s. Obviously I’m not able to catch up on the long straights, but throw some offroad and twisties and I’m right there with them. I’m 1.83m and 90kg and I’m pretty comfortable with it. Cheers from 🇲🇽!
I have both a Himalayan and a KLR650. I've ridden the Himmy on a 2000km trip and it performed flawlessly. The KLR650 is definitely more powerful and faster, but it's not a rocket. I'm thoroughly pleased with both.
I used to own a 411, but recently upgraded to a DR650. The Himalayan is a great little bike. My backyard is the Rocky Mountains and I took the little bike places that I would not have imagined before owning her. It is a great bike for beginner off-road riders. Not intimidating, but very capable. Ground clearance becomes an issue on rocky trails though. Also, the routing of the exhaust at the bottom of the frame is not ideal. I would recommend getting a skid plate that protects the pipe as well. I banged mine up pretty good. My bike was a 21 model and the build quality was pretty good. Final thought: Great beginner bike and I would have kept her around if she would only go 10 mph faster.
In my book, they fill the same niche. If the KLR S would have been around when I bought the Himalayan, I’d have bought the KLR S. I might switch at some point, but the Himalayan is the best gravel road and city bike I’ve ever had. I know the Himalayan is the better of the two bikes on gravel and city for me, given the riding dynamics I like, but I want more power for the interstate out-and-backs to at least be able to cruise at 70mph with some reserve. I should probably wait to do anything until the Himalayan 450 is available; but the KLR S is so tempting, after having looked at KLRs for 15 years and not buying due to the height. I do enjoy being able to turn off the rear ABS on the Himalayan, which is slowing me down on switching to the KLR S. I’m glad I have been able to experience the Himalayan; it’s very fun to ride and easy to work on. If money and space were no object, I’d have both.
Don't go for the KLR S gen 3 go for something else. If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a modified gen 1 or 2 for cheap and just had a smart carb installed. It would still be cheaper and both the gen 1 and 2 are lighter than the 3. I also like the dash on the gen 2 better.
Himalayan has a much lower center of gravity even when it is raised, and the KLR really is faster not by a lot but, by enough. Really good review from someone who has owned both.
KLR vs. Himalayan: - KLR significantly more power, Himalayan is significantly more fuel efficient - Himalayan is more comfortable chugging way down low allbeit with less power down there - KLR does have a higher seat BUT it has a much more roomy/comfortable riding position (one of the best) where as the Himalayan is a bit cramped and the seat is a bit small
Kawasaki has the KLR 650 S, the S model is about 2 inches lower than the regular one, they also have the KLX 230 S, which is also lower than the regular one. You can also check out the Yamaha XT 250 or TW 200. Honda has the CRF 300 LS. It seems like the Japanese manufacturers are finally listening to those who need or want a lower seat height 🤔. Royal Enfield has been getting better and better with every passing year. If you really like the look of their bikes, I would say go ahead and get one. Just food for thought, my friend, good luck with your decision 😊
I have a 2022 Himalayan and so far my experience has been good. The frame welds aren't confidence inspiring but the bike has held up. I even have a stage 2 cam installed with 4k miles on it, and so far no issues. I think with the power band I would have more usable power with the stage 1. My only complaint has been the power output, but that's something I've worked on and it's been pleasant. One thing to keep in mind: ethanol free fuel is a game changer for power, it's very noticeable even before I got the cam done.
Thanks for the vid/update. Timely too. Here’s my quandary, waiting to ride both bikes this weekend. 89 Transalp vs new or lightly used REH…. Not quite apples to apples. Not looking for highway riding, and limited fun dirt roads where I live, so either would work for just mucking about and some casual dirt roads. Current dual sport has over 910mm seat height, and is just the wrong bike for where I live and how I ride. TA was just my dream bike when it came out as the Africa Twin wasn’t in the US at the time. So, old classic dream bike, vs retro classic? TA seat height about 850. More power of course. Carbed, for better or for worse. 🤔
Oooooh man, I’ve owned a himalayan. I bought it as a second bike. Unfortunately my second bike started to become the bike I’d grab the keys to first over my mt07! I loved the himalayan, it is slow. But it’s hilariously slow. I now own a 2023 klr650 S and I gotta say the himalayan has more character the the klr but I do appreciate the extra power. Over all my time with the himalayan gave me some of the best memories and experiences through my time riding motorcycles I put 7000ish miles on before I was rear ended on it. I beat the piss out of that bike and it loved it! I did a stage one kit that slightly woke the bike up a little more and it is very confidence inspiring. Perfect learning platform 👍 you can’t get yourself into any trouble. It’s a great bike for all.
Do you regret going with the KLR over another Himalayan ? I ride a Himalayan but thinking about trading it in on a KLR early next year. I love the Himalayan but I need something a little faster for interstate riding.
@@dylanborlace1 not at all, I loved my Himalayan. It would have been nice to buy another one but I needed to move on from the Himalayan. My time spent with the Himalayan I will cherish forever. The KLR performance wise is the superior bike. You lose a tachometer but that's about it and aftermarket is amazing for the klr as well. I do not regret buying the klr.
I'm looking at both the old and the scram at the moment, in my area the klr is on sale for $5,000 and the scram for $4,800 I believe. Charlotte NC area btw . A lot to consider, ease of maintenance, power, but price is now making it harder to decide.
Hi !! great vídeo, i own a new 2021 Himalayan for over a year, i use it on a daily bases and i had ride it on several adv events, and i got to say for the prive you get a pretty good bike . All the Tenere and 890 guys that saw it in “action” were impresed. About the negatives it is a slow bike , but i live in a litle city in Portugal and for city daily use is enough, the obter that can be resolve is the stoling in cold weather , apart from that i can’t complain
I am growing to love my UGLY KTM (790 Adv R 2020) more and more, because that engine is awesome with tons of personality. My wife has stayed with ugly for 20 years so there’s gotta be something to that personality edge. Cheers on your new parental adventure. They grow up faster than a super bike race.
for someone not getting any sleep you did the usual polished quality video, well done. Don't sweat it, we'll all be here when things get back to nor....wait that's not going to happen...when sleep improves somewhat :)
Hi all, I have a 2017 Himalayan ( carburettor model ) I have had a few issues with it since I bought it, ie the stator completely burned out ( around 2500klms ) and I had to get it replaced. I had to tighten up all the engine and engine casing bolts as they were lose. I would rate the early Himalayan's a build quality of 4.5 to 5 out of 10. I did have some carburettor issues some 3000klms back but this has been rectified, finally I just need to rectify a very minor oil leak from the rocker cover, the bike has done 12500klms. I also agree that R.E have improved their build quality of their bikes over the years I have just recently ordered a new Kawasaki KLR650 S ( the factory lowered version ) but the bike will not be in Australia until this August 2023
I have a 2020 Himalayan with fantastic fun 20,000 miles on it. I’ve had a few issues that I will list for you below. I love this bike it’s great to ride. It’s fantastic on back roads the low center of gravity makes it easy to ride and so does the torque at low speed so it just tractors along like everybody else says. For me here are some issues. The fuel gauge ends up, working when fuel is down near the bottom, but takes some time to recover once the tank has been filled. A couple of the relays for the fuel pump, and the starter replaced. I stripped a couple bolts on the fuel tank I think the metal is pretty soft. there does seem to be some rust on the bike so if I was thinking that I was going to have it for 30 years that might be bothersome, but I’m hoping to ride it enough to wear it out so to speak. I have had a few rattles on the headlight, but managed to loosen and tighten some things and get that sorted out. the seat is fine for me for an hour or two but can get pretty uncomfortable after that. I’ve done some 14 hour days and it’s certainly not up to that. I put an air hawk seat on there and that helps a ton. If you were thinking you’re going to zip along the highway then this probably isn’t the bike for you, it will do highway miles I have done whole days on the highway. No problem you’ll just be in the slow lane. It’s easy to work on the bike for sure. I’ve had the whole thing apart. Minus the engine. The real thing that gets me is when I’m running off road if I drop the bike in the sand or on an angle it’s super heavy to pick up. I can manage it five or six times in a day and then I’m getting pretty tired so if there is anything that would cause me to switch bikes, that would be it . I hope that helps someone .
I bought the new 2023 411 Himi, just 5 days AGO, AND i BOUGHT IT FOR THE 10 UGRADES ON THE PREVIOUS BIKES. wHEN I rode the 2021 model, I wasn't really impressed, with finish and QC, but this 23' model bike is 150% better I am a former rider 63 yo, and I am very impressed with the now made Himalayan
I really enjoy my Himalayan up to 100klm/h. Speeds over that it’s…….. meh. With an aftermarket exhaust, it doesn’t help performance much but gives exhaust note so much more character. Super easy to ride and very easy to live with. If your not going into difficult off-road or camping etc, the scram 411 would be a good choice
I have an 2021 Himi and have had many quality issues which are pretty common, the speedometer started rattling at 1,300km and was the internal screws breaking off due to cheap plastic. At 9,000km and out of warranty, the speedometer began rattling again and after opening it I discovered that all the screws were broken so I ended up gluing the internal boards together with silicon. Very sad for such a new bike. The bike stalls at idle constantly and requires a new Fuelx pro ecu to overcome the lean factory settings. The seat is extremely uncomfortable both front and rear for more than a 20 minute ride. The rear swing arm bolt was over-torqued from the factory and began squeaking around 1500km. Later the front brakes began intermittently locking up and the rear brakes would release during hard braking. Frightening in heavy city traffic. My safety reco is to use both brakes at all times in case one fails. At 9,000km the steering bearings began clunking over small bumps and the bike wanted to only go straight, this is something I experienced only on old heavy road bikes with well over 160km. I like the fuel efficiency of the Himalayan and it is a fun slow ride, but be prepared for constant repairs and lots of upgrades. And perhaps stock up on several spare speedometers if you plan on keeping the bike over the long haul. The internal plastic is thin and cheap and cannot sustain simple highway engine vibration, which is very little in this motorcycle. Overall the bike is fun, but full of reliability issues, so if you are looking for reliability this bike will be very disappointing. I would look at a Japanese bike unless you love fixing bikes more than riding them.
Hello, Thanks for a great and informative Vid; On the issue of bikes; My pet hate is Seat Height! Many Manufacturers FAIL on giving riders a CHOICE on Seat Height! My Triumph Tiger 900GT is the Low Seat option, excellent! BMW does it; Many Japanese Mnf do not! Adventure bikes are just great bikes to enjoy on the many non bitumen roads in our country so why not make them more ergonomic and have a seat height choice? David...Adelaide...Tiger 900GT & Scrambler.....
Hey Michael! Take it from another Michael and get the Norden 901 Expedition. I have over 2,000 miles on mine love it more every time I get on it. Get one! 🏍️💨
I have a '21 Himmy and have a 80+ mile one way trip on 55-65mph two lane highways to get to the region where I like to ride (day trip). I only rode the Himmy there once, but never again -- now I trailer it. I'm wondering if the KLR is loafing at 60-65mph and can get up to 80-85 quickly to pass slower vehicles on curvy and hilly two lanes? I no longer ride "off road" because 90% of it here is sandy and anything other than a single purpose off road/MX bike is no fun (two close calls to crashing was all this 62 yr old needed to stay off the sand). I'm short with a 28" inseam, and I did test ride the KLRS and really liked it, felt significantly more powerful than Himmy and turned better at 30+ mph. I plan to sit on a V-Strom soon to see if it's too tall for me.
Thanks for the awesome reply. I think I'll go the KLR. Im going to get a seconhand KLR to start and after ive parked it in a tree afew times ill spring for a new one or commit insuarance fraud to get one. Also liked and subbed.
hey Solid great video as normal , good to hear your doing ok , it does get better sleep wise , anyway i have finally got my new bike home 2022 ktm 690 enduro R , and happy as , just running it in at the moment , got a great deal on it from bunbury even though i live in Geraldton , i keep you up dated on how its going , see you out there steve/ Geraldton
My experiance is both are good bikes. Ive owned a few klrs and they have all been very reliable as axes. I daily ride a himalayan now. I love the bike and how it handles on and off road, but not as reliable as the klr, Easy to fix when it breaks, but parts are hard to find sometimes. You need to spend a little in performance mods to get the himi running how it should be(cam, exhaust, ecu, intake). All that being said if your planning on riding to hell and back get a klr. Just my 2 cents.
I have been riding a Himalayan for the last two years. I just put a down payment on a new KLR 650S. The bikes seem to feel like the same weight and height.
Hey Solid, as a recently new parent myself, appreciate what you are going through! Keep up the good work on the homefront as well as over here on YT. Hope you can get in a small ride sometime soon!
Do you have any thoughts on an AJP SPR 240 as a nice lightweight dual sport for some super lightweight adventuring. No camping just 10kg’s of luggage. I am looking for simple aircooled, carbureted lightweight dual sport that captures something more of the 70’s spirit of dual sport. I am an older rider and not fond of snatchy throttle FI bikes with easy to damage radiators and complicated systems such as ABS. Too much to go wrong in my opinion. AJP also appears to have reasonable suspension with upgrade options as in enduro to extreme version changes. Ditto on brakes.
Royal Enfield is great for India where you rarely need to drive over 90kph/55mph, the riders are generally shorter, and all imported bikes are double their regular price. But everywhere else, the price difference is not so big, and if you ever need to drive on a road with 110kph/70mph speed limit, you will be at the very edge (or beyond it) of the Royal Enfield’s ability. Literally feeling like the engine is going to fall apart at any moment, everything ratting, and with zero room for accelerating if you need to. I was extremely surprised by this on the Thunderbird and Bullet 500. My CBR250 I had at that time felt like a Hayabusa compared to them. Also, while the low seat of the Royal Enfield was given as an advantage, I think for most European/American riders it is too low. I am tall, and always had this problem with motorcycles in India - cramped legs, bad position for shifting gears etc. Ultimately, if you are over 180cm (5’10”) or sometimes need to drive on a freeway, I don’t think the Royal Enfield is a good bike for you. And if you sometimes ride double, I wouldn’t even consider it.
Two friends have the 2022 411 and they hate them. Bought new and have never been reliable. Both will just flame out for no reason. Stop the bike turn the key on and off several times and it comes back to life and you can start it. Same thing happens for start up occasionally. Both bukes have been back to different shops several times and no one knows what the problem is.
Thanks for all the info mate. Hope you and the family are doing well. Have you thought about what bike you're going to get the little one? Cheers mate. 🤪👶
So I have a question regarding the Kove, I have a CRF250l and I’m thinking about my next bike, was looking at the T7 or maybe the T660 but Kove seems like it’s somewhere between what I have now and the kinda thing I want. There doesn’t seem to be anything to compete with weight power and price with the Kove but am worried about buying it and then being left high and dry by Kove? Any thoughts?
I did a Kove 450 specific vid a few months back. I think the bike looks promising but as you point out, where is the closest dealer and will they stick around. More importantly how hard will it be to get parts? Lastly, would a 500exc or Crf450l do the job if you slapped a screen on it? Might throw this in the next one 👍
If you have the money, absolutely. The KTM and KLR are a lot more money than the RE. The KLR would only be better than the 390 at carrying a lot of stuff. If you don't camp, or never camp for more than a weekend, the 390 is definitely a better choice, especially for a beginner. The RE is $2,000+ cheaper, so there is that...
@Domenik you must have not traveled around and delt with logistics. In India for example where 390 produced parts widely available as the RE parts. In Western world parts are generally not an issue for any bike. And if you go out of these domains parts for any bikes would be problematic, because if you say show up to Suzuki/Honda/Kawasaki dealer in Mexico and expect them to have parts for any bike over 250cc, you are up to rude awakening. 390 doesn't outsell Himalayan but it definitely outsells KLR worldwide it is no joke
Once again great reviews Solid 👍. My question to you is I'm very interested in the new Honda Transalp but I can't find out any information on the air filter location, it doesn't look to be under the seat so wondering if it's under the fuel tank similar to the Ducati DesertX which could be a deal breaker. Cheers, and enjoy being a parent, it does get easier 🍻
I don’t understand the design of having the huge oil sump hanging down under the engine on the TransAlp. Would make me very nervous about taking it down anything more than gravel roads, even with a good skid plate. So much ground clearance is lost due to that.
Himalayan owner here! I have an early 2021 one, have ridden it thru mud, mountains and rivers and I’ve held my own even against DR650s and KTM690s. Obviously I’m not able to catch up on the long straights, but throw some offroad and twisties and I’m right there with them. I’m 1.83m and 90kg and I’m pretty comfortable with it. Cheers from 🇲🇽!
I have both a Himalayan and a KLR650. I've ridden the Himmy on a 2000km trip and it performed flawlessly. The KLR650 is definitely more powerful and faster, but it's not a rocket. I'm thoroughly pleased with both.
I used to own a 411, but recently upgraded to a DR650. The Himalayan is a great little bike. My backyard is the Rocky Mountains and I took the little bike places that I would not have imagined before owning her. It is a great bike for beginner off-road riders. Not intimidating, but very capable. Ground clearance becomes an issue on rocky trails though. Also, the routing of the exhaust at the bottom of the frame is not ideal. I would recommend getting a skid plate that protects the pipe as well. I banged mine up pretty good. My bike was a 21 model and the build quality was pretty good. Final thought: Great beginner bike and I would have kept her around if she would only go 10 mph faster.
In my book, they fill the same niche. If the KLR S would have been around when I bought the Himalayan, I’d have bought the KLR S. I might switch at some point, but the Himalayan is the best gravel road and city bike I’ve ever had. I know the Himalayan is the better of the two bikes on gravel and city for me, given the riding dynamics I like, but I want more power for the interstate out-and-backs to at least be able to cruise at 70mph with some reserve. I should probably wait to do anything until the Himalayan 450 is available; but the KLR S is so tempting, after having looked at KLRs for 15 years and not buying due to the height. I do enjoy being able to turn off the rear ABS on the Himalayan, which is slowing me down on switching to the KLR S. I’m glad I have been able to experience the Himalayan; it’s very fun to ride and easy to work on. If money and space were no object, I’d have both.
Don't go for the KLR S gen 3 go for something else. If I had to do it over again I would have gotten a modified gen 1 or 2 for cheap and just had a smart carb installed. It would still be cheaper and both the gen 1 and 2 are lighter than the 3. I also like the dash on the gen 2 better.
Himalayan has a much lower center of gravity even when it is raised, and the KLR really is faster not by a lot but, by enough. Really good review from someone who has owned both.
KLR vs. Himalayan:
- KLR significantly more power, Himalayan is significantly more fuel efficient
- Himalayan is more comfortable chugging way down low allbeit with less power down there
- KLR does have a higher seat BUT it has a much more roomy/comfortable riding position (one of the best) where as the Himalayan is a bit cramped and the seat is a bit small
The KLR was just way too tall for me my 5 foot 6 frame. The Himalayan is also considerably cheaper too.
Thanks for the video 👍
Kawasaki has the KLR 650 S, the S model is about 2 inches lower than the regular one, they also have the KLX 230 S, which is also lower than the regular one. You can also check out the Yamaha XT 250 or TW 200. Honda has the CRF 300 LS. It seems like the Japanese manufacturers are finally listening to those who need or want a lower seat height 🤔. Royal Enfield has been getting better and better with every passing year. If you really like the look of their bikes, I would say go ahead and get one. Just food for thought, my friend, good luck with your decision 😊
I have a 2022 Himalayan and so far my experience has been good. The frame welds aren't confidence inspiring but the bike has held up. I even have a stage 2 cam installed with 4k miles on it, and so far no issues. I think with the power band I would have more usable power with the stage 1. My only complaint has been the power output, but that's something I've worked on and it's been pleasant. One thing to keep in mind: ethanol free fuel is a game changer for power, it's very noticeable even before I got the cam done.
Thanks for the vid/update. Timely too. Here’s my quandary, waiting to ride both bikes this weekend. 89 Transalp vs new or lightly used REH…. Not quite apples to apples. Not looking for highway riding, and limited fun dirt roads where I live, so either would work for just mucking about and some casual dirt roads. Current dual sport has over 910mm seat height, and is just the wrong bike for where I live and how I ride. TA was just my dream bike when it came out as the Africa Twin wasn’t in the US at the time. So, old classic dream bike, vs retro classic? TA seat height about 850. More power of course. Carbed, for better or for worse. 🤔
own a BS6 model himmy , 6000 miles so far no problems what so ever, went on 1400 mile holiday on and off road , absolutely love her to bits 😍
Oooooh man, I’ve owned a himalayan. I bought it as a second bike. Unfortunately my second bike started to become the bike I’d grab the keys to first over my mt07! I loved the himalayan, it is slow. But it’s hilariously slow. I now own a 2023 klr650 S and I gotta say the himalayan has more character the the klr but I do appreciate the extra power. Over all my time with the himalayan gave me some of the best memories and experiences through my time riding motorcycles I put 7000ish miles on before I was rear ended on it. I beat the piss out of that bike and it loved it! I did a stage one kit that slightly woke the bike up a little more and it is very confidence inspiring. Perfect learning platform 👍 you can’t get yourself into any trouble. It’s a great bike for all.
Do you regret going with the KLR over another Himalayan ? I ride a Himalayan but thinking about trading it in on a KLR early next year. I love the Himalayan but I need something a little faster for interstate riding.
@@dylanborlace1 not at all, I loved my Himalayan. It would have been nice to buy another one but I needed to move on from the Himalayan. My time spent with the Himalayan I will cherish forever. The KLR performance wise is the superior bike. You lose a tachometer but that's about it and aftermarket is amazing for the klr as well. I do not regret buying the klr.
@@Stickmister360 awesome. Great to hear. I like the new Himalayan but honestly no telling when it will be here in the US.
I'm looking at both the old and the scram at the moment, in my area the klr is on sale for $5,000 and the scram for $4,800 I believe. Charlotte NC area btw . A lot to consider, ease of maintenance, power, but price is now making it harder to decide.
Hi !! great vídeo, i own a new 2021 Himalayan for over a year, i use it on a daily bases and i had ride it on several adv events, and i got to say for the prive you get a pretty good bike . All the Tenere and 890 guys that saw it in “action” were impresed.
About the negatives it is a slow bike , but i live in a litle city in Portugal and for city daily use is enough, the obter that can be resolve is the stoling in cold weather , apart from that i can’t complain
“Stoling” i ment like shuts off 😅 sorry i try my best to translate 😉
I am growing to love my UGLY KTM (790 Adv R 2020) more and more, because that engine is awesome with tons of personality. My wife has stayed with ugly for 20 years so there’s gotta be something to that personality edge. Cheers on your new parental adventure. They grow up faster than a super bike race.
for someone not getting any sleep you did the usual polished quality video, well done.
Don't sweat it, we'll all be here when things get back to nor....wait that's not going to happen...when sleep improves somewhat :)
Thanks mate 👍😅
Hi all, I have a 2017 Himalayan ( carburettor model ) I have had a few issues with it since I bought it, ie the stator completely burned out ( around 2500klms ) and I had to get it replaced. I had to tighten up all the engine and engine casing bolts as they were lose. I would rate the early Himalayan's a build quality of 4.5 to 5 out of 10. I did have some carburettor issues some 3000klms back but this has been rectified, finally I just need to rectify a very minor oil leak from the rocker cover, the bike has done 12500klms. I also agree that R.E have improved their build quality of their bikes over the years
I have just recently ordered a new Kawasaki KLR650 S ( the factory lowered version ) but the bike will not be in Australia until this August 2023
I have a 2020 Himalayan with fantastic fun 20,000 miles on it. I’ve had a few issues that I will list for you below.
I love this bike it’s great to ride. It’s fantastic on back roads the low center of gravity makes it easy to ride and so does the torque at low speed so it just tractors along like everybody else says.
For me here are some issues. The fuel gauge ends up, working when fuel is down near the bottom, but takes some time to recover once the tank has been filled. A couple of the relays for the fuel pump, and the starter replaced. I stripped a couple bolts on the fuel tank I think the metal is pretty soft. there does seem to be some rust on the bike so if I was thinking that I was going to have it for 30 years that might be bothersome, but I’m hoping to ride it enough to wear it out so to speak. I have had a few rattles on the headlight, but managed to loosen and tighten some things and get that sorted out. the seat is fine for me for an hour or two but can get pretty uncomfortable after that. I’ve done some 14 hour days and it’s certainly not up to that. I put an air hawk seat on there and that helps a ton. If you were thinking you’re going to zip along the highway then this probably isn’t the bike for you, it will do highway miles I have done whole days on the highway. No problem you’ll just be in the slow lane. It’s easy to work on the bike for sure. I’ve had the whole thing apart. Minus the engine.
The real thing that gets me is when I’m running off road if I drop the bike in the sand or on an angle it’s super heavy to pick up. I can manage it five or six times in a day and then I’m getting pretty tired so if there is anything that would cause me to switch bikes, that would be it .
I hope that helps someone .
I bought the new 2023 411 Himi, just 5 days AGO, AND i BOUGHT IT FOR THE 10 UGRADES ON THE PREVIOUS BIKES. wHEN I rode the 2021 model, I wasn't really impressed, with finish and QC, but this 23' model bike is 150% better I am a former rider 63 yo, and I am very impressed with the now made Himalayan
I really enjoy my Himalayan up to 100klm/h. Speeds over that it’s…….. meh.
With an aftermarket exhaust, it doesn’t help performance much but gives exhaust note so much more character. Super easy to ride and very easy to live with.
If your not going into difficult off-road or camping etc, the scram 411 would be a good choice
We have two 2021 royal enfield himalayans. 53000 & 44000 kms respectively. Problem free riding.
I have an 2021 Himi and have had many quality issues which are pretty common, the speedometer started rattling at 1,300km and was the internal screws breaking off due to cheap plastic. At 9,000km and out of warranty, the speedometer began rattling again and after opening it I discovered that all the screws were broken so I ended up gluing the internal boards together with silicon. Very sad for such a new bike. The bike stalls at idle constantly and requires a new Fuelx pro ecu to overcome the lean factory settings. The seat is extremely uncomfortable both front and rear for more than a 20 minute ride. The rear swing arm bolt was over-torqued from the factory and began squeaking around 1500km. Later the front brakes began intermittently locking up and the rear brakes would release during hard braking. Frightening in heavy city traffic. My safety reco is to use both brakes at all times in case one fails. At 9,000km the steering bearings began clunking over small bumps and the bike wanted to only go straight, this is something I experienced only on old heavy road bikes with well over 160km. I like the fuel efficiency of the Himalayan and it is a fun slow ride, but be prepared for constant repairs and lots of upgrades. And perhaps stock up on several spare speedometers if you plan on keeping the bike over the long haul. The internal plastic is thin and cheap and cannot sustain simple highway engine vibration, which is very little in this motorcycle. Overall the bike is fun, but full of reliability issues, so if you are looking for reliability this bike will be very disappointing. I would look at a Japanese bike unless you love fixing bikes more than riding them.
Hello, Thanks for a great and informative Vid; On the issue of bikes; My pet hate is Seat Height! Many Manufacturers FAIL on giving riders a CHOICE on Seat Height! My Triumph Tiger 900GT is the Low Seat option, excellent! BMW does it; Many Japanese Mnf do not! Adventure bikes are just great bikes to enjoy on the many non bitumen roads in our country so why not make them more ergonomic and have a seat height choice? David...Adelaide...Tiger 900GT & Scrambler.....
i recently tried suzuki 800DE i found it remarkably capable for adventure .. can you talk to us about your feeling about it?
Riding 500+ lbs adventure bikes in the dirt pretending they handle like a KDX 200 is absurd. It's like saying Dylan is a woman.
Hey Michael! Take it from another Michael and get the Norden 901 Expedition.
I have over 2,000 miles on mine love it more every time I get on it.
Get one!
🏍️💨
I have a '21 Himmy and have a 80+ mile one way trip on 55-65mph two lane highways to get to the region where I like to ride (day trip). I only rode the Himmy there once, but never again -- now I trailer it. I'm wondering if the KLR is loafing at 60-65mph and can get up to 80-85 quickly to pass slower vehicles on curvy and hilly two lanes? I no longer ride "off road" because 90% of it here is sandy and anything other than a single purpose off road/MX bike is no fun (two close calls to crashing was all this 62 yr old needed to stay off the sand). I'm short with a 28" inseam, and I did test ride the KLRS and really liked it, felt significantly more powerful than Himmy and turned better at 30+ mph. I plan to sit on a V-Strom soon to see if it's too tall for me.
Thanks for the awesome reply. I think I'll go the KLR. Im going to get a seconhand KLR to start and after ive parked it in a tree afew times ill spring for a new one or commit insuarance fraud to get one. Also liked and subbed.
No worries 👍
hey Solid great video as normal , good to hear your doing ok , it does get better sleep wise , anyway i have finally got my new bike home 2022 ktm 690 enduro R , and happy as , just running it in at the moment , got a great deal on it from bunbury even though i live in Geraldton , i keep you up dated on how its going , see you out there steve/ Geraldton
My experiance is both are good bikes. Ive owned a few klrs and they have all been very reliable as axes. I daily ride a himalayan now. I love the bike and how it handles on and off road, but not as reliable as the klr, Easy to fix when it breaks, but parts are hard to find sometimes. You need to spend a little in performance mods to get the himi running how it should be(cam, exhaust, ecu, intake). All that being said if your planning on riding to hell and back get a klr. Just my 2 cents.
Looking forward to the H -452 launch, seems to cover the bases...
I have been riding a Himalayan for the last two years. I just put a down payment on a new KLR 650S. The bikes seem to feel like the same weight and height.
Hey Solid, as a recently new parent myself, appreciate what you are going through! Keep up the good work on the homefront as well as over here on YT. Hope you can get in a small ride sometime soon!
Thanks, you too! 👍
@@chroniclesofsolidyou guys got this. It gets better!!!
Thank you - and good luck with the sleep (usually settles after two years).
I am a big RE fan but think the Kawa looks ideal...but maybe cost.
I'm not old enough to know when Honda got the CT90 sortd.
another nice one, cheers
Thanks mate 👍
What do you think about the KTM 450 Rally Replica regardless the price @chroniclesofsolid?
Do you have any thoughts on an AJP SPR 240 as a nice lightweight dual sport for some super lightweight adventuring. No camping just 10kg’s of luggage. I am looking for simple aircooled, carbureted lightweight dual sport that captures something more of the 70’s spirit of dual sport. I am an older rider and not fond of snatchy throttle FI bikes with easy to damage radiators and complicated systems such as ABS. Too much to go wrong in my opinion. AJP also appears to have reasonable suspension with upgrade options as in enduro to extreme version changes. Ditto on brakes.
If you're tall enough to ride it get a Honda XR650L. Carb, air cooled, good suspension, Honda reliability and tons of aftermarket.
Royal Enfield is great for India where you rarely need to drive over 90kph/55mph, the riders are generally shorter, and all imported bikes are double their regular price.
But everywhere else, the price difference is not so big, and if you ever need to drive on a road with 110kph/70mph speed limit, you will be at the very edge (or beyond it) of the Royal Enfield’s ability. Literally feeling like the engine is going to fall apart at any moment, everything ratting, and with zero room for accelerating if you need to. I was extremely surprised by this on the Thunderbird and Bullet 500. My CBR250 I had at that time felt like a Hayabusa compared to them.
Also, while the low seat of the Royal Enfield was given as an advantage, I think for most European/American riders it is too low. I am tall, and always had this problem with motorcycles in India - cramped legs, bad position for shifting gears etc.
Ultimately, if you are over 180cm (5’10”) or sometimes need to drive on a freeway, I don’t think the Royal Enfield is a good bike for you.
And if you sometimes ride double, I wouldn’t even consider it.
Two friends have the 2022 411 and they hate them. Bought new and have never been reliable. Both will just flame out for no reason. Stop the bike turn the key on and off several times and it comes back to life and you can start it. Same thing happens for start up occasionally. Both bukes have been back to different shops several times and no one knows what the problem is.
Just check out a KLR at the dealership. It’s a BIG bike.
Thanks for all the info mate. Hope you and the family are doing well. Have you thought about what bike you're going to get the little one? Cheers mate. 🤪👶
So I have a question regarding the Kove, I have a CRF250l and I’m thinking about my next bike, was looking at the T7 or maybe the T660 but Kove seems like it’s somewhere between what I have now and the kinda thing I want. There doesn’t seem to be anything to compete with weight power and price with the Kove but am worried about buying it and then being left high and dry by Kove? Any thoughts?
I did a Kove 450 specific vid a few months back. I think the bike looks promising but as you point out, where is the closest dealer and will they stick around. More importantly how hard will it be to get parts? Lastly, would a 500exc or Crf450l do the job if you slapped a screen on it? Might throw this in the next one 👍
Don’t really want an enduro, would rather have a bike that is serviced in miles/kilometres than hours. 👍
KTM 390 ADV. Best bang for buck there is.
It’s pretty vibraty and uncomfortable….
Very big differences in how the materials hold up. RE wil, show surface rust on almost everything very quickly. I would take the klr
Own both each have their place
Wrong Himalayan how about the Himalayan 450
I feel terrible about that guy's Rally being stolen. They are rare as hen's teeth Here in the U.S.
Get the bush pig the DR650 is better in every way
Just wish it was still available.
Himalayan or KLR? Easy: KTM 390 Adventure
If you have the money, absolutely. The KTM and KLR are a lot more money than the RE. The KLR would only be better than the 390 at carrying a lot of stuff. If you don't camp, or never camp for more than a weekend, the 390 is definitely a better choice, especially for a beginner. The RE is $2,000+ cheaper, so there is that...
The KLR and even the RE will still be around when your KTM parts are shot and won't be in stock for a year.
@@domenik8339 Especially outside Europe and North America...
@Domenik you must have not traveled around and delt with logistics. In India for example where 390 produced parts widely available as the RE parts. In Western world parts are generally not an issue for any bike. And if you go out of these domains parts for any bikes would be problematic, because if you say show up to Suzuki/Honda/Kawasaki dealer in Mexico and expect them to have parts for any bike over 250cc, you are up to rude awakening.
390 doesn't outsell Himalayan but it definitely outsells KLR worldwide it is no joke
The Transalp is one of the ugliest adv bikes I’ve seen in awhile. Just bland and cheap looking
Once again great reviews Solid 👍. My question to you is I'm very interested in the new Honda Transalp but I can't find out any information on the air filter location, it doesn't look to be under the seat so wondering if it's under the fuel tank similar to the Ducati DesertX which could be a deal breaker. Cheers, and enjoy being a parent, it does get easier 🍻
I don’t understand the design of having the huge oil sump hanging down under the engine on the TransAlp. Would make me very nervous about taking it down anything more than gravel roads, even with a good skid plate. So much ground clearance is lost due to that.