[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by rahul4321

I have been getting google alerts for the Himalayan 450 articles. Some of them say the 411 is going to be discontinued. Is this true or just speculation? Did Sid Lal announce this in Manali?

I too have a 411 but not worried about spares at least for the near future.

For what it's worth, the phrase "old Himalayan" was used a lot. By everyone, Sid Lal included.
By this I infer, it will be replaced with the 450.

[shyamg28]

On a day that the official launch of the all "new" Himalayan took place, I rode my Himalayan, the #411 to office and back. Just my honest thoughts

A motorcycle that both irritated and pacified.
A motorcycle that I hated some times. But almost never when on its saddle.
A motorcycle that made me live an adventure that I didn't think I deserved.
A motorcycle that angered with its specsheet, but plastered a smile when on it.
Many of us dreamed. And you allowed us to live the dream.

You will now become the relic, the "old" Himalayan if you will.
But never forgotten!

Goodbye #411!




P.S.: I'm not selling my bike. Neither am I getting the new one :P

[100Kmphormore]

A motorcycle that both irritated and pacified.
A motorcycle that I hated some times. But almost never when on its saddle.
A motorcycle that made me live an adventure that I didn't think I deserved.
A motorcycle that angered with its specsheet, but plastered a smile when on it.
Many of us dreamed. And you allowed us to live the dream.

You will now become the relic, the "old" Himalayan if you will.
But never forgotten!

I was in the same thought of changing it for a Duke 250 as I wouldnt be touring for the next 2 years due to higher studies, but this was exactly what was playing in my mind. 18 months and 19670 km of fun across touring and city, inspite of lousy RE service who require an intervention at every visit, 2 instrument cluster changes, engine noises and not being very refined overall (this feel comes from riding a Gixxer 250 often ) , this has to be the best budget tourer ever.

[theqca]

Originally Posted by theqca

Interesting thread. Part of my on-going research on this motorcycle made me read almost all the pages. Lovely photos too. You guys are definitely using the bike as a proper tourer.

I think I might be one of those few idiots (assuming there are others like me somwhere) who want to buy a Himalayan but will never ride long distances / go touring.

The max I'd do is maybe a Sunday ride from south Bombay to cafe goodluck at bandra for a cup of tea. Or maybe just maybe a ride to lonavala once in 6 months for a cup of that lovely chocolate coffee that you get at lonavala market.

I was contemplating buying a "new" motorcycle for the following reasons:

I tried to look around for a mint condition Himalayan bs4 but I guess everyone’s either taken it off road or taken it on a long ride or both. Couldn’t find one that was purchased and then just used to ride round the corner.
I did spot a one or two bs6 versions with just a few km on them - Appeared to be bikes which someone purchased and then perhaps wanted to sell due to lack of funds etc. I didn’t see the point in buying them because the cost difference between a new and old bike wasn’t all that much.

So I'm thinking I'd rather buy a new bike. Get a nice number too to go with it. Keep the bike for good. Like the G2 and the Bullet 350 I bought in 2001 and which still serve me well.

Was thinking about the interceptor but the rising prices of fuel and bad roads makes me lean towards the Himalayan.

Coming to my questions -
Do you guys think RE will make major changes to the Himalayan in the next few months? Like adding a 6th gear? Tubeless tyres?
Do you think RE might drop the Himalayan completely or do you feel it’s got another few years left for its run?
Most of your thoughts on earlier pages are around the bike as a long distance tourer / adventure machine. How good or bad a bike do you think it would be for someone like me who just needs a bike to ride around aimlessly once a week for no reason in particular.

Better late than never - finally bought one. Used 2020 / BS6 /12500 km on the clocks.
Took this one because it didnt have any extra fittings or accessories and looked and felt stock.

Initial thoughts - bike looks and feels nice: like an old paris dakar bike.

Question -
The gear shifter and the rear brake pedal appear to be about an inch or so higher than the foot rest. Not sure if this is the way its designed or maybe the previous owner wanted them that way.

The gear shifter I'm sure can be turned a bit lower ...not sure what to do about the rear brake pedal - I prefer it to be a bit lower than the foot rest and not higher because I like keeping my feet straight and not angled upwards while braking....should I just bend it after heating it?

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

To the members on this thread, My bike is due for an oil change in the next month or so. The bike has been on Motul's 5100 15w50 SS Oil and RE's Liquid Gun Oil in the past. The 5100 felt marginally better than the standard oil. I wanted to go the fully synthetic route this time. Was considering Motul's 7100 10w50. If anyone has extended experience with this oil, do let me know if its worth it, or if I should stick to the regular oils/try something other than the aforementioned. Cheers!

[aviator1101]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTangoFox

Was considering Motul's 7100 10w50. If anyone has extended experience with this oil, do let me know if its worth it, or if I should stick to the regular oils

I have used Motul 10w50 in my Himalayan. It's a fully synthetic oil, improves the performance and lasts also longer. However, I used to change at 6000 kms max, purely as a personal criteria, nothing wrong with the oil, it can last easily upto 8-9k also. Manufacturer recommended interval is 10k if I'm not mistaken.

It is definitely worth a try. The difference in performance is discernable especially at higher altitudes.

[theqca]

Originally Posted by aviator1101

I have used Motul 10w50 in my Himalayan. It's a fully synthetic oil, improves the performance and lasts also longer.

When you are saying it improves performance - what exactly is the change. Do you mean the bike "feels" smoother? Or are you referring to it heating up less etc?

Another Question from my end for the guys here - I need a new rear disc - are there any aftermarket options available that anyone has tried out?

[iron.head]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTangoFox

To the members on this thread, My bike is due for an oil change in the next month or so. The bike has been on Motul's 5100 15w50 SS Oil and RE's Liquid Gun Oil in the past. The 5100 felt marginally better than the standard oil. I wanted to go the fully synthetic route this time. Was considering Motul's 7100 10w50. If anyone has extended experience with this oil, do let me know if its worth it, or if I should stick to the regular oils/try something other than the aforementioned. Cheers!

I always use 7100 and it's Motul's best synthetic oil for non-racing use. Having said that, on my 3 motorcycles the same oil wears out at different intervals/mileage. I believe this has to do with how modern/clean the engine is!

I would have no doubts ever putting 7100 in any motorcycle but I've heard a lot of good about Liqui Moly from very trustable people/sources and am going to try that next in one of my motorcycles where 7100 wears out the fastest. Cheers!

[NTab]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTangoFox

To the members on this thread, My bike is due for an oil change in the next month or so. The bike has been on Motul's 5100 15w50 SS Oil and RE's Liquid Gun Oil in the past. The 5100 felt marginally better than the standard oil. I wanted to go the fully synthetic route this time. Was considering Motul's 7100 10w50. If anyone has extended experience with this oil, do let me know if its worth it, or if I should stick to the regular oils/try something other than the aforementioned. Cheers!

I am using Amsoil 15W50 and pretty happy with it. Unfortunately I am not able to test it completely on a long tour, but felt crisp and tight in city riding. Next I will be trying Motorex.

[rahul4321]

I have a colleague attending the MotoVerse who rode down from Ahmedabad on his Meteor 350.

He told me that RE had showcased each and every motorcycle in their product list right down to their marginal seller Scram 411.

But 1 motorcycle was not on display- it was conspicuous by its absence; the Himalayan 411. If they are not even displaying it, its clear they do not want to sell it anymore but push people to the new Himalayan (which looks amazing by the way and has incredible pricing)

Sad but this is how the cookie crumbles. Old is gold! Originals are never forgotten! Will definitely hold onto mine

[rahul4321]

The Himalayan completed 20000 kilometers today while on a ride from Ahmedabad to Rajpipla (Near Statue of Unity) and back. What an amazing journey it has been!

When I started off on the journey, I was torn between whether to add the new Himalayan 450 / Vstorm 650 to my garage (while retaining the 411 ofcourse) but a 350 kilometre ride on the winding country roads made me forget all about the H 450. The torque low down is just so amazing when winding through B roads, villages, dirt roads and gravel tracks. Coupled with the long travel suspension, I was not even slowing down for potholes or small bumps. I just kept the throttle open and the motorcycle did the rest. The USD's of the 450 are bound to be better but these old school telescopic forks are no pushover. They are soft, supple and most importantly - very linear in terms of how they behave. I keep watching Youtube videos and the one thing everybody agrees on is that on the 450, you sacrifice the 411's low end for a much better top end. After 2 days in the saddle, I think I am going to stick with my low end tractor!

This one just gets better with age!

[100Kmphormore]

My Himmy crossed the 20000 km a couple of weeks ago while on a ride to Ballari/Hampi, a 4 day 850 km trip. Not without drama though. The ignition key bolts and my powerage exhaust db killer fell off due to vibrations at 120 kmph cruising somewhere on the Chitradurga - Challakere stretch and the ignition switch cracked while trying to turn the handlebar when I was figuring out why the key and key insertion switch seemed to have fallen inside the ignition area metal tube, and the bike was not turning smoothly. fortunately was just near the RE service center in Ballari. Got the bolts fixed, but the internal switch started acting up on the day of my return, the bike completely switching off apart from when the key was at one particular position.

RSA was not very helpful in the fact that they would just send a tow truck to my location and get it towed to nearest service center (which was closed due to Sunday), what would I do for accommodation for almost a day and a half until the center opened and they fixed it? That is if they could.

Spent a couple of hours at Hospete finding a mechanic to atleast glue the internal switch and tape the outside cracked plastic so it would stay in place until I could atleast return to Bengaluru and claim a warranty replacement on the ignition keyset, was a smooth return thankfully. You may go to Bhurat Motor works in Hospete (if ever stranded and RSA gives up on you) and ask for Allabaksh, his repair is what I'm riding on even now, did a great job.
Had a lot of hassle trying to explain to the pathetic service guys, particularly the manager Srinivas at Kwality motors Kadarenahalli upon my return after telling them what happened, as to why I would damage my own keyset externally, as moving the steering after the bolts fell off left some impact damage on the ON/OFF/IGNITION LOCK print area around the key while unlocking the handlebar and riding the short distance to the service center (this was after a second meter replacement a month earlier due to vibrations and I had asked them to check all the bolts and tighten them). They seem to be their own boss in approving warranty replacements, rather than approaching the company, saying external damage will not get me a warranty replacement, even after showing them the temp fix with tape and asking them to see inside and pathetic RSA experience and they haven't got back even after 3 days. Even having the general head of service for Bengaluru, Sajith Pillai on this is not helping.

After this experience, the chances of the bike going on a tour is almost nil and I am thinking of selling it off on the first good offer i can get after the repair. Imagine if the switch had started acting up on the almost empty NH50! (Chitradurga - Hospet). It was extremely hot and empty, barren fields all around for around 140 km until you approached a toll gate.

Odo stands at 20700 km and the bike still feels great to ride, albeit slow and the bike/gear shifts had begun to feel rough, especially in the city. Was time for the 20k service and since Zoheb at AoM had carried out extensive work on suspension and brake lines, just did a general inspection and an oil change at 6600 km since the last service at Big Bear Customs Bengaluru, popularly known as Bosky. He recommended to change the rear brake pads too and hence have done that too.

[100Kmphormore]

They seem to be their own boss in approving warranty replacements, rather than approaching the company, saying external damage will not get me a warranty replacement, even after showing them the temp fix with tape and asking them to see inside and pathetic RSA experience and they haven't got back even after 3 days.

As of today the status remains the same, after many follow ups and heated exchanges with the RE helpline I got a call from a second Concerns team stating they would consider a replacement under special case and would get back. As for the RE helpline they have mellowed from the “No replacement” to “child part replacement” from the service center, meaning they would source and replace the bottom cracked plastic and internal ceramic part, atleast a problem fix if not aesthetically, am anyways bothered with proper functionality over form.

Bike is running smoothly after 200 km with the Liquid Gun oil used this time after 12700 km of Motul 5100/7100 and exhaust. Strangely the gear shifts feel smoother compared to Motul! It has been 7000 km with the Powerage and the vehicle seems to be “breathing” much better, also improved acceleration. almost immediately a reel from big bear confirmed the same which the bike was earlier it felt held back - in boskys words “strangled” seems to be apt here. I’d say get an exhaust if you want better sound + better breathing on the BS6 Himalayans atleast. Almost every 2 out of 3 has an exhaust mostly the Powerage while a few have a Red Rooster and they have the same opinion. The only problem was the exhaust rattling when fixed with stock gasket after some 5000 km and their supplementary gasket was not provided with my unit and Powerage shipped one over to my home - it is now fixed and does not rattle.

[100Kmphormore]

Had gone on a quick weekender style trip 660 km day before and yesterday with a close friend to Zostel Plus Wayanad (of course it’s almost 20 km away from the main town, near Chembra Peak) the main point being to just enjoy the ride and the weather. It was the first time for my friend who has never ridden or sat pillion on a bike/scooter in India or the US in his 27 years being pillion and it was a great perspective for me to see how it would be to handle the bike as a pillion and the challenge for me as a rider across the planned 600 km trip.

Got him a SMK Typhoon helmet at Furst Gear Banashankari for Rs.5150 - he was reluctant buying that and wanted a Studds helmet as he lives in the US mostly - boy was he impressed with its quality and robust build after seeing the latter at a shop and promptly went back to buy the SMK. He was happy to find such a premium looking, safety certified helmet until he heard about ARAIs and Shoeis �� in the range of lakhs. Gave him my old RE Rambler gloves while I was in my full set excluding the pants.

Left at 545 am, picking him up at 6 and was at Babu Hotel Halaguru for breakfast by 8 am. Just did not consider the Mysuru highway service road route as it has lots of speedbreakers and it would be uncomfortable for him and instead chose the Kanakapura-Malavalli-Bannur route. In a word - brilliant until Malavalli town. Those who have been commuting on that road since the early 2000s will see the change - the only danger being that the deviations are sudden as some sections are still under development. Had a short coffee break at Mysuru and continued onto the Hunsur-Ponnampete-Nagarahole-Mananthavady-Kalpetta route to see the Nagarahole Tiger reserve - BIG mistake with a pillion! Crossing the numerous signals in Mysuru and the single lane highways amidst handling the hard clutch and iffy gearing - too less for 4th but high for 3rd to avoid vibrations and have a smooth ride.

The roads were BAD and patchy with those irritating small speedbreakers until arriving to Mananthavady and around 40 km more than the standard Nanjangud-Gundlupete-Bandipura-Sultan Bathery route. The views of the forest though compensated! Though the number of speedbreakers could be much lesser :P My friend had a full blown back pain due to the constant movement of the road by the time we stopped at Plan B in Panamaram for lunch and full points to him for being the mind strong trooper he is - he just wanted to go to the Zostel instead of transferring the booking to somewhere else.

I thought of bumping up the preload at the service center there but decided against it as a soft suspension with movement is better than a stiffer one hitting the back directly. Even the ground clearance was a little less on large speedbreakers. Reached at 430 pm and spent the rest of the day relaxing, having some tea and khara buns that we had packed from home. Would recommend only the dinner there, though overpriced for the quantity. Snacks were average according to some others at the stay.

To be continued - Day 2

[100Kmphormore]

Day 2 - 900 Kandi Glass Bridge and return to Bengaluru
Woke up at our dorm totally rested after 9 hours of fitful sleep after the adventurous ride, to say the least, the morning trekking and sunrise viewing plans being blissfully ignored (the Zostel dormitory beds and pillows are comfy! Did not miss a hotel room bed). I would say spend some time on the treehouse sort of structure at the edge of the property, its amazing at night and feels like seeing down from an aeroplane. Was up until 1130 pm just for that). My friend being asthmatic was better in terms of his back after popping a Dolo the previous night and was only suffering from a severe cough due to the cool weather.

Freshened up, had a masale tea and taught my friend to stretch and meditate to ease his cramps, he seems to be like a hummingbird fidgeting around! Plans were made to visit the glass bridge around 17 km away while leaving our stuff there and come back to collect them and leave. Had a couple of those sweet banana ball and Balekai bajjis and tea for breakfast on the way and continued, cornering and scraping the center stand repeatedly . The roads in the interior districts are not that good and would recommend renting a local car to drive around for the sportbikes and liter class bikes.

Reached the place and found out there was an offroad route where private vehicles wouldnt be allowed. Hired a jeep (worth Rs.200 per head and then subsequently Rs.250 entry fee at the Glass bridge park where you can get 5-6 activities to do with it except zip line).Bone rattling ride and an extremely challenging one to say the least even for an experienced private vehicle offroader, with 80 degree steep inclines at places. Had a fun time on the glass bridge admiring the vistas, only a limited number of people allowed at a time and a couple of mins on the ending of the bridge. The jeeps operate hourly and you will have to be there for an hour atleast, not a tough ask though. Tried some of the other free activities and was down by 2 pm, reached our resort by 245 pm and checked out at 315 pm.

The experience of the standard Sulthan Bathery route was a welcome change compared to our Hunsur - Ponnampete - Kutta route. Smooth and free flowing roads with stray pedestrians being the only danger. Stopped at the Dominos there by 4:30 pm, filled up on pizza and was on the way, hoping to reach Chamarajanagara before sundown. The Kerala portion of the Bandipura reserve was bliss, with no speedbumps to spoil the fun. Enter Karnataka, and man! My left hand was paining due to the many gear changes on about a 1000 speedbreakers, aggravated further by the pillion, who had got butt pains by the time we reached Gundlupete, just proceeded on after a 5 min break at our fuel stop. Reached Chamarajanagara by 6:45 pm just after sundown and took a 30 minute break, the SH31 from Gundlupete being the stuff of nightmares. The Himalayan really took those roads with wanton carefreeness, a champ - but missed the 450s suspension and brakes badly for my pillion who wasnt very happy, but had to move on.

Reached the Bannur road by 8 pm, and stopped at Malavalli for a 20 minute tea break at 8:15 pm. Please do not take this road from Mysuru especially in the night, a couple of virtually undetectable speedbreakers with dead reflectors even with aux lights nearly sent us flying off the bike, the weak brakes not helping at all, just slowing from 80 kmph to some 40 kmph in 6-7 seconds. This is after changing both the front and rear brake pads and checking the entire system during its 20000 km service. The rest was a smooth journey back to Bengaluru, the 85 km to nice road junction covered in just an hour and 15 minutes, reaching home by 10:15 pm. The friend was a great guy, soldiering on despite his discomfort and then taking the metro to get home as handling his movements along with the dynamics of the Himalayan (total 385 kg including myself in riding gear) turned to be a very tiring experience for me, just proving why good pillions are important too. A great trip with some unforgettable experiences, not knowing then that this experience would be the final tour on the Himalayan!