So what is this new fad with Adventure Tourers? What are these
adventure tourers actually?
Wikipedia defines them as motorcycles which are often used as the basis for competitions in extreme rally events, including the grueling Dakar Rally. Examples include the
BMW BMW R1200GS, the
KTM 990 Adventure series, and
Suzuki V-Strom 1000. These are dual sports motorcycle designed specifically to provide long range touring capabilities both on roads and off roads with the intent of making virtually any destination reachable. So what is this puny 411 cc, single cylinder, air cooled bike with a single overhead cam engine doing in this mix? Lets find out...
This is a motorcycle designed specifically for
India. Have no confusion here. It is tailor made for our roads, carbureted and single cylinder for easy maintenance with plenty of neat modern design touches which makes it contemporary as well as practical for everyday use. It is at home on the nonexistent tarmacs of Zoji La as it is on bone breaker roads of down town Baraut. It is rawness personified! Then what is this doing in the premium mix that the 'world' classifies as adventure tourers? It is here because it can do all that and more in the India specific environment at a fraction of the cost. Himalayan ~ 12 for a BMW 1200 GS ~ 7 for a Tiger Xcx ~ 4 for a Versys 650. And that is it's biggest USP. Purists may scoff at these comparisons and I agree to an extent, but you just can't ignore the mix and balance that the Himalayan offers out of this equation.
So this is made by
Royal Enfield
but it is unlike any other bike RE has ever built. RE is famous for Bullets, but this 'Bullet' does not look like a "Bullet", does not sound like a 'Bullet', hell, it does not even ride like a 'Bullet'. So what is it doing in RE's stable? Well, in hindsight, Sid Lal is a clever man. IMHO he has realised what modern India needs. And this is what he created
What a tribute to the cravings of every hard core rider worth his salt! Ladies and Gentlemen, this is 'The Himalayan'...
Wait!! You have seen it all before? What's new? Why the drum roll? I am presenting this thread from my perspective and in my own style, just as I have done in the past. From my Toyota Fortuner to my Skoda Superb, to the nearly vintage Karizma or the glam chrome big bodied Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. I am thoroughly impressed by the package that RE has managed to create at this price point.
I had posted my First Look of the bike here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post3983357
Test Ride Impressions here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post3983626
Arrival of our bikes here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post3989651
PDI of my bike here which includes important pointers to solve the notchy gear box issue -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post3996275
Some accessories photos here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post3996909
And my Delivery Photos taken on 15-06-2016 here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post3997769
The bike costed me 1.8L on-road Meerut
The fit and finish is impeccable and unlike any RE before
The left view of the engine which delivers 24.5bhp of power and 32Nm of torque with a 5 speed gear box. The engine uses 15W50 grade 2L oil on each refill. Refill interval is a Industry First (for a Indian bike) 10000 kms as per the owners manual. Service interval is every 5k kms after the initial first service at 500kms. Hell, even my Harley changes oil at 8k intervals and that too fully synthetic while this uses a semi-synthetic one made by HP.
And the right side view. Also notice the half duplex split cradle frame.
If this isn't finishing, then I really don't know what is... The LED tail lamp and the rear indicators
The hand grips are better finished than the stock one's I got on my 18L Harley
The detailed instrument cluster which includes a first in class compass (for a Indian bike), hazard lights switch, outside temperature gauge, gear shift indicator, range, average speeds etc. etc. Hell, I don't even get this much information on my Harley cluster. And it lights up like 'Deepawali' at night... lolz
The spring loaded rider footpeg. Best part is that the rubber part can be removed by a nut below for extreme off-road use!
The BYBRE disk brakes both front and rear. 240mm at rear and 300mm up front
The rear brake master cylinder
I am a little disappointed by the finishing on this stainless steel exhaust canister. The brassich scuff marks of weld joints should NOT have been visible. There were also some scratch marks on the black end caps which I got touched up on delivery.
The left side hand controls are a usual fare. Notice the yellow pass light switch peeping up front.
The right hand side controls. Switches could have been slightly better finished. But it is all nitpicking really...
Utterly disappointing Rear View Mirrors. My biggest grouse on this bike. Some nice metallic finished ones should be offered immediately by RE like the 9k bar end ones for the GT though I wouldn't suggest bar end mirrors on this bike.
The 300mm front disks on a 90/90-21 Ceat tyre. The front suspension has a 200mm travel via dual hydraulic and telescopic suspension
The 120/90-17 rear tyre from Ceat looks butch and does it's job very nicely with decent cornering abilities too. Notice the open chain and the slightly flimsy plastic chain guard. Though the rear footpegs close with a nice click and are well finished. Also peeping through are the 240mm rear disks. The clean look at the rear is achieved by a hidden monoshock with a 180mm rear wheel travel
While on the centre stand, which comes standard BTW along with a side stand (which also has a indicator in the instrument cluster!), the chain rests on the frame on top of this nicely fabricated rubber gasket. It tightens when the rear wheel hits the ground
The front brake fluid reservoir with a fluid level window
The oil cooler. A unique feature of this RE and introduced for the first time by the company. Notice the 'single' horn. Disappointed that it's not a dual one but somehow the sound reminds me of the 'Road Runner' cartoons from my childhood, and I just love it for that...lolz
The finishing on the handle bars
The Fuel Cap. Its lockable and attached to the frame.
The 15L Fuel tank with nice recesses for your knees. Should give approximately a 400km+ range. It has a 3L reserve. Also has a low fuel warning which starts indicating on the instrument cluster at approx. 5L mark though this is independent of what the fuel tap does. Notice the Himalayan stickering discussed to death.
The key slot to open the rear seat
The seat fabric and comfort is impeccable. Though it might be too soft in the long run and may be prone to disfigurement.
The rear luggage rack with bungee points. Notice the weld marks.
The 'ugly' saree guard which was promptly removed and id the 1st part to fail on even mild off-roading. Not properly designed or thought out and is best off the bike.
The keys
which go into this ignition slot
It is still too less a time to be commenting on long range engine performance and efficiency figures, so stay tuned for that. I have discussed many likes and dislikes on my test ride post and in some parts above but still...
Likes:
* Excellent torquey engine which I feel is sufficient for our Indian road. Hell, it did a wheel burn out when I first tested it
* Excellent footpegs and how easy and balanced it is to stand on
* Excellent fit and finish for a fully 'Made in India' bike
* Fantastic suspension for both off road and the urban jungle
* Excellent throw from the 60/55W round headlight though the shape could have been more modern
* 220 mm of ground clearance
* 182 kgs of weight makes it a stable tourer and mile muncher
* 12V 8AH VRLF MF Battery
* Economical spares (e.g. the clutch cable is a paltry 97 bucks and the oil filter is 107 Rs.)
* Long (10k) oil change interval though I would recommend changing at 5k
* Will be easy to maintain in remotest locations
* Simple carburetor design which is easily self-adjustable for high altitudes
* Raw and purpose built butch look
* Excellent value proposition
Dislikes
* The flimsy rear view mirror
* Below par wind shield plastic
* Finishing of the exhaust and some open weld points
* 182 kgs of weight is heavy in comparison to international counterparts for solely off-roading purposes
* Mechanics need better training
* Standard Accessories still not available
* Afraid of RE's history of niggles and loose nuts...lolz. They should start using better screw on adhesives so nuts don't come loose and better sealing plastic caps on all end pipes so we don't need to super-glue them on.
More to follow soon. Next up is
BOLT 2A USB motorycle mobile charger.
Cheers for now...