[Harsh23122002]

Hello BHPians,

This is my first thread on team-bhp, really very elated and looking forward to your opinions guys.

I've been reading threads and blogs on this forum since I was a kid XD, recently I've graduated from my college, I am a Software Engineer now, and with my first month's salary, I have booked a Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 .

All it took was a Ladakh road trip and the possibility of this bike getting discontinued.

My college days ended with me using my roommate's Shine in Pune.
Really not a bad bike for daily commute to my internship office, but I was radiating a 20-year-old-uncle vibe with that bike under the seat.
BAD JOKE, anyways,

I was by then gonna be a resident of Pune and needed to own a two wheeler.
Decided to stay away from all partnership entries like Harley, Triumph, BMW which shared platforms, with some established brands here as they really were not a product of original company's vision. I'd have rather gone with their Indian siblings.
It had to be something very unique, so never thought about apaches and hornets or FZs.

The one bike I had my eyes on was Honda CB300R, it had the essence of Honda, by the way it looked, by the way it was positioned, took a test ride and damn it was a very close connection to the engine, it surely wanted to be rode fast, IT IS A REAL HONDA.

~30 ps of power and 27 Nm torque with a very light 146 kg chassis is.....
FAST !!! I was getting mad for that machine.

But then came my final semester exams and whoa, I've completed my college, which ended with me planning a Bike trip in Ladakh with my 2 friends and a cousin of one of them. The route was

Srinagar to Kargil:

Himilayan 411, Cold breeze, Greens and whites and mountains , everything perfect for a great start to this trip.







The bike is surely a gem of a design. I was comfortable to handle the bike along the bad roads with a pillion for long run, I felt confident to ride it, but it is a very heavy bike for me. After a good, day long run, we reached Kargil.

Kargil to Leh:

The altitude was increasing constantly, but the roads were smooth.









The Himis we had were the BS6 ones, the older ones are said to have weak chassis and more quality issues. Leh was colder. The next day, we were ready for Khardungla pass, once the highest motorable pass.

Leh to Nubra via Khardungla pass:









The sand dunes were amazing to look at but, very tricky to ride on when in path. Nubra was where we stayed for the night.

So, this was my first every bike trip, the organisation we had gone with was Deyor. The batch was of ~35 people from each and every part of India. From Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, MP, Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra, Delhi and Maharashtra to list them. Our ages were quiet lower than the batch's average age including their employees and the marshal.

People were really great, the bonding was even better.

Nubra to Pangong Tso:







Our destination was still 40 mins away and we were shivering already. Somehow, we made it to Pangong. The night was fun, some drinks, music and bonfire was all it took for everyone to get up and dance, it was really very precious.

Pangong Tso to Hanle:






The Instrument Cluster is nearly a piece of art!



Sadly, Umling La was not the part of the itinerary.

Hanle to Tso Moriri:



Roads are now less asphalt and more earth. These bikes are really meant for this, it is their home turf.

Tso Moriri to Sarchu:









Views from Ghata Loops were breathtaking. The journey of the day was long, but the off-roading was longer.
We were crossing the border and entering Himachal at Sarchu, our stay for the evening.

Sarchu to Jispa and Jispa to Manali:

Crossing the state border brought us new bikes, with HP plates. The lot had a majority of 411 Himis and some handful 450 Himis and Scram 411s.
I was sharing my bike as a duel rider with my friend but they had extra bikes, so this gave me a Scram 411 for my own till Manali.

The bike was already very alluring.

The road to and away from Barcha La Pass really gave me an opportunity to know this bike, Scram 411. I found myself getting more and more attached to the machine. It really did well, I was confident enough to attack the corners, it is really something.










The trip ends!!
This arc will be etched in gold in my story of life.

Now back to being a regular human here in the City, it was time, and I knew it, I saw it coming.

This will be my first big purchase from my very first earnings.

To some ADRENALINE RUSH!!!

Went for a test ride to see how it fares on the roads of Pune, and I feel positive. Booked the bike asap as it is likely to get discontinued soon.

Delivery is on Dussehra. Excited!

Will keep updated with the follow up threads.


Regards,

Harsh

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Motorcycle section. Thanks for sharing!

Going to our homepage this week

[doomketu]

" and with my first month's salary, I have booked a Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 ."

That is an excellent way to welcome the advent of career my man. Hope you got your parents something too. I remember that my entire first salary was gifted to my parents ( was living with them at the time) and they started an RD for me with the base amount and topped up some of their own.

The Scram 411 is an excellent bike. I liked the way it ate poor excuses of roads for breakfast and potholes for dessert. I just had some issues getting on and off the bike at the time as i was much much heavier than what i am now. Congrats on your decision. At that price point its really a do it all bike. This Dussehra will be one you remember for years to come. Loved your escape to Himalayas story . Cheers man, Dussehra is just 6-7 weeks away.

[7000plusrpm]

Originally Posted by Harsh23122002

--snip

The one bike I had my eyes on was Honda CB300R

I'm disappointed that you didn't join the CB300R gang.

But I'm glad you made an informed decision. Many people make the mistake of buying something without understanding their requirements, and then they either get stuck with the bike or suffer a loss.

The Scram is a very capable tourer. I'm sure it will bring a smile to your face for many thousand KMs.

[Harsh23122002]

Originally Posted by doomketu

" and with my first month's salary, I have booked a Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 .".

Thanks a lot
Yes, I am getting an exercise machine for my mom, she needs it.

I've been investing since my college days. But yeah, I have planned up my savings and spending split too.

I love the way Scram is designed and engineered to make some real sense. It shines when the roads are not so good, on trails, on long rides and on ghats. And it is fairly nimble to get through the traffic in the city. But by no means, it is a light motorcycle and it is still tall with that 2-inch smaller front wheel.
I can't just park this bike anywhere carelessly and the pillion seat being even higher makes it sometimes untidier to get off this bike, something I'll need to get used to. I can live with it. The only thing I can't live with is this waiting period :(

Originally Posted by 7000plusrpm

I'm disappointed that you didn't join the CB300R gang.

It was very difficult for me to move on from that bike (CB300R).
But the <10 litre of thank capacity with that engine was something very concerning. It would have been a 100% emotional purchase if I were to get that bike. But, maybe in some other reality/universe.

Scram 411 took me by surprise by being relatively practical, ~20k cheaper, more rugged and capable on and off the road but still had that fun factor, made me smile at every possible instance.

[KharbandaKartik]

Originally Posted by Harsh23122002

Hello BHPians,
I am a Software Engineer now, and with my first month's salary, I have booked a Royal Enfield Himalayan Scram 411 .
Harsh

Welcome aboard Harsh.

Happy for you. Ride safer and longer!

[mohit_]

Congrats on the Scram 411, man! That bike was and probably still is my first love.

I was close to booking one myself, I've loved that bike since it launched (mostly for the looks). But I ended up going with the Scrambler 400X after trying it out. Your post is making me second-guess myself a bit and wish I hadn't test-rode the 400x before my 2nd test ride on the Scram411 haha ! I loved the Scram's looks and comfort, especially coming from a BS3 Classic 350. But the Scrambler's extra power felt so good after the test ride lol. Both are awesome bikes though, I'm sure you’re going to love it! Last chance to own a fresh OG 411 engine!

Congrats again! Have fun!

[Harsh23122002]

Originally Posted by mohit_

Your post is making me second-guess myself a bit and wish I hadn't test-rode the 400x before my 2nd test ride on the Scram411 haha !

And your post is gaslighting me 😓.

(God, Have I made the right choice?)