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First bike trip with my first 2-wheeler; RE Himalayan 450 experience

27th June 2024, 10:03 by Rahul Nagaraj

Himalayan 450 has more than enough power, I was able to keep up with big bikes in the plains.

BHPian sinharishi recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The trip: Got back today covering 1500 KMs from G.Noida to Fagu, Bir, Dharamshala and Barot Valley. Left home for Fagu with VIR north group on the 18th May. The next day me and a friend on his Africa Twin left for Bir. Spent a week at Bir then moved to Dharamshala for 5 days. From there to Barot Valley! So about 900 kms in the hills.

The bike: Like mentioned earlier, I had no prior experience to ride a bike, Himalayan 450 is my first 2-wheeler ever. I will start with the negatives first - the weight. The bike in stock form is heavy, I have added the crash guard, saddle stays. Plus, I had 2 weeks of luggage stuffed in Viaterra tailbag and Rynox saddle bags. This all made the bike more heavy. The high GC is the second negative, I mean it is good but makes all the weight concentrated towards the top. Himalayan 450 has more than enough power, I was able to keep up with big bikes in the plains. It can happily cruise at 120 kmph all day. The brakes are super! The suspension - oh boy, best part about this bike.

The first fall: So while I was still learning to ride on the hills, learning how to lean and countersteer the curves, brake before the curve, carry speed into a S-curve etc, I got a bit carried away! I was carrying more speeds on narrow roads near bilaspur bypass. On one such blind curve a full sized truck appeared and I had very little time to react. I went to left, off the tarmac and crossed the truck, all good! BUT I didn't realise I was in 3rd and had lost speed, so while coming back on the tarmac, the front wheels didn't climb up and I kissed the tarmac. I just released the handlebar, since I had full gear on, no injuries at all. The moto torque crash guard protected everything!! The truck driver came to my rescue, helped me lift the bike up. Took a deep breath and moved on.

Riding back to NCR was not easy, temperatures were at 40+ degrees cel. I had just purchased a used Alpine Bionic Mesh Jacket and few jerseys which made the weather tolerable. The return journey was uneventful and FUN, my parents had joined me in Barot Valley so all the luggage was in the car. The bike felt lighter and more chuckable. I already want to go back to the hills.

Some pictures from the trip:
Instrument cluster showing 49 degrees, actual temp was around 44-45 degrees