[Spicyred]

Today I signed on the line for a Lake Blue, 3/2021 complianced Himalayan.
This explains why you will start seeing queries and comments coming from a GT650 owner, in this part of the woods 

The reason I’ve gone for the current (Australian) model is that
- it appears to be 8kg lighter than the GPS equipped latest Euro models, which have another muffler in the vertical portion of the header pipe
- didn’t want to buy into the dramas of “can or cannot” modify latest Euro model
- I expect a price rise for latest Euro model
- and best of all I can pick it up tomorrow so no waiting.

I fired it up today as it has already had pre-delivery done and just needs a full tank of fuel and number plate fitted.

[oldphart]

Woo  hoo. Glad to see another rider upgrading to the Himalayan. Nice colour too.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Join us on facebook on the Royal Enfield Himalayan Australian Group    Some of us are almost normal (though they do let me post there)

[Spicyred]

Cheeky ...... cross-grade maybe
I’m definitely keeping the 650, such a sweet ride. The Himi’ is all about keeping the 650 off the gravel - it’s an exercise in “horses for courses”

I usually stay away from FB but I’ll catch up with your YouTube videos for tips.

Of course, the weekend will see the new steed being run in. 😀

[oldphart]

I wouldn't stay away from the Himmy fraudbook page because it's a way of keeping in touch with Himalayans in Oz. More of a forum than anything else. It'll also keep you in touch with local rides (not all are big, I personally prefer groups of two or three like minded nutters).

With a bit of effort, the weekend should see you at your first service - I'm a big fan of running in quickly (ie, in a short period of time) because you can have fun sooner and you're less likely to forget it's new.

You don't think the 650 would do well on dirt roads? I've sometimes pondered that the Interceptor would make an awesome scrambler, a modern replacement for the 500 scrambler. No, NOT a replacement for the Himalayan, just a bike that could be made to soak up dirt roads.

[Spicyred]

Ok, I’ll check them out on FB.

The reasons I don’t want the Continental on dirt are:
1. I don’t want to get it filthy dirty or scratched and spoil the gleaming paint and bright finishes and then spend a lot of time cleaning it.
2. I want to keep good bitumen tyres on the Continental to maximise it’s handling and road holding up in the twisties.

That’s why I say horses for courses.
I want good dirt tyres on the Himalayan.

[oldphart]

The stock Himmy tyres are good enough. They'll also wear out quickly but that's fine, by then you'll know how much dirt you're actually doing. I've now got Mitas E07 tyres on mine though there are a number of other 50/50 tyres that'll work (it depends on availability which is troublesome at the moment).
I wouldn't change immediately, get to know the bike and your usage first, the stock tyres are plenty good enough to do that.

[Spicyred]

Yes indeed. Thanks for that.

It comes with the new Indian Ceat supplied tyres and I’ll definitely use them up....... I’ve just paid for them after all 😆.

[oldphart]

Yes indeed. Thanks for that.

It comes with the new Indian Ceat supplied tyres and I’ll definitely use them up....... I’ve just paid for them after all 😆.

I know nothing about the Ceats except there've been no complaints about them. Most people seem happy.

[zimmemr]

Of all the bikes I've owned or ridden in my 50+ years of riding, racing and working in the motorcycle industry the Himalayan is my all time, most favorite bike. It was so good I traded my Triumph in on an Interceptor, which is my 2nd favorite. Best of luck with the bike, I hope you like it as much as I like mine.

[Spicyred]

Of all the bikes I've owned or ridden in my 50+ years of riding, racing and working in the motorcycle industry the Himalayan is my all time, most favorite bike. It was so good I traded my Triumph in on an Interceptor, which is my 2nd favorite. Best of luck with the bike, I hope you like it as much as I like mine.

Thanks for the comments.
I’ll definitely enjoy the new acquisition and I’ve put 90 kilometers on her this afternoon, after collecting from the dealer just after lunch.

She’ll go in for first service, Thursday next when I’ll have the 500k up.

[Spicyred]

I’m working my way through the run-in phase, as the 60kph limit for the first 500 kilometres takes some concentration to adhere to. The trick is finding semi-rural and outer urban roads which are quiet, traffic wise.
So far so good and only another 140 k to go.

The weather has been brilliant for the exercise and that’s a bonus.

[oldphart]

I’m working my way through the run-in phase, as the 60kph limit for the first 500 kilometres takes some concentration to adhere to. The trick is finding semi-rural and outer urban roads which are quiet, traffic wise.
So far so good and only another 140 k to go.

The weather has been brilliant for the exercise and that’s a bonus.

Forget the 60km/hr for the first 500kms. That's super conservative and arguably not the best for your motor anyway. What you want is to not put in under load (ie, don't lug the thing in a low gear), don't rev the rings off it, lots of variation in the engine revs being used and lots of gear changes (you're running in the gear box as well). Do you know what that sounds like? Going for a ride in the hills, just not working the bike hard. It's fun, it's interesting and it's good for the bike.

If you have any mechanical sympathy, run up the revs occasionally and you'll feel when it starts getting a tad rough. Change up at that point. Do that periodically, and you'll find that point getting higher and higher in the rev range as the motor beds in. It's also been argued (and argued against I might add), that this pushes the rings against the bore and helps them bed in faster and more completely. But you don't have to do that if you don't want to, just for for a ride in the hills.

[Spicyred]

Mechanical sympathy is something I have spade loads of

Labouring the engine is a no-no for running-in ....... and for ever after.

With sportier motors and with finer tolerances, I’m quite prepared to run engines in “the other way”.

This motor sounds like the big end bolts are lying in the sump and the piston is hanging out the side of the block. She’s as agricultural as they come and that is the charm.

Btw, I seem to recall some of the long-time Classic 500 and Bullet owner’s recommending the slow run-in method. This clunker is closer to those than the 650s.

Accordingly, I’ll run it in by the book. Only 90 k to go so I’ll remain patient until Thursday’s first service.

On another matter, did you pick up a spare oil filler cap? The dealer reckons they haven’t any and they have to come from India.
I just want the standard plastic item but I don’t know if they’re a generic item, thread wise, that you can get anywhere.

[oldphart]

This motor sounds like the big end bolts are lying in the sump and the piston is hanging out the side of the block. She’s as agricultural as they come and that is the charm.

That's pretty normal when new. Mine sounded like I had a hysterical git under me bum bashing on a tin can. By 1,500 kms, it'd mellowed right out and by 5K sounded just like a normal motor. A mate suggested that it needed time to build up some soot in the header - maybe he's right.

[Spicyred]

That's pretty normal when new. Mine sounded like I had a hysterical git under me bum bashing on a tin can. By 1,500 kms, it'd mellowed right out and by 5K sounded just like a normal motor.

Cool. Looking forward to it.

[Himalayan Geff]

I know nothing about the Ceats except there've been no complaints about them. Most people seem happy.

The CEAT tyres have a very similar tread pattern to the Pirelli MT60 and are good on hard surfaces but lack any kind of real grip in mud. This is pretty common for a road-biased dual purpose tyre. The problem is that most more off-road oriented rear tyres are not available in the right size for Himalayan.

[oldphart]

The CEAT tyres have a very similar tread pattern to the Pirelli MT60 and are good on hard surfaces but lack any kind of real grip in mud. This is pretty common for a road-biased dual purpose tyre. The problem is that most more off-road oriented rear tyres are not available in the right size for Himalayan.

Are you trolling? You're beginning to sound like it.
Firstly, there's no shortage of choice of tyres for the Himalayan though availability for all tyres is dodgy.

Secondly, the MT60 is pretty good off road. Sure, it's no good in wet clay, but nothing short of a full nobbly is. I did buy more dirt oriented tyres when they wore out, but not because I ever felt unsafe on them

[Himalayan Geff]

No, Im not trolling. You said you dont know much about the CEAT. I have given you my genuine opinion based on actually trying to ride on the green lanes near me with them. As for availability of other brands. It is the rear 17 inch tyre that limits options, There may be lots of 50/50 tyres available (if they are actually available) in the 17 inch fitment but proper off road biased tyres tend to be only available in 18 inch. Just about the only serious tyre easily available as a matched set for Himalayan sizes here is the TKC80 and I have my doubts about that on the tracks that I am riding (Although it would definitely be a step up from the CEAT standard fitment). Loads of choice is available in the front 21 inch tyre but mostly not with a match on the rear. Also, dont assume everyone rides the same roads as you do. It is wet and slimy here off road and I didnt buy the himalayan as an asphalt road bike.

[Spicyred]

Of all the bikes I've owned or ridden in my 50+ years of riding, racing and working in the motorcycle industry the Himalayan is my all time, most favorite bike. It was so good I traded my Triumph in on an Interceptor, which is my 2nd favorite. Best of luck with the bike, I hope you like it as much as I like mine.

I’ve put over 2000 kilometres on the Himi now and it is a totally different riding experience to the Conti GT. I enjoy riding both but have to admit, an involuntary smile comes to my face when I hop back on the GT

The posture on the GT is that that I’ve experienced on all my bikes since progressing from the trail bikes of the Seventies. Slight forward leaning, my body weight shared between buttocks, upper thighs and a little on the wrists, shoulders and foot pegs.

The Himi is a bolt-upright position with weight shared by buttocks and tailbone. That was closer to the trail bikes I started on way back then - except the Himi’s brakes and seat are way better than those ‘70s bikes.

Long rides produce aches in different areas - lower back and tailbone on the Himi yet lower shoulder blades on the Conti.

Each bike meets it’s design brief perfectly for me

[Spicyred]

Out and about in the Scenic Rim again:

[Spicyred]

And…….

[oldphart]

Nice.
Of course, I should be grumpy because we're locked down in Adelaide 

Just a note of warning, that screen over the headlight has been known to rattle so if you find a rattle develops, check that first.

[Spicyred]

As mentioned in the “Windnoise” thread,
I put the Eagle screens 400 mm high, standard width screen on.
The RE screen in the forward position had warn a little of the paint off the headlight bezel. I didn’t detect any rattling from there, due to the wind noise ironically.

Anyway, the new screen does a good job of keeping the bugs off my jacket.

Windnoise is still prevalent, though to be fair, we are in our windy season and it’s been gusting 25 to 75 kph all week. With winding routes I use there are few occasions where I have a genuine tail wind.

I was hoping for a better result, to be honest but the jury is still out

[Spicyred]

The jury is now IN regarding the 400 mm screen - it’s been replaced by the 100 mm short screen, in dark tint, purely to cover the instrument panel.

I won’t be able to test the new screen until at least the weekend but I’ll report my findings and post a photo.

[oldphart]

The jury is now IN regarding the 400 mm screen - it’s been replaced by the 100 mm short screen, in dark tint, purely to cover the instrument panel.

I won’t be able to test the new screen until at least the weekend but I’ll report my findings and post a photo.

You'll love it. I've been using mine since January. Check my videos to see it in action and to hear how clear my voice is now without all that turbulence.

[Spicyred]

You are correct - I love it.

Today in Brisbane town we have a high wind warning.
Perfect for testing the new short screen.
What a difference! The shorty is a joy to use in high wind. Whilst I don’t commute, I did do a cross-town run for the test which includes speed zones of 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 kph. The winds encountered included head on, full side-on and tailing.
They were gusting enough that it was a challenge holding the bike upright while stopped at the red lights.

[9fingers]

Out and about in the Scenic Rim again:

Beautiful Himalayan!
9fingers

[Spicyred]

Beautiful Himalayan!
9fingers

Thanks 9fingers.
We’ve had a lot of welcome rain here the last month or so, resulting in very little riding for moi.
I’ve clocked up 4000k on the Himi now but many of the gravel roads I use are still flood-bound or flood damaged.

[Spicyred]

Out and about Monday, navigating various road closures and road works, found the Himi atop Tamborine Mountain.
With a camping chair/stool, six-pack esky and camera bag easily accommodated in the panniers, a beaut lunch was had with this view:

Edit: gizzo, this is the spot from which your mates launch their hang gliders.

[Spicyred]

The photo above is looking westerly from atop Mt Tamborine.
Today’s photo, on the north eastern decent from Tamborine is a quaint English-style Inn. A delicious Lambs Fry was had but I’m definitely not posting a food photo!

[Spicyred]

Here are a couple of pics from our ride out to Carnarvon Gorge back in November.
They show the rough and ready loading of bike for a couple of thousand kilometre journey.
Drinking water, sunnies and odd and sods in the ammo pouches; tent, sleeping bag, air mattress and pillow in the 85 l duffle; clothes, food camera in one hard case; tyre tubes, tyre levers, tools, Cycleplus air compressor in the other. Camp chair stuck on top at last minute, made  a good backrest at times on the road.
Water holder and bracket off the pushy, bolted in where pillion peg mounts, to be used for cleaning etc..

[Spicyred]

Port-side photo.

[him a layin]

oh yeah, you're going to have some fun.

[Spicyred]

The photo above is looking westerly from atop Mt Tamborine.
Today’s photo, on the north eastern decent from Tamborine is a quaint English-style Inn. A delicious Lambs Fry was had but I’m definitely not posting a food photo!

Forgot to mention, she’s just turned two years old.

[wachuko]

Forgot to mention, she’s just turned two years old.

And still looking great. 

[Spicyred]

If only I could spell “descent” properly