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2021 Himalayan Impressions - Another One

Rednaxs60

Well travelled
Just passed the 3000 Km mark on the odometer, and just shy of 3000 Kms of riding - started with 425 Kms. It's been an interesting 3 months of ownership. The upgraded suspension, Seat Concept install, and different tire selection have made this unque motorcycle a great ride. These upgrades had to be done IMO, maybe not the tires so soon, and have met my expectation(s). Taking my time to asses what I think the Himalayan needs in order to meet all my expectations and requireements.

Liking the fuel economy, and performance. The engine seems to be loosening up, breaking in, whatever a person would like to call it, such that I'm noticing the RPM change depending on the speed. The more Kms, the lesser RPMs needed for the same speed. It's a small change, but noticeable.

The upgraded suspension has made a significant difference on and off road. On road the suspension is very forgiving and supple, unless you drop into one of those potholes that make our roads look like a bad case of acne. Off road there is more absorbtion of the irregular riding terrain. The only change I had to make was to adjust the rebound damping. Have approxiamtely 30 clicks for adjustment, set to 15 IIRC.

The Seat Concept upgrade was worth the expense. Legs are in a better riding position, and my hip joint does not get uncomfortable when riding.

The tires I chose are working well on and off road. Will be monitoring the tread for wear.

Looking at changing out the headlight, and regulator/rectifier (RR).

The headlight is going to be similar to: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01M64QA62?ref=em_1p_6_ti&ref_=pe_2954730_640694580&th=1 A review of this light was by a fellow who installed it on an RE. Won't be long before we are into shorter daylight periods and good lighting is never a bad thing.

The RR will be changed from the shunt style to a series RR - SH775. Going with the SH775 - older technology, still a series RR, but the footprint is more conducive to an install. A series RR operates cooler than a shunt RR, and is better for the stator IMO.

Have looked at the Power Commander and the FuelX modules. Tried a similar product on my-ex 2012 1000 cc V-Strom. Didn't notice a preformance difference, but I did notice that it was over fuelling, could smell gas, so I removed the HealTech unit.

Will be keeping tabs on the TEC cam, or equivalent installs to deternmine if this is something I want to do.

Without doing any more changes to the Himalayan, it is a very impressive motorcycle. Will laze along the highway between 90 to 110 KPH without the engine being stressed. 110 KPH comes in at about 5200 RPM. It easily goes up long grades without slowing down. Out with a riding friend on Monday last, and he commented that it scooted up the Malahat very well, he rides a 2019 Yamaha Tenere 1200.

Following a fellow on the ADVrider Forum who hails from Ontario, Canada. He is doing a cross Canada trip on his 1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado. He has done this before in 2019. He is doing this reide because he turned 70 this year and the bike is now 50 years old as well. He knows the Moto Guzzi so well, he's not phased when something happens. He addresses the issue and carries on. He did mention the newer Moto Guzzis such as the V85TT.

I looked this motorcycle up and compared it to the Himalayan. I know, I've mentioned that this is never a good idea, but he tweaked my interest mainly becasue he was riding a 50 year old motorcycle across Canada.

The v85tt is an impressive motorcycle. Got quite a few bells and whistles. Will definitely smoke a Himalayan because of power, but the Himalayan will probably be a better off road motorcycle becasue of it being a more utilitarian style motorcycle.

Noticed some intersting spec issues. Not as much ground clearance, would make me leary about taking it off road, not to mention its real pretty. Suspension travel is not as much. Fuel economy is quite a bit less. Maintenance would not be as easy, parts are probably more expensive, dealership anyone? Let's not forget purchase price almost double if not more. If I want to do some on road high speed carving, have my '85 Gold Wing. It's not always the motorcycle that makes this possible, the rider skill set has a lot of say in this matter.

The Himalayan and the 1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado have a lot more in common. Like the distributor on the Moto Guzzi - I can relate to this technology. Old tech that's easy to troubleshoot.

Getting back to the Himalayan, a great and enjoyable ride. Have to install a RAM mount for the new to me OSMO Action camera(s) so that when I ride off the beaten track I can video my adventures. Have to install a GPS as well.

Cheers
 
Hi,
Thanks for your updates. I'm riding to Sooke today so Ken can install my TEC camshaft. I'll report on it once it's been run in (500 KMS). A word of caution about your adventure camera. I suffer too much vibration when mounted directly on the bike even with EIS. I have much better results from a helmet or body mount where I absorb the vibrations.
See you around
 

Rednaxs60

Well travelled
Chris - I have the OSMO Action. Mounted it on the Spyder, it was vibrating a lot, but the video was rock solid. It has the "Rock Steady" EIS. Have changed the Spyder on bike mounting to a shorter RAM extension - 6" to 3" and it has made a significant difference to the camera shake, minimal. Will try on the Himalayan when I get back from our road trip.

Let the colective know about your front chain sprocket upgrade. Look forward to reading about your impression that this change can make.
 
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