hi guys! I am the happy owner of the latest Himalyan 452 from RE and would like to share my impressions. I am no stranger to Enfields and after rearing these for close to 14 years had almost sworn off them. i started with a 2004 AVL engined Tbird and that bike though wonderful when it ran was always a pain. each weekend was spent at the mechanics before a sunday ride with my gal could be planned and it went through coils and alternators like a kid through candy. The bike also used to fishtail like crazy (no abs and ribbed front tyres). Regardless the bike was fun to drive and is seared indelibly on our minds and flesh (one or two spills). I sold her off to get the Classic 500 and that was again a different animal- great when it ran but with stability issues and an open loop EFI system which always ran rich. I developed a herniated disc requiring surgery and after convalescence decided to get back in the saddle. I went for a Harley Sportster 1200 and spent 10k miles in the saddle before trying my mates Beemer and realising that bikes can have working suspension.
shortcut to Jan this year when i took a test ride of the vehicle and was impressed enough by the suspension and engine to book it on the spot- i cancelled it due to issues with the first batch of any Enfield production run. I took ownership of my Kamet white recently and have begun the process of running in.
the bike is being run in traffic to cycle it through the rev range and also highway runs upto the revs permitted. I have begun the inevitable series of mods - first of which was to relocate the harley swing arm bag to the Himmy, attach a pigtail battery connector and wait for my fuelx pro plus to arrive (hopefully will be able to install it tomorrow). I strongly feel the bike is running lean and will give some more performance.
next up are saddle stays for my soft luggage and something has to be done for the tubed tyres.
my initial impressions are that this is discerning riders bike - one who has done enough miles to know whether this has what he wants or not. she has enough grunt to keep up on the highway (legal speeds) and a frugal engine which lends itself well to those long hauls through nowhere. she also has decent brakes and a nice (the app and map system seems gimmicky though) dash. the headlights are a joke and i am relocating my Baja squadrons to the bike from the Thar.
the suspension is the real gem and the bikes handling is really nice for such a tall drink. I dont plan on decatting the exhaust but may go in for a free flow filter at some point. no mods to the tyres as i think they have ok grip and am waiting to get the tubeless rims. rest keeping an eye out for issues like the cone set and the engine clatter.
will update post fuel x install.
shortcut to Jan this year when i took a test ride of the vehicle and was impressed enough by the suspension and engine to book it on the spot- i cancelled it due to issues with the first batch of any Enfield production run. I took ownership of my Kamet white recently and have begun the process of running in.
the bike is being run in traffic to cycle it through the rev range and also highway runs upto the revs permitted. I have begun the inevitable series of mods - first of which was to relocate the harley swing arm bag to the Himmy, attach a pigtail battery connector and wait for my fuelx pro plus to arrive (hopefully will be able to install it tomorrow). I strongly feel the bike is running lean and will give some more performance.
next up are saddle stays for my soft luggage and something has to be done for the tubed tyres.
my initial impressions are that this is discerning riders bike - one who has done enough miles to know whether this has what he wants or not. she has enough grunt to keep up on the highway (legal speeds) and a frugal engine which lends itself well to those long hauls through nowhere. she also has decent brakes and a nice (the app and map system seems gimmicky though) dash. the headlights are a joke and i am relocating my Baja squadrons to the bike from the Thar.
the suspension is the real gem and the bikes handling is really nice for such a tall drink. I dont plan on decatting the exhaust but may go in for a free flow filter at some point. no mods to the tyres as i think they have ok grip and am waiting to get the tubeless rims. rest keeping an eye out for issues like the cone set and the engine clatter.
will update post fuel x install.
