Just got back from a test ride.
TLDR: I like it!
The rest of the story:
Short ride, just 3-4 miles. Seat was in the low position, but still felt fine. (I'm 5'11", 32" inseam, 165lbs) Easy reach to the ground. Peg position is a little forward of perfect, but didn't bug me when I was paddling the bike backwards to leave. As noted by others, takes a bit of a heave to get the bike off the sidestand. An oddity, at least to me, the "start" button is actually the mode selector, starter is engaged by moving the red lever above it to the left. Different, but not a problem.
Clutch pull is nice and light, and the reach to the lever isn't too bad. My left hand is damaged from a crash, so an easy to reach/easy to pull clutch lever is a biggie. Clutch engagement point is wide and easy to feel. Transmission nicks into gear nicely, and up and down shifting are smooth and positive. The guy who rode it before me complained it didn't want to go into gear for him a couple of times, but I didn't feel that at all. He also had trouble finding the sidestand when he got off, so who knows...
Engine is great, as long as your expectations align with what's reasonable for a 400cc single. Good power, nice broad spread and pulls well up to almost redline. Compared to the Triumph 400 I rode a couple of months back it feels just very slightly slower, and not as revvy. I'm guessing the "power" difference is mostly down the greater weight of the Himi, and it being slower to rev out is a deliberate design decision, which makes sense for it's intended use. I did NOT think it had much vibration. Again, allowing for the fact that it's a single. But I don't think cruising at 70-75mph would be a problem at all.
Brakes are adequate, not super powerful, and not a big initial bite. But plenty to slow the bike in a hurry. Again, for the intended use this makes sense.
Didn't really get a chance to test handling and suspension, but no issues stood out. I'm picky about suspension, and on most bikes I immediately notice something amiss with springs and/or damping rates. Nothing jumped out at me on the Himi, which is good news.
Riding triangle felt really good, like a bike I could do a long day on. Seat also seemed fine. But it's hard to tell much on comfort issues until you've been on the bike a few hours.
The windscreen didn't do much, which is fine for me as I typically run a cut down screen on my other bikes in the summer. I'd want a bigger screen in cooler weather.
Overall riding impression was very good, really enjoyed how the bike felt.
Bottom line, would I buy one? Right now, that's a qualified yes.
The big question for me is, do I want what this bike is?? I see it as the best (only??) true 50/50 bike on the market. Would I ride it across the country? Yes, with the caveat that I'd mostly stay off interstates. Would I ride it off-road? Yes, with the caveat that I'd stay off gnarly single-track. Do I think I'd really enjoy the bike in either scenario? Absolutely yes.
At the moment I have (among others) both a 650 V-Strom and a DR-Z400S. So in theory, I have both a better street bike and a better dual-sport/dirt bike than the Himi. But I can't ride them both on the same trip. There's also a 900 Tracer GT to cover the pure street end of things. So maybe the hot ticket would be to sell the DL and the DR-Z, buy the Himi, and then maybe get more of a dirt bike with plates if I get the urge to do that sort of riding.
Decisions, decisions...
TLDR: I like it!

The rest of the story:
Short ride, just 3-4 miles. Seat was in the low position, but still felt fine. (I'm 5'11", 32" inseam, 165lbs) Easy reach to the ground. Peg position is a little forward of perfect, but didn't bug me when I was paddling the bike backwards to leave. As noted by others, takes a bit of a heave to get the bike off the sidestand. An oddity, at least to me, the "start" button is actually the mode selector, starter is engaged by moving the red lever above it to the left. Different, but not a problem.
Clutch pull is nice and light, and the reach to the lever isn't too bad. My left hand is damaged from a crash, so an easy to reach/easy to pull clutch lever is a biggie. Clutch engagement point is wide and easy to feel. Transmission nicks into gear nicely, and up and down shifting are smooth and positive. The guy who rode it before me complained it didn't want to go into gear for him a couple of times, but I didn't feel that at all. He also had trouble finding the sidestand when he got off, so who knows...

Engine is great, as long as your expectations align with what's reasonable for a 400cc single. Good power, nice broad spread and pulls well up to almost redline. Compared to the Triumph 400 I rode a couple of months back it feels just very slightly slower, and not as revvy. I'm guessing the "power" difference is mostly down the greater weight of the Himi, and it being slower to rev out is a deliberate design decision, which makes sense for it's intended use. I did NOT think it had much vibration. Again, allowing for the fact that it's a single. But I don't think cruising at 70-75mph would be a problem at all.
Brakes are adequate, not super powerful, and not a big initial bite. But plenty to slow the bike in a hurry. Again, for the intended use this makes sense.
Didn't really get a chance to test handling and suspension, but no issues stood out. I'm picky about suspension, and on most bikes I immediately notice something amiss with springs and/or damping rates. Nothing jumped out at me on the Himi, which is good news.
Riding triangle felt really good, like a bike I could do a long day on. Seat also seemed fine. But it's hard to tell much on comfort issues until you've been on the bike a few hours.
The windscreen didn't do much, which is fine for me as I typically run a cut down screen on my other bikes in the summer. I'd want a bigger screen in cooler weather.
Overall riding impression was very good, really enjoyed how the bike felt.
Bottom line, would I buy one? Right now, that's a qualified yes.
The big question for me is, do I want what this bike is?? I see it as the best (only??) true 50/50 bike on the market. Would I ride it across the country? Yes, with the caveat that I'd mostly stay off interstates. Would I ride it off-road? Yes, with the caveat that I'd stay off gnarly single-track. Do I think I'd really enjoy the bike in either scenario? Absolutely yes.
At the moment I have (among others) both a 650 V-Strom and a DR-Z400S. So in theory, I have both a better street bike and a better dual-sport/dirt bike than the Himi. But I can't ride them both on the same trip. There's also a 900 Tracer GT to cover the pure street end of things. So maybe the hot ticket would be to sell the DL and the DR-Z, buy the Himi, and then maybe get more of a dirt bike with plates if I get the urge to do that sort of riding.
Decisions, decisions...
