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Tried a 2021 Himalayan yesterday

oldphart

Well travelled
I'm going to try and will let you know. My thinking is if I swing me left leg over quickly, it doesn't matter what the side stand does as I can then place my left foot on the ground, leaving my right foot on the peg and the bike upright. Since I am not placing weight directly on the side stand, but rather lightening the load on it from my right foot on the peg.
Are we expecting a report along the lines of...
 

dbhunter

Getting there...
I'm going to try and will let you know. My thinking is if I swing me left leg over quickly, it doesn't matter what the side stand does as I can then place my left foot on the ground, leaving my right foot on the peg and the bike upright. Since I am not placing weight directly on the side stand, but rather lightening the load on it from my right foot on the peg.
I am hoping that since you have not updated, that you survived the attempt. :rolleyes:
 
Actually it was easier than I thought it might be. With the bike on the side stand and the bars turned to the left, place your right foot on the right peg. As you put your weight on the right peg and begin standing, simultaneously swing your left leg over the seat. Its similar in a way to the technique described here, just stationary
 
The question came up as to whether using the left side puts too much stress on the side stand. I was just thinking that was putting a downforce of your weight in addition to the bike weight. So I wondered how it would work from the right side, where it would lessen the weight on the side stand as there would be an upward force on it. Now its a question of balance and knowing how your bike behaves, but I was able to do it. I often park my bike using the center stand so to me, either way works, and I also have tried the technique in the video I posted above. Use to have to run and bump start bikes a lot, so I'm used to jumping on, but those bikes were not as heavy as the Himalayan.
 
Good morning all. I pre-ordered a 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan a few weeks ago. Now, I have never seen one of these bikes in person, let alone sat on one, or ridden one. When I pre-ordered the bike, I was taking a leap of faith that I would like it based on reviews and YouTube videos of the bike. I am 6'2", so I was concerned that the bike was going to be too small for me, so I've worried about whether or not I made a good decision on the pre-order. However, RE said it was a refundable deposit, so I thought it was a good chance to take.

Well, yesterday, the dealership where I secured the bike had a Royal Enfield Demo Day. I cleared my Saturday morning and made my way up there. I got there just before they opened, but the sign up for a ride was already going on. I was the forth person in line to sign up. I asked if I could ride a Himalayan, for which they had two. I was given the go-ahead and I went to the bikes.

When I saw my very first Himalayan, I got a little excited, especially since one of the demos was the same color scheme (Rock Read) that I preordered, so I proceeded to the bike. However, my heart sank a little. Those bikes are so much smaller than I expected. I knew the seat height was going to be low, but I didn't think it had such a short wheelbase. Well, as soon as I started to look at the bike, the salesman that I arranged the pre-order with came out and we started to talk. I mentioned that I had brought my pre-order and deposit receipt with me just in case the bike didn't work out. He asked me to give the bike a try, take the ride, and let him know what I thought when I came back.

So, I sat on the bike, and, yeah, the bike felt pretty low. The seat was really soft, and felt like it sank down a couple of inches. I put one foot on the peg to make sure my knee didn't hit the tank crash bar, and I was about 1" away. That made me feel a bit better. The instrumentation looked really small, smaller than I expected. The mirrors seemed a little flimsy, but I know that had been mentioned in videos, so I already figured I'd replace them anyhow, IF I purchased the bike. Also, the seating position felt about the same as it did on my 1981 Honda GL500, which I sold 40-miles after restoring the bike as it made my hips and back hurt after just a couple of miles of riding. Not good, and my heart kept sinking.

Well, it was ride time. After a briefing on riding, where we're going, etc., I started up the bike, and got into formation. As we took off, and I was trying to get used to the bike, I was starting to notice the quarks. For example, I know when the bike wanted to shift as there would be a weird vibration whine coming from the instrument panel. So, once I heard that, shift. The throttle had a lot of travel in it. When I went to shift, I had to twist forward farther than I am used to. I got used to that pretty quickly. On the first right turn, I sort of felt like I was going to dump the bike as dual-sports tend to be top heavy. So, with this in mind, I took the turn a little wide, but then felt the bike firmly planted on the ground, with the center of gravity being much lower than I expected. As the ride went on, I started really enjoying the bike. I started to forget about the weird "I want to shift" vibration, I started to forget about the goofy throttle, I started to forget about the squishiness of the seat. I just really enjoyed a nice, relaxing ride. AND, most importantly, no aches or pains!

Well, we got back to the dealership. I parked the bike, turned it off, took off the helmet and just smiled. I felt good about the purchase. The salesman walked out to see if I needed my $500 deposit back, and I told him to keep it. I WILL take delivery of the bike when it arrives. We kept on talking for a few minutes after this when I realized I still hadn't dismounted the bike. I was truly feeling like the bike was right for me. Yes, it was small, it was quirky, it wasn't the fastest thing on two wheels, but it was extremely enjoyable.

Also, the folks from Royal Enfield were really cool. They let me ride an Intercepter 650 as well since it was still early and not many folks had shown up for the demos, and I got to talk to one of the reps who was really cool. So, I guess you all are stuck with me as I am most definitely a Royal Enfiled pre-owner :)

Thanks for reading,
Dan
[ I know when the bike wanted to shift as there would be a weird vibration whine coming from the instrument panel ]
Curious to know more about this as I haven't felt the same on my bike. At what rpms were you shifting when you felt this?
 

Roy Gavin

Well travelled
Where did you find an adjustable side stand?
I made mine myself, except for the welding which I had done by a coded welder, but if Hitchcocks stand was around I would have bought it.
Order a spare spring too, Hitchcocks now have ordering direct from the parts lists so it is easy.
As my post you might want to make a plain shank pivot bolt, if the thought of the stand pivoting on the threaded part doesn't appeal to you.
 
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grymsr

Well travelled
Location
Maine
I made mine myself, except for the welding which I had done by a coded welder, but if Hitchcocks stand was around I would have bought it.
Order a spare spring too, Hitchcocks now have ordering direct from the parts lists so it is easy.
As my post you might want to make a plain shank pivot bolt, if the thought of the stand pivoting on the threaded part doesn't appeal to you.
Got any pics?
 

Roy Gavin

Well travelled
You might notice a distinct lack of photos in my posts, I have neither a camera or the inclination to learn how to post the results.
But , simply, the stand was cut next to the spring peg and the heel loop
Then I bought a 200mm long 16mm 8.8 grade bolt which had the required thread length, and a couple of matching 8.8 grade nuts.
One nut was welded to the top half of the stand by a coded welder as it is part of a load bearing structure, the other nut slimmed down as a lock nut.
The head was removed from the bolt and it was cut to length and fixed in the lower portion of the stand.
I drilled through the stand and bolt and fixed it with a 5 mm bolt but a tack weld would probably suffice, if you have a welder.
Both halves of the stand needed cleaning out to take the 16 mm bolt, particularly the spring peg, so you might need some stones to hand.
Some have used 5/8 mild steel threaded rod , zinc or galv, apparently without any problems.
Choice is yours, but I am/ was a ticketed construction engineer/ supervisor so I have suggested a product the correct grade which welds easily, and that you have it welded by a pro to ensure good weld strength.
And galv is reputed to be shit to weld------!!
 

Jollyassassin

Getting there...
Location
UK
I am 70, in fairly good physical condition, but you still get stiff at my age. With the panniers mounted I struggle a little getting on and off. I saw videos of people mounting like you said, using the foot peg. My manual did state that the stand is only meant to support the weight of the bike and not to put other weight on it. I guess you are not having a problem so far. Wondering what everyone else's opinion on this is and is it safe?
Like many others have said. I also dismount by standing on the pegs with the side stand down. I have the panniers and couldn't do it any other way. Once off I put it onto the full stand. It's never been a problem and infact I didn't know that you shouldn't.
 

Glenallachie

Total noob
Location
Scotland
I have the exact opposite problem. I am only 5'7" with a 29" inseam. and most every motorcycle except for my Fatboy and the old school classic styles are too flippin tall for me...I have a 2021 Himmy and with the panniers I have to step on the left footpeg like getting on a horse..LOL

I have been riding motorcycles for over 50 years and can ride most anything, but I am really tired of modern bikes that are all too tall....WTH, I thought the average height for guys was about 5'9". I even looked at the GS310 before I bought the Himmy and it was taller..

That whining aside, I love the Himalayan even more so than my HD for other than highway traveling.
I too have a 2015 HD CVO softail and my Euro 5 Himalayan arrives to-morrow, Friday 02, 07, 2021. I am keeping the HD because of the 24 inch seat height. I bought a Honda VFR 1200 crosstourer, without road testing it! I didn`t realise that you needed to be a trapeze artist just to get on to it! Why the hell don`t manufactures realise that as people get older, they accumulate disposable income but get shorter as they get older! I am in a situation where I could buy almost any bike I have ever dreamed of but can`t find any to fit my inside leg size! I`m ranting on a bit. I`m looking foward to my Himalayan. I`m selling my Continental 650 with 210 miles on it, to a pal of mine. It was going to waste, not being used. I have bought panniers, top box and crash bars ready to go. I want to buy a sat nav mount for this RE but the Pro Mount does not fit it with the "Tripper" thingy. I could swap out the Zumo satnav somehow but I still need some mount or other. Any ideas? Stay safe all.
 

TominMO

Getting there...
Location
De Soto, MO
Actually it was easier than I thought it might be. With the bike on the side stand and the bars turned to the left, place your right foot on the right peg. As you put your weight on the right peg and begin standing, simultaneously swing your left leg over the seat. Its similar in a way to the technique described here, just stationary
Good video!

Just joined today and this is my first post. I'm 71 and looking to get back into motorcycles, after a hiatus of about 30 years. The Himalaya looks like a fun ride and has loads of character. I'm a decent shadetree mechanic, so tinkering will happen.

Watching the Youtube vids of I. Boots. Ms. Boots is currently in Namibia, where I lived and worked for a few months on temporary duty in the Army. (Did my 20, that was plenty for me. :) ) She has seen much more of the country than I got to! I was in Windhoek and got to Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, and a nice game preserve.
 
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