C90Club.co.uk

knapdog wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:05 am

Were any of you tempted to wait until they bring it out as a 650cc?

Like taking a Fireblade to race at a kart track ...

knapdog wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:05 am

Were any of you tempted to wait until they bring it out as a 650cc?

I think it'll be a bit longer than a year away. Also the 410 lump in the Himalayan is fast enough for me.I was attracted to it because its a thumper.

knapdog wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:05 am

Were any of you tempted to wait until they bring it out as a 650cc?

No. Personally I prefer something with one cylinder. I've had a couple of large traillies
, but never really got on with them. My last long distance bike was a modded 350 Bullet which chugged along at 45-50 mph all day, and was the most comfortable bike I've owned. It had a big tank which gave 300 miles+ without stops, and no numb bum. The Himalayan seat will need something done about it though. The ability to "stick things on" the Himalayan is great, as is the relatively low tech chassis. No USD forks and proper gaiters etc. Possibly a stiffer spring on the rear shock as well, and no shiny bits. We shall see. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm really enjoying watching Itchy Boots on YouTube. Her episodes are over 100 but I've gone right back to the start to follow her progress.
One of the things she talks about is wishing she had a bit more power on the open road but it's fine for the majority of roads she encounters in India.
I agree that you can't beat the thump of a single.
There was an interesting episode where she details the accessories she has fitted.

knapdog wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2019 7:44 pm

One of the things she talks about is wishing she had a bit more power on the open road but it's fine for the majority of roads she encounters in India.

When i used to go up to Applecross and Gairloch on my old Bullet, I always got there before my mates in their "multies" because I always did it in one hit, no fag breaks, coffee or fuel stops.

Hmmmmmm.

a chopper!!!
This was one of the first Indian home market bikes that got sold to a rental company that do trips up the mountaind. Its done big miles as a rental bike mostly off road. The newer UK bikes had a re designed frame. (Allegedly ).

knapdog wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:05 am

Were any of you tempted to wait until they bring it out as a 650cc?

Rumor mill, could be a bigger single coming.

Anyway, picked up mine yesterday, and did over 100 miles in a monsoon at the prescribed 60kph. Love it Only two things I don't like. The front brake requires the whole hand to stop it quick, and it's an absolute #π××## to clean. I've never had a bike with so many muck collecting crevices in difficult places. Took it out early this morning on some really twisty unclassified roads and the handling is really superb considering it is deemed to be such a basic bike. It also needs something to stop all the crud getting flung onto the rear shock as well.
Running slow it looks like I'll get over 200 miles out of a tank. Compared with the Japanese traillies I've owned the long stroke motor is very noticeable, and welcome. It does clatter a bit though.

I found the clatter eases with more miles.

Well I've seen a few of the Itchy Boots videos and fair play, the Himalayan is performing very well for her.
The only problem I have, and I haven't seen one in the flesh, is that I see it as a tad ugly, but there again I see all adventure bikes as ugly.
I think it's the "beaks" on the front.
However, I'm still looking forward to coming across a Himalayan ( with the emphasis on the first sylleble) and sitting on one.