Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

Yes man ... Sorry that was a mistake !!![emoji52][emoji52]

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

No need to apologise. I do make many mistakes while typing. Just chillax.

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

Well said!!

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

Guys so is it a major issue if we buy the bike now later on due to the rule the bike gets banned or something... Quite worriedt

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

The rule is to make sure manufactures and showrooms are selling bikes equipped ABS/C-ABS, FI , always ON headlight etc..
I do not think the rule will affect customers who got the bike or getting this bike for at least next 10-15 years (Unless only if Govt comes with a rule to ban these vehicles on the road.)

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

After little disappointment in engine performance department in first test ride, I took couple of consecutive test rides. And this time little unbiased. Two rides very short (>1Km) while other was quite comprehensive. There was an open plot nearby which was perfect to check off-road manners, there were open smooth tarmac stretches with short patches of broken tarmac, and only dirt as well. It was hot afternoon, there was hardly anyone on the road (and at dealer’s location to test ride the bike) and I spent good 25 mins on saddle to understand the bike. The good thing – Dealer did not go crazy although his bike was missing for 25 mins since I had kept my valuables and an ID cards with him. Thanks to him for allowing me solo ride and help me making my decision.

I will not say anything about chassis, suspension, breaks, handling, comfort etc. because by this time, everyone knows what the bike is all about. But I’ll talk little more about engine, which I feel I must address being Duke 200 owner. Well its not as smooth as Japanese counterparts. I did notice missed shifts between 1-N-2, Vibrations kick in post 5K rpm. Did not notice any clattering.

Note - Below views are my views - from a D200 owner's perspective who likes to spend time away from tarmac.


So how is the bike?
Quick answer – Great Enough to pump adrenaline when off road!! But not for bulleteer thumpers! Definitely not for KTM street fighter lovers.


First thing first - You take Himalayan offroad, stand on the bike and aaahhaa! what a feeling and what a great handling. You bring it back to tarmac, and the comparison with D200 motor kicks in. No matter how I keep my mind unbiased, this factor lurks in back of the mind. I like to rev.... short stroke high revving engine.... especially when on tarmac. You take the bike again to offroad and then you start noticing the factors where D200 really struggles to sustain. I again instruct my mind, do not compare an apple to a coconut. But when you complete the ride and hit back the busy traffic roads, you feel underpowered. Well the reason that I see is not power output that Himalayan makes. Its my biased view towards frenetic KTM motor. I'm used to it (and R15) for past 4, 4.5 years.

As RE said (and they said it right) - you rev the KTM high to produce more power and torque and you don't have to rev Himalayan at all to produce the torque. Its there...always. That's the big difference. Torque is what you experience and need in the real world. Power also comes in at much lower RPM range so you have more usable power under normal ridding conditions.

I agree and this is how the engine exactly behaves. This is not short stroke motor that you rev hard every time you hop on the saddle. And you don't want to rev high when you are not on road. I've taken my D200 to unknown places many times, and I must admit it feels hostile. Primary reason is not low torque that D200 produces, but it’s the chassis, suspension and stock MRF that make it feel hostile. Engine torque comes next. I thought of changing stock MRFs to hard compound CEAT offroaders but you can’t keep on changing tires only for weekend rides. You need good on-road sticky tires for daily commuting in city. That being said, I like CEAT dual purpose on Himalayan.


Well now to summarize, quick rapid fire round. I asked many questions to myself and all answers came out pretty easy.

Describe Himalayan in one statement? - Not true off roader, it is trail adventure bike with decent on-road manners.
Describe D200 in one statement? - Awesome as long as you are on road!!

How does Himalayan fit your needs? - Perfect! I need a simple bike for short rides which can take me to nearby weekend gateways where tarmac is almost non-existent (sometimes even with my daughter as pillion).

Will you trade D200 for Himalayan? - If I have Vitamin M, I won't. Else yes.

What? Why? How can you trade D200 for Himalayan? - Simple. I can trade High Revving Nirvana and for Himalayan's handling, chassis and off road manners. Off - road brings more smile on my face than on-road high revving nirvana or high speed highway blasts.

Would you wait for ABS and FI variant? - NO. I don't know when it will come or if it will ever come. For so many years I've been riding Non ABS machines and personally I've no problem at all. ABS addition would be welcome though. As far as FI is concerned, I agree it is easy and hassle-free and fueling is spot on. But having reviewed experiences of RE FI Motorcycle owners, I would be happy with Carb variant. Simple RE machine would be the best. Atleast tuning department will be in my hand and I'll have no fear full stop the trip somewhere in the middle of nowhere just because fuel pump has decided to go dumb. Go and ask those RE owners who have been through this pain.

D390 is still VFM product that you should think - Absolutely YES. It is actually a bargain. Slipper Clutch, ABS, Metz tires, Frenetic Motor and Output, Dynamic Cornering fun and what not? That too just over 2L? Crazy. But coming from D200 background and considering my love for dirt trails, I need something else which is easy on pocket and has adventure stance associated with. I can't think of taking D390 to the places where I've been on D200. I do not wish to punish her. Moreover we all know about 2017 KTM line-up. So if I need D390, I will wait for 2017 variants.

Why don't you wait for KTM Adventure 390? - I need simple, uncomplicated motorcycle which I can fix on my own or with the help of road side mechanic with JUGADU techniques. I do not wish to do it with any KTM. I’ll opt for KTM anytime over RE provided they give me such a simple motorcycle for trail rides. No electronics, no special tools for inspection and fixing. I don’t think Adventure 390 will be that simple. Many times, I ride alone somewhere off road and I don’t want to see my companion in trouble only because I don’t have special tools to inspect and fix and I need to rely on Service centre guys to pick up the vehicle.

Do you really think KTM will put me in trouble? – No definitely not. But I can put her in serious trouble. I’m off road novice and often seen myself in gravels on some dirt trails. It has taken considerable toll on my Duke 200 and my pocket (although I was intact). I defiantly require non intimidating motorcycle. 24.5 HP is enough for my needs.

Do you trust RE Quality? – I trust Himalayan quality. Don’t know about overall RE quality. Though I used to be hardcore RE hater, my perception has been changed post GT Continental launch. I go with RE’s statement – ‘Honest Design Philosophy’ and this is what I’ve experienced on test ride. Simplicity at its best. Sometimes, you trust the product although you don’t know the brand.

Do you know after sales is pathetic? – Yes I know. That’s why I expect the simplest product from RE. Something that even my trusted road side mechanic can handle if I get him genuine RE spares.

Do you really think it is an upgrade for D200? Even RE has stated that it is a perfect upgrade for people owning 100, 150cc motorcycles – Yes. And No. RE has also stated that this is also for some serious riders. I’m upgrading from D200 in offroad handling department, cubic capacity and torque and downgrading on road handling department. Well I put it other way. Its not an upgrade. I’m migrating from one platform to other in order to justify my needs.

Having said that I would go with Himalayan now, but over a period of time I would like to add with something decent 600cc + street fighter to my stable as well (Sorry, but KTM hangover is everlasting). I sincerely feel that our market is yet get mature for middle weights (or I don't have money to buy one). I am ready to wait for next 5 years. Although RE says that this can be your only bike... I disagree. It is not the best for city (no idea about highway manners) but yes, It is good. Really good.

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...-global-heavyweights/articleshow/51556788.cms

RE to launch 600-650cc twin Cylinder bike next year. New Classic & Thunderbird models also in pipeline.

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

http://overdrive.in/news/royal-enfield-himalayan-to-be-sold-without-the-centre-stand-in-india/

Latest update: Royal Enfield Himalayan to be sold without the centre stand in India

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

Does anyone know expected mileage? In short "kitna degi ?" Lol. I'm serious, though.

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

Just to annotate RE's statement further -


We have tendency to just mention the power outputs but do we really care about power output at what RPM? There is a nice criticism (including me in the list) on Himalayan’s 24.5 horses, but having reviewed Torque and Power Curves of D390 (floating on internet) against Himalayan figures, I’m impressed with what RE has stated.
Let’s have a quick look at D390s Performance Curve (based on data available on internet) in usable range. I consider 2000 RPM to 5500 RPM as usable range under city conditions and 2000 to 4000 under off road / trail conditions.

I’ve not seen Himalayan Torque curve, but they say it is flat torque between 2000 to 4500 RPM meaning we have ~ 32 NM Torque throughout this range where D390 delivers only 22NM to 25 NM.
As far as power is concerned, again I don’t know the power curve of the Himalayan, but we have 24.5 Horses at 6500 RPM. Not sure about what exactly happens between 2000 to 6500 RPM but assuming the Power output is liner, we can still have a match with D390 (just few horses below D390).

Beyond 6500 RPM, Power shoots up for D390 while Himalayan has no rev range beyond 7000 RPM (and you already have vibrations kicked in by 6000 RPM ).
D390 delivers Max 35NM of Torque at 7250 RPM which is beyond usable range of Himalayan.

So to conclude,
Himalayan really excels in Torque delivery within usable range when compared to D390.
Himalayan runs almost parallel for Power output within usable range when compared to D390.

Being short stroke, D390’s frenetic motor is designed to operate much beyond usable RPM range of Himalayan.
Obliviously Himalayan won’t have good highway manners as that of D390 since all you can achieve even on the open smooth tarmac is till 6500 RPM only. RE have claimed top speed of 130 KMPH. Within usable RPM range it should do 90-105 KMPH comfortably. Well again I’m not High Speed junkie, so this is enough for me.

I’ve not brought D200 in comparison here as both Power and Torque outputs (25 PS @ 10000 RPM and 19 NM @ 8000 RPM) will be much lesser in usable range than Himalayan I assume.
But not to forget both KTMs are much quicker in acceleration despite low torque in usable range and RPM builds up pretty rapidly while Himalayan is really sluggish which makes it feel underpowered. The primary reason should be 182 KG weight of the Himalayan. Dukes are featherweights.

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

After so long irritating waiting, Himalayan arrived Trivandrum showroom today (in Kerala). I think its the first showroom bike in Kerala. I sold my Duke 200 after 'valentines day' for an upgrade and booked Himalayan right away and was promised delivery of the first bike they get. At that time the bike just launched and no details regarding delivery was available. Now after all these days in which reviews have piled internet I will be test riding the bike tomorrow.
Thank God

Actually I booked Himalayan from two showrooms just to get it ASAP :-D But now when the delivery period is said as 3 months I may go for Duke 390. I was a proud owner of Duke 200 for the past four years and didnt consider 390 at first because of the 'got used to' type design of the Duke. I test rode the classic500 and that is when i fell in love with RE. After the dealership ride, the showroom guys where so excited about Himalayan and when I asked how it compares with the torque of classic500 they where of the opinion Himalayan is any day better.
Anyway will test ride tomorrow

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

Which showroom in Trivandrum is offering test rides?

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

Trivandrum Concept near Al-uthman school, Kazhakootam

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

C500 definitely produces more toque but vibrations too.

Re: Royal Enfield Himalayan Launched at Rs 178872/- On Road Mumbai!

The Royal Enfield Himalayan to be now available in Delhi with a price tag of Rs 173676 On Road.