Hitchcocks Forum

I have been thinking about getting a new Himalayan. Looked at a lot of youtube reviews and reviews on this forum, so was excited to ride one. It has a stonking motor and excellent for riding around twisty Lancashire lanes and a short burst up the M6, so all very good. I did think that the front brake was a bit weak and the suspension hard but the biggest problem was I was too big for it. At 6' 2" my knees pressed against the front crash bars and the seat did not allow me to slide back. Pity I really liked the bike, however the real killer was when I rode home on my trials styled Electra X it was as good as the Himalayan with better brakes, comfortable (Hithcocks scrambler seat) and a great engine (until it self destructs as said endlessly on this forum) and it has more character and noise. So disappointed by £4000 better off!

The front brake on my Himalayan lacked feel ( although it always performed ok ) until I got to about 1,000 miles - its as good as anything now but I do understand what you mean. The other points you made are due to your height ! at 5' 8" mine fits like a glove, good job you had the chance to have a test ride, maybe the alleged soon to be announced 650 Twin Himalayan will suit you better ?

Thanks Wayne, I was disappointed that it didn't fit me. Incidentally I had the test ride with KJM Superbikes and they said they had not heard of the 650 version. The main importer is just a few miles away in Adlington, interesting.

I read somewhere the Himalayan 650 is work in progress.Slot the new 650 twins engine into the Himalayan frame perhaps.

I'm 6ft 1 and have done quite a few long day rides on my Himalayan. 4 hours non stop is fine, so bigger riders shouldn't be put off. If there is a bigger engined one it won't make the bike bigger. Also expect it to be a bigger version of the single, not the twin.

Unless I can modify a motorcycle to have a seat height of 27 inches or below I can't ride it safely.

I often regale people who claim to need a low seat height with the story of the young asian lass I saw at the Simmer Dim rally one year. She would have been about 4'11" and was riding a CCM supermoto. She couldn't touch the ground with either foot while sat on this bike. I followed her. She set off with a Mike Hailwood style racing start, standing on the left of the bike with her left foot on the peg, knocking the bike into gear, riding off with her legs crossed and right buttock on the saddle then swinging her right leg over the bike as she hooked second. At each junction, if she had to stop, she swung her leg over and got off the bike, standing next to it until she was ready to go again.

stinkwheel I am 70 years old and have osteo porosis and arthritus plus dodgy knees. I lost my ability to ride like Bill Ivy a long time ago.

I doubt very much that "Side saddle" would work on a Classic trial restart....

Nothing worse than feeling for the ground with your downslope foot and finding nothing but more and more fresh air... TIMBERRR!

I just bought a Himalayan. It was secondhand with just running in mileage but quite discounted from new. I'm very impressed with the bike. Can't think of much to find fault with and it must be one of the easiest bikes to ride, perfect for a learner or someone coming back to biking. I bought it to use as a daily hack and gentle green laner. The front brake seems fine for what it is, a trail bike. Yes my Ducati can stoppy using a single finger on the lever, but the Himalayan brakes safely and is adequate for the tyres and performance of the bike. Some reviews have said it is underpowered but that is all relative. It goes like a 500 Bullet but with no vibration. For a simple trail bike that is fast enough. Mine has an aftermarket performance silencer so sounds quite fruity too, in a legal kind of way. I have to say it is the best RE I have ridden yet. If RE continue like this then they will be taking a much bigger share of the motorcycle market.