Forum

[Graham43]

I am seriously thinking of buying a Himalayan 2019 Model so is there anyone who can put me off buying one? All I seem to read is that it is great bike for general use by a 'mature' biker not needing 'warp' speed but good for short and long distance touring mainly on road. Colour obviously a matter of 'taste' but ? Any comments?

[stinkwheel]

Ok. I'll bite. Just for the sake of argument.



Why would you get a himalayan when you could have a UCE 500 bullet for the same price? (or less, with the advent of the twins, are dealers going to be stuck with them?)



If you want a bike for "short and long distance touring mainly on road.". Surely it'll do more? 499cc vs 411cc; 27.2bhp vs 24.5bhp; 41.3ft/lb vs 32ft/lb (damn, you're losing a lot of torque there!).



I'm fairly certain a bullet will be a more comfortable machine for long distance road riding, although you may want a fly screen? Yes the himalayan has pannier racks fitted but is this a deal breaker? It's not hard to luggage-up a bullet and it doesn't have a high level exhaust in the way. I suppose one could argue about tyre choice in the relevant sizes. I know I'd rather have a 19" front than a 21" front on the road.



Not sure how the seat heights compare? Footpeg position seems more neutral on the bullet for a "mature" rider. As for the saddle...



What about that odd bit of offroad though? Well, I'd say how offroad are you going? Somewhere you couldn't take a bullet for a few miles? Because they are pretty capable on even very rough roads. I hired one on holiday recently and was pleasantly surprised by how well it handled what were effectively Portugese goat-tracks 2-up. Are you going to run out of ground clearance? You'd have to work pretty hard to.



Also nicer choice of colours?

[sofiaspin]

Bullet has 23bhp at the back wheel - when you add an open silencer, remove air injection and add free flow filter and a power commander. You also need the after market hosts VRP - vibration reduction plate. Seating position is like being in an upright traditional seat found in an ancient hotel on the South Coast. I like mine. As to the Himalayan - it is very high seat height and being rather short, that put me off completely. I also have a Continental GT and the prices on those are rather attractive just now....due to twins. And they will not be here much longer.

[rustygman]

If you are happy with the limitations in power and you have the money no reason not to buy. I agree with stinkwheel though, the UCE500 singles are going to be going cheap soon as they languish in the showrooms and might make a better alternative. Personally I prefer the torque of the 500 and some aluminium panniers and semi-knobbly tyres on an army green classic would make a nice little tourer. Not forgetting of course the rumours of a 650 twin himalayan for next year which may be worth holding out for. Decisions, decisions.

[Jack the Lad]

After 30000 miles I traded my Electra EFI for a Himalayan. Have since done 8500 miles and have no regrets. Performance and fuel economy are virtually identical. Comfort and handling are streets ahead. Himalayan has screen, rack and a great headlight out of the box - all extras on a 500. I really enjoyed my 500, but the Himalayan is the be5r bike.

[sofiaspin]

The Eli Bullet 500 has a flat torque curve so you get the same grunt though out the rev and gear range. A 650 Himalayan sounds interesting. I hope the next generation of Bullets goes up to 600cc - a single at that level and that configuration of bike for the Bullet would be a belter.

[Graham43]

Ooooh I do love this forum. Thank you all for your views.

[stinkwheel]

Of course, if you want a Himalayan, don't let any of the above put you off. You can find a reason not to have any bike. In fact, if one were being purely rational, we'd all be driving about in a Toyota Yaris because motorcycles are a contrary way of getting about the place. Enfields particularly so. Like I just spent enough to have bought a brand new Triumph sped twin on making a 2003 Indian bullet perform every bit as well as a 250 superdream did in the late 70's.

[Wayne]

Graham - Fact - The Bullet advertises 29 BHP - at the rear wheel - 20 BHP - Now, the Himlalayan for less money and giving away 90cc - advertised at 24BHP - at the rear wheel - 22BHP - with no vibrations. My wife has had hers ( which I ride whenever I can ! ) for nearly 2 years and we both absolutely love it. The bike handles like a dream and is much more comfortable than a Bullet, dont get me wrong - I love my Bullet as well but the Himalayan is just a very different bike and possibly cannot be compared to it.

[sofiaspin]

Agree with Wayne - except the Himalayan is as it is named - tall. If you are short - in my case %ft 7 inches and 28.5 inside leg - it is a free climb too far to haul myself up on the seat, let alone stop and dismount comfortably.