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A lack of power is perhaps the greatest bugbear of the Royal Enfield Himalayan . The average weight rider can be well impressed if one is able to achieve 100 kilometres per hour , keeping in mind you can ’ t have any luggage , and may often need to be naked , plus reliant on a strong tailwind or descent . But hey , speed isn ’ t everything , often slow is better , you get to experience the adventure and see more . Something you will get plenty of when trying to ascend even the slightest of hills . The solution , drop down a gear , then drop down again , and probably again … sooner or later you will find first gear .
Royal Enfield say the suspension of the Himalayan is some of the best in the sector , we say bullshit , the suspension was good when back in the day all a rider could hope for was something akin to a leaf spring and padded seat . Ride all day and you will have compression of the spine , bruised kidneys , and cracked teeth . Stand up and all your joints will hurt … oh , and the frame will crack .
Now push the negatives aside … the Royal Enfield Himalayan is a bike that can , and WILL , take you to places that other bikes won ’ t , or more to the point the owners won ’ t allow . As mentioned earlier the Himalayan is the bike that many tour companies turn to . You ’ ll see Himalayans on the highest peaks of the Himalayas , and if riding an older carburetted model , it ’ s not uncommon to
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