Looking across to the snow capped alpine mountains seen from the back seat of a motorcycle

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Royal Enfield Himalayan Test Ride Review

Ride Date - 13 January 2018

By Ren Withnell

The Royal Enfield Himalayan in a motorcycle ShowroomPurposeful as opposed to pretty.

I've already declared my interest in the Himalayan - A Look At The Himalayan. While meeting with friends at Millenium Motorcycles one of the Himalayans was parked outside declaring itself to be a demonstrator and to ask inside for details. I did and I've ridden it. Here's my thoughts.

The kindly salesperson takes a moment to show me around the controls but she needn't have bothered - the switchgear looks like it was made in the same factory as Honda. There are no "modes", no "screen options" or any settings at all. If you like gadgets then you're already on the wrong bike. Well actually...maybe not? On the dash there's a peculiar little dial showing "NE". I'll keep an eye on this.

The engine starts easily and the noise from the motor reminds me not of Japanese sewing machines with delicately and precisely tuned exhaust notes. No, this makes me think of 1980's BMW boxers, Guzzis and even Eastern Bloc Urals and Cossacks. It's more hollow, metallic and mechanical. 

The lower part of the engine is big and bulky
It sounds old school and agricultural - but is it?

I set off and everything is exactly as it should be, I had expected it to feel a little unrefined and agricultural. While the engine noise is not familiar the operation of all the controls are smooth, easy, expected, predictable and friendly. The clutch engages like any other, the gearbox is an ideal balance between Honda's "Clunk but it's in there" and Suzuki's "Snick but did it engage?"

Through the housing estate I am immediately at home, I like this bike already.

At 191kg a lot of people have said that it's blooming heavy for a 410cc bike. It's only 5kg lighter than my CB500X and that's a lard ass. While this is scientifically correct it *feels* lighter, slimmer and more man-handle-able than my 500, it feels more like a solid 250. Around town it is a peach to ride with excellent balance, smooth controls and effective brakes.

The rear brake on the Himalayan is marked Byrbe
I have no idea who BYRBE are - but the brakes work just fine.

Out in the countryside - well - despite it being a dual purpose on-off roader at 60mph through some high speed bends it is a little less at home than my 500. I'm not scared or even concerned but it's not as planted and sure footed. In the real world you can't have everything, those fat road tyres on my 500 are better at high speeds but blooming useless on anything other than dry gravel. 

Nor is the power there. At lower speeds despite having more torque than Sharon's 250 is doesn't respond to the throttle sharply, it gains momentum rather than squirts you forwards. On the motorway 60mph is fine, 70 feels like we're pushing it a bit. The redline is a lowly 6,500 rpm and at 70 we're already around the 5,750 mark. 

I am not an off-roader, nor do I know of any tracks to ride the Himalayan along around here. The best I can do is potter across a pot-holed and gravel strewn car park while stood on the pegs. For myself at 5 feet 8 or so inches standing on the pegs is fine and I sense that it is happy on rough stuff, happier than my 500. It feels less twitchy and more at home on this kind of surface.

The peculiar dial on the clocks is a compass. "NE" is North East, "S" is South and you can work out the rest. I'm not at all convinced about it's accuracy though. There's also an ambient temperature guage on the dash. Today it's showing 19 degrees. If that's Fahrenheit then I ought to be hypothermic, if that's Celsius then I ought to be sweating. I'm not sure of the accuracy here too.

So what's my opinion?

It is a great bike and I like it a lot. It is easy to ride, as refined as any Japanese bike, it has good luggage potential, it's comfortable and I enjoyed riding it. But...

I am used to commuting and sometimes even touring on a 125. For my self riding along a motorway at 60mph is relaxing, pleasurable and serene. The thing is nearly all of the other motorcyclists I know would pull faces and grumble at this pace - Sharon included. While the Enfield is capable of 70mph and more it feel happiest at 60 or so. If speed is your thing then you're on the wrong bike.

This bike is ideal for proper, real exploring. It's best at going down that lane to see where it leads to and weaving around city traffic looking to find interesting markets, cafes and bazarres. It is ideal for riding along at sensible speeds taking in the scenery. As far as I'm concerned this a bike for adventure riders who want to see, explore, indulge and immerse themselves in a place and not whizz through it.

If I were stood in Ulaanbaatar with 12 months to spare and the opportunity to travel the Steppe, the 'Stans, the cities, the mountains, the countryside and the people then I would choose the Himalayan over my 500 for sure. I'm not quite so sure I'd swap my 500 for the Himalayan here in Blighty where motorways and tarmac are king, cities all look the same and dirt roads are mostly off limits.

Think old but very well maintained Land Rover Defender versus Kia Sportage.

All the above comes with one big proviso. The Enfield needs to prove itself to be both reliable and economical. 


We'd be happy to share your reviews on the Enfield or any other motorcycles on Bikes And Travels. Send them to ren@bikesandtravels.com

Reader's Comments

Daf said :-
Wow. Interesting write-up; looks promising. I'm a bit horrified about the cruising speed and low redline. It sounds like they could have done with slightly taller gearing to absorb the torque from the long-stroke engine. I'm used to low redlines - I have a Harley which redlines about the 5500 rpm mark. But the gearing is tall enough to make it useful.

I wonder if a Himalayan 650 based on the new twin will be more applicable for as an adventure bike for Britain?
18/01/2018 13:32:25 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I have heard a rumour that the new 650 twin motor will be shoe-horned into the Himalayan.

I don't know how I feel about this. I personally object to the notion that we need big speed here in the UK or anywhere else but then having the 500 I also understand that it's nice to have. I guess if they stick the 650 motor in people can make their own choice.
18/01/2018 14:18:50 UTC
Pete J said :-
BE-YOND REASONABLE BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS
OF COURSE .
18/01/2018 15:27:03 UTC
said :-
The BYBRE brakes are the one that are fitted to the BMW G310R (also made in India) and I think that they are made in India by BREMBO.
19/01/2018 15:23:15 UTC
Bob said :-
I've just ridden one too!
I loved it - it was comfortable, flexible and smooth.
On the dual carriageway it was 60-65MPH as a cruising speed and it felt like it would do that all day. In traffic the engine made good torque for the traffic light drag strip, it was necessary to re-calibrate my brain a little because the rev range of the engine is so low. It'll thump along at under 3K RPM in top gear and accelerate smoothly from there.
The gearchange was good, suspension soft but not wallowing and the brakes were fine as they felt like they were in balance with the rest of the machine - it's a gentle bike and it likes to be ridden gently.
I thought the build quality looked good, in fact the only complaint I can raise is the the screen was a little too low and caused buffeting of my head.
All in I think it's stunning value for £4K and is on my list of bikes to consider next time.
19/01/2018 17:01:07 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Thanks for the info regarding BYBRE brakes - who ever you are.

Bob - I'm really glad you liked the bike! I was expecting you to have some firm words about the weight of the bike considering your recent love affair with the Kwakker 250. It is a fine thing to ride, everything looks, feels and works as it should.

I have my reservations regarding longevity but it may prove to be a "good un". Let's face it it's hardly in a stressed high state of tune. I'll be interested to see the fuel economy too.
20/01/2018 13:01:01 UTC
Mike said :-
I have been waiting for its release for a while. I took it out for a morning courtesy of qb motorcycles, the wife went pillion for a while and we were both really happy. Deposit down for an end of march delivery. This will be an ideal commuter and daytrip hack!

Demo ride on the himalayan
24/01/2018 20:42:17 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Great news Mike! I'd really like to hear how you get on with the bike particularly over the long term. It's one thing to ride a motorcycle around the local area for an hour it's another thing entirely to rack up miles.
25/01/2018 10:26:45 UTC
Bob said :-
Yes, please do let us know how you get on with it.
I have seen reports of engine troubles but I'm convinced that's down to owner abuse. The long stroke engine is a peach IMO, but I'm sure that if you took one and tought you'd sit on the motorway at over 5000RPM all day you'd be in for trouble, ride it how it wants to be ridden and I don't think there'll be any issues.
I really did enjoy my test ride on the Himalayan. I don't buy new bikes but I might end up with one of these in a couple of years.....
25/01/2018 11:41:33 UTC
David B said. said :-
Waited from last May 2017 when I took my EFI in for part exchange for a Himalayan and got it March 2018. Am I happy yes very much. I have run it in at below 4000 revs and had the first service at 3500mls. It felt very tight at first but as the miles piled up the engine felt very usable and free reving. The clutch and gear box are a solid shift but smooth in action but I find first gear slightly tall for town work. I find it very comfortable to ride with the soft seat and wide bars at the right height and the foot peg position makes the seating position very comfey for my 5ft 8in. I do find it a problem getting astride the bike with the ali panniers but I just get a foot on the left foot peg and swing my leg over and its totally stable on the side stand and a centre stand comes with the package and is very easy to roll the bike on.. I have used it on all types of roads including Motorways and have found it happy cruising down the Motorway at 65-70 and can overtake the lorries with no problem going up to 70-75. The handling is near as good as my CBF 1000 and have complete confidence swinging around wet roundabouts even with the on/off road tyres.
09/04/2018 16:36:59 UTC
David B said. said :-
Continued from above. Service should read 350 mls. I have now covered 580mls and nothing has come loose or fallen off. The bike is very stable at speed but the screen could be a little higher. My thoughts at the moment well worth the money but dont look at one if you want to tear around these are comfortable smooth running pleasurable bikes to ride and with 80 MPG what more could you want for £4199.OTR
09/04/2018 16:47:29 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
It is really really great to hear from owners and I'm glad your enjoying the Enfield. This could cause a shift in the whole market because the price is at the opposite end of the spectrum from BMW. Cheers.
09/04/2018 16:58:33 UTC
Rod said :-
Ren, I think this could be the competitor, not BMW.

Suzuki 250 V Strom.
09/04/2018 20:45:21 UTC
Henrik said :-
I agree so much with Rod :-)

Cool how the zuma-engine is used once again in thier 2 latest 2018 bikes, promissing for longivity in spares
10/04/2018 07:32:09 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I did not mean the BMW was a competitor - I mean that the Enfield is poles apart from the big BMWs. Adventure bikes have been getting bigger and more powerful and indeed more expensive. Then along comes Enfield with an less powerful and better priced machine. If the Enfield proves to be a big seller it will affect the whole market. Maybe we'll see fewer big sill models and more sensible real world models.

The Strom 250 and the Enfield - hmmmm. I see the Enfield as being more dual-sport and off road capable. I'd be interested to see what off road skills the Strom has.
10/04/2018 08:44:15 UTC
Rod said :-
Sorry Ren, I thought you were saying that with the lower price of the Enfield, the BMW riders would be looking at changing to an Enfield.

How many Adventure bike riders actually take their bikes off road?, and if they do how many use the full potential?
10/04/2018 10:12:54 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
It's another one of those personal things Rod. While I myself will take in a few farm tracks and the odd trail I'm certainly no bona fide off roader type. However I know quite a few adventure bike owners who do go quite seriously off road.

So as ever it'll be horses for courses.
10/04/2018 10:32:50 UTC
Henrik said :-
None of the new "adventures" are off-road, but some are very decent travel-machine, some with bigger tanks, and better position etc.

The only one that comes near something off-road is CRF250, and only very very partly.

Its all style and wannabe

DL250 strom and the Royal Enfield are 100 pct road-travellers also IMHO

Their weight versus power being much on par as far as I remember, so maybe an analogy is not that far out

Himalayan is not available directly in DK, some of the others in same range are though, and the pricing is terrible, like 70-80 pct more than the little v-strom, (being already to expensive imho).

I dont believe they will sell any Himalayan here, and thats likely why we dont see them at stock at all in the first place.

Not even the import believes in it, so to say
10/04/2018 10:46:08 UTC
Borsuk said :-
Just picked this up yesterday.
Only done 170 km on it so far, thats the distance from the dealers to home. Max speed of 60 kph while running it in, so was quite a long ride home. The knoblies feel pretty good on the road,, I wasn't too sure what to expect and she was handling well once I got into the mountains and the tyres were scrubbed in. I asked the dealer where the fuse box was in case something blew on the way home, he showed me and his mechanic showed me which fuse disabled the ABS.
When I bring her in for her service first which will be in November they will fit a switch to the circuit so the fuse doesn't need to be pulled and also a power socket and the panniers.
I had brushguards fitted by them as well, I contemplated fitting Ren's custom ones but that could lead to problems later with ITV inspections. They actually list them on the registration certificate as part of the OEM supplied equipment, they reduce the steering lock by a bit as the clash with the fly screen before you reach full lock. Might have to do a bit of alteration there as you can,t get the steering lock on. That may have just been me as it was the back of midnight when I got home.
The dipped beam is great, a good clean bright beam, the main beam is frankly pants. The edges of the beam are bright but there's nothing in the middle. I think I will be adding a couple of spotlights to fill in the missing bits. The headlight being attached to the chassis instead of the forks will take a bit of getting used to. Not had a bike like that before, it was a bit disconcerting the lights not following the wheels at low speeds.
See how she goes once I get more accustomed to her.

Meet Tensing.  Taken at the local dam on the way home.
28/09/2018 07:55:00 UTC
Borsuk said :-



28/09/2018 08:01:40 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Cor blimey! You've only gone n done it. Fabulous. I do hope you'll keep us appraised of your experiences with the machine.

In fact I think after a year's time you'll have to do an owner's review.

Enjoy. I'm not envious. Not at all. No.
28/09/2018 09:20:15 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Looks good, and I look forward to hearing about your experiences with it.
28/09/2018 10:51:10 UTC
Upt'North said :-
Borsuk, looks tasty.
Interesting point on the headlight, can't remember the last time I rode a bike where the headlight wasn't fastened to the chassis/fairing though.
With regards the ABS fuse. Why the need to know its whereabouts, are you going to disconnect for off riding perhaps?
Enjoy it.
Upt'North.
28/09/2018 12:22:21 UTC
Borsuk said :-
Thanks chasps.

I had heard that when off-roading the ABS tended to be over sensitive on loose ground resulting in your brakes being erratic to say the least. I was only interested in where the fuses were in case some thing went bang on my way home; this was probably prompted in my brain by an LED light bulb in the house going fizz that morning followed by pop and smoke issuing out of the side of the bulb body, but it must be a normal thing to do for those who have the Himalayan as the mechanic showed me where they normally fit the switch. The temporary tool kit I had assembled for bringing the bike home contains a handful of fuses, a couple of led torches and paracord to rig temp lights with just in case.
I am looking forward to exploring the various tracks in the area and those further afield, it was one of the reasons I got the quad but it spends most of its time with a trailer attached working for its living.

28/09/2018 17:39:15 UTC
Tony said :-
Looking forward to reading Borsuk's further remarks on the Himalayan. Some peopel have said that it is better finished than the earlier Enfield bikes.
31/10/2018 20:56:09 UTC
Borsuk said :-
Greetings Tony.

Once I get her run in and settled down I'll give progress reports. The build quality seems fine, paint job looks good quality and the chrome looks decently laid on. Took her along the track to my mother in-laws before I went back to work and the handling and fuelling seemed fine. Not done any 2 wheeled off road before so I need to get used to the way they handle before I can really comment on her handling. Being a short arse which is a couple of inches taller than a hobbit the bike is tight on my comfort limit as far as putting both feet on the ground, I can get the balls of my feet touching but not the heels. But sitting on it is great, it's almost the perfect height for me and when standing on the pegs when off road I am straight backed with my arms comfortably holding the grips. The instruments are clear and the fly screen seems quite effective, I wasn't picking them out of my teeth as I had expected by the time I got home. Looking through or past it will take some getting used to, there's quite a bit of refraction going on if you look through it then over it. But like the fixed headlight that will be something that will become normal after a while. I assume it will eventually become as normal as switching from one car to another, after a few minutes your brain engages the right mode.
All the spokes were tight when I got it, the mechanics were just finishing checking and cleaning it when I arrived to collect it. It will be getting its 500 km service a few days after I get home. I only need to put another 80 or so on the clock and by the time I drive it back to the dealer she should be there. I'm going to have to rename the bike. I'm an all machines are female type and calling my bike after a man is confusing me. And yes I am one of those sad beggars that names their cars and bikes. Most of my ships were called the same thing but not a name I can use in a family orientated blog. ;)
01/11/2018 01:46:14 UTC
Borsuk said :-
I brought Tensing home yesterday from the RE dealer after his 500 km service so now I can drive at the heady speed of 80 kph now till 2000 miles is reached. The roads were dry coming home after 3 days of rain, Sharon must have been thinking of somewhere else for a while so I came up the southern route to my village which doesn't have the same amount of gorges cutting under the road like my usual route so no prefabbed bridges with metal connector strips right in the middle of the entrance and exits bends. Very few of the bridges have straight access routes and the strips are mostly 1/3 of the way around a 180 - 270 degree switchback. The tyres really don't like them and both front and back wheels twitch going over them when leaned over. It's a case of lean into the bend, flick upright before the strip, lean over again when passed then do it at the other end when you get there.
The southern route has none and I must admit the Pirelli's stick like glue to the tarmac, surprising for 50/50 ish nobblies, at least for me it was. I was leaning into the bends a lot further than I though or ever have before and at one point felt a strange vibration on my right foot then realised my boot edge was skimming the ground. The bike was moving easily and for most of the time was in 4th, the engine was pulling steadily despite the gradient and only a couple of times I had to dip into 3rd when it got a bit more extreme. The torque of the engine at these speeds is great and he just keeps on pulling without the engine screaming it's head off, I don't think I exceeded 4000 revs at any point as that's my max till L complete the running in period. There are very few gradient warning signs around here as a 10% is considered flat and most of the hills are between 20-40%. I think I have made the right choice of bike for where I live, the number of adventure / multi sports bikes available to a short legged near hobbit with a bad back is very limited. I will never be able to ride any of the GS's bigger than the 310 due to the size, same goes for the Kawa, Honda and Suzuki equivalents, I tried sitting on an Africa Twin and needed oxygen and had a nose bleed due to the altitude.
As for the 310 and the V-Strom 250 I much prefer the engine to put its grunt out at 2-3 thousand revs rather than screaming everywhere at the top end.

As I get more miles in I'll report on the reliability and running costs. Presently getting around 84 to the gallon.


On a side note, as I am riding mostly on my own when at home I use the Eatsleepride app as it gives a crash detection feature using my phone which contacts up to 3 people for the sum of 15 pounds a year. It's not as good as the Real Rider app which contacts the emergence services directly but it does work anywhere you you have a data connection to the phone, not just the UK and Canada.
The ESR app also allows the ride to be recorded so you can sit at home and see where you were being sillier than usual during your ride.

From the coast to the Sierra Nevada foothills.
23/11/2018 12:33:52 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
OH Borsuk - you are making me green with envy.

I'm really chuffed to hear you're enjoying the Himalayan. I think, looking at the squiggles on your map you've got the right bike. I'm just wishing I was there on my 500 to ride those fabulous roads and to compare both bikes side by side.

Keep the good information coming Borsuk!
24/11/2018 10:41:07 UTC
Borsuk said :-
Ren.

Don't be envious. It's hell living here with a national park full of tracks to the north, miles of open land in the 3 other directions covered in tracks and 3 of the 4 roads into the area full of bends. Also the traffic jams, do you know we sometimes have 4 cars going in the same direction within a a 500m stretch of the road.
Absolute hell. Every day I weep due to the horrors of it all.




Adventure Bike Country.
24/11/2018 15:34:58 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
JUST YOU WAIT BOY!! I'll get you...
24/11/2018 18:22:37 UTC
Borsuk said :-
Honestly Ren.


I am not trying to make you jealous.

https://www.eatsleepride.com/c/285692/southern_spain

This mornings ride.I'm trying to finish running him in before I head back to work.
25/11/2018 18:06:45 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Yeah, like hell you're not!!
25/11/2018 18:29:45 UTC
Rick said :-
Just ordered one after a test ride.
I agree with Bob, it has a noisy screen. The seat's too soft and there's not much power. It's for a relaxed trundle down the road, at legal speeds that took some time to achieve.
Yet it seems fine and is somehow highly enjoyable.
NB there's been a constant queue for the demonstrator and the dealer (Suzuki &Honda, now also RE) says it's been the most popular demo bike he's ever had. Low price and something different.
23/02/2019 18:40:20 UTC
Borsuk said :-
Read a French owners blog, the noise is from the headlight unit, the lens and outer casing has a bit of a gap. If you take the lens off and wrap the edge with insulating tape it kills the noise.


https://motohimalayan.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/bruit-de-vibrations-a-lavant-de-l...
23/02/2019 22:31:43 UTC
Henrik said :-
Still on Inazuma 250 :-)

Was at MC exhibition yestourday, and checked out all the segment: DL250, Versys-X, GS310, CRF250L, Himalayan, CB500X 2019, Benelli 502 X ,.. and the new SWM 650 Dual

Pros and cons all the way, nothing that realy did hit me,..

Most likely I will just continue with the Zuma, it gets the job done, well,..

Maybe I will even continue on a similar enginned DL250 in a few years time when a offer comes, better sized, and with a 18L tank default,.. big plus

Big tank default, and low consumption, is very important on my trips in Norway, I don't subscribe to extra fuel-cans, frequent re-fueling, an being forced to plan my route alongside tank-stations, actually when I drive its to flee civilization and get as far out as possible :-)

On the Himalayean, I dit sit well, size ok, perhaps a little to small, it feels very swift and easy, despite the weight is actually to high, just like the DL250, the impression of general quality and finish didn't make me feel save, and on a Japanese level of reliability,.. I don't feel like being test-rabbit,.. and the tank versus fuel-economy doesn't meet my specs

So even though I like it "somehow" it would never be something for me to consider seriously

But look forward to follow this blog
24/02/2019 13:18:27 UTC
Henrik said :-
Waiting for the ferry :-)
24/02/2019 13:21:23 UTC
Henrik said :-
Ahh, picture upload not working, see you,..
24/02/2019 13:22:11 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I take it you're off on another journey Henrik. I'm not envious. Not at all. HUMBUG!
25/02/2019 07:14:47 UTC
Henrik said :-
Been away two times in 2019, plus the usual small-trips to sweden, but this one was in Copehagen, a few kilometers from home. Sorry for the spelling I could have done better

Funny, that SWM 650 was build around the old Husquarna engine



https://youtu.be/JVnkNVYVyWg...
25/02/2019 07:55:28 UTC
Henrik said :-
In DK the Himalayan will be priced 6400 GBP ,... to compare thats 10 pct more than the DL250
25/02/2019 08:15:51 UTC
Borsuk said :-
In Spain it cost me 4,680 Euros on the road which at the time was a wee bit higher than the UK but OTR taxes differ slightly and the difference in price works out at around 100 euros so they aren´t marking them up more I think.
So either Denmark has a high import duty on them or the importer is trying to get himself a huge profit, thats a 52% mark up. I don`t see many if any getting sold there.
25/02/2019 22:28:30 UTC
Henrik said :-
Yes, guess we got a higher, (and progressive), import duty compared to Spain

And also the importer himself is taking a greedy profit on top of that

Initially he wouldn't touch the Himalayan, not even with gloves on, its not until now that the bike is actually available here at all, a bit surprising, and no matter the pricing the ods for the bike is bad here

Guess in reality there is maybe 3 or 4 of these bikes on stock in DK max :-)

It's a little country, maybe 100 potential customers that could be talked into this bike potentially, most of us is gathered in an adventure FB-group ,.. lots of talking ,.. but no-one here got the bike yet as far as I can tell :-)

It ends up in DL250, Versys-X, and CRF250L,... in the ratio mentioned

CRF250 Rally doesn't make it either
26/02/2019 09:58:51 UTC
Henrik said :-
Videos on the Himalayan starts to pop up

Funny to follow,... here is a girl who has reached 10.ooo km without any big troubles

A bit suprising to me, considered all the problems on previous models

But then again 10.000 km is to early to say anything

The bike has to do 100.000 km without main problems before we should use the word "reliable" :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsdKwqc1040...
02/03/2019 13:15:06 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Yeah 6,000 miles is only just run in really. She seems happy enough though.
02/03/2019 15:52:19 UTC
Henrik said :-
Diverse improvement done by a compagny, oversize cylinder, etc,...

But not a larger tank, that manifests how har hard it is these days to get a oversize-tank, even when the default under-size from factory is obvious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BS5zblBhu8...
07/03/2020 15:27:48 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
According to Google the tank size is 15 litres. Should be good for, I dunno, easily 200 miles more likely 250. What size tank would you hope for Henrik?
09/03/2020 11:02:08 UTC
ROD said :-
There are fuel can options for extra fuel capacity, which fit onto the side tank protection.
These are used by Itchy Boots.
Posted Image
09/03/2020 15:11:45 UTC
Upt'North said :-
They'll have more than itchy boots if that thing leaks onto the exhaust. What could possibly go wrong?
Upt'North.
09/03/2020 16:48:28 UTC
Henrik said :-
I'm aware of diverse types og extra cans, I use two 2 x 2.5L Givi now for the Zuma, I am tired of loose cans

What I would like is a min. 25L tank, approximate, or the option to get one as an extra at least,..

After all they call it an adventure bike
09/03/2020 17:19:26 UTC
Henrik said :-
Rod: that can-placement, on the side, is worst possible for safty, if you get grounded on the street, and the bike in speed is down on the side, I can not imagine anything else than it would fire up immidiately, in fact a friend once told me this was a common mistake, and on the "do not" list

So extra metal metal-protectors are needed, adding extra weight, extra clumsyness, extra expense, and extra sadness

Why oversize-tanks are no longer available, not even to this bike, or the CB500X,... is a mysteri

Maybe its about law, or maybe production is to troubeled now that we also have to deal with pumps for fuel-injection

10-20 years ago thare was a big variaty of tanks, for most common off-road and adventure bikes
10/03/2020 08:51:09 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The only bikes with 25l tanks these days are big adventure bikes that will drink those 25l in the same 200-250 miles. There were/are Acerbis tanks for some models which would take up to 45l! I rode a Honda Dominator 650 with a half full 45l tank, man did that thing slosh around at the lights.

I agree though, an option at least for a 400 mile range would be nice.
10/03/2020 08:52:54 UTC
Henrik said :-
Acerbis XT600 23L oversize tank as an example
Posted Image
10/03/2020 09:03:27 UTC
Henrik said :-
I guess at a certain time, half the XT's i DK was equipped with oversize tanks :-)
10/03/2020 09:06:23 UTC
Bill said :-
I would think the decline in oversize tanks is a combination of modern fuel with high ethanol causing issues, the need for fuel pumps in FI bikes,but most of all the small market not yielding the return on development and type approval costs. The number of riders who do long distances in remote areas with no access to fuel stops within bike range does not create a big enough market. I have seen many when they were popular on XR and DR but many never left the UK and were mor about fashion and image.
10/03/2020 11:30:22 UTC
nab301 said :-
The 17l tank on my Dl250 V Strom will allow me cover 500km once I don't thrash it too much .
These can am type military clones turn up occasionally and i always thought the Jerry can type things attached at the front were for fuel but now I'm not so sure... Maybe someone can enlighten me


Posted Image
10/03/2020 20:33:35 UTC
Upt'North said :-
Nab, I think the HD version was quite rare and was basically a badge engineered 500 that had previously been made in Europe under various names including Armstrong. I'm not sure about any of that, but from memory I think it's about right. It'll have a Rotax lump, probably 500 cc.
The boxes are for an M16 auto rifle and the front boxes were used for just about anything, with one on each side. I do think they carried jerry cans amongst ammo, documents, clothing and probably bully beef sandwiches.
Upt'North.
10/03/2020 23:01:46 UTC
Borsuk said :-
The can at the front looks more like a jerry can shaped pannier to me, given the snap locks and seam at the top. The thing at the rear is probably a rifle case, though it is a bit stranger looking than the one I got for my quad.
10/03/2020 23:15:13 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I think Bill's on the money there, literally. While it would be nice to have a 400 mile range this would mean a large tank. Despite our protestations we KNOW people buy "pretty" motorcycles with good "stats". So Enfield creates a fugly bike with a huge tank and a kerb weight of 3.2 metric tonnes "wet". I'm afraid it won't sell. 250 mile range is up there with most other adventure bikes I'm afraid.

I'd be surprised if one of the aftermarket makers didn't make a big tank soon. It's sold well enough now to pique the interest of Acerbis, surely.

Them boxes on the side of the HD/Armstrong are panniers. I'm sure you could carry fuel cans in them though. Why do you need a rifle case on the quad Borsuk? Is it a bit dodgy around the mountains in Southern Spain?
11/03/2020 09:25:58 UTC
Upt'North said :-
All this talk of extra fuel attracted my attention. It doesn't take much.
For those in need of extra fuel carrying capability check out the new Husqvarna 701 LR. It is fully resplendent with a 25 litre tank.
Of course you could also spend about 20% of that outlay and get a 28 litre petrol storage unit together with the rest of an ST1100.
Those clever people at Honda also put the tank below seat level. Ingenious.
Upt'North.
12/03/2020 09:22:42 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
£10,699 for the Husky 701 apparently. Not so sure how good the 20% cost price equivalent used Pan Euro would be off road though Upt'.
12/03/2020 10:12:59 UTC
Borsuk said :-
I do air rifle target shooting and the only place to practice on is my mates and mother in law`s land. I need the quad to get to them unless I want to replace my car exhaust every time I go. I got the case to give the rifle more protection on rough ground but it can`t handle the telescopic sights on the gun.

12/03/2020 15:16:14 UTC

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