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Just broke the rules again

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 28, 2021, 4:23 pm

Just back from another rule breaking ride. Got about 50 miles from home and thought, it will warm up soon....it didn't glad I fitted those heated grips. Nice ride bloody cold.

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by Sparrow <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Sparrow' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 28, 2021, 4:33 pm, in reply to "Just broke the rules again"

So how many rozzers did you see. None I wager.
One more species thats disappearing fast.

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 28, 2021, 5:29 pm, in reply to "Just broke the rules again"

I hope to be joining you soon - going to tax the Himalayan tomorrow, and having some time off work next week

How can a young wellard rocker like you feel the cold? I dont know kids these days........

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by CrazyFrog <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=CrazyFrog' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 28, 2021, 5:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Just broke the rules again"

I'm thinking of a Himalayan Andy, how are you finding yours?

You don't have to be crazy to post here, but it helps....

Re: Just broke the rules again

I bought mine to replace my old ETZ 250 so perhaps my expectations are not that high, having said that I have thoroughly enjoyed the 4000 odd miles I have done it to date.

Probably dont need to tell you it is not a motorway bike - I did do a quick 40 miles or so on the mootorway last year, yes it will maintain 70 but if you have any mechanical sympathy you will realise that 65 is better.

It really suits the A / B roads and unclassified roads that I ride mine on most of the time, on these roads you can really appreciate the superb handling, and the suspensions ability to soak up lumps and bumps.

The downsides are that sometimes the engine will cut out at low speeds - usually whan you want to pull away, this has been virtually fixed on mine, and some people dont get the problem at all, the font brake is also a bit lacking in power, I have fitted some sintered pads which are supposed to improve things but not yet ridden it yet with those pads fitted.

The standard screen also makes the wind buffet your head, I ended up cutting mine down.

I have done a few mods on mine to help running, namely Hitchcocks air delete kit, also fitted a home made "Power Plug" which went a long way to solving the cutting out problem.

Apart from the cutting out issue I am perfectly happy with mine - the handling in particular.

The only other thing I did was to negotiate an after market "Lextec" silencer in the purchase price of the bike - better looking and a little louder than the standard item.

If you dig around you tube you will find a lot of people have good things to say about them - look up "itchy boots" in particular, a Dutch girl virtually travelling solo around the world on one.

Think they may be a bit "marmite" - book yourself a test ride and see for yourself.

If you like taking things at a slightly slower pace I think you will enjoy it - but you will have to change your moniker, crazy frog and 4 stroke dont go together!

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by CrazyFrog <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=CrazyFrog' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 28, 2021, 7:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Just broke the rules again"

I'm struggling to form a mental image of slower than a 350 Jawa Andy

. Seriously though, the performance sounds fairly similar to the Jawa. Yes, the Jawa will just about cruise at 70 on the motorway, but it's much happier at 60. I'm not a big user of motorways and dual carriage ways to be honest as they offer absolutely none of the things I enjoy about riding. The Himalayan primarily appeals to me as its a thumper, modern, and pretty low tech for home servicing.

Many thanks for the detailed reply...

You don't have to be crazy to post here, but it helps....

Re: Just broke the rules again

Yeah I reckon the only way to find out if you like it is to stick yer leg over one.

When the warranty runs out on mine next August I'll be doing everything myself.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Attn. CF and Andy

Posted by The Prodigal <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=The+Prodigal' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on February 28, 2021, 9:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Just broke the rules again"

November 2018. 29th Pheasant Pluckers' Rally at Marehey in the Amber Valley. Four Himmys turned up - more than any other single model. Despite this, the Best Bike award went to... a 1979 Jawa.

"Nothing from the past was sad...every incident from the past was laughable
for the simple reason that it was past, and that he had survived it without
mortal damage." (Alan Sillitoe.)

Re: Attn. CF and Andy

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2021, 7:20 am, in reply to "Attn. CF and Andy"

Marmite - told you so

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by Nigel B <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Nigel+B' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2021, 8:00 am, in reply to "Re: Just broke the rules again"

I did around 120 miles on a demonstrator when my Interceptor went in for it's first service.

Difficult to get a full impression, as it was very low mileage & I won't thrash a new engine (demonstrator or not) so it didn't get run hard. I did get up to 60 on a downhill stretch & it was fine at that. Handling was "trailbike-ish" - nice & supple ride, but a bit lacking in feel from the skinny front tyre. Controls felt heavy compared to the Interceptor & the front brake was wooden - lacking in feel and not very effective. Nice instrumentation - more modern and more information than the Interceptor provides.

But the killer for me was the riding position and the seat - the last 20 miles were agony & I was glad to hand it back. I'm not that big (5' 9" and 31" inseam), but felt "locked in" by the seat and tank layout and the step in the seat was uncomfortably intrusive. I notice that the 2021 "face lifted" version gets revised headlamp support framework to give more legroom and a revised seat (along with a stronger rear rack, modified screen and the inclusion of the Tripper navigation aid). A decent length test ride is a must IMO.

It came a cross as a well finished capable bike at a very good price, but I would not buy one on account of the comfort. The 500 Classic Bullet I took out last year was, to me, a better bike in pretty well all respects - I didn't want to return that one after 150 miles. Much better riding position and comfort (fot me) & similar performance from a similarly low mileage demonstrator. The biggest difference was when I got back on the Interceptor - after the Himalayan the Interceptor felt smaller & lighter, but after the Bullet the Interceptor felt bulky & unwieldy. I fitted handlebar risers the Interceptor after riding the Bullet.

Still haven't worked out how to make room in the garage to fit a Bullet in, though.

Nigel B.

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2021, 8:44 am, in reply to "Re: Just broke the rules again"

I was thinking of the Himalayan but the low speed running put me off loads of reports of this fault I Havnt tried one but you say cramped that's also no good to me at 6x6 plus if I need to go anywhere different to my area its Motorway or fast roads..

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by anarchy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=anarchy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2021, 9:26 am, in reply to "Re: Just broke the rules again"

Yes I agree. The Himalayan must be the most uncomfortable bike I ever owned. The seat is awful. I upgraded to the touring seat and also used a lambskin cover but it was still rubbish. Handling was typical of all 21inch front wheel bikes. Performance was underwhelming but economy was superb. Build quality on mine was good though I seem to have been in a minority listening to the tales of woe from fellow club members. The motor cutting out at lights or roundabouts unpredictably was dangerous and I never trusted the reliability of the bike to get me home on long trips. First decent long trip I did to camp at a REOC meet the bike starting misfiring as I started the ride home, then it cleared and was OK. For a new bike to go traveling on and know you would get there and back I'd go for a Honda, something like a CB500x. Twice the bike at not much more money. I sold the Himalayan after 6 months. My cat misses it!

Re: Just broke the rules again

Good to see some differing reviews.

Have to admit that I was worried about comfort when I first started putting some miles on the bike, but now that I am used to it I dont have any issues - I am around 5' 10" and find it comfortable enough even with the standard seat setup.

I do find the seat quite high and often scuff my boot on the pillion seat when getting on it.

The cutting out issue does bother me which is why I have tried to do my best to eliminate it and seems to have been fairly succesful - there are various "fix's" if you poke around the web, one involves re mapping the ecu !!

Having spoken to other owners some bikes do not suffer this problem at all, whilst others do, which just seems downright odd to me.

At the end of the day I am happy enough with mine for the type of riding I do.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2021, 10:32 am, in reply to "Re: Just broke the rules again"

Chum of mine used a CB500X for a Globebusters' Ace to Ace expedition (London Ace cafe to Beijing Ace cafe). In fact, Jerry collected the bike for him when he bought it.

To advertise here, please call...

Re: Just broke the rules again

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on March 1, 2021, 10:51 am, in reply to "Re: Just broke the rules again"

I hope the new Himalayan is cured of the engine problem instead of putting an I phone connectivity for navigation.. Something else to go wrong?

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

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