Henk from Holland

Henk San

New Member
Mar 27, 2022
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5
3
Hey Boys and Girls, I read some of the forum postings and it hit me that there was not much chatter, but real good info on this site. So I decided to join. I am from the Netherlands, lived off and on in Asia (Thailand and Indonesia) and decided to permanently settle in Thailand. I now live in Samroiyod, which is a mountain/marine park under Hua Hin. I am in the market for a Himalayan of Royal Enfield, but I am figuring out at this point whether to take the new model or a second hand one.
I hope to give some good comments on some issues and I will definitely come with some questions for you guys.
Cheers, Henk
 
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Dodraugen

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Aug 19, 2012
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As one can notice the differences are not very significant. The BS6 is a tiny tad down in power and a tiny tad up in weight compared to the BS4 - which makes the BS4 to perform tiny tiny bit better. The BS6 is however described as a bit more refined, especially fuelling and also gets a tiny tad better fuel economy.

My opinion - after riding Royal Enfield Bullets 500 in India, Nepal and through Bhutan and loving those machines I was a bit intrigued when I heard about the introduction of the Himalayan. A Royal Enfield suited for long distance and offroad riding? How awesome and cool!

To make a long story short - I didnt get to test a Himalayan until January this year where I did and extended Mae Hong Son loop with several significant detours and with a pillion.
The conclusion - it was a BS4 edition I rented btw - although not without charm and character the Himalayan will lose to my thrusty «adventurised» Honda Crf250L in 9 out of 10 features and characteristics. And I dont think a BS6 edition would have changed my thoughts.

By all means - the Himalayan either it is a BS4 or a BS6 is good bikes for what they are with character and charm. Its just that there are so many other bikes that are better in most comparisons.

Considering there usually are plenty of BS4 models for sale on Kaidee of Facebook Marketplace for around 100 000 baht or a tad more - I personally would have gone for a second hand low milage BS4 if I ever were to buy one.

Just my 50 satang worth of thoughts though….
 
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Henk San

New Member
Mar 27, 2022
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3
As one can notice the differences are not very significant. The BS6 is a tiny tad down in power and a tiny tad up in weight compared to the BS4 - which makes the BS4 to perform tiny tiny bit better. The BS6 is however described as a bit more refined, especially fuelling and also gets a tiny tad better fuel economy.

My opinion - after riding Royal Enfield Bullets 500 in India, Nepal and through Bhutan and loving those machines I was a bit intrigued when I heard about the introduction of the Himalayan. A Royal Enfield suited for long distance and offroad riding? How awesome and cool!

To make a long story short - I didnt get to test a Himalayan until January this year where I did and extended Mae Hong Son loop with several significant detours and with a pillion.
The conclusion - it was a BS4 edition I rented btw - although not without charm and character the Himalayan will lose to my thrusty «adventurised» Honda Crf250L in 9 out of 10 features and characteristics. And I dont think a BS6 edition would have changed my thoughts.

By all means - the Himalayan either it is a BS4 or a BS6 is good bikes for what they are with character and charm. Its just that there are so many other bikes that are better in most comparisons.

Considering there usually are plenty of BS4 models for sale on Kaidee of Facebook Marketplace for around 100 000 baht or a tad more - I personally would have gone for a second hand low milage BS4 if I ever were to buy one.

Just my 50 satang worth of thoughts though….
Thanks, There are indeed a lot on facebook, but if you contact these guys, then they are just not for sale anymore,. They dont remove the adds from marketplace. From the 8 I had pinned, only two remained, znd of course not the best ones. It all looks appealing, but is not. Went to see them, and you see how photo's can lie. They were in a bad shape/
I went for the new one, bought it yesterday. I don't go crazy about the few changes, but it will give a better selling prospective... if I want to sell it in a couple of years. The secondhand ones, were not in the same province and together with all the costs extra of checking and make them up to my standards, the difference was just not big enough. I tried to persuade Royal Enfield to sell me the 2021 bikes they now have standing next to the 2022 model, but also here the price difference they wanted to offer, was just not big enough. I am happy with the new one. can also pick my color of preference. It will arrive monday
 

Fritzltouw

Ol'Timer
Jun 1, 2018
105
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28
Bangkok
Hi Henk,

Goedenavond!
Congrats on your RE and welcome to the forum. How's the bike? I have a 2017 Himalayan and generally enjoying it. It gets a bit hot though in the summer it being an air-cooled engine but for the rest a great bike. I had the seat heightened and customized with gel padding in Bangkok.That was a good upgrade.

Best,
Fritz
 

Henk San

New Member
Mar 27, 2022
4
5
3
Hi Fritz, I Love it, Such an easy ride, comfortable and perfect for all the dirt roads here. The only change I did immediately were the crash bars, furthermore I have some ideas what I will upgrade, but for now just riding
 
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Biggles

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I’d love one, but my greatest concern is reliability. As you would know, theres RE Clubs worldwide
where you can find parts books and manuals and tips and tricks. An old school
mate of mine is Secretary of the RE Club of Australia. He’s been into them for 40 years or so.
Have you seen the AU Carberry a VTwin built using two RE Barrels and Heads?
 

Moor66

Member
Subscribed
Aug 20, 2023
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As one can notice the differences are not very significant. The BS6 is a tiny tad down in power and a tiny tad up in weight compared to the BS4 - which makes the BS4 to perform tiny tiny bit better. The BS6 is however described as a bit more refined, especially fuelling and also gets a tiny tad better fuel economy.

My opinion - after riding Royal Enfield Bullets 500 in India, Nepal and through Bhutan and loving those machines I was a bit intrigued when I heard about the introduction of the Himalayan. A Royal Enfield suited for long distance and offroad riding? How awesome and cool!

To make a long story short - I didnt get to test a Himalayan until January this year where I did and extended Mae Hong Son loop with several significant detours and with a pillion.
The conclusion - it was a BS4 edition I rented btw - although not without charm and character the Himalayan will lose to my thrusty «adventurised» Honda Crf250L in 9 out of 10 features and characteristics. And I dont think a BS6 edition would have changed my thoughts.

By all means - the Himalayan either it is a BS4 or a BS6 is good bikes for what they are with character and charm. Its just that there are so many other bikes that are better in most comparisons.

Considering there usually are plenty of BS4 models for sale on Kaidee of Facebook Marketplace for around 100 000 baht or a tad more - I personally would have gone for a second hand low milage BS4 if I ever were to buy one.

Just my 50 satang worth of thoughts though….
These thoughts are worth more than 50 satang! I have been looking at both the Himalayan and 250 Rally ca 2018-20 model years, from time to time over a year now.
The Honda seems to be a very capable and high quality bike, but the seat is so high.
I can not swing my leg over when there is a topbox at the back. And seat looks sooo hard and uncomfortable... Ok I can have it reupholstered, just like I did with the MSX- but that will bring the seat height up to say 100 cm.... stock around 90...
The RE is only 80. This is the only issue that kept me from getting a Crf250 already.

And on the RE, one of the things that bothers me is the (on paper) tall first and second gear, did you feel the need for lower gearing at some steep mountain tracks?