2024 Himalayan 450

A wee ride into the northern borders today. Got back just as the rain was starting to pish down!

This bike impresses me more on every ride! The suspension is set up very well for my weight - the bike just floats over bumps and undulations. The CEAT tyres are perfect too and the bike steers smoothly and responsively. I'm now using the occasional burst up to 6k and overtaking is fine; far, far more so than on my Mk1 Himmie. :eek: Getting around 80mpg.

There's a wee tingle of vibes at around 4.5 - 5k but nothing too serious. I'm expecting the bike to smooth out as the miles mount up. The ride by wire is a wee bit off/on too. It could do with a bit more friction/damping in the twistgrip although I'm getting used to it and occasionally put my fingers on top of the brake lever to damp things down.

The only other reservations are the hard seat (or my bony arse?) and an over complex rider display. I imagine there's an IT geek in Bangalore very pleased with him/herself! Anyone who knows how to re-set the clock? Let me know please!
 
Posh Pete said:
A wee ride into the northern borders today. Got back just as the rain was starting to pish down!

This bike impresses me more on every ride! The suspension is set up very well for my weight - the bike just floats over bumps and undulations. The CEAT tyres are perfect too and the bike steers smoothly and responsively. I'm now using the occasional burst up to 6k and overtaking is fine; far, far more so than on my Mk1 Himmie. :eek: Getting around 80mpg.

There's a wee tingle of vibes at around 4.5 - 5k but nothing too serious. I'm expecting the bike to smooth out as the miles mount up. The ride by wire is a wee bit off/on too. It could do with a bit more friction/damping in the twistgrip although I'm getting used to it and occasionally put my fingers on top of the brake lever to damp things down.

The only other reservations are the hard seat (or my bony arse?) and an over complex rider display. I imagine there's an IT geek in Bangalore very pleased with him/herself! Anyone who knows how to re-set the clock? Let me know please!
Click to expand...
Pete just seen the photos of your bike following the first service. It looks really well and the coloured split seat really sets it off. 😎👍👍
 
All very valid points individually but , so far, I'd disagree re his conclusion. I certainly don't feel the need to "race". What I do feel is what I felt this morning on a B road, following an associate... "Crikey this bike handles brilliantly, it could easily handle this road at 60mph! Crack on lad!" Is that "racing"? I don't think so because on other roads, it's equally happy to bimble subject to a few more gear changes!

The difference between Nathan and myself boils down to 4 inches and 500 miles! He's 5ft 8" and lives in Devon. His height means he was comfy on the 411. I was not. The screen for someone of his height is an issue. Not for me.

The point about the side stand is well made but not of huge importance unless you are a shorter rider. I expect someone will do a fat puck soon and I'll certainly buy one.

Likewise, living in Devon means he trail rides frequently and legally. I could not. It's very hard to do that up here.

I think he became very invested in the 411 (for very good reasons) and may feel he needs to maintain that loyalty against the newcomer!

Anyway, I'm off to Germany on it on Friday so, who knows? I may change my mind!
 
Last edited:
Posh Pete said:
All very valid points individually but , so far, I'd disagree re his conclusion. I certainly don't feel the need to "race". What I do feel is what I felt this morning on a B road, following an associate... "Crikey this bike handles brilliantly, it could easily handle this road at 60mph! Crack on lad!" Is that "racing"? I don't think so because on other roads, it's equally happy to bimble subject to a few more gear changes!

The difference between Nathan and myself boils down to 4 inches and 500 miles! He's 5ft 8" and lives in Devon. His height means he was comfy on the 411. I was not. The screen for someone of his height is an issue. Not for me.

Likewise, living in Devon means he trail rides frequently and legally. I could not. It's very hard to do that up here.

I think he became very invested in the 411 (for very good reasons) and may feel he needs to maintain that loyalty against the newcomer!

Anyway, I'm off to Germany on it on Friday so, who knows? I may change my mind!
Click to expand...

Out of interest, do you find the bike heavy to move, or lift off, the side/main stand?
Many thanks.
 
Well, my kamet white bike has landed in the dealers, collecting Saturday if i can get it off the side stand ;)

Is there any under seat storage for a disc lock on these?
 
Nope. Unless you want to fry the electrics!

You could make up a mount affixed to the frames on the front?

I think I'll be using the pillion seat grab handles.
 
Posh Pete said:
Nope. Unless you want to fry the electrics!

You could make up a mount affixed to the frames on the front?

I think I'll be using the pillion seat grab handles.
Click to expand...
Thanks, sort of expected, seems to be the way they are going on bikes my bmw has none either.
 
Mark H said:
Been a long time since I had to deal with chain maintenance, what's the collectives thoughts on the Himmie chain, do I shop for a chain oiler? are they necessary, imagine they could be messy, how often to clean? alternatives? Have heard cleaning recommended every 500Km's (300 miles) ... thoughts?

Also, what's the life expectancy of a chain and sprocket set up nowadays?
Click to expand...
On my KTM I am now on 20625 miles. Original chain and sprocket set. Will be due a replacement later on this year, probably at around 24-25k miles

I clean my chain thoroughly every time I was on a bike after a messy (wet) ride or a big Euro jaunt. Never during the jaunt, if it was a wet day, I’ll spray some lube upon arrival to the digs. If it was a dry day, then every 2-3 days a quick squirt from a can. Prefer to use
this stuff for lubing and cleaning.

IMG_2718.jpeg

Also buy one or two of these brushes (AliExpress = cheap) or if you can’t wait a week or two, then from Amazon. As you can clean the chain from 3 sides at once.

IMG_2721.jpeg

This is my chain, after cleaning it on Friday night. And riding 250 miles on Sunday, I haven’t bothered living yet as plenty in there for now.

IMG_2720.jpeg
 
Fixing Insurance hasn't gone well so far, price comparison sites don't have the 450 available, so I got a raft of quotes for the 411 (over 10) which seemed reasonable £, then tried to change the bike on their individual sites to the 450, where most do have it, however can't get a quote at all - 'unable to quote right now please call us'. Have a clean record but no ncd to carry to this one. Ringing round tomorrow, is the 450 really that much more of a risk?! Apparently so.
 
Posh Pete said:
Et voila les gars! Il etait bluffe! :thumb2
Click to expand...
Dom peltier; love his slick filming anything of his is so good to watch; and with the sub titles now;; it used to be GS vintage with his mate Fred. Great post. :beerjug:
 
Insurance sorted via Hastings direct, they said something about the 450 not being on their system (they have tubeless hanle black listed but mine is white) the person went away and came back to say manager had said new bike is rated same as 411, so down as a 411 with note on policy.
 
Posh Pete said:
All very valid points individually but , so far, I'd disagree re his conclusion. I certainly don't feel the need to "race". What I do feel is what I felt this morning on a B road, following an associate... "Crikey this bike handles brilliantly, it could easily handle this road at 60mph! Crack on lad!" Is that "racing"? I don't think so because on other roads, it's equally happy to bimble subject to a few more gear changes!

The difference between Nathan and myself boils down to 4 inches and 500 miles! He's 5ft 8" and lives in Devon. His height means he was comfy on the 411. I was not. The screen for someone of his height is an issue. Not for me.

The point about the side stand is well made but not of huge importance unless you are a shorter rider. I expect someone will do a fat puck soon and I'll certainly buy one.

Likewise, living in Devon means he trail rides frequently and legally. I could not. It's very hard to do that up here.

I think he became very invested in the 411 (for very good reasons) and may feel he needs to maintain that loyalty against the newcomer!

Anyway, I'm off to Germany on it on Friday so, who knows? I may change my mind!
Click to expand...
As you say, he had a lot invested in the 411. I am 5'8" and have ridden the 411 (my mate's since 2019) and it has some very obvious limitations (power! rear suspension or lack of etc.). He rode my new one and was pretty blown away. The sidestand i got used to in a day or two. now nealry at 500km for first service. very little off road here in germany (a few unmarked small unpaved roads between villages or i just pretend not to speak the deutsch if stopped). either way oru local Black forest has 100's of km of empty twisty and pretty ice damaged roads - the new hima is perfect. the suspension really is quite good and copes with everything. 40 bhp/PS might not be a lot but its fine when the speed limit is 100 kmh, and way more fun than my old 44 HP Honda Dommie XL650 was. Off road, at least on gravel the bike is planted, stable and utterly predictable so it allows even a novice like me to keep the pace. As you say, it's not about making you race - can ride it totally chilled indeed, but the quality of handling and chassis encourage going much closer to the limits of the road and curves.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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