The new Himalayan 450

[Wapping]

I was, I admit, very dubious about the new bike, seeing it as a step away from the concept of the 411.

Having now seen one in the flesh at the London m’cycle show, I can see that they have cleaned up a lot about the bike.

I have contacted Bacons at Newbury Park about a full day’s test ride. Hopefully my arms will be able to withstand the muscle ripping awesome power the new bike promises.

I hadn’t seen it reported that the new bike sports spokes, that exit via the rims, a la BMW. If I am correct, then it suggests that the bike supports tubeless tyres.

 

[gspod]

Certain models do and are a little bit more expensive but worth it in my opinion.
Nice to hear you’re getting a full day out, we’re looking forward to a test ride - probably at CooperB

 

[cookie]

Looking forward to seeing it tomorrow now I've managed to navigate the ULEZ bollocks site. No mean feat, I can tell you.

 

[Posh Pete]

I believe European market bikes will have TL rims as an option but there are issues with type approval for these in the home market.

Looking forward to a first look and then a test ride but fire away with your impressions.

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

Be interested in what you think, think the TL tyre models are due towards the end of the year. Quite fancy one for lanes and to have a bit more in common with the Himalayan group that I ride with in the Peaks.

 

[Wapping]

I see zero point in taking any bike for a 20 minute spin down the road. Live with it for the day; clock up 150 or 200 miles. You are spending a lot of money, whether it be £5,000 or £25,000. If the dealer says. ‘You have 20 minutes”, either they know you’ll buy it or…. Tell them to go do one.

 

[Wapping]

The truth is out there…

Be happy, be safe and keep travelling.

 

[Wapping]

Spy shot from the show. Keep it under yer hat, mate…..

 

[Waldspirale2]

I believe European market bikes will have TL rims as an option but there are issues with type approval for these in the home market.

Looking forward to a first look and then a test ride but fire away with your impressions.

Yes, the dealers here in Germany are offering 3 versions. Base is in Khazi Brown(!), middle at 6.199 euro is JPS Black beauty and top model 6.399 is with tubeless spokes only in Kamek White (camouflage?). I was going to get the spoked/tubeless but fell for the black beauty. Will upgrade as an option next year I guess.

 

[Posh Pete]

Nicely balanced review.

 

[steve hughes]

The white bike was at my local dealers A&D Denbigh today. Heres my simple take on it

The bike is one of two touring uk dealers, its a full working bike but not for road demos. Its the white version with full metal luggage eg two panniers and a top box all grey aluminium.

Its the tubeless version with black wheels , where the spokes attach to a ridge on the side of the rim eg dont penetrate. My understanding is the issue on tubeless wheels in on the gold rims , something to do with the anodising coming off off.

The fit and finish looked good, no loose switches and everything looked bolted on. I don’t think Im a fan of black engines per se. Some monkey had overtighted the fork caps on one of the Showa forks resulting in a shiny scrape and a sharp edge. If I had to guess its probably been done over here rather than at the factory.

I had a sit on it (29” inside leg) , it had a std seat in its low position, apparently 830 mm. It was easy to get on as the front seat and rear seat are separate and the front seat is flat in profile. It was tippy toppy for me I had my bike trainers on , so my full boots might have added a further 10mm. It feels balanced the tank is big and flared , not slab like on the 411 Himmie.

Clutch and brake levers felt smooth. The rear passenger footpegs are small , all metal construction and open and close with a satisfying click.

One point the guys looking at it made was the entire rear subframe is bolted on. It looks like a 15 min job to remove the entire back end seat tail etc, this must lend itself to other variants, Scram / Cruiser variants.

Overall its not for me, my GS does the same job but is much more sophisticated and longer legged. As an off road dual purpose bike I recon it spanks the Triumph 400x all day long.

Delivery wise , demos expected April along with orders being taken now. Delivery of new bikes May June

Steve

 

[Wapping]

It sounds very much like the one bike which was on display on the Royal Enfield stand at the London m’cycle show in February.








That too had the optional tubeless tyre spoked rims.

 

[steve hughes]

That’s exactly it Richard as it has the battle scar on the fork top in the same place

 

[Wapping]

It’s been doing the rounds then and, it seems, will be on the road for a while longer yet. It’ll have miles on it….. but zero on the odometer. Economical though.

 

[Arsey]

Appeler Wapping, Wapping aux perdus en France sans électrique téléphone .

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