2020 Himalayan First 50

25 May 2020

Having spent weeks in a Covid19 lockdown and researching a trip from Phoenix to Cabo San Lucas and back, I reached out to the Royal Enfield team to see if they would be kind enough to lend me a couple of bikes for the trip. I would film the trip, write extensively about it and create a resource for other people like me who may be interested in taking the small leap ownership leap. With an affirmative confirmation, the trip was on and we began to plan.

The dealership experience to be honest was good and to the credit of the team at GoAZ they tracked down a bike from one of their other dealerships and transferred it to Scottsdale for me. The pickup was simple and easy and required zero interaction with anyone other than getting the keys. There was no explanation about the bike, no instruction or advice on how to run it in, simply a “bring it back for an oil change at 600 miles” and a “see ya” and I was off.

In contrast to, say a BMW 650GS and 1200GS, the Himalayan is a significant departure back through the ages. The feature list is short, the controls simple and the sound of the engine somewhat agricultural by comparison. However rather than in a negative way, the Himalayan feels nicely comforting, like a bike you knew from days gone by. It provides you with all of the things you need and literally nothing you don’t.

After swinging a leg over and firing it up, I was on the road. The bike pulls well in the first couple of gears which are short and require rapid shifting to third. The engine feels torquey and strong for a 411cc single cylinder lump. The gear changes are seamless and the clutch pressure is gentle. The riding position is fantastic, upright and comfortably confident, you feel in command of the bike rather than the bike being in command of you, as was my experience on the behemoth BWW1200GS. It is very ‘flickable’ and kind of sporty in a ‘short of breath’ kind of way. It has more in common with my old CRF250 than I expected.

I noticed a vibration as you get up through the gears and up towards the 60mph range, nothing bad, you just feel the bike doing your bidding as you roll on the power and stretch its legs. The Pirelli tires which come standard off good grip and a really nice balance of off road meat and quiet confident street manners.

The instrument cluster is old school analog however offers a nice little LED screen which provides you with a gear indicator, helpful little reminders like the side stand being down, ambient temperature which seems to run a little high and a cool digital compass which gives you a read out of direction and a helpful arrow which points true north. I wish they had have gone the extra mile and included an accessory power outlet or USB to keep your phone charged.

A common complaint I have heard is the poor performance of the front brakes. A dithering snowbird who had failed to return north before the summer provided me with the opportunity to test them as she pulled out in front of me while wincing and peering over the steering wheel of an old Illinois registered Mercedes. The bike dived a bit under hard braking however it felt solid and effective The bike and my 200lb frame pulled up quickly and without any rear end deposits.

As I rode the long way home, I was already planning the farkles which would be added to it in short order. By the time I reached the house, my mouse finger had developed an anxious twitch and I was on eBay within minutes of arrival.

The plan was to gear the bike up for the Baja run. I would be adding protection to the bike in the form of all manner of aluminum shrouds, crash bars, GPS mount and of course the rear panniers to carry gear. While some reviews had commented about the rear load carrier being flimsy and requiring upgrade, my first impression was it was solid as a brick shithouse. I purchased an expansive mounting plate which would make it easier to strap down a bag or even mount a top box should I feel the need.

A later trip to the local cafe revealed that the bike not only rides well, but is a quirky addition to the usual line up of plastic shrouded machines. The Himalayan stands out for all of its nakedness, the tank sided crash bars look purposeful and the bike just screams adventure when standing still. It looks comfortably out of place in the parking lot, like a bushman who has come to town for a visit, but can’t wait to get back to the land. Perhaps its differences make it the conversation starter it is. Over the course of 30 minutes I had explained its origins and purpose to no fewer than 7 people, a new record, considering my way more expensive Harley, my aggressive looking Triumph Tiger or my cute little Vespa all look pedestrian by comparison.

Now with 48 miles on the odometer, my initial reaction is that there is no signs whatsoever of riders remorse. I am very happy with the bike and I think it likes me too. Let’s hope that the relationship continues to blossom as we both prepare for the upcoming trip south of the border and the asphalt is replaced with dirt and gravel roads.

Graeme Warring @graemewarring