New Ride: Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 E5
I’ve been thinking a lot about trying some light off-road riding. While my Ducati Multistrada V2 is more than capable of handling this, it’s a bit shiny and expensive to use for learning, especially as I’m bound to drop the bike a few times while tackling rougher terrain.
With this in mind, I decided to look for something a little more affordable and better suited to my needs.
The Contenders
Speed and power aren’t all that important to me when it comes to tackling a few green lanes and dirt tracks. After a fair bit of research, I had almost decided that the KTM 390 Adventure would be ideal…
Then I watched a video on YouTube: Royal Enfield Himalayan 40,000km Review
After watching it, I realised that if the Himalayan can handle all that, it can certainly do what I need it to. Plus, the prices for these machines are really competitive right now.
The Bike
After doing some reading, I learned that the earlier model had a few known issues, so I wanted to avoid those. The E5 model, introduced in 2021, was the one I had my eye on.
A quick internet search led me to a low-mileage E5 model at Via Moto in town, which seemed perfect. So, I dropped in to take a look.
The bike was in excellent condition and already came fitted with the genuine Black Adventure Pannier Rails. It also had a small GPS mount installed, complete with a handy USB port.
As a later E5 model, the bike also features the Royal Enfield “Tripper” system, which connects to the Royal Enfield app and uses Google Maps for navigation - a feature that could prove quite handy.
The price was very reasonable for a bike of this age and mileage, so I snapped it up.
Collection
The weather was pretty miserable, so I suited up in my wet weather gear and grabbed an Uber into town.
When I arrived at Via Moto, I spotted the Himalayan tucked away at the back, proudly sporting a SOLD label.
Once the paperwork was sorted, they brought the bike out for me. The rain had stopped, and the weather had brightened up, so I took it for a short ride out into the Peak District before heading back to my unit.
Planned changes
As always, I’ve got plans to make a few changes to the Himalayan. It needs to be prepped properly for off-road riding, and I’ll be adding the genuine panniers as well.
More on this will follow in future posts.
My Trio
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 E5 is a fantastic addition to my garage, joining the KTM 890 Duke GP and the Ducati Multistrada V2. Together, this trio offers a diverse and exciting range of riding experiences. The Himalayan is the perfect choice for tackling off-road adventures and exploring green lanes. Its rugged design, simplicity, and capability make it ideal for rougher terrains without the worry of scuffing up a more expensive bike.
Meanwhile, the KTM 890 Duke GP delivers pure adrenaline for the road, with its lightweight build and punchy performance making it an exhilarating choice for spirited rides. On the other hand, the Ducati Multistrada V2 is my go-to for touring and longer journeys, offering exceptional comfort and versatility with plenty of power on tap.
Each bike serves its purpose brilliantly, ensuring that whether I’m riding city streets, country lanes, or mountain trails, I’ve got the perfect machine for the job.