Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 - good tourer?

[Guest]

Ive been looking at the 411. It looks like the most sensible modern bike. Air cooled, round headlight, SOCH engine. Its like an old bike, only new.

There is studded tyres for it, so I can ride it in the winter.

I realize it is somewhat less powerfull than the GS, but I am sure it doesn't use a lot of gasoline. If its comfortable to ride, it would be extremely cheap for a new bike. 70 000nok ish (7000 usd/gbp/eur-ish). I am betting it is fairly cheap to insure. The GS is super cheap to insure.

Also I could ride a bike like that to its limits, I feel the GS can't really show what its good for on the norwegian roads. I can't even top out second gear.

I mean I love the GS, its an amazing bike, and I love the abundance of power. But I think a second bike would extend my season. And I could get it with metal boxes. And I could trash it on dirt trails.

I wonder if I could ride it for miles and miles. Like across europe.

My friend wants to go to india and buy one and ride it back.

 

[bccap]

I've ridden them lots in India . The great thing is that no matter how remote the village is there is someone there who can fix them. I've always had a soft spot for them but I think your friend is ambitious. He will run out of his parts supply and the knowledge to fix it once he crosses the Indian border. They are fun but they ain't a Beemer { or your Suzuki } for reliability ....... I wouldn't tell you not to buy one because I like them . Just temper your expectations on it's reliability.... As for trashing it on dirt trails . Yup you sure can . I had one on the Rohtang Pass in India ... { Google that if you want to see one crazy road } .......
I'm basing everything I just said on twenty years ago so it is possible things have changed at Enfield as technological upgrades weren't really their thing back then .....

 

[Brendan W]

Itchy Boots?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6sPF1PYPW8

 

[Grimly]

Hmm....
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=enfield+frame+snaps
Quality control ain't something they've been paying attention to.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Itchy Boots?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6sPF1PYPW8

I followed her journey thru South America this winter.
Tell me that plus her last journey from India to Europe ain't a testament of it's build quality, Grimly.

 

[Big T]

Hmm - 24 HP, 430 lbs and 75 mph top speed

Thanks, but all 3 of my dual sports can outspec that.

Plus, you might want to come to the US and buy one, they're about $4,000 over here

 

[RichDesmond]

I think it would be a fun little bike. I do wish it were lighter, 430lbs seems like a lot for a small air-cooled single.

In general though, bikes like that are a blast. I used to have a KLR250 that was a lot of fun. Could ride it really hard and still be close to the speed limit.

You do have to be aware of the limitations that 25hp brings. Mostly that you have to avoid major highways, because the max speed you're going to be able to maintain for extended periods is only about 100kph.
I did a couple of longer rides on the KLR, 250 miles or so, sticking to secondary roads made it reasonable

 

[Guest]

I've ridden them lots in India . The great thing is that no matter how remote the village is there is someone there who can fix them. I've always had a soft spot for them but I think your friend is ambitious. He will run out of his parts supply and the knowledge to fix it once he crosses the Indian border. They are fun but they ain't a Beemer { or your Suzuki } for reliability ....... I wouldn't tell you not to buy one because I like them . Just temper your expectations on it's reliability.... As for trashing it on dirt trails . Yup you sure can . I had one on the Rohtang Pass in India ... { Google that if you want to see one crazy road } .......
I'm basing everything I just said on twenty years ago so it is possible things have changed at Enfield as technological upgrades weren't really their thing back then .....

I've seen videos of the Rothang Pass before, its crazy.

Hmm - 24 HP, 430 lbs and 75 mph top speed

Thanks, but all 3 of my dual sports can outspec that.

Plus, you might want to come to the US and buy one, they're about $4,000 over here

I believe its taxes that makes it expensive here. I couldn't drive it with american plates over here.

Top speed limit in Norway is 110 kmh, so it will do that, barely.

I think it would be a fun little bike. I do wish it were lighter, 430lbs seems like a lot for a small air-cooled single.

In general though, bikes like that are a blast. I used to have a KLR250 that was a lot of fun. Could ride it really hard and still be close to the speed limit.

You do have to be aware of the limitations that 25hp brings. Mostly that you have to avoid major highways, because the max speed you're going to be able to maintain for extended periods is only about 100kph.
I did a couple of longer rides on the KLR, 250 miles or so, sticking to secondary roads made it reasonable

110 kph is the fastest speed limit in Norway, so its closeish. I guess Ive never ridden a slow bike like that. Slowest is 35 kwh Yamaha Tracer 700 (limited to A2)

 

[earlfor]

I've seen videos of the Rothang Pass before, its crazy.



I believe its taxes that makes it expensive here. I couldn't drive it with american plates over here.

Top speed limit in Norway is 110 kmh, so it will do that, barely.



110 kph is the fastest speed limit in Norway, so its closeish. I guess Ive never ridden a slow bike like that. Slowest is 35 kwh Yamaha Tracer 700 (limited to A2)

Sounds like a Suzuki TU250 has the same performance, much better quality and dependability and only about 310 lbs weight. Plus the TU is also old school styling and single cylinder.

 

[RichDesmond]

Sounds like a Suzuki TU250 has the same performance, much better quality and dependability and only about 60% of the weight. Plus the TU is also old school styling and single cylinder.

True, and a nice little bike, but not an adventure bike at all.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Why not get a DR650 (or a KLR, if you can tolerate water cooling)? WAAAAY more bike for way less money.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Yeah, it is an adventure bike, for dirt roads, sometimes on paved secondary highways. Will carry lots of gear/luggage.

 

[Guest]

Why not get a DR650 (or a KLR, if you can tolerate water cooling)? WAAAAY more bike for way less money.

I have yet to see a KLR for sale in Norway. I have no idea why, but I cannot find one. And I have been looking for one. I assume they are very popular.

There seems to be DRs for sale all the time though. Like this one: https://www.finn.no/mc/all/ad.html?finnkode=184224952 I like them better in blue I guess. But they are usually around that price range.

Apart from lacking ABS, and presumably using more fuel I think its a great option. I have strongly considered it.

But its not new.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

But its not new.

A "not new" DR650 will outlast a new RE with fewer repairs.

 

[Guest]

A "not new" DR650 will outlast a new RE with fewer repairs.

I don't doubt that, but the RE would be unsullied by a PO with too high beliefs about their mechanical skills.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Hmmmn, most of the DR/KLR/XR owners around here are pretty realistic, and besides, those bikes require very little maintenance.

 

[Big T]

Maybe find a DR Big from Germany

 

[Guest]

Maybe find a DR Big from Germany

Germany is a great country to import bikes from, ebcause of their mandatory inspections. Those insure nothing to dumb has been done to the bikes.

But with VAT and transport, it might be more feasible to get one more locally.

 

[Big T]

I didn't check your for sale link, looks like you have DR Big there already

We didn't get that here in the US

 

[Guest]

I didn't check your for sale link, looks like you have DR Big there already

We didn't get that here in the US

Oh thats unfortunate.

I found studless winter tyres for the DR750 BIG. Not sure if they are usable in Norway though. On my bicycle I have the most amazing studded tyres, like wet ice is no problem for it. Even better than walking with studded shoes.