VOLUME 57 ISSUE 19 MAY 12, 2020 P55
Don't laugh, the numbers may look
like they're lopsided to the obese,
but in practice, the Himalayan pro-
duces enough forward movement
to at least keep you interested.
Fuel injection is now common-
place—as it is across the entire RE
range—marking the first time the for-
mer British brand has strayed from
carburetors. Interestingly, the motor
runs the old-school screw-and-lock-
nut design for the valves, meaning
you need to adjust the valves every
3000 miles. This will be an instant
turn off for many an aspiring buyer,
as 3000 miles will pass very quickly
if you're out riding each week, and
ripping open the top of a motor is
not on many people's want list.
On the plus side, the valve ad-
justment is dead easy once you've
done it a couple of times, meaning
you can now carry out your own
basic maintenance of oil, filter and
valves without taking it to a dealer.
Get used to changing a chain and
sprocket, and you may never need
a dealer again.
The motor sits inside a chassis
crafted by Harris Performance in
the UK, which is where much of
the development work was carried
out. Why does Harris Performance
sound familiar? Those with good
racing memories will remember
Harris as the builder of the chas-
sis many of the 500cc Grand Prix/
MotoGP privateer teams used in
the 1990s. Remember the WCM
MotoGP bike of 2003? Harris built
that, too.
Harris thus knows how to build
a good chassis, and with lead
development rider, former 500cc
racer and motorcycle journalist,
Australian Paul Young, they decided
on the split cradle frame that, yes,
cradles the bottom of the motor
and helps provide an extra layer of
protection.
Part of the standard fitment with
a Himalayan is the skid-plate (well
done, RE), and the rear luggage
rack—we didn't test the bike with
the pannier setup, but from what
we've seen elsewhere, the luggage
system has been well integrated
into the motorcycle's design.
On the suspension side, the 21-
inch front wheel slots between two
(Above) Everything here
comes standard, including
the high screen and
skid-plate. Not bad for
under $5K. (Right) That
little single won't pull your
arms out of your sockets
with only 24 horsepower
on tap, but it's a smooth
little motor that's simple
to work on. (Left) The
front brake offers very
little feel and power.
