Thank you for sharing your meeting with Mr. Egan. I too have long admired his writing. It’s nice to know that he’s as nice in person as he is on the page.

He wrote a wonderful essay about his experience with the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Pretty amazing you got to connect with him in person, if only for a few minutes.

Who knows, maybe someday our paths will cross!

Steve! Omg, omg, omg, today i met the Peter Egan in person! My hero, my first time, lifetime bucket list item, wow, i myself don’t even know how happy i am. Wanted to share with you. Sorry. It was at a Madison bar/grill, in the parking lot, he’s just got off his Himalayan. He’s got a white one, have had it for two years and has almost 10kmi on the clock. I could only insist for a few minutes, an acquaintance from party he was meeting there came to rescue him shortly. But he was genuinely friendly like a normal mortal, more than i hoped for. He asked me about me riding and my bikes and answered when i asked how many he’s still got – only one more and guess what it is! BMW! No brick though, 1999 R1100S, if i remember correctly. I also told him about your blog. Wow, some dreams do come true… Now if only i had enough vaca time to take the lazy Ural to Boalsburg 😀 anyway, thanks for your ‘ear’. As always, I’m grateful for your blog (and vids).

The Vespa is definitely quicker than the Himalayan. At least up to about 40 mph. At that point it would be a race I think. But going fast was never a concern for me. And eating miles above 70 mph wasn’t either. Primarily, the Himalayan will finally provide me with a much easier and smoother way to tackle the forest and mountain roads around here that are dirt and gravel. I’m looking forward to the ice melting so I can do some adventuring.

As far as a photo subject, the Himalayan is a rather handsome model!

Thanks Bill.

The motorcycle will no doubt be a better option for exploring the dirt and gravel. But the Vespa will still be called to action for many other rides. Like you, I have an affinity for the Vespa as a photographic subject. The BMW K75 motorcycle never worked as well in that regard. While I liked how it looked, I never found its good side photographically.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is a handsome machine. I chose it for its capabilities but if it did not possess the potential to be a fine subject I would not have purchased it. That’s why I dismissed the KTM and Honda — they just looked gaudy to my eyes.

You’ll have to let me know once I start posting pictures of the new motorcycle if it is less foul than you might imagine right now.

The RE Himalaya may be perfect for your rides on dirt and gravel in the forests.

But it will foul those beautiful photographs.

I will always favor the Vespa shots but understand your new direction.

Luckily the Vespa remains.

Bill

Thanks!

I hadn’t thought about it affecting my photography but I suspect it will. I’m excited to begin some new adventures, both with the Himalayan and the Vespa!

I can sense the vitality, and more than anything, I am looking forward to the impact it will surely have on your photography.

Well done Steve!