I’ve uploaded a new video to my YouTube channel. I found myself engaged in an impolite exclamation. Sorry about that. Shit happens.
I follow the Itchy Boots YouTube channel as she rides around the world in all sorts of challenging situations. And perhaps what surprises me most is that she never swears. Not when she dumps the bike. Not when she gets a flat. Not when a customs agent gets annoying.
I strive for that kind of serenity.
Anyway, here is the latest video. I’m enjoying the creative change videomaking brings. It’s far more difficult for me than shooting still pictures and writing. But the creative challenge is invigorating.
If you like the video or want to see more of them, jog over to YouTube and subscribe.
I believe her serenity is mostly a result of the “edit video” button! Although she is either one of the bravest or the craziest people I know of! I enjoy her ride’s vicariously, but I have ridden enough to know how exhausting and painful such ventures are.
I am glad that she had the wisdom to move to a smaller bike. I really like the Himalayan, and I might trade my way- too- heavy cruiser bike in for one, but having to pick up a 400 pound bike in the mud several times a day would be a bit much. If I were her I would probably be on a Trail 125 by now!
I thought about the power of editing as well. But not when she’s dropping the bike in real-time with audio and video. She usually responds with a chuckle to things I would respond with, well, something different.
She’s more courageous than I’ll ever be. Bravery or craziness, who knows. And I think riding through Central America is perhaps as dangerous a place that she’s traveled. Hopefully, the crossing through to the US border is positive.
Moving to a smaller motorcycle was a good move for her. We each have to decide where along the spectrum we belong in terms of motorcycle or scooter weight. Being willing to even address that is a bridge too far for many riders.
She’s become a better rider over the years and she says she doesn’t drop the bike nearly as often. The Honda she’s currently riding is a hundred pounds lighter than the Himalayan but on the downside, its power and torque are at higher RPMs meaning the ride is more aggressive in places where the Himi might just chug along.
I suspect someday I’ll be on something akin to a Trail 125!
Well done Steve. I especially enjoy seeing my old central PA scenery.
Is there some way of showing your speed? As a mere bicycler, everything looks super fast.
Steve Jones
The superwide view definitely makes things look fast. The speeds in Moshannon were 45mph in the straights, and a little less in the curves. In the future, I’ll try to add some speed info to the screen from time to time. Or say it as I’m talking.
There will be a lot more central Pennsylvania scenery in the future. A lovely place here.
Oh, where to start. Most people who are unhappy with a new purchase are usually framing their new bike against the old model they traded in. I’ve been there a few times. Recently my purchase of a new crate scooter has left me a little unhappy in comparing it to the last crate model with 10k miles. I’m sure once the new one breaks in I’ll be happy with it.
As for the seat, Some riders are comparing it to an ideal they have. All my motorcycles and scooters started out with seats that were like vinyl covered 4X4s. Ultimately your butt beats the foam into a pleasing fit and you don’t even notice it.
It’s the same with changing things on a new bike. If you need more power performance, add ons only cover the fact that you should have bought a bigger engine. My 170cc scooter will never be as fast as my 250 scooter which will never be as fast as my 250 Nighthawk which will never be as fast as my 750 Kawasaki. As far as changes go. I rode a 1000cc Kawasaki for 125,000 miles with a Plexifairing I bought and a set of Bates saddlebags that I got for free. Nothing else.
After seeing this video I’m really sure the Himalayan is the bike for you. It is the right bike for State Highways and dirt roads. Plus it sounds good.
You do know you can bump start a motorcycle? Put in second gear, pull in the clutch and run jumping on the seat and dropping the clutch gets it spinning. Paul could have pushed you so you could be sitting on it.
Have fun and stay safe.
It may be true that people frame their new bike against the old. But I think there is some degree of chasing perfection and perfection just doesn’t exist. I remember my dad talking to someone who was telling him about the new house they bought and of all the things they were going to do to it. He responded by saying, “Couldn’t you find a house you liked?” It was half in jest but there was the idea of seeking some sort of level of improvement or perfection that will bring joy and satisfaction. I’ve seen people drop huge amounts of money in a kitchen “upgrade” that I wondered why since the old one seemed fine to me. Anyway, it’s a go-nowhere conversation I guess.
The Himalayan definitely seems right for me. I hope it doesn’t prove to be wrong. I like the idea of Paul pushing the motorcycle. We weren’t far from a hill so it wouldn’t have been a problem to bump start it unless the problem was something electrical — a faulty kickstand or gear sensor. I now have an Anti Gravity battery in the tail bag. It can charge the phone, camera batteries, or jump-start the bike.
I’m looking forward to more riding, especially when I can get off into the mountain trails.
Ok, first I enjoyed it. Now the hard part and it is just my opinion. Unless you are on the bike, take your helmet off to talk to the camera. You will see that Noraly always starts talking to her people, “hello internet”, without the helmet to make that personal connection and she just about always ends the video with no helmet. Anybody can make video’s. Making interesting video’s is time consuming and hard and editing is the key. That starts with assuming you have something that at least one person is interested in and they have to like you.
Now, if you want to see someone who never gives up watch Rosie. I met Rosie in Egypt in 2014 and have been following her since then. In Egypt she was on a photo shot and she spent lots of time hanging 3/4 the way out of a van roaring across the desert taking pictures. Her latest production shows her riding the Simshal with a newbie, Ghazal Farooqion. I have seen and heard “fuck” from Rosie many a time but not a single non-laughing word from Ghazal when drops her bike, time and time again. Rosie may cry, she may curse, but she never quits.
https://youtu.be/f96J-koyqXc
First, I could barely watch Rosie and Simshal on that narrow mountain road. I don’t like heights and it gave me the willies. When Ghazal went down in the intro I turned it off and will have to watch later. Geez. I’ll never do things like that.
After I saw my footage I said to myself, “Take your helmet off dummy.” The process is so new to me that my brain isn’t engaged yet in higher-level functioning. Next time though. And it was cold and windy up there. The helmet provides a nice amount of protection.
Having something of value to say is the challenge. When I am writing I can dip into the past, the future, abstractions, and such. With video, it’s right now, what’s in front of you, what you’re thinking or saying. A completely different animal. Without those dramatic landscapes and mountains that are anxiety-provoking, I’m not sure I can meet the challenge. And I’m not concerned enough or care enough about the machines to focus that way. We’ll see what happens when I have a little more practice. It’s a fun challenge though.
Thanks for sharing the link to Rosie. She has another subscriber.
Steve;
You may not want to hear this, but to me, the best part of your video was you trying to start the Himalayan after the battery had discharged due to your leaving the headlight on. I was laughing out loud at your misfortune, mainly because it is something I would do.
I once went to trade my KLR in on a Yamaha FJ-09. The service manager rode my KLR to give me an estimate on its trade in value. After the deal fell through, I went out to my KLR to ride it home. For the life of me, I could not get it to start. I even pushed it up a hill and tried to jump start it. Nothing. Then, for some reason, I finally noticed the kill switch was turned to the kill position. I switched the kill switch to run, the KLR started and I rode home, never looking back through the dealership window where I am confident the sales staff was laughing hysterically.
I never used the kill switch so I had no thought to check it.
Perhaps the fact that I can identify with not only your thoughts, but now also your actions is why I so much look forward to seeing your posts.
The non-start triggered a momentary frustration but it soon started. Not sure what was going on. I did something similar to your KLR adventure when I first got my GTS scooter. Accidentally hit the kill switch opening the seat. Didn’t realize it, could not start the scooter. I was about a half mile from my house and pushed it all the way home. That’s when I figured out the kill switch was on…
I’m sure I’ll have more missteps in the future!
How are the passenger accommodations? My wife likes to ride along, so the rear seat is perhaps the single most important factor in choosing a bike!
I can’t attest personally to the comfort of the pillion seat. What I can say is that it isn’t all that spacious. The passenger footpegs seem good and there are grab rails on both sides so that’s good. You may have to check with the Royal Enfield forums or Facebook groups to get a first-hand account of passengers on the Himalayan. It won’t be like a Harley Road King or Honda Goldwing experience that’s for sure!
Nice video, too cold for me to ride, lol Back in 1985 I purchased a pair of Hippo Hands handlebar covers for my Kawasaki KZ 900, to protect my hands from the cold wind.
I have two GoPro cameras, bought them to record my rides here in Philly. I used them maybe one or twice, they are sitting in a corner somewhere. The editing part is just to tedious and time consuming for me. Which video editing program do you use or recommend?
I have Tucano Urbano muffs on my Vespa and they make a huge difference in cold weather by allowing no wind to hit my hands. Couple that with heated grips and my hands are nice and warm.
I find the editing process relaxing. I was using iMovie but it’s a bit frustrating to use if you want to do anything complicated. I am using Final Cut Pro X now and it is a powerful tool. I’ve used it a lot in the past at work so it only took a little refresher to get up to speed. Otherwise, the learning curve is steep and I would recommend paying to take an online course from someone on its use. It will save many headaches down the road, especially with file management.
Hi Steve-
I’m really liking your Himalayan. I’ve never heard of a Himalayan before, not that I shop/browse for motorcycles, but it really intrigues me and comes across, at least to me, as a boutique-like bike and at an incredibly affordable price. It’s certainly compliments the “Vespa-in-us” uniqueness quite well, much more so than other mainstream makes. I thoroughly enjoyed the video, and chuckled when I heard your “foul language”!
I appreciated your comments about people finding fault with just about anything they purchase. Blogs are full of people finding fault and flaws versus focusing on what’s good. I try to stay away from those blogs or skip over those posts as that type of negativity can plant unnecessary seeds of doubt.
A question for you: How does that tiny windscreen work out for you? Is that something you are considering to up grade?
Keep up the good work Steve – I always look forward to whatever you post. If I wasn’t on the West Coast I think you and I would make great riding companions. Me at 6’2” and one week away from Medicare, enjoying some quality shunpiking on my Vespa, and always find a quaint place to stop for a light and healthy snack!
Cheers!
Floyd
P.S. My bride of 38 years will not even consider me getting a motorcycle. It’s a Vespa or nothing. You know the old saying, Happy Wife, Happy Life!
Ride safe.
The Himalayan complements the Vespa far better than the BMW K75 did. The new motorcycle is definitely unique, but the feel and handling are similar as well, especially in regard to the powerband. The Vespa and Himalayan have similar acceleration and top speeds. The important difference for me are the bigger wheels that will afford easier exploration of the many forest and fire roads in this part of the state.
The windscreen seems fine though I’m someone who never really minded the direct windblast of a naked bike. I rode the Vespa for years before putting a tiny windscreen on it. With a full-face helmet, it didn’t seem to matter to me. So I doubt I will upgrade anything in that department.
I’ll keep at the writing and video making. It continues to offer a lot of personal satisfaction.
One week from Medicare! You’re entering a new phase of existence!!
Healthy snacks?? What are they?
As far as getting a motorcycle, I think for a long time my wife thought scooters were somehow safer than motorcycles and that created her unease about a motorcycle. As far as a machine on the highway goes, the road or another vehicle doesn’t differentiate a scooter from a motorcycle. Crash on either is a problem.
The big difference may have nothing to do with the machine and everything to do with the rider. If you are reckless, untrained, seduced by speed, acceleration, and have a bad temperament on the road, then the risk is great. I’ve met scooter riders who had no business riding just as I have motorcycle riders.
Depending on the motorcycle, it can present opportunities for greater risk in terms of more power and higher speeds. The Himalayan doesn’t offer that in comparison to the Vespa. In terms of on-the-road behavior with speed and acceleration, they are basically the same. And I won’t ride any differently on either.
I think my wife realized that. There wasn’t the “you’ll shoot your eye out” reaction.