I’ve been riding my Vespa GTS scooter on dirt and gravel roads for 15 years. Why do I need a motorcycle for those rides?
During a ride last August on my 2006 Vespa GTS 250ie I finally came to believe two things:
- Riding on rough, unpaved roads, the scooter in not the best choice of vehicles.
- I want to explore the dirt and gravel tracks that I’ve largely ignored for the past 15 years.
And as a result of the experience that day on my Vespa scooter, I began to think I needed to sell my BMW K75C motorcycle and buy a Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.
It took a few months before I made a final decision, but the Himalayan was the right fit for how I ride and where I want to take it.
Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel if you want to see more videos of the Vespa and the Himalayan in the coming weeks and months.
Thanks!
I don’t blame you for getting the Himalayan. I would love to get a Kawasaki KLR to ride on dirt and gravel roads.
The KLR is formidable. I rode mine through Mexico and the bottom half of South America. Ultimately I ended up with a Suzuki DR650, because I could not pick up the KLR but can lift the DR. Depends on how big you are.
I am 6′-4″ tall. The DR650 is also a great choice, but I am biased towards Kawasaki, lol The KLR will have to wait since I recently retired, and I am relocating overseas. Now have to find out how to ship my Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14, and my old trusty Kaw KZ1000.
I hope you can enjoy some riding time overseas. The new KLR with fuel injection seems very nice.
Being able to pick up a motorcycle when you’re likely to be alone is important. Even though the KLR and Himalayan weigh about the same, the Royal Enfield feels lighter.
I briefly considered the KLR but dismissed it largely due to how tall it is and how it feels more top-heavy than the Himalayan. I’ve ridden a few hundred miles on an older KLR and enjoyed it, but now ten years older, the lighter feel of the Himalayan is important.
I expect to ride this motorcycle into old age!
A genuine Garden of Eden and a treasure trove of routes and rides eh! I imagine the two of you will share plenty of quality hill and dell time together. Bravo!
I’ve plotted several dirt rides of a hundred miles or more. It’s amazing how many trails I just never engaged with the Vespa. As soon as the weather warms I’ll start exploring. There is still a lot of ice and snow on those mountain roads now.
It’s really just about getting the right bike to expand your exploratory palette. To me, the Himalayan is a near-perfect counterpoint/accompaniment to the Vespa GTS. It’s likely something I’d choose if I were to have a second bike.
I agree, it does seem a perfect pair. Time will tell if that’s true!
I like the Himalayan as well. If it proves to be reliable, then RE may have a real hit…
I’ll be reporting on the reliability as I put more miles on the bike. I’m hoping that a lot of the problems in the early models have been resolved.
The Himalayan is a great bike and will no doubt provide you with many hours of riding pleasure. I had one for a year and put about 6000 trouble-free miles on it throughout Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. The only problem I had was with the steering head bearings, which were replaced under warranty. That seemed to be a problem with the early bikes, but I assume Royal Enfield has improved them by now. I eventually sold the Himi and bought another bike (Suzuki XF650) because I wanted a few more horses and where I live I spend most of the time on road. I do miss it though, and if you’re not in a big hurry, it will take you anywhere you wish to go.
Thank you for the positive comments about your experience with the Himalayan. I’m looking forward to a lot of not-in-a-big-hurry rides!
Yup. The Himalayan will serve you better on gravel and dirt roads like those depicted. Being able to stand on the pegs and having larger wheels will make some of those bumps and loose dirt disappear. Check out Youtube for any instructions on dirt riding. It will help a lot.
Dirt riding is in my far, distant past. Teenager time riding in strip mines in Western Pennsylvania. All I remember is crashing a lot.
I’ll spend some time on YouTube looking for some training. Did some standing on the pegs today. Something tells me I might need some bar risers if I get serious about it.
Good video Steve!
Thanks Dom!