It is really hard to describe the allure of the Himalayan. You do a good job in the comment. On paper the Himi comes up short in practically any conventionally thought of value. But when you ride it there is something so engaging to me that it is likely my favorite as well. Perhaps even eclipsing my Vespa GTS. I rotate through my four machines to keep them all exercised, especially in the winter, and while I enjoy all of them the Himalayan always makes me smile.

Thanks for sharing your experience. And sorry for the month long delay in responding.

Hopefully you’ll be able to find some common ground somewhere before arriving at divorce. While I understand that feeling for me what’s important is I have some agency in my life to be able to make decisions. Deciding to take the risk related to riding had to include some serious soul searching in regard to consideration of my wife’s concerns and to make sure I was not just being a selfish asshole.

Making sure she would be adequately provided for should something happen to me was important. Life insurance, no debt, and a host of other operational concerns dealt with in a mature manner was just the start. And demonstrating that I was willing and able to manage life on the road was important as well. It required some patience on my part and some faith on the part of my wife. I hope you’ll find the right path to return to riding.

I’ve heard the same about the InReach devices. I guess it’s a crap shoot. Nothing perfect. Just expenses.

I need more functionality than the iPhone would provide. Or at least I want that functionality — mainly the ability to text specific information. I’m not so worried about crashes as I am about medical stuff.

The 250 Nighthawk is a tried and true machine. I’ve ridden one a few times but never on the Interstate highway. As I’d been looking at adding a cruiser to my fleet I was on the fence about the Interstate capabilities. One of the reasons I like the Himalayan is it’s no frills construction. Time will tell if it’s solid and dependable. So far though it is.

I’ve looked at the SPOT and some personal locator beacons. Lots thoughts and ideas available online. I do need to be able to text more than the basic “broken down” message. So I’ll have to look at the more expensive SPOT or GARMIN devices.

Itchy Boots carries the Garmin InReach Mini 2 with her along with a sat phone. She moved away from Garmin for her navigation tablet though to a device manufactured in the Czech Republic. I can’t remember the name.

All I do know now is I should have something and the cost isn’t a concern. I just need to make a decision.

Ambling along on my motorcycle reminds me of the Sunday drives my parents took me on back in the early 1960s. Perhaps in a small way I’m reliving my youth when I ride. And I agree that there is a tremendous sense of oneness with the world while riding on the backroads.