I Remember Now
Cold mornings. Reasons to stay home. Safe. Warm. Unencumbered by the need to do the heavy lifting to ride in the central Pennsylvania winter. Suddenly the body vibrates from the thrum of the engine, the spin of the tires on the asphalt, the wind pushing against the body. And then I am falling in love with the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Again.
I’m an unreliable lover of the machines in my garage. One day I’m in love with my Vespa scooter. And the next with something else. I commune with the machine I’m riding. Each for their own personality and grace.
It was a fine morning to ride no where in particular. Just enough to drive the moisture from the oil. To energize the battery. And restore my soul.
Down Any Road
The plan was to sell the Himalayan when I bought the Honda Trail 125 to serve as my off the pavement machine. A year later I’m still riding it. The motorcycle occupies a unique place in my riding mind. Simple, reliable, and generously easy and comfortable to ride. Additionally it is free of the complications of so many motorcycles today. No modes or sophisticated electronics. Mechanically with its single cylinder two-valve engine I can’t think of a less complicated motorcycle heart.
But the real gift at the heart of my love for this motorcycle is the solid, agile, reassuring way it handles going down the road. And as moto-essayist Peter Egan described about the Himalayan, it appeals to my “my simple Walden-esque soul.”
It is a perfect partner to wander through the valley near home, add some miles to the clock, and bring some peace to a mind churned by the nonsense of the world.
My Old Friend
I’m not going to sell the Himalayan. At least not until I can’t ride it anymore. Time will tell what causes that bit of sad reality. Until then I can imagine myself falling in love with the Royal Enfield Himalayan each time it comes up in the riding rotation. And as things are now it is getting a little extra riding attention because, well, it is so damn satisfying to ride.
I’ve ridden a lot of motorcycles but nothing like the Himalayan. It’s not fast, powerful, or sophisticated. It just feels good to ride.
And that makes it one of my favorite old friends.
Judging by your other posts, you’ve had it for over three years now. Is that longer than you had the German brick for? Wow, time flies.
You are correct. I had the K75 for about two and a half years. And the Himalayan now for a little over three years. Time certainly flies by. And since I’m not getting younger in the process I better pay attention.
Steve, great words about a good friend. I am holding on to the thought of finding a gently used Himalayan for myself, based on your experiences. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words about the post Paul. I hope you find the Himalayan you seek. I periodically look at the pre-owned options at Kissell Motorsports and once saw a Himalayan. Right now they have a Royal Enfield Classic 350 for sale. I would have bought one had the Kawasaki W650 not crossed my path.
Thanks for this post. So good, as usual.
Been praying for your wife’s recovery. I trust she’s getting healthier after her back surgery awhile ago. Take care, my friend.
Thanks Randy. When the surgeon told my wife recovery would take up to 18 months they weren’t kidding. She’s made of stronger stuff than me that’s for sure.
Despite what the current Administration says, diversity is good.
I like the Peter Egan quote. I miss those old magazine editorials.
Egan is a great writer. His perspective was almost always enlightening for me. That kind of writing seems to have disappeared from the moto world. It’s all about reviews of new machines now.
I think the administration has confused quotas and Affirmative Action with diversity. But they have effectively focused the country on it and keep prying eyes away from more mundane things like food prices, house prices, health care costs, national debt, and other things that actually affect people’s daily lives.
I ride to cleanse my mind of politics. I vote. Beyond that I have no control over what the government does. And with that I will slide the soapbox back into a dark, dusty corner.
Amen.
Great post man I get it. I started making cigar box guitars in 2016, My old friends that fill my bedroom like a music store sometimes I pass by one and think I should sell you, then plug in the amp and hit the strings a bit and I think oh I better keep this one ,I have managed of late to own only one Scooter but Steve I get what you feel .Take care and Happy Trails friend.
I had no idea you were a cigar box guitar builder. And electrified. I understand the urge to sell and the reality of not being able to make the change. When I look at the machines in the garage they are filled with memories. And with possibilities. All of which merge with my own needs and desires. I’m fortunate that there really is no more room for anything else otherwise there would be more.
Have fun with your scooter. I’m hoping to find time to ride tomorrow when the temperature is supposed to approach 70F!
I have a friend who has Himalayan (older edition) and lies it enough to consider passing it on to his son. Do you still have your W650? I have one and just love it. Miss your musings and videos on it. I have watched those videos over and over and can’t wait for better weather.
I still have my 2001 Kawasaki W650. And still love riding it. Have fallen behind in editing videos but more will come.
I try not to expose the W650 to the winter salt and grit so it doesn’t get the action of the others. Still, I’ve ridden it a half dozen times through the winter including a recent long ride to lunch with a friend. No video of that ride but I’ll post something here about it. I learned how hot those header pipes get!
This weather and cold has kept my bikes in the garage for some time. I just visited the bikes for their weekly startup and will have no excuse not to ride something tomorrow. I tried on a few bikes yesterday and was extremely disappointed to come to the conclusion that a CF Moto Adventura is about three inches too tall for my aged legs. I would be standing on tiptoes at traffic lights ready to topple. There are other candidates out there but riding any one of my group usually banishes thoughts of needing a replacement.
Colder and more snow where you are so riding would be a greater challenge. I’m glad that most of the cold weather is now in the rear view mirror. Winter has flown by which is nice though it also means life is flying by as well.
My days of riding things that are too tall or too heavy are behind me. I want to feel comfortable physically and mentally when I ride. Ran some errands this morning with the Honda Trail 125. That bike is wonderfully manageable and fun to ride. Just what the doctor ordered!