Enter the Era of Downsizing Motorcycles
YouTube is currently full of content declaring the virtues of moving to smaller machines. The reasons vary but the changes are happening. Mostly because so many riders are older and perhaps feeling how much heavier machines are feeling. I’m familiar with those feelings.
The median age of an American motorcycle owner is around 50. In 1990 the median rider age was 32. And in 1985 it was 27. Not great news for manufacturers wondering where new customers are going to come from but no surprise the Boomers and GenXers, used to ever bigger and better SUVs and trucks, seem to end up with mammoth machines that are now getting a little uncomfortable.
Downsizing can be the result of wanting a motorcycle that’s just easier to handle. Or less expensive to own and operate. Or more fun. All that stands in the way of downsizing in an clear understanding of needs and an honest assessment of ego. Ego is a bitch to get past though. Just this morning I was talking with a fellow rider about Helite Turtle 2 airbags. Expensive. Probably useful. But when I saw the Hi-Viz yellow my first reaction was in how it would interrupt the elegant look of my Merlin Hixon II leather jacket.
Style before safety right? Turns out they do offer them in black.
Back to my 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan. I downsized to it from my BMW K75 because that motorcycle was feeling heavy for the kind of riding I was doing. And it had more power than I needed. Ultimately I wanted a motorcycle to ride in the dirt and gravel. The Himalayan was a much better choice.
Embracing a 24-Horsepower Motorcycle
On paper, the 411cc version of the Royal Enfield Himalayan is deficient by almost any measure other than price. Slow, underpowered, analog gauges, little technology, and a reputation of being more like a tractor than a modern motorcycle. It was a perfect downsizing path for me though.
My riding consists of day rides, mostly on backroads, dirt, and gravel. With no need to spend hours on Interstate highways to get to some off-road paradise the Himalayan’s top speed limit is unimportant. It does what I need it to do.
On this day I had mapped out in my head a meandering 100 mile loop of pavement and forest roads. Perfect for this motorcycle. And a larger, more sophisticated machine wouldn’t offer any meaningful improvements or advantages. And probably less fun.
How Fast Do You Need to Go?
My goal was to get to the unexplored gravel roads 40 miles away. Instead of wandering on the tiny backroads at 35 MPH I chose the main highway where people routinely travel at 70. The Himalayan is happy at that speed despite the 24 horsepower engine and 5-speed transmission. It got me where I wanted to go in less than an hour and could just as easily travel 200 miles at that speed.
The wind protection isn’t great. There’s a little vibration in the feet. No cruise control. And no big TFT display to enjoy. Just a simple motorcycle well able to get me where I want to go.
This 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan isn’t fast. It won’t deliver high speed takeovers. But if you’re comfortable moving along at a leisurely pace, don’t require a lot of technology, and want a light, comparatively nimble machine, this could fill the bill. And on the used market they are inexpensive choices for the downsizing rider.
The Exploring Companion
I’ve worried the Himalayan was getting too heavy and difficult to handle just a year ago. Somehow I failed to process into the equation that I was riding in winter on wet and sometimes icy roads. But in good winter this bike is a faithful, stable companion for the exploring I do either alone or with others. And as my 72nd birthday approaches it remains comfortable and easy to navigate anywhere I decide to go.
The view from above R.B Winter State Park is one of many stunning examples of the mountains and forests of central Pennsylvania. This stop was on my list for a long time. As are many others that the Himalayan will no doubt deliver.
No Winter Maintenance
A thrill goes through me when I see a sign declaring “No Winter Maintenance.” It doesn’t always mean a bad road but sometimes offers a little stimulating challenge. This road was narrow but had obviously had some gravel recently dumped along it. Still, it moved through some lovely forests and didn’t see another vehicle for a long while.
Downsizing to a smaller motorcycle means I can keep riding by myself and still feel comfortable that I can manage the machine and myself. And already, for more technically challenging routes, I’ve added a small and light Honda Trail 125 to my fleet. I could have ridden it on this ride but it would have taken more time than I had. I traveled 100 miles, crossed three mountains, rode along great gravel forest roads, had breakfast at an Amish Buffet, and was home in three and a half hours.
The Himalayan is just perfect and only producing 24-horsepower is only a concern if I’m worried about what others might think of my riding prowess. I have no regrets downsizing to this motorcycle.
Is there some downsizing ahead in your life?
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Already downsized to a Himalayan 411 a CT125 and a Vespa 300GTV. Like looking in a mirror sometimes.
Getting my Trail 125 was my downsizing moment. It’s perfect in AZ, where I can be on dirt in 10 minutes. But at home in western NY not many trails to ride at all. The Kymco Downtown 300i stays on pavement. I toyed with the idea of a Honda CRF300L, but probably that ship has sailed.