Himalayan Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Scooter in the Sticks

Loving the Royal Enfield Himalayan

July 31, 2023 by Scooter in the Sticks 14 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan along a rural road. — A calm, quiet, unassuming motorcycle.

A Peaceful, Easy Feeling

My 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan never startles, surprises, or scares me. It’s so easy to ride and the feeling I get moving down the road is almost as if the machine has me in a relaxed, safe embrace. Granted those feelings are in my head and I fully realize the risk involved in riding this or any other motorcycle. But there is something special about riding a motorcycle the gets me from point A to point B without inviting me to taste its power or speed. In the end we both are content to wander along seemingly without a care in the world.

Concerns of Power and Speed

February 10, 2023 by Scooter in the Sticks 17 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan in Rothrock State Forest. — The weak, underpowered, too-slow Royal Enfield Himalayan.

An Honest Question

I read a comment on one of my YouTube videos asking, “How do you cope with 24 horsepower?”

A good question, especially since the Himalayan has a reputation for being underpowered and slow. And that question also points out a possible initial bias when it comes to power and speed, and what is required to be adequate. It seems that too often an arbitrary value is introduced that doesn’t take into account the rider, the riding goals, or the motorcycle. Add pride and ego to the mix and you can come face-to-face with some pretty strange ideas of what’s necessary to go for a ride. And a parade of ever bigger and bigger machines that may have more to do with profit margins that anything remotely necessary for riding.

As I’ve always believed, it’s up to the individual to decide what they need in terms of a scooter or motorcycle. I only hope men and women take the time to look in the mirror and make an honest assessment before making a choice.

Anyway, I made a video in response to the question. Perhaps you’ll have some additional insight or experience that will help others make their own decision about what to ride — scooter or motorcycle.

I have my own ideas on power and speed…

What are your thoughts on power and speed?

Prescription: Royal Enfield Himalayan and Autumn

November 10, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 9 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan in a rural autumn landscape — Unwinding with an autumn motorcycle ride.

A Change of Scenery

A riding rhythm has eluded me for the past two months. Maybe more. The usual drive to get on the motorcycle or scooter just hasn’t been animating my decisions. Instead, i’ve lost myself in too much television. Too much sugar. Too much sleep. Staring out the window at the changing autumn landscape, wondering what was wrong, it occurred to me the prescription was simple — get on the Royal Enfield Himalayan and go for a ride.

Anywhere. Just a change of scenery would alter how I feel.

And it worked.

Learning Off-Road Riding at 67 — OUCH!

May 27, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 26 Comments

Two motorcycles at an overlook in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. — The view from Winklebleck Vista in the mountains of central Pennsylvania.

Easy, Peaceful Riding

A recent ride in the mountains on my Royal Enfield Himalayan provided me with wonderful opportunities for personal growth. Specifically, a close look at the limitations of my off-road riding skills. And learning off-road riding skills.

My rider ego had its knuckles cracked with a ruler as I discovered the gap between off-road riding fantasy and the physical realities of that activity. During a recent relaxed ride in the central Pennsylvania mountains, a choice of a “drivable trail” led to riding lessons that are painful at 67 years old.

Before moving on, I need to thank Eric at “Kraken’s Garage and Adventures” on YouTube for the title of this post. He said it gets directly to the point! And indeed he’s right. Learning off-road riding at 67 was painful.

Royal Enfield Himalayan on Dirt and Gravel

March 28, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 15 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan on a gravel forest road. — Is this the preferred environment for my Himalayan?

Dirt and Gravel

There was a week of unseasonably warm weather that I watched slip by due to things more important than riding. Finally, on a sunny, warm afternoon, a few hours before sunset, I decided to take the Royal Enfield Himalayan on dirt and gravel in nearby Rothrock State Forest.

The motorcycle has proved to be everything I hoped it would be — comfortable, capable, and a joy to ride. It is the right machine for me to finally explore all the dirt and gravel roads that crisscross the forests and mountains from the Maryland border north to the New York border.

I’m going to ride on all of them.