Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Two Motorcycles in the Cold

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Steve Williams standing with two motorcycles on a winter ride.
That moment when you say, “Holy shit, it’s cold.” (Photo by Paul Ruby)

Cold Comfort

There are moments on the road when you realize your estimations of the day are wrong. What’s true in the driveway has become false in another place. As I stood in the middle of the road atop the Allegheny Plateau, it was apparent that the balmy mid-40s temperatures promised at home in the valley were not to come true here. Paul had expressed doubts about riding far when we left, he doesn’t have the winter gear I do and I can only guess he rides in the cold through grit and determination where I lean more towards the comfort of a riding spacesuit.

But even in the spacesuit, I could tell it was cold. Maybe it was the wind blowing in my face when I raised the visor to talk. The two motorcycles in the cold were stopped there because I wanted to record a piece for my next installment on my YouTube channel.

By the time we finished, we decided to turn back toward the valley and the warmth of someplace to get a snack. That’s what happens when you ride motorcycles in the cold.

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1st Ride on My 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan

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Snow on the Himalayan tires.
What possessed me to ride when there was still snow around?

Common Sense (less)

Since buying the 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan a few weeks ago it has been sitting in the garage. Cold temperatures, snow , slush, salt, and grit have made it a terrible time to ride. I’ve been visiting the motorcycle in the garage, admiring it, acting like a kid at Christmas who got a new bicycle but can’t ride because of snow.

So despite my better judgment and some patches of snow, I went for a short ride around the neighborhood. Just a few miles. After just a mile or so I knew I would be washing off the salt when I got home.

Still, I was dying to ride.

The tires on the Himalayan look nice and aggressive. But are they good for snow?

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Installing GIVI Engine Guards on 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan

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Super sturdy GIVI engine guards

Three Bolts — How hard could it be?

I learned a few things today while installing a pair of GIVI Engine Guards on my shiny new, 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan. First, I’m no mechanic. I may improve with practice, but whatever skills I had at 17 rebuilding car engines and transmissions has evaporated over the last 50 years. Second, patience brings its own rewards. There was a moment during the installation that I had a pair of side cutters in my hand and I was seriously contemplating cutting the rubber hose in half that ran from the brake reservoir to the master cylinder. And last, I was reminded of the power of asking for help. (It’s like asking for directions only better.)

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Bringing My 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan Home

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2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan in a dealer showroom.
A parting shot of the Himalayan on the day I bought it.

The Green Machine

Mornings starting with single-digit temperatures or worse don’t automatically engender thoughts of motorcycles, scooters, and riding. But for me, thinking about bringing my 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan home has been a major preoccupation. I’m embarrassed to say how many Himalayan YouTube videos I’ve watched. Or how many accessories I’ve considered (and purchased) on SRC Moto and Twisted Throttle.

I’ve been dreaming and scheming about the many and myriad rides I might take with the Himalayan. And bringing it home was the necessary first step.

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2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan/My New Motorcycle

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2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle parked outside a dealer's service area.
Fresh from a short test ride. My new Himalayan.

Adjusting My Riding Life

To make a long, meandering story short — I purchased a 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan today after a test ride. The Pine Green model. And to make room in the garage, my 1992 BMW K75C is going to live on a farm.

The reason?

At my doorstep are hundreds of miles of dirt and gravel forest roads, jeep trails, and other avenues not suitable for the K75, and not the best choice for my Vespa. So after a year of resistance, I finally made the decision to make a change in my riding life and buy this new motorcycle.

I paid for the bike and once the BMW is gone, I’ll haul the machine home. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

A new motorcycle means a change in some of the riding stories shared here.

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