Scooter in the Sticks

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

Royal Enfield Himalayan or a Honda 125 Trail?

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2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan
Is it time to downsize?

Surprised at How Fast They Get Heavy.

It was only a couple years ago that I felt the BMW K75C was getting too heavy to handle. Plus I wanted something to ride in the mountains. Not on rough trails or single track. Just the many dirt and gravel forest roads. And the Royal Enfield Himalayan was a good choice for me. And I have to add, I love that motorcycle.

But…. There’s always a but. Especially when I get older. I don’t feel the same kind of “heavy” I did with the BMW but I definitely have become more aware of the weight of the Himalayan. On a good day I’m not sure if I could pick it up after a drop. And definitely not on a bad back day. And if it fell on my my aging bones might be more prone to fracture. Just what I need as I ride on the path towards age 70 this year.

So I’ve been doing some thinking and scheming and prowling of the internet.

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Concerns of Power and Speed

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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?

Warm Day, Cold Day

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Two motorcycles parked by a farm field.
As spring approaches more and more riding days appear.

A Bright Light

A faint wisp of steam rises from a mug next to my easy chair in the living room as I watch large snowflakes descend from the heavens. The aroma of cinnamon toast fills my head as I wonder why winter has been such a burden. Despite efforts to blame it on pandemic uncertainty, rising prices at the pump and grocery store, or a raging war in Ukraine, I can’t quite help but think I’m merely suffering the effects of age on my body, mind, and spirit.

While I don’t feel it’s universal, it is common, and I can easily enumerate a list of changes that have no other explanation. I’m powerless to change some of them, but others are absolutely within my arena of action.

Two days ago it felt like a warm spring day as I went for an afternoon ride with my friend Paul. The sky was clear, the sun bright in my face, and a breeze seeming to clear away any gloomy energy hanging in the valley. It was a good ride. I was a good day.

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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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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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