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Honest opinions on commuting

KyonTheGrey

Total noob
Location
Wales
Hey folks,

I'm looking for honest opinions because I love the Himalayan but don't want to make the wrong choice.

I'm currently still on a 125 after passing my DAS, but once I move houses I'll be buying a bike. My commute will be 30 miles, predominantly dual carriageway.

At 6'+, 14st, is the Himalayan going to cope in the long run with running at 70mph for that distance, twice a day, 5 days a week?

Thanks in advance
 

Bluestrom13

Well travelled
Location
--'Coventry'....
At 6'+, 14st, is the Himalayan going to cope in the long run with running at 70mph for that distance, twice a day, 5 days a week?
It will do it. But you'd be cruel to make it do that. Anybody with the least mechanical sympathy might cruise ALL DAY at 55 - 60, 70 in short bursts.
And, unless you service it yourself, you'll be spending alot on that too. (Every 3000miles = 10 weeks with those numbers you mention).
I'd be looking at (maybe) Honda NC700/750 (S or X), low revving, 70mpg, service every 8000 miles?
My old V-Strom would do that too, services at 7000 miles, still 70 mpg.:)
 
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Irishguy

Well travelled
For not a lot more why not just buy the 650 Royal Enfield and it would be a fun commuter that would handle the speeds.

I'm not in your neck of the woods. I'm across the pond, but here in another town named Birmingham, I had about the same commute on the interstate (That's how we say "Dual Carriageway" over here.) and I use to love to commute on my Kawasaki W650. I've never had a Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor, but I imagine it's similar to the W650, and if that's the case I would rather do that commute on my W650 than on my Himalayan, any day of the week.

Now... The question is: Do you plan on dong any dual sport riding? If so then get the Himalayan. If not then get the Interceptor or a Kawasaki W800/W650 or one of the Hinckley Bonnevilles. Maybe even a Triumph Scrambler....
 

Bluestrom13

Well travelled
Location
--'Coventry'....
We have fuel approaching £1-50 a LITRE***here at present. I would think some economy might be a priority at 300 miles per week.(IMHO)
The Hondas are designed as commuters... Not alot to polish, low maintenance, and ECONOMICAL

***$7.77 per US Gallon.:unsure:
 
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petespace1

Well travelled
Location
Aus
IMHO you might want to consider bikes in the 500 / 650 to 900cc range.
Triumph, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati, Aprilia, BMW, KTM etc. etc. you will need to do a few test rides or at least sitting on them.
You might like straight commuters, cruisers, or perhaps even dual sport adventure touring ready types such as the VStrom 650 or Tiger 800 or BMW F750GS .

You have a lot of research to do my friend. 😊
 

Roy Gavin

Well travelled
Or try and find a low mileage Honda VFR, motors last half a million miles, valves go at least 120,000 km between adjustment, chains last 100,000 km with that smooth motor, and at 70 mph you are just about half way to the top speed. Might even be in top gear!
Has brakes and suspension which work at 70 mph too.
Not to bad on unsealed roads , even with Pilot Powers, but a bit top heavy for single track, and mud and sand tires are hard to find in sizes to fit.
Most have been flogged to death as courier bikes, but you might be lucky!
 

Ser3J

Finally made it
Location
Cornwall
I will let you know. I intend on doing 175-miles twice a week with a lot of dual carriageway. Yes it will need servicing but the Himalayan is very simple and quick to service. It’s also cheap to service yourself.
 
I will let you know. I intend on doing 175-miles twice a week with a lot of dual carriageway. Yes it will need servicing but the Himalayan is very simple and quick to service. It’s also cheap to service yourself.
Yes, you could outfit the himalayan with a more street oriented tire, get the taller windshield to minimize buffeting, etc but extended riding over 65 mph is not what it is designed for. There is no problem with riding 175 miles in a day and if the ride is enjoyable then why not?
 

tom_d

Well travelled
Location
US
Hey folks,

I'm looking for honest opinions because I love the Himalayan but don't want to make the wrong choice.

I'm currently still on a 125 after passing my DAS, but once I move houses I'll be buying a bike. My commute will be 30 miles, predominantly dual carriageway.

At 6'+, 14st, is the Himalayan going to cope in the long run with running at 70mph for that distance, twice a day, 5 days a week?

Thanks in advance
70 mph is at the upper end of its design envelope, it will do that and some more but hills and headwinds will eat into any surplus power so I hang in the slow lane and go my pace. I had a 50 minute commute previously and rode a 250 and encountered a similar dilemma, I looked around and found multiple alternatives routes. Exploring those I found one that added only ten minutes and I’d use that most days as it was also more enjoyable to boot.
 

Morgan60

Well travelled
Location
USA
70 mph is at the upper end of its design envelope, it will do that and some more but hills and headwinds will eat into any surplus power so I hang in the slow lane and go my pace. I had a 50 minute commute previously and rode a 250 and encountered a similar dilemma, I looked around and found multiple alternatives routes. Exploring those I found one that added only ten minutes and I’d use that most days as it was also more enjoyable to boot.
Plus one!
I’ve commuted on my Himmy a lot over the years and in all weather. It makes a nice commuter in my opinion. You are not going to win any races but it’ll get you there and back home and it handles great. Please do ware a high vis safety vest! I find the ICON MIL SPEC VEST to be the best and the most durable on the market.
 

KyonTheGrey

Total noob
Location
Wales
70 mph is at the upper end of its design envelope, it will do that and some more but hills and headwinds will eat into any surplus power so I hang in the slow lane and go my pace. I had a 50 minute commute previously and rode a 250 and encountered a similar dilemma, I looked around and found multiple alternatives routes. Exploring those I found one that added only ten minutes and I’d use that most days as it was also more enjoyable to boot.
You know what, I had a look on Google maps and found a route which is 10 miles shorter but only 10 minutes longer, speed limit along most of it is 60 with a small stretch up to 70.

I'm gonna just go for that route (more fun anyway) and treat the Himmy with the respect she deserves!

Thanks everyone for your input.
 

tom_d

Well travelled
Location
US
You know what, I had a look on Google maps and found a route which is 10 miles shorter but only 10 minutes longer, speed limit along most of it is 60 with a small stretch up to 70.

I'm gonna just go for that route (more fun anyway) and treat the Himmy with the respect she deserves!

Thanks everyone for your input.
Another bonus is the your fuel consumption will be less. The human body did not evolve to be aerodynamic, it’s more of a 15 mph vehicle. :)
Old fart safety tip, use caution on country roads at dawn or dusk and later.
 
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