Nearly there

[Andy131]

Hi, OK I'm an old guy that hasn't ridden seriously for decades. Have rented 125s while on holidays but nothing long term for 40 years. As a youngster I had far more bravery than skill with obvious consiquences so when I married at 21 promised the wife no more motorbikes. Recently widowed (cancer) and was shopping at the local supermarket, came across a nice lady on a nicer Himalayan. Long chat. Have decided that when I arrive back from holiday that I will be putting the deposit down on a Himalayan the same day. Never ridden one, but working on the premis that the chassis is far better than the engine it is the safest bet considering my limited riding skills. Back in the day it was Suzuki 750 triple, Honda 500/4 and Yamaha YDS7 - good engines interesting chassis, rubbish brakes.

 

[Hutchie2112]

Welcome back. You've picked a great bike to get back into riding again with.
Take it easy, find an empty car park and just lay yourself out a wee figure of 8 and spend a wee while just getting the feel for low speed turning and maneouvering.
Its a lovely balanced machine, and the performance and brakes won't freak you out, and there are few pleasures more relaxing than going for a bimble and taking a flask of coffee and just finding somewhere folk don't go and chilling out.

 

[Roy Gavin]

Welcome back, great bike, great chassis and motor with plenty of power for it's intended use- most old Brit 500 singles had around the same power and no one ever seemed to complain about them.

 

[Andy131]

my "normal" way of passing time is to drive to Lancaster for a Costa coffee and a cake in the Discovery Sport - passing dozens of Costa retailers on the way - a quiet way of spending 2-3 hours. The hope is that I can do the same on the Himalayan . It's far too early since the wifes passing for me to feel comfortable in others company, so a nice solo ride seems a good way or passing the time.

 

[petespace1]

Welcome mate, I am sure you will love riding again.
If you haven’t ridden for a while and still have your licence, talking to a riding instructor might be a good way to get some tips of riding in your neck of the woods.

I remember when I came back to riding after a 10 year hiatus (marriage young family etc), I took a one day course at the local riding school and it was quite enlightening, some stuff was new others I had forgotten as a car driver.

The Himalayan is a great bike, and I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun.

 

[Morgan60]

Hello Andy131 and welcome to this form from across the pond. Sorry to hear about your wife‘s passing, my condolences. The Himalayan is a great bike to get going again. I have a large stable of bikes and the Himmy is my favorite go to bike. If you can take a class or get a riding instructor to help you it would be advisable being so long off the bike.

 

[Andy131]

Too late now, placed the order for a white 2020 (not E5) Himalayan.

Things have changed. Steel toecap work boots replaced by hopefully waterproof one piece boots. Two pair of jeans (one wrapped in a bag so that you had something dry to wear), replaced by fancy multilayer trousers. Jacket !! back in the day it was a leather bomber with tassels, and a cut-off denim jacket over the top to stop the tassels across the shoulders whipping my then girlfriend in the face. Leather gauntlets with a huge plastic scoop designed to channel water running off your sleeves into the fingers, now posh ones that fit INSIDE the jacket sleeves. Helmets that fit, with space for glasses, now that is an improvement.
The sales Guy accidentally reminded me that I am a "born again biker"

Good sized carpark to practice slow speed manoeuvres

Next weekend is going to be a long time coming - family are going to have fits.

 

[Hutchie2112]

Too late now, placed the order for a white 2020 (not E5) Himalayan.

Things have changed. Steel toecap work boots replaced by hopefully waterproof one piece boots. Two pair of jeans (one wrapped in a bag so that you had something dry to wear), replaced by fancy multilayer trousers. Jacket !! back in the day it was a leather bomber with tassels, and a cut-off denim jacket over the top to stop the tassels across the shoulders whipping my then girlfriend in the face. Leather gauntlets with a huge plastic scoop designed to channel water running off your sleeves into the fingers, now posh ones that fit INSIDE the jacket sleeves. Helmets that fit, with space for glasses, now that is an improvement.
The sales Guy accidentally reminded me that I am a "born again biker"

Good sized carpark to practice slow speed manoeuvres

Next weekend is going to be a long time coming - family are going to have fits.

AWESOME!!!! Now we await the photographs (or it didn't happen!!!!!)
Enjoy every single mile on the new bike. (shame you couldn't get a green one of course, but other than that

 

[Andy131]

Certainly did happen. Boy was I scared, first time on a proper bike for a long long time, roads full of wet leaves and I remember how innocuous and deadly they can be. We have had high winds and downpours for days, come Saturday afternoon gentle breezes and bright sunshine. Spent a while trying on gear, got a jacket, got a helmet that fits well and has double glazing with built in flip down sunshade - how things have changed.

Drove home, and realised the gear change was wrecking my shoes, so went for a 60 mile round trip to buy some riding boots - well that's my excuse and I am sticking to it.
Then I read the manual and read something about running in at 60KPH !! that's 37MPH in real money. Luckily have stuck to 45MPH as it's fast enough for a "Born again motorcyclist" on his first outing. The bike is absolutely brilliant, perfect for my ability and age, especially as the dealership showed me that I can get on by standing on the peg and swinging my other leg over. Some have said that the brakes are poor, and by modern standards they may be lacking, but for me they are progressive without any drama, perfectly suited to a novice. Have ordered engine bars from Hitchcock's and am contemplating an oil cooler guard and brighter headlight bulb.

 

[Hutchie2112]

Certainly did happen. Boy was I scared, first time on a proper bike for a long long time, roads full of wet leaves and I remember how innocuous and deadly they can be. We have had high winds and downpours for days, come Saturday afternoon gentle breezes and bright sunshine. Spent a while trying on gear, got a jacket, got a helmet that fits well and has double glazing with built in flip down sunshade - how things have changed.View attachment 3802

Drove home, and realised the gear change was wrecking my shoes, so went for a 60 mile round trip to buy some riding boots - well that's my excuse and I am sticking to it.
Then I read the manual and read something about running in at 60KPH !! that's 37MPH in real money. Luckily have stuck to 45MPH as it's fast enough for a "Born again motorcyclist" on his first outing. The bike is absolutely brilliant, perfect for my ability and age, especially as the dealership showed me that I can get on by standing on the peg and swinging my other leg over. Some have said that the brakes are poor, and by modern standards they may be lacking, but for me they are progressive without any drama, perfectly suited to a novice. Have ordered engine bars from Hitchcock's and am contemplating an oil cooler guard and brighter headlight bulb.

Man, the white does look sweet. That's a nicely set up bike already with the luggage and the handguards.
The stock tyres are actually pretty good on wet leaf strewn roads, and I'm sure as you get some more saddle time you'll realise that the bike is actually incredibly slow, as a 5 mile round trip will end up taking you hours, either through exploring or from folk coming up to you all goggle eyed and gibbering about old BSA's and such.
Well done that man!

 

[petespace1]

Love that - incredibly slow bike
I know, have had 2 young 20 somethings come up and talk one recalled their pop’s (grandfather’s) Royal Enfield. While my Triumph tiger 800, Vstrom, and Kawasaki 650 riding mates looked on in dismay, with their eyes saying “oh come on Pete, you are going to delay us again”.