Page 94 - Motorcycle Trader (February 2020)

Our
Bikes

SHORT

and
SWEET

It’s not the size of the dog

in the fight – it’s the size
of the fight in the dog

WORDS GRANT ROFF PHOTOS BEN GALLI

his story hasn’t unfolded the way
I wanted it to. When Royal Enfield
released the Himalayan, I desired one.
TSure, its specifications were modest
with an 18.2kW (24.5hp) engine output and
32Nm of torque, but it was RE’s first move
into modern engine design and I knew from
talking with its CEO and one of its chief test
riders that this would be the beginning of a
glorious re-emergence of a classic brand.
With an electric start and a comfortable
riding position, it would make an excellent
city bike that could double as a holiday ride
as long as you weren’t going to spend most of
your time on freeways.
We might as well get this out of the way
first: it’s capable of around 130km/h but it’s
cruel to make the engine run that hard for
any length of time.

92 MOTORCYCLE TRADER