Page 96 - Motorcycle Trader (February 2020)

Our
Bikes

Even at the posted limit in most states of
110km/h, the Himalayan tacho is sitting
uncomfortably close to the redline. It likes
80-100km/h, particularly in carburettor form
(my bike) where you get the sense that the
engine is comfortable and unstressed.
Before you dismiss its performance
specifications, keep in mind that 24.5hp is
in the ball park with other single-cylinder
bikes you’ve admired including the Honda
XL350 (22.4hp), Yamaha’s SR400’s 26hp and
Honda’s GB400 (28hp), none of which were
ever criticised for being too slow.
Away from freeways, particularly on slower
paved roads or on gravel, you stop thinking
about its outright performance limitations
and start appreciating the torque from
the long-stroke engine. Its bore and stroke
measure 78 x 86mm, making it one of the few
‘undersquare’ engines in production. The
‘LS’ in the ‘LS410’ engine description stands
for ‘long-stroke’. In this environment, engine
performance is friendly and, dare I say it,
almost perky.

BITING THE BULLET
After considering all this, I still wanted one.
I admire the simplicity. I own faster bikes if
an interstate blast is required but I liked the
idea of a city runabout with some off-road
manners. There was, of course, the issue of
explaining to Ms Spannerman why I should
add to the three dirtbikes and 12 other
machines currently living in the shed.
In my favour was a good price on one of
the Himalayans that had been registered Engine performance
for the Australian launch and the fact that,
technically, Ms Spanner didn’t actually have is friendly and, dare
her own bike. I say it, almost perky
“This would be perfect for you! It’s soft,
friendly, comfortable and loves travelling at
your favourite road speeds!”
Bingo. I picked it up, gave it a service and required specification and match that to ABOVE AND RIGHT HyperPro
then rode it 450km to a rally. corresponding changes to the fork so that the started in 1993
“I thought you said this was my bike.” original chassis specifications (wheelbase, manufacturing
“Oh, of course, aha, but it’s a bit tall for rake and trail) remain pretty-much the same. progressive-rate
springs and now
your 165cm height – you might have a bit of There are some far less expensive ways of claims to have 30,000
trouble balancing it…” doing it (see Spannerman column in this in its Werkendam
warehouse in
“Then lower it.” issue) but it’s a change to the engineering the south of The
Lower it? Then I’d wouldn’t be comfortable structure of the bike and needs to be taken Netherlands.
riding it. This wasn’t part of the plan! On seriously for safety reasons.
reflection, though, it might end up playing Since Ms Spanner isn’t ever going to trouble
out in my favour. If I keep the original the starter of the Dakar Rally, I went with a
suspension bits and she stops riding it, I can compromise option of changing the spring
restore it to its original glory. on the rear damper unit and fitting slightly
shorter springs in the fork. The spring kit
LIMBO LOWER NOW from YSS Suspension in South Australia
There are quite a few ways of lowering (Ph: 08 8284 8033) set me back $480 which
a bike. The correct (expensive) way is to is pricey but without being completely
have a new shock absorber built to the outrageous. The benefit of this is someone

94 MOTORCYCLE TRADER