Make, Model & Year: 2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan
Motorcycle cost: $6400 out the door
Engine: I installed a BoosterPlug – it interrupts the circuit between the ECU and the Air Intake Temp Sensor (in the airbox). It also has a temp sensor cable that is zip tied to the frame, forward of the cylinder head. The plug accurately reads the air temp and then reports a figure to the ECU that is 20F cooler. This richens the AFR and eliminated stalling on deceleration when the bike is cold. It also improved performance over all on this LS410 thumper.
Intake: The bike has EFI which is mapped more to comply with BS6 and Euro 5 emissions standards than for performance.
Exhaust: I replaced the stock silencer with a Delkevic SS70, 225mm can. Much lighter and louder even with the baffle left in.
Transmission: Stock 5 speed tranny. It’s a bit balky at times but performs well overall.
Frame: The Himmi is a scrambler with a split cradle frame made by Harris Performance Products, a UK firm now owned by Eicher Motors – the owners of Royal Enfield.
Suspension: The Enfield has an excellent suspension as you would expect for an ADV / Dual Sport machine. The big monoshock in the rear is excellent for NYC potholes, which are legendary. The rear-set pegs allow for “Manhattan motocross” style riding when on rough roads (especially in Winter when DSNY a-salts the roads with great abandon).
Wheels, tires and brakes: I use Pirelli MT60 tires for their well documented performance on wet roads. They come stock on the Himmi and as a year round rider I can attest that they perform well. I removed the F9 5 amp fuse to turn off the non-switchable ABS (Enfield made it switchable for the 2021 model after riders complained).
Finish – Paint: My Himmi is the “granite” colour, i.e. flat black. It came with a secondary mudguard between the fender and the headlamp. I pulled it off and tossed it into a box in my basement. With the modification to the windscreen, yanking the mudguard and adding glue on knee pads to my tank the bike looks very vintage.
Accessories: I added an SRC Moto sidestand extender as the stock sidestand will fail in hot asphalt or dirt. I also upgraded the seat to a Royal Enfield “touring seat” which is firmer and both improves comfort and stops me from sliding down onto the tank. I added a “Hide and Drink” leather tool bag (fork mount). I just bought a set of Royal Enfield engine guards, yet to be installed.
