While I was going through some forums related to the Himalayan 411, especially the ones abroad, many have suggested using a 16t front sprocket for Himalayan 411 on the highways. Since my use case scenario is mostly touring and city commute, I decided to try it out.
There are many options available ranging from 450 INR to 3000 INR for a 16t front sprocket for the Himalayan. I decided to go for the cheapest one to try it out first before getting a better one. This 16t front sprocket is from Lone Ranger. I got it for 450 INR but now it’s available for around 350 INR.
Let me get into the Pros and Cons and I’ll explain why I think it’s the cheapest and best mod best suited for touring on the Himalayan 411
Pros of 16t front sprocket for Himalayan 411
1. Tall gear ratios
The 16t front sprocket makes the gear ratios taller. You’ll find the need to shift from 1st to 2nd at 30 kph, 2nd to 3rd at 40 kph, 3rd to 4th at 60 and 4th to 5th at 90 to 100 when you shift gears between the 3k – 4k RPM range. This allows for a more relaxed cruising on the highways and less frequent gear shifts during the city commute.
2. Less stressed engine
Since the gear ratios are taller, the engine sits 200 – 300 RPMs lower at a particular speed when compared to the stock setup. For example when I cruise at 120, the tachometer needle sits right on the 6k mark in the stock setup.
With the 16t front sprocket, while cruising at 120, it sits somewhere between the 5k and 6k mark. So cruising at high speeds with a lesser stressed engine will feel a lot comfortable.
3. Less jerky engine breaking
With this 16t front sprocket, I felt the engine braking got a bit more smoothened or evened out. While cutting the throttle or during downshifts, the bike doesn’t jerk much and smoothly revs to a halt.
4. Better fuel efficiency
Even though I didn’t accurately check the mileage, I felt it improved the mileage by about 2-3 kmpl on the highway and in the city. Maybe it’s mostly because of the engine operating at lower RPMs at all times.
Cons of the 16t front sprocket for Himalayan 411
1. Reduction in low end torque
Increase in the front sprocket teeth will shift the engine’s torque and power to higher RPMs and hence at the lower RPMs, you’ll see a reduction in the usual tractability of the Himalayan. The Himalayan 411’s long stroke engine has enough lower end torque for you to not notice this effect especially on the highways.
But I went back to the stock after I started going to the dirt track and off road trail rides more often. As i kept getting better at riding on the dirt, I was missing that quick acceleration at the low end which will help the wheel spin and break traction. That’s the only reason why I changed it.
2. Slower acceleration
By virtue of the power being shifted to higher RPMs, you’ll feel that the bike is slower and doesn’t accelerate as quickly as the stock configuration. But the loss of acceleration you’ll make up in a slight increase in the top speed and overall relaxed nature of the engine.
Who should get the 16t front sprocket for Himalayan 411?
If you use your 411 primarily for the highways and for some city commute, then this sprocket is going to be very helpful. Engine will feel a lot less stressed, smooth and maybe improve the fuel efficiency too.
But if you do more of aggressive off road trail riding or dirt track riding, then you’ll need that low end tractability to it’s maximum and hence this sprocket will not suit you.
It’s been around 3000 kms since I installed the TEC camshaft for the RE Himalayan 411. Is it any good? Is there any performance improvement? And is it worth the price?
My Himalayan has covered 45k kms. I made few performance upgrades like the air filter, exhaust and fuel X at 30k km. Soon after the 40k km service, I was tempted to install more upgrades persuaded by other YouTubers. Since I had a little extra cash to spare, I ordered the TEC camshaft for Himalayan 411.
TEC is a UK based company and they make performance parts for the Himalayan. They only deliver to limited number of countries. UAE was one among them so I ordered it to a friend of mine in UAE and he brought it to me when he came home for the holidays. It cost me around 18k INR for the cam, it’s delivery and customs charges. Usually it costs more than that but I ordered during the black Friday sale so I got a good deal.
The team at TopGear Thumpers, a RE service centre in Bangalore installed the cam in my bike. Since it didn’t come with any instruction manual, I reached out to them via email and they promptly replied the valve settings and a video on the installation. Post the installation, there was a running in period of 300 and 100 miles after which you needed to change the engine oil and filter before using the cam to its full potential.
Now after thoroughly testing it for more than 3000kms, I have found one advantage, one disadvantage with the cam shaft.
Pros of TEC camshaft for Himalayan 411
The Himalayan used to feel a bit chocked, vibey and quickly running out of power at around 100-110 kmph. It’s comfortable at 100 or you needed to push past 120 to feel a bit relaxed.
This feel of being chocked up is completely gone with the TEC cam. Now the bike accelerates uniformly from 80 – 120 kph easily without any hesitation in between. This is the one and only advantage I felt with the TEC cam. Bike breathes more easy and stays calmer throughout the top end.
Cons of TEC camshaft for Himalayan 411
The only one downside to the TEC for Himalayan 411 Cam is the engine noise. It gives out a clicky tappety noise that makes the engine run a bit louder. It’s annoying at first but you’ll quickly get used to it.
I haven’t noticed any changes in the mileage. It has remained the same for me both in city commute and highway touring.
Performance of TEC camshaft
TEC says that you’ll get an additional 1 bhp increase in power and 1 Nm increase in torque in the stock configuration and upto 5 bhp and 4 Nm of power and torque increase if you have an aftermarket air filter and exhaust. So on paper, my Himalayan should make 30 bhp and 37 Nm of torque with my setup.
But I honestly don’t any feel in increase in power or torque. The top speed is the same and acceleration also is the same. It’s just that the bike feels a lot less stressed at higher RPMs which makes cruising at 120 kmph on my Himalayan a breeze.
Is the TEC camshaft for Himalayan 411 a value for money product?
In my opinion, I don’t think it’s a value for money product as it doesn’t offer a great performance boost for 18k INR. Especially with the stock setup I don’t think it’ll provide any noticeable improvement in performance.
So do I regret buying this? No. The TEC camshaft works better with an aftermarket air filter and exhaust and I happened to have those already in place and my primary use case for my Himalayan is touring. So anything that allows me to cruise on the highway at 120 kph for 10-12 hours makes my life a bit easier on the road and hence I don’t regret getting the TEC cam shaft.
Should you get the TEC Cam?
If you already have a aftermarket free flow air filter and a free flow exhaust installed and preferably with the FuelX also, and if your main purpose of use is long distance highway touring at high speeds, then definitely get the TEC camshaft. For any other setup and use case scenario, I don’t think its a good value for money proposition.
I’d love to know your thoughts and feedback on the TEC camshaft in the comments below. If you have any doubts, feel free to reach out on my socials.
RE Himalayan 411 is not known for its braking capacity. They are soft, lack good bite and often not enough to stop a 200kg motorcycle in a short distance. But so does the Himalayan which doesn’t go very fast and hence stock brakes are usually good enough.
After I installed the performance mods on the Himalayan, the throttle response and acceleration has improved. It’s quicker (not faster) and hence I felt that the stock brakes aren’t adequate enough especially in the city traffic to counteract the quicker throttle response.
I came across two aftermarket solutions to improving the braking performance. These are the EBC sintered pads and Vesrah ceramic brake pads. The sintered ones offer better bite but they eat into your disc rotor.
So i went ahead with the ceramic pads from Vesrah looking for better braking performance. After riding for more than 7000 kms with it, here’s my honest opinion.
Pros of Vesrah Ceramic Brake Pads for Himalayan 411
1. Improved bite
There’s a noticeable but not so significant improvement in the initial bite especially on the front brakes of the Himalayan 411.
2. Better Life
It offers slightly better life than the stock ones on the Himalayan 411.
Cons of Vesrah Ceramic Brake Pads for Himalayan 411
1. Poor fitment
The pads doesn’t fit quite perfectly on the Himalayan and hence there’s annoying break noise for the first 250 – 300 kms . It becomes worse the more you ride it as the heat expands the break and more of it comes in contact with the rear disk continuously. Once it wears off a bit, the noise reduces. Because of this constant friction, it can affect the performance and mileage too.
2. High Cost
Vesrah Ceramic Brake Pads are expensive. For comparison, the stock break pads cost around 100 – 150 INR and Vesrah costs 1300 INR.
Should you buy the Vesrah Ceramic Brake Pads for your Himalayan 411?
The Vesrah ceramic break pads isn’t worth the money you pay for. For the 10x the money you pay for the pads, you are getting around 1.5x the performance. Not even twice the performance. And that too just for the front brake. The rear one is almost same as the stock.
So don’t fall for the review videos on youtube. Save yourself some money and keep the stock pads. Go for all these aftermarket pads only if you are changing the entire braking system of the bike which will be very expensive.
I’ve always used after market handlebars on my Himalayan 411 as I’ve found the stock handlebar to be uncomfortable in terms of ergonomics and too soft to sustain even a small impact. Long story short Magnum Motorsports handlebar for the Himalayan is the best one I’ve used. Here’s why.
On my recent trip to Rann and Rajasthan, I had a crash in Maharashtra and I had to replace my Magnum handlebar with a stock one in Mumbai. I had to complete the entire trip with the stock handlebar and I greatly missed the comfort of the Magnum Motorsports handlebar. So as soon as I reached home , I replaced the stock one with the version 2, the new and improved version of their handlebar. This is the first time I replaced a stock part with an aftermarket one even before it was damaged or worn out. That itself speaks volumes on how good the handlebar is.
Now a disclaimer, I personally know Asad and Saad, the people behind Magnum Motorsports so I maybe a little biased in my opinion. Nevertheless I wouldn’t be making a product review video if I weren’t really convinced that it significantly improves the ride quality.
Pros of Magnum Motorsports Handle bar
1. Build Quality
The handlebar is very strong and sturdy and the overall built quality is very good. The second version is even better as they have taken very good care in detailing the welding. When I had the crash the handlebar didn’t suffer any damages. Unfortunately, the screw that held the knuckle guard broke into two and got stock inside the handlebar. So I had the option of continuing further without the knuckle guard or go for the stock one so that I can fix the knuckle guard.
I didn’t want to take any risk while on tour and that’s why I went with the stock one then. My point being that it doesn’t deform like the stock with any minor impact and definitely it’s stronger than AOM’s handlebar.
2. Improved riding ergonomics
The handlebar is taller and wider than stock but not as wide as the AOM handlebar. So you can easily manoeuvre the bike in city traffic without the handlebar taking up too much of your headroom. The bent angle at the handles is perfect and keeps your arms in a comfortable position even while spending long hours on the saddle.
When going off-road, I can stand completely erect and even be comfortable at the attack stance even though I’ve kept the handlebar a little lower than the normal position to suit my short arms.
3. Compatibility
Magnum Motorsports make handlebars for Himalayan, KTM ADVs and Hero Xpulse. For the Himalayan, it’s perfectly compatible with the stock cables, levers, bar end weights and the knuckle guards. You don’t need to drill any holes to fix anything and it’s an easy swap.
4. Price
Last but not the least is the price. At around 1550 INR, it’s a steal. It’s much cheaper than the other options available in the market and even cheaper than some handle bar risers as well. For the built quality and comfort it gives, it’s a bang for the buck mod for your Himalayan 411.
Cons of Magnum Motorsports Handle bar
1. Increased Buzz – Rectified
In the first version there was a slight increase in the buzz at higher RPMs when compared to the stock one. It’s completely gone in this second version. It’s comparable to the stock handlebar now. I have to appreciate folks at Magnum Motorsports for taking in the feedback, working on it and improving it. So in the second version I couldn’t find any fault.
If you aren’t happy with the stock handlebar of your Himalayan or Xpulse, do give this handlebar a try and I’m very sure you wouldn’t be disappointed. They ship across India. Contact Asad at +91 9880011331 and order yours today. For more details check out @magnummotorsports
Although the Triumph Scrambler 400X is a nearly complete package for city commutes and short rides, here are a few touring accessories for the Triumph Scrambler 400X that take it up a higher level and make it more comfortable for long-distance touring.
1. Maddog ScoutX Aux Lights
The stock LED headlight is very weak and provides very little visibility on the highways. We installed the Maddog Scout Xaux lights which has a good focus as well as enough throw to light up quite a large area ahead.
There are cheaper alternatives like the HJG lights but we went for the Maddog ones as they have a warranty and better-quality wiring and switches. It costs almost 10k for the lights, clamps, switch and wiring. Now a word of caution. Get it installed by an expert and not by the guys at any accessory store to avoid any wiring issues.
Product Link – https://www.maddog.co.in/product_details/SCX-1
2. Triumph Luggage Tail Rack
We installed the tail rackfrom Triumph itself as they fit perfectly and come with a 2-year warranty. It costs around 2k INR but its worth the price as the build quality is top-notch.
Product Link – https://khivrajtriumph.com/shop/luggage-rack-speed-speed-400-and-scrambler-400-x/
3. Studds Top Box
On the tail rack, we’ve installed Studds’ Vault top box. We are not big fans of those huge hard luggage cases and hence we went for the smallest one. It costs 800 INR. It fits basic necessities for city commutes like rain covers, a pair of gloves, specs, a microfibre towel and so on.
Product Link – https://ridersjunction.com/product/studds-vault-box-matt-black/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxeyxBhC7ARIsAC7dS38WtwyipjCGuk0Cv-_B7yAzZOBTDGzpC5l4C5xSHYHHccqxGCrwKUEaAlmKEALw_wcB
4. Triumph Lower Engine Guard
Triumph’s lower engine guardsare so well built that it has survived 3 falls now. It’s very sturdy, protects the engine well, looks well in line with the rest of the frame and comes with a 2-year warranty. The only downside is that it sits close to the frame so once when the rider fell down, the bike fell on her legs and got stuck. So we had to lift the bike to get her leg out.
She escaped unhurt with only a few minor abrasions. To prevent such incidents in the future, we might uninstall this and go for the Mototorque crash guard with the slider so that the rider will have some space to pull their leg out in case of a fall.
Product Link – https://khivrajtriumph.com/shop/lower-engine-bars-speed-400-scrambler-400x/
5. MX Handguard
The stock hand guards that come with the bike are entirely plastic and don’t absorb any impact. It’s mainly installed for aesthetic purposes. During the first fall itself, it broke off and didn’t even protect the clutch lever and we had to get the lever replaced.
We got the MX hand guardinstalled. It’s not an easy fit and it takes a bit of struggle to get it installed but it serves the purpose well. During the second fall, this guard and protected the lever. Only the screw got bent which we got replaced by a local store. MX Handguards without DRL costs around 1500 INR.
Product Link – https://www.motomodz.com/products/mx-handguard-without-drl-for-motorcycle?variant=47199098470698¤cy=INR&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxeyxBhC7ARIsAC7dS3-MRhMmHTEm3NvMIInYBpQU3xn2dk-bycK1jSpsSKXFNeHqJeoGZQsaAgQfEALw_wcB
6. Pro Taper Gear Boot
Pro Taper’s gear bootprevents marks from forming on the shoes and gives a better grip when shifting gears. It’s a simple but one of the best touring accessories for the Triumph Scrambler 400X.
The Triumph Scrambler 400X hits a top speed of more than 160 kmph and cruises at 120-140 kmph. The only issue you face while cruising at such speeds is the strong wind blast due to the tall stance of the seating position. So to make it more touring-friendly, we’ve installed theCarbon Racing windshield which reduces a lot of wind blast to the chest area and some amount to the face.
Although it takes away the Scrambler look, the functionality it provides makes the Scrambler more touring-friendly. It comes in 2 tones – clear and tinted. It costs around 2600 INR. If you want additional protection, you may install a Pro spec windshield extender on top of this visor.
8. Mototorque Number Plate Holder for Triumph Scrambler 400X
The Carbon Racing windshield is attached to the stock number plate mount in the front. So we had to get the number plate holder from Mototorqueto mount the number plate to a different position. Even if you don’t get the visor, I feel the number plate looks better on the front fender than how it looks on the headlight. It costs around 500 INR.
Product Link – https://mototorque.in/products/triumph-speed-400-number-plate-holder
9. Zana Offset Handle Bar Risers
The stock configuration of the Triumph Scrambler 400X has a sporty stance which is good for city commutes and short rides. However, during the long hauls, we felt uncomfortable in our lower backs and shoulders as we were both short riders.
Zana’s offset handlebar risertook care of that issue. It elevates the handlebar and brings it closer to the rider for a better upright seating position more suited for the highways. The drawback is more windblast but now you know how to take care of that.
Product Link – https://www.zanamotorcycles.com/product/offset-handle-bar-riser-silver–for-triumph-scrambler-400
10. KTM Rear View Mirrors
The stock mirrors of the Triumph Scrambler 400X are good in terms of looks and stability but the field of view is very low. So we are planning to install the KTM 390 ADV mirrors once they come in stock at the service centre near to me. I have been using them on my Himalayan for the last 4 years and they are the best.
11. Bobo BM17H Phone Holder
My iPhone 12 mini’s optical image stabiliser got ruined by the handlebar vibrations during my trip to Rajasthan which rendered the main camera completely useless. It isn’t repairable and replacing the camera module would cost close to 15k INR.
I wasn’t aware of this issue with iPhones and motorcycle mounts and to prevent further damage, we got Bobo’s BM17H with the vibration dampener to protect the iPhone’s camera. Till now Yash’s phone hasn’t suffered any damage but I’ve heard from some users that even these holders with vibration dampeners aren’t enough to protect the OIS. So I recommend getting a normal holder like a Bobo BM4 and a secondary cheap Android phone just for navigation purposes.
Product Link – https://amzn.to/4b8EMsc
12. Mototorque Brake Fluid Reservoir Guard
Mototorque’s brake fluid reservoir guardis of good quality and looks aesthetic. An oil reservoir guard is a necessity when you go trail riding to prevent any stones or sharp objects from damaging the reservoir.
Here’s a list of what to pack for a long motorcycle ride. These are the items I took on my 6000+ km trip to Rann and Rajasthan. I hope you’ll find this information useful.
Clothes
3 Boxer shorts
1 boxer brief
2 full sleeve tees
2 half sleeve quick dry tees
1 Jogger
1 Short
1 Tank top
2 Handkerchief
1 Towel
3 pair socks
Plastic bags
1 Cap
1 Jacket
Eye mask and ear plugs
1 set of thermals
1 pair flip flops
Food items
Whey Protein
Creatine
Peanut butter
Protein bars
Coffee powder
Tea powder
Bread
Dairy whitener
Corn flakes
Cup
Spoon and fork
Scissors and knife
Electric travel kettle
Water bottles – 2 L
Medicines
Medications to treat colds, allergies, respiratory infections, food poisoning and painkillers
Supplements and multivitamins
Odomos
Mosquito repellents
ORS Sachets
Cotton and gauze
Diclo gel
Dettol or savlon
Any regular medications
Toiletries
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Sunscreen
Trimmers
Lip Balm and moisturiser
Nail trimmers
Shampoo and conditioner
Body wash
Hair serum and oil
Bar soap/washing powder
Comb
Hair bands
Sunglasses
Documents
DL
RC
Insurance
Pollution certificate
Aadhar
Debit cards
Cash
Notebook and pen
Photographs
Written emergency contacts
Electronics
Cameras and lenses
SD Cards
Laptop and SSDs
Action camera, phone, watch and laptop
chargers
Multi-pin
Switchboard
Extension board
Lav and shotgun mics
USB type b and c cables
Power bank
Mouse and headphones
Tripod
Tools and spares
Spanner & Allen key set
Tubes
Bike toolkit
Puncture kit
Chain lube and cleaner
Chain brush and cloth
Brake pads
Fuses
Wiping cloth
Rubber gloves
Spark plug
Air pump
Disc lock
Zip ties
Tyre wrench
I hope you find this information useful. If you feel I missed any essential item, feel free to comment below and I shall add it to the list. Check out the video below if you’d like to see how I packed for my motorcycle trip.
I have also included a PDF checklist that’s free to download and use.
A year ago I wrote a post on all my riding gear I’ve used for many years. Except for the gloves, everything has remained the same. So today I’ll share an update on the gloves I’ve been using for the past 2 years.
I used to use Cramster Street gloves, which served their purpose well for almost 4 years. When I wanted to replace it with something else, Rynox Gears was the easiest choice for me as I had been using their pants for a long time and I was very satisfied with the quality and competitive pricing. So I went for the Rynox Air GT gloves. I’ll share the pros and cons of these gloves.
Pros of Rynox AIR GT Gloves
1. Comfort
Rynox AIR GT gloves are very comfortable. The fit and finish is excellent. The throttle and clutch feel is not dampened much and it doesn’t wear out your hands even after long hours on the saddle. The only issue I faced is that I ordered a size smaller than the one I should’ve so when I go off-road, the fingertips start to hurt after a lot of clutch feathering and braking. So I’d suggest you go to their showroom, try it out and buy the size that fits you perfectly.
2. Durability
I suffered minor falls from the bike with the gloves on and it has fairly withheld damages on the loose gravel. It gives you confidence and it’s durable to take quite a few beatings before having to replace it. Overall the quality is really good.
3. Features
Rynox AIR GT has this screen-compatible index fingertip in case you want to use your phone with the gloves on. It has a clip with which u can attach the gloves as a unit and it comes in very handy when you remove it to do any task.
Cons of Rynox AIR GT Gloves
1. Not suitable for wet conditions
Rynox AIR GT glove is a partially leather glove so it’s not suited for rainy or any wet conditions. Leather tends to shrink and lose its texture if it comes in contact with water too often. So you’ll need to use waterproof gloves in rainy weather.
2. No slider
This particular model doesn’t come with a slider. I believe sliders should come as standard in all the gloves just as ABS is standard in all modern motorcycles. The variant with the slider ie Tornado Pro costs 1500 INR more and that’s why I had to go with this. A slider will protect your hand when you fall on it by making the hand slide and letting your body take in the impact which is more capable of taking the impact than your fragile hand. So I wish this came with a slider.
All in all, Rynox makes high-quality gear and offers them at reasonable prices (AIR GT gloves cost 2550 INR) and I always have a good opinion about them speaking from my experience using their products for many years now. Don’t go for cheap alternatives. Get a decent pair of gloves that offer you protection as well as good ride quality.
RE Himalayan is notorious for its lack of power, especially the BS6 version which restricts the engine’s capacity to obey the new emission norms. There have been a lot of attempts to bypass these settings by installing performance mods on the Himalayan to squeeze out every drop of performance the engine has under its hood.
But is spending an arm and a leg for all these mods worth it? I’ll let you decide but first, let me share my honest opinion about these mods.
What are these performance mods on the Himalayan and why did I install them?
The mods I installed are the BMC air filter, Fuel X Lite, PowerRage exhaust and NGK iridium spark plugs. Why did I decide to review all 4 together and not one by one? Well, I’m no expert, but based on what I’ve read and heard, you need all 4 to complete the whole circuit in order to see any performance boost, if any.
With just a free-flow air filter, you’ll be letting more air in but it’s being burned with the same amount of stock fuel setting and letting it out through a restrictive exhaust. Changing the exhaust alone would just change the exhaust note but nothing else. You have the same amount of air coming in and being burned.
Now if you change the ECU parameters alone, your air intake and outflow are restricted by the filter and exhaust. Vice versa, the ECU is burning the same amount of fuel and air even though you have both the intake and outflow improved with aftermarket ones. So in order to see a change, I’ve heard you need all 3 working together to have more air coming in, being burned and let out.
Pros of the performance mods on the Himalayan
1. Quicker throttle response
There’s quite a significant improvement in the throttle response. There used to be a second delay in quick throttle input especially while overtaking on the highway or in city commute. It has been reduced to maybe half a second. So the bike feels much peppier and more responsive to ride. That’s a lot of fun.
2. No more stalling/knocking
Fuel X Lite itself does a great job of making the engine run richer. There’s a significant reduction in the knocking and stalling on the low end. Hence you’ll have far lesser downshifts when commuting in traffic, slowing down on the bumps. It greatly helps when riding the twisty mountain roads. The bike climbs hairpin bends in 2nd gear and your need for frequent downshifts to manoeuvre mountain roads greatly reduces. This is the most significant change that you’ll notice.
3. Less stressed and cooler engine
On the highway run, I felt the engine calmer and less stressed close to the 6000 rpm. It’s not screaming for help anymore at the top speeds and feels more at ease. That improves the riding experience especially while touring long distances. On the city commutes, I felt the engine running a bit cooler but not to a great extent. It’s noticeable but not significant. It takes more time now for the engine to become annoyingly hot.
4. Exhaust note
This is not a performance boost but the exhaust note of PowerRage is brilliant. It’s as loud as the stock one when you have the dB killer on but it’s more bassy and has a good grunt to it. When you rev the engine, the note just amplifies, becomes a bit throaty and sounds great. I’m not a fan of loud exhaust so I’ve left the dB killer on. Now why did I add this point to the pros? I believe anything that improved the overall riding experience should be considered a positive point.
5. No loss of power under load
I think because of all the improved throttle response and the improved low-end performance, the bike doesn’t struggle much with heavy luggage and a pillion on board. I recently travelled to Wayanad with Yash and fully loaded saddle bags and a full tank of petrol. Even with all the load, the engine doesn’t struggle even at lower RPMs esp when climbing the mountain roads.
Cons of the performance mods on the Himalayan
1. No improvement in performance
All these parts are marketed and sold as performance parts. But there’s no actual increase in torque or power. Not that I could notice. The bike takes the same amount of time to reach 100 kmph as before and it doesn’t cross 120 kmph as before. It’s just that it cruises at 120 more comfortably than before. So don’t expect any real-world improvement in performance from these mods.
2. No change in mileage
Many expect to have a drop in mileage. I didn’t experience any drop in mileage or any gain also. The average mileage on 29 kmpl in the city and 31 on the highways remains the same for me.
3. High cost
All these mods cost me 24000 INR which isn’t cheap at all. Now are all these worth the hype and price?
Are these performance mods on the Himalayan worth it?
Fuel X Lite costs (INR) 6490, BMC filter 5499, PowerRage 7990, NGK spark plug kit 3000 and around 1000 for the installation. That totals around 24k. And you see plenty of videos on youtube telling you to get all these mods and you feel pressurised to have them installed. The FOMO on a high-performing Himalayan is strong here. I too fell for it and got all these installed. So is it worth it?
In my opinion, the return on investment or the amount of performance boost you get out of spending 25k on your Himalayan is not worth the cost. Definitely, there’s good improvement in the overall smoothness of the bike but I think it’s not worth such a price. There are plenty of other small things that you could do on your Himalayan to get a significant improvement for a much lesser price. For example, the Rolon brass chain sprocket is just 3k but it significantly smoothens the ride, cuts off the chain noise and you need to lube it less often.
The same goes for Motul engine oil. It makes the engine run a bit cooler than the stock engine oil and is just 200 Rs per litre more than the stock engine oil. The same goes for the Magnum Motorsport handlebar. Under 2k, you experience a significant improvement in riding posture and comfort. And not to mention the importance of good tyres like the Maxxis Maxxplore for good braking, cornering and off-roading experience.
Who should get these performance mods on the Himalayan?
If you are a new Himalayan owner who hasn’t done much touring and off-roading and has clocked less than 20k km on the Odo, then these aren’t for you. You are still yet to explore a lot more of what the Himalayan has to offer in different terrains. Definitely upgrade to a better handlebar, chain sprocket kit, tyres, engine oil and a whole lot of other mods and accessories that can elevate your riding experience without burning a hole in your pocket. If you want to know more about these accessories do check out the other video I’ve made on those.
If you are someone like me who has ridden the bike for more than 30k km through all kinds of terrain and has had every bit of fun the Himalayan has to offer and is somewhat getting bored of the bike, then definitely go for these instead of thinking about buying a new one. You’ll feel a newfound excitement by the peppier throttle response and the improved low-end gains. And of course, you should have a bit of extra cash that you absolutely wish to luxuriously spend without expecting much in return.
My point is don’t feel pressurised to buy or have the FOMO of a faster Himalayan by seeing all the review videos of these performance mods on youtube. They don’t do much and I don’t recommend these to beginners, new owners or owners low on budget. I wish someone had put up a review like this one before and I’d have thought twice about getting all these mods. But luckily I got all these at a time when I had some money to spare and I was kind of getting bored with the bike. So I don’t regret getting any of these installed.
So maybe these mods may not be the best value-for-money products for your Himalayan but they do make a difference altogether.
Why did I choose these specific performance mods on the Himalayan?
Coming to the last segment of this video, why did I choose these specific performance parts when there are plenty of other options in the market? The simple answer is budget. For instance, Fuel X has both pro and lite versions where the pro version has 10 maps to choose from while the lite has one best-optimised map. There’s a 3500 INR price gap between the two and moreover, I’m not very technically sound as to rightly choose which map I think is best for the terrain. I’d rather let the sensors do the job for me. Moreover, around 99% of the time, I ride in lower altitudes which don’t need frequent changing of maps.
I chose the BMC air filter over K&N or Schroll only because of the price. It’s the cheapest among the 3 and there’s almost no significant performance difference over one another. The same goes for PowerRage exhaust over Red Rooster or the Devil exhaust. And PowerRage closely resembles the stock exhaust in terms of the design which was a plus point for me. I couldn’t find any alternatives to NGK iridium spark plug kit so I went with it. That’s it. Let me know in the comments below if I said something incorrectly or if I missed anything. Thanks for reading.
Recently my friend had a minor crash and as always, the handlebar was the first thing to give in. So this time once again I decided to switch to a different handlebar. I had the AOM handlebar before and wanted to install it again, but it was a little over my budget. So I was on the hunt for a cheaper alternative but not low in quality.
So just in time our very own INRC rally champion and off-road instructor Asad Khan and his team at Magnum Motorsports came up with their adventure handlebars for the Himalayan and Xpulse. And so I got it installed and here’s my review. I’ll compare it with the stock and AOM’s handlebar because I’ve used both before.
I had the privilege to be trained in off-road riding by one of India’s best rally racers, Mr Asad Khan. He’s a 5-time INRC rally champion and the Hero’s first national dirt racing champion. He conducts train the tracks and trails in Bangalore and Chikamaglur and for those of you who want to up your skill in motorcycles, be it on-road or off-road, it’s worth checking it out.
His team at Magnum Motorsports have come up with this handlebar design after thoroughly testing it on track and off. But don’t worry I will try my maximum not to be biased in my opinion about this handlebar.
This handlebar has two advantages, one disadvantage and one suggestion from my side that I would’ve liked on this handlebar.
Advantages / Pros of the Magnum Motorsports Handlebar
1. Superior built quality
The first pro of this handlebar is its built quality. I’m yet to fall and crash with this handlebar and so I cannot quite comment on its durability but just by the look and feel of it, you can easily make out that it’s much more durable and sturdy than the stock ones.
2. Better riding and saddling ergonomics
The second main pro is that it improves riding ergonomics. It’s taller and wider than stock but not as wide as the AOM handlebar. So you can easily manoeuvre the bike in city traffic without the handlebar taking up too much of your headroom. It’s perfectly bent at the handles.
While touring you have a nicely rested arm position and while saddling when you go off-road, I can stand completely erect even though I’ve kept the handlebar a little lower than the normal position to suit my T-rex arms.
This handlebar is compatible with the stock configurations and the stock knuckle guards and bar end weights.
Disadvantages / Cons of the Magnum Motorsports Handlebar
Mild increase in vibration
The only disadvantage this handlebar has are the vibrations. Even the AOM handlebar had the same issue but this isn’t as bad as AOM’s. Handlebar starts buzzing at around 100 kph and gets worse as you go higher. You can live with it but it requires a little getting used to. If vibrations bother you a lot, stick to the stock ones.
The main attraction to this handlebar is its pricing. It’s 1400 rs for the Himalayan and they ship it across the country. For the advantages this handlebar has over the stock and even AOM’s, this is definitely a steal.
It would’ve been great if they provided some sort of branding to the handlebar. The logo of Magnum Motorsports looks very good and It’d have looked great on this centrepiece of the handlebar. That’s one thing I miss compared to the AOM’s.
So that’s my honest review of the handlebar. For those looking to tour with the Himalayan and for off-road adventures, this handlebar is miles ahead of the stock one and I’d definitely recommend you get it over the AOM’s. The vibes are definitely there at higher speeds but it’s not a deal breaker IMO.
Check out the video review of Magnum Motorsports Handlebar –
After 26000km of use, my chain and sprocket started giving issues. I agree the chain sprockets can last longer than that but I’m guessing I didn’t give it great care as required. Anyways it was time to swap the set for a new one.
I heard a lot about the Rolon brass coated chain and sprocket from many Himalayan owners. So even though it was more expensive (3100 INR) than the stock kit (around 2000INR), I decided to go for it. Here’s my review.
1. Silent operation of Rolon Brass Chain And Sprocket
The brass-coated chain is way more silent than the stock one. It’s so silent that you can hear more of the engine and exhaust note with every rev. The bike feels a lot calmer while cruising.
2. Smoother ride
The usual clunkiness of the stock chain is gone. The bike feels a lot smoother now. Maybe it’s because of the silence too but overall it feels a lot smoother.
Although the company promises better performance, I’m yet to notice any real-world improvement in power and torque.
The brass-coated chain has two major advantages.
It needs less frequent lubing than the stock chain.
It’s more durable and last longer than the stock chain and sprocket.
These advantages are yet to play out in the long run because as of now I’ve ridden with this chain sprocket kit for less than 2k km now. For the smoothness and silence this chain sprocket kit offers, it’s totally worth switching over.
If you’d like to check out the entire list of mods that I have done to Nino, whether it’s useful or not so useful, I’ve done a separate article and you can check it out here.
Here’s the article summed up in a video on my channel –
