Some motorcycles you choose with a spreadsheet. Others choose you. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 was the second kind, and now there’s a Mana Black one in my garage.
Bought with the heart
I’ve never bought a motorcycle with my head. Every bike I’ve owned started the same way: a look, a feeling, and then a little voice saying “you need this one.” Spec sheets and comparison tests come later, mostly to justify a decision I’ve already made.
The first time I saw the Himalayan 450 in person, that voice was loud. It wasn’t trying to be the fastest or the fanciest bike in the room. It looked honest, simple and ready to go anywhere, the kind of machine you want to load with bags and point at a mountain. I fell for it on the spot and knew I’d have one.
A partner for the KTM, not a replacement
The KTM 390 Adventure R stays. It’s still my weapon for the hard stuff: light, sharp and happiest when the trail gets rough. The Himalayan joins it as its calmer, more patient sibling, the bike for days when the journey matters more than the pace.
The big change is elsewhere. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, the love of my life for years, is going to be sold. It’s a fantastic motorcycle, but the maths stopped making sense for the way I ride now. Keeping about €17,000 parked in the garage for the few days a year I really need a big GS is hard to justify. Putting around €5,500 into a bike I’ll ride all the time? That I have no problem with.
It makes no sense to lock €17,000 in the garage. €5,500 for a bike that goes everywhere with me? Easy decision.
What it’s for
I didn’t buy the Himalayan to race anyone. I bought it to explore. Here’s the job description:
Forest roads. The endless gravel and dirt tracks of the Carpathians, at a pace where you actually see the forest.
Touring, solo or two-up. Long days on back roads, alone with my thoughts or with a passenger on the back.
Camping trips. Tent, sleeping bag, stove, all strapped on, and a new place to wake up every morning.
Solo adventures with mild off-road. Not extreme enduro, but the kind of trail that turns an ordinary trip into a story.
For that kind of riding, the Himalayan feels like it was built with exactly me in mind: easy to live with, comfortable for long hours, and calm when the road turns to dirt.
First miles
Of course, the camera came along from day one. Here’s the video of the bike’s first miles. Grab a coffee and come along for the ride:
What’s next
The plan is simple: ride it a lot. Expect forest-road loops, a few camping weekends before winter, and an honest long-term review once the kilometres start piling up. I’ll share every modification, every bit of luggage I try, and what works (and what doesn’t) on a Himalayan loaded for adventure.
Want to see it up close? It’s in the garage, next to the KTM. And if you’re just getting started with adventure riding yourself, my free New to ADV riding? gear guide will help you kit up without wasting money.
See you on the trail,
Dragos
