ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN

A PRODUCT OF PASSION AND PERFORMANCE

Royal Enfield’s Himalayan is one of my all-time favorite affordable bikes with astonishing value and versatility. It’s inspired travelers and artists from all over the world in ways very few other bikes have. From recent success in flat track racing to globe-trotting, the Himalayan has proven itself a worthy companion.

That said, we never leave well enough alone and immediately began to ponder what functional and aesthetic improvements could be made. Thanks to the healthy aftermarket support which sprang up over the last couple of years, we managed to assemble a Himalayan which not only looks sharp but has increased comfort, convenience, and off-road manners.

SADDLE—Corbin Canyon Dual-Sport Saddle Corbin.com

What can you say about a saddle that your butt won’t tell you? One of the Himalayan “sore spots” is the soft foam seat, which works great for the first couple of hours but can get tiresome on long-distance rides, especially for heavier riders. Corbin’s solution to this was one of the first to market.

Although the Corbin has plenty of taper toward the tank, it sits slightly higher than stock due to the heavier-duty materials and wider shape. The passenger seat is worlds better, and if you ride two-up, it may be worth the upgrade for that reason alone. The materials and stitching are top-notch. You can also customize your colors, but it will cost a bit more.

My only gripe about the Corbin is the extra-heavy seat pan, but that’s where a lot of the cost and comfort originate. Less expensive options exist, but with its premium price tag, you get real all-day comfort, even for XL riders.