I owned both bikes a few years apart (full reviews on my www).
Amazingly the weight of the Him is hardly noticeable and it sure is nicer to plod on the trails.

I think the only reason you think you can cruise faster on the L is that it feels less harsh. Or it's a Honda so it can hack it.
I did not find the L could comfortably sit at 100/110km/h
At times it was down to 75 up hills, into wind at altitude.

I haven't tried the CRF yet, but I did read something about being able to cruise at 100km/h with it so I was curious to hear a few more opinions - so thank you both for your comments :)

I read both your reviews Chris - the one about the Hima was partly why eventually I decided to buy one in fact! And I still like it, I am just wondering if I am starting to outgrow it, and whether it'd make sense to get something a bit more off-road oriented like the CRF to have more fun that way. Or, to approach this the other way and go for a CB500x which I guess could be more fun than the Hima as a daily commuter. I guess part of it is that the Hima is the first bike I've ever owned (well after my beloved suzuki van van) and I am curious to try other things. The soul-searching continues!

Him would be a great first proper bike.
The problem is there is nothing much like it out there.
You definitely want to try the other two first.
CRF might give the impression of being easier to handle, being lighter. but is taller (depends on your leg length) and the tank is annoyingly small which is just as well as so is the seat.
On either bike there was nothing I managed off-road (not that extreme) that the other could not also do.

The CBX (I've also owned) is amazingly almost the same mpg + faster and smoother. It's all the bike you need. Loads around now and great value for money last time I looked.
Can do the same off-road but a bit more effort and down to tyres and 19-er front.

Lotta great bikes out there ;-)

You can't cruise comfortably with 110km/h on a CRF. So it won't help your cruising speed to change to a CRF. However, if you go to remoter areas, it already can be hard to get spare parts for a CRF250 and you would never get any parts for a Himalayan for sure.

Hi All,

For me the Hima's cruising sweet spot is about 80 kmph - anything over that the engine feels too strained and hands go numb after a few hours at this speed. It can do Highway technically but you have nothing left in the tank to help get out of trouble - though a CRF would be the same.

Any rough roads/tracks I've ridden the last year the Himalayan did very well, enough grunt to chug along or mountain goat up rocky hills. For any of the easier off-road single/twin track it was a perfect bike for me - technical track I'd want a lighter DS.

The Himalayan would serve you well across the farmer tracks in Spain or the rough roads in Chris's parts of Morocco for travel riding with a bit of off-road. However if you are planning on long drags across fast tarmac I would strongly consider the CBX500 if it's in the budget.

I got the Himalayan instead as it was about $2,000 USD cheaper new and it will do just as well as the CBX off-road but not as well or comfortable on the roads.

However the CBX500 would not make me feel like Indiana Jones about to ride along desert tracks to a forbidden jungle temple every time I sit in the saddle and ride to the grocery store. That emotional feeling makes this bike my favourite in all the ones I've had!

There is something in what you say - with the Himalayan there is an element of cocking a snook at conventional thinking but without the need to wear a hairshirt - the Himalayan certainly brought a smile to my lips. What you say about the effective 80kmh speed limit and vibrations was certainly true for the one I rode but that was a very young bike that was nowhere near run in - Chris Scott reckons that the vibration eases as it runs in - the benefit of that is that you get to travel the world more slowly and actually see it.

At the end of the day for me it was a tossup between the Himalayan and the Moto Guzzi V85 that the V85 won - I know, very different bikes - but I am not ruling out getting a Himalayan at a later date.

There's a lot to be said about buying a motorcycle for what & how you are actually go to ride it vs what you desire.

I have been trying to talk myself out of buying a new Honda Trail 125cc since it's confirmed it's coming to the US. I have absolutely no reason to buy one, but man do I want to strap my camping backpack on the sheeprack and go find some trails to explore!

If you ever get back to Blighty, Nathan Milward is gathering together a group of low H.P adventure bikes (CRF, Himmy etc...) so that people can have a day out, trying the different bikes on different terrain.
An excellent idea I think.

I've been keeping up with Nathan's video's on his new set up - love the idea. If I had the option a year ago to actually test all of the bikes out before purchasing including the 390 ADV it would have been a dream (he just needs a VX 300).

I would have flown back to do it as trying to find and organise test rides on all of them would be a PITA indeed. Glad he is finding a niche to carve out in the ADV world in the UK, that and his Postie Bike tours!

Himalayan Update
 

This is a quick update on my experience with my Himalayan.

The bike has now done 25,000 miles (40,000 km) and the only issues that I have to report on are as follows.

It developed a small oil leak from the rocker cover at 12,000 miles but removing the old gasket sealant and replacing it solved that. The drive chain gave up the ghost at about 16,000 miles, it did not snap but it was developing numerous tight spots. I replaced it with a DID 525 on the original 520 sprockets and so far no adjustment has been required.

Oh and despite taking it off road and dropping it a couple of times on the dirt it sustained no major damage, just the usual cracked indicator stems. A bit of black insulating tape sorted those out. Other than that no problems.

Nothing has fallen off, it has never failed to start, and apart from a vacuum chain oilier it is bog standard.

Still not had to adjust the clutch.

Keep the updates coming please.
bier

I understand this is an old post, but for "future reference", Noraly (aka Itchy Boots) explained in her 10,000km review of the bike that burning the clutch was actually her fault (if I remember well she burned it when trying to get out of the rut or something).
Other than that, I'm with you about everything else. :)

I recall that the clutch cable had been installed incorrectly (or moved for some reason) and this added to the issue.

Had a chat with a guy at the ABR festival (UK) who has an off road school and he said that the clutches were a weak point.
However he also said that the bikes were put through tough, duel sport/enduro type terrain which he knows they’re not designed for. He really rated the bikes and said that they gave more confidence to off road novices than CRF250s due to their low Center of gravity and tracktability.

Agree with the confidence part. My wife rode the Himalayan and the low seat height was great. The Vstrom250 she bought is a little higher.