Motorcycle tours require a lot of planning because, according to that thorough planning, you are going to decide how you will prepare your motorcycle. Earlier, with a packing checklist, we ensured how you can be ready for a ride; however, here we are going to add more to that checklist and see how you can get your bike ready for the ride too!
We have chosen the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 for this quest.
Part 01: Getting your bike ready
Many motorcycle riders think getting their bike ready for long rides is a mammoth task; however, that is not true because what you need is an understanding of what is essential and what is not.
It all starts with 3 pieces of essential metal parts
Quick-mount rear rack
Mentioned in the top 7 best accessories for the new Himalayan 450, this is mounted at the rear end of your motorcycle as a utility to extend the luggage. This is ideal for securing larger bags because it provides flexibility to mount various items using straps and bungees. And it is priced at Rs. 2,699.
The side stand shoe extension
Being an ADV motorcycle, this motorcycle can get you off balance on a sidestand if you are parking it on soft or loose soil. Hence, we specially designed and constructed a special side stand shoe extension for the motorcycle to make sure it can provide you with sturdy balance, even on soft or loose soil. Please note that this extension and it can only be fitted on the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and no other bike or motorcycle. You will get the side stand shoe extension at the price of Rs. 2,499.
A Specially Designed Radiator Guard
We specially designed and constructed a radiator guard for the new RE Himalayan 450, which provides better protection than any other radiator protection available in the market. It has a plug-and-play design, which you will not find in any other similar part, and it provides better consistency as well. You will get the radiator guard at the price of Rs. 2,199.
Once you have these three metal parts mounted on your motorcycle, you can select the appropriate luggage you need for your motorcycle tours!
Part 02: Getting appropriate luggage for your motorcycle
Choosing the right luggage for your ride is always a tough choice, no matter how experienced you are. That is because you get numerous options from which you can choose, as there are different types of motorcycle bags available on the table.
For this, we have chosen 8 different types of motorcycle luggage which are listed down below:
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Viaterra Drybag (Both 44 L and 8 L): The drybag with 40 L storage capacity is priced at Rs. 4,899, and the drybag with 8 L storage capacity is priced at Rs. 2,599. As the name suggests, the drybag is waterproof, which makes it your ideal travel partner.
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Oxus Magnetic Tank Bag (13 L): This is the magnetic version of the Oxus tank bag that gives you a storage capacity of 13 L and is priced at Rs. 2,799; you can also find the same tank bag in a non-magnetic traditional strap-based version.
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RE Himalayan 450 Trail Pack (16 L): This is the specially crafted trail pack for the new Himalayan 450 that gives you 16 L of storage capacity, and it is priced at Rs. 2,999. It comes in handy for storing equal amounts of luggage on the front side of the motorcycle. The best part is that to mount this, you can utilize the OEM Tank Guard that comes with the motorcycle, and they are waterproof.
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Viaterra Hammerhead (45 L): This is the Viaterra Hammerhead; it gives you 45 L of storage capacity and is priced at Rs. 7,499. It is a universal fit for every motorcycle and is water resistant, protecting your luggage from rain and dust.
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Viaterra POD (12 L): This is a Viaterra POD tail bag; it comes in 12 and 22 L size options, and both are waterproof, but for this quest, the 12 L version is fine. You will get the 12 L version of the Viaterra POD Tail bag at Rs. 1,699.
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Viaterra Condor 2 UP (64 L): These are waterproof saddlebags that provide you with 64 L of storage capacity. Also, they are priced at Rs. 4,499.
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Viper Pro Tank Bag (12 L): If you do not want the Oxus tank bag, you can also choose the Viper Pro Tank bag as an alternative; it comes with 12 L of storage capacity.
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Viaterra Claw Pro (48 L): The upgraded version of the Viaterra Claw Tail bag that provides you with 48 L of storage capacity.
Part 03: Combining luggage solution to get the most out of it
Just because you have different types of motorcycle bags to choose from does not mean that you are done with the luggage solutions. You need to put those various luggage options in a simulation and try out different combinations to get the most out of it.
Then you need to choose which one suits you the best!
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Both Viaterra Drybags + The Himalayan 450 Trail Pack: This combination provides you with a total luggage capacity of 64 L, which is one of the best solutions that you can use for your long rides.
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Viaterra Oxus Tank Bag + Both Viaterra Drybag: This combination of luggage solutions for minimalist motorcycle packing is the right choice. Also, you get a total of 61 L of storage capacity, which is not bad at all.
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Oxus Tank Bag + Viaterra Hammerhead: This combination gives you a total of 58 L of storage capacity. This is a little low when you compare it to the 1st and 2nd options, but when it comes to minimalist motorcycle packing, it may become the ideal choice for you.
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Oxus Tank bag + Viaterra Hammerhead + Viaterra POD: This particular combination of luggage systems will ensure you a total of 70 L of luggage storage on your Himalayan 450 motorcycle, which is the ideal solution for long motorcycle tours.
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Himalayan 450 Trail Pack + Viaterra Hammerhead + Viaterra POD: With this, you will get 73 Liters of Storage Capacity on your motorcycle. Another ideal solution for medium- to long motorcycle rides.
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Viaterra Condor 2up Saddle Bags + Viaterra POD + Himalayan 450 Trail Packs: With this, you will get 92 L of storage capacity, the maximum you can carry on your motorcycle by keeping luggage minimal.
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Viaterra POD + Viaterra Condor 2up Saddlebags + Oxus Tank Bag: This combination of luggage systems will ensure that you get 89 L of storage capacity for your motorbike. Which is also the 2nd largest storage capacity.
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Oxus Tank Bag + Viaterra Claw Pro: This minimalist motorcycle-packing solution will get 61 L of storage, which is the same when you compare it with the 2nd combination option. Ideal for short to medium and even long motorcycle tours.
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Viper Pro + Viaterra Claw Pro: This will get you 60 L of storage capacity, which is ideal for sport motorcycle tourers but can even work with Roayal Enfield Himalayan 450 riders.
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Himalayan 450 Trail Pack + Viaterra Claw Pro: This will get 64 L of storage capacity on your motorcycle. This is the final combination option that you can get which is once again ideal for all short to medium and even long tours.
These are the 10 different motorcycle packing solutions that you can apply to your motorcycle once you mount the required hard parts and get the necessary motorcycle bags. That will ensure safety and consistency at the best!
Also, please note that you don’t have to change combinations for every single ride; choose the one that suits you the best and you can keep going on tours with that option as long as you don’t feel the need to change.
Check out our YouTube video for a better understanding of the product: https://youtu.be/BdJ67EVvZy4
FAQ: How to prepare your RE Himalayan 450 for Long Rides
Q: How much luggage storage do I need for a long ride on the Himalayan 450?
A: For a long ride, you should aim for around 60L to 92L of luggage capacity, depending on your packing needs. The ideal storage solution depends on the duration of your ride and the gear you need to carry.
Q: What are the benefits of minimalist motorcycle packing?
A: Minimalist motorcycle packing helps reduce the overall weight on your bike and keeps your ride comfortable and agile. It also helps in maintaining better balance and ensures that you only carry what’s absolutely necessary without overloading your motorcycle.
Q: Are there any specific considerations for off-road rides with the Himalayan 450?
A: For off-road rides, it’s important to consider stability and durability. Ensure that your luggage is securely fastened and that the bike's side stand extension is used for parking on soft or loose soil. Additionally, protect your radiator with the Radiator Guard, which offers enhanced durability on rough terrain.
Q: Why is the quick mount rear rack important?
A: The Quick Mount Rear Rack is essential for extending the luggage space on your motorcycle, making it easier to secure larger items. Its versatility allows you to attach various bags and other items, offering better flexibility when carrying gear.
