How and Where to Buy A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
- Randy Reek, The Great Out There
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
Why would I drive PAST dozens of motorcycle dealers to buy a Royal Enfield in IOWA?
I have owned dozens of motorcycles. This includes everything from a 50cc Honda Ruckus scooter to a 1700cc Kawasaki Voyageur touring motorcycle. Subscribers to the GreatOutThere.online blog are familiar with the "project bikes" that I routinely review, accessorize, and then resell.
In just the last few years I have published articles, YouTube videos, social media posts, and suggestions in Owner's Groups on FIFTEEN different "adventure touring" models.
What my followers have not seen is that I have also published even MORE content on websites, blogs, and the social media channels for motorcycle brands as an anonymous "ghost writer". In my "semi-retirement" I have used decades of marketing experience to bolster the online presence of many, many outdoor brands.
Along the way, I have logged tens of thousands of motorcycle touring miles...
I've ridden to Mile Zero in Key West, Florida. I celebrated the Summer Solstice and 24-hours of daylight on the "Haul Road" in Coldfoot, Alaska. I have also toured the adventure routes of the Trans-America trail, the Trans-Wisconsin Adventure Trail, and the UTBDR, AZBDR, and COBDR - and plan to ride many more!
And this is how I ended up in Marne, Iowa on a hot day in July.
I have owned "ADV" bikes from 200cc to 450cc, 650cc, and 800cc - so far.
As I continue to "mature", I am less impressed with top speed and horsepower. My demands are simple:
I want to safely and effortlessly keep up with traffic on the highway.
I want comfortable and capable handling off the pavement, where I rarely exceed 55 MPH.
While I have logged thousands of miles on adventure motorcycles at the lower end of the range (also including two 125's), I have found the "sweet spot" to be under 500cc's for a balance of power and manageable weight. I ride mostly solo and need to be able to handle anything the road or trail throws at me!
I have been "lurking" in Facebook groups and devouring YouTube videos reviewing the latest Royal Enfield Himalayan since its introduction last year. After extensive comparison shopping, I made the decision to buy the new Himalayan 450 as my next (maybe last?) adventure motorcycle.
I had owned one Royal Enfield model previously, the Meteor 350. I had also followed the exploits and watched the devotion of the owners of the original Himalayan 411. I think it is fair to use adjectives like "solid, dependable, and utilitarian" to describe these two models. But I also feel that Royal Enfield has built a reputation for emphasizing value over high performance.
I want the most motorcycle for my money. With the long list of refinements included in the new Himalayan 450, it was an easy purchase decision.
For comparison, the Himalayan 450 currently sells for LESS than the Honda CRF300L or Kawasaki KLX300 dual sports - and neither can match the standard features, included accessories, OR 3-year warranty on the Royal Enfield! The Himalayan 450 is several thousand dollars less than the Suzuki DRZ400 or Kawasaki KLR650 - again with more standard features.
Now - we return to Marne, Iowa, a town with a population of only 120! This unlikely location is my recommended dealer when you are ready to buy YOUR Royal Enfield!
Today, Royal Enfield is a brand headquartered in India. Originally formed in Great Britain, it is the OLDEST motorcycle brand, dating back to 1901. In order to meet consumer motorcycle demand in Asia and to increase wartime production during WWII, manufacturing expanded to India. When economics killed production in England, all rights to the brand were transferred permanently to India.
Under aggressive management, Royal Enfield design, engineering, and production has both been refined and expanded. While India remains the number one market, exports have steadily grown.
Among the latest innovations is the new Himalayan 450. This motorcycle can truly claim the title of Best in Class - and sales and customer loyalty has followed.
But while the Himalayan 450 is in a class by itself, the same cannot be said for Royal Enfield dealers.
In the U.S., Royal Enfield has only about 150 dealers. Most of the motorcycle dealers sell multiple brands. Most of these motorcycle dealers also sell side-by-sides, boats and motors, lawn equipment, and other products. Since Royal Enfield models are known for their value, these motorcycles are often the LOWEST priced motorcycles in the dealership.
In fact, the best-selling 350cc Royal Enfield models sell for around $3,500, which is less than the Honda 125cc minimotos!
Add to this the reality that most large, multi-line "power sports" dealerships are patterned after auto dealerships with staff levels of salesmen, sales managers, finance managers, store managers, etc. all with incentives to sell $50,000 motorcycles or $100,000 boats over $3,500 motorcycles.
Consequently, MOST Royal Enfield dealers regard the line as a "loss leader", and stock minimal inventory while hoping to upsell shoppers to more profitable models.
But the exception is Baxter Cycles in Iowa. This company is one of the oldest Royal Enfield dealers in the U.S., having "grown up" with the brand as it has matured and become relevant to demanding American consumers.
Similar to "Field of Dreams" (also based in rural Iowa), Baxter Cycles has gambled, "If we build it, they will come!" Baxter Cycles, in tiny Marne, Iowa is committed to stocking every Royal Enfield model in every color, along with the parts and accessories to satisfy the American motorcycle shopper.
In addition, the staff at Baxter Cycles doesn't just tolerate value shoppers checking out Royal Enfield. They live and breathe - and RIDE - the brand! (I would bet that most huge mega-dealerships don't have a single person on their sales force who personally owns a Royal Enfield!)
When I checked the inventory of Royal Enfield "dealers" closer to home, several had only ONE Himalayan in stock. NONE had the model I wanted with tubeless tires - another Himalayan EXCLUSIVE! And ALL wanted $500 to over $1,000 more for the same motorcycle.
So I drove 450 miles to Baxter Cycles and enjoyed small town hospitality - instead of running the gauntlet from salesman to sales manager to finance manager and back again...
Yes, it's worth the drive to experience customer care and personalized attention. And for those who cannot make the drive, Baxter's also offers delivery of your new motorcycle!
And I'm not alone. Just review the long list of testimonials for Baxter Cycles, including comments like these:
Unbelievable service in this day of fast paced sales etc., These guys are the real deal when it comes to satisfaction after the sale.
The truth may just turn out to be that Baxter Cycle is one of those rare finds that we all come across a very few times in our lives that is the REAL DEAL. Thanks everyone at Baxter Cycle for always delivering a quality product, careful attention to detail and supporting a very bad habit and love affair with two wheel wonders.
Thanks, you guys are great! One of the best dealers I have ever done business with.
Why is Royal Enfield expanding when other brands are struggling and many dealerships are closing? Here is some insight into Royal Enfield:
Stay tuned for the Himalayan 450 build series as I add the custom touches to suit my riding style and planned adventures!
Please leave your comments below. Are you DONE with impersonal dealerships? Have you considered the current Royal Enfield selection.
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