The Truth About Noraly's Royal Enfield Himalayan Era – Why She Really Left It Behind

Noraly Schoenmaker, better known as Itchy Boots, became one of the most recognizable solo motorcycle travelers in the world after riding the Royal Enfield Himalayan across thousands of kilometers, remote roads, rough terrain, and multiple countries. But after two Himalayans, Basanti and Dhanno, she eventually walked away from the bike that helped build her YouTube channel. In this video, we explain the real reason Noraly left the Royal Enfield Himalayan behind. Was it reliability? Was it mechanical failure? Was it the damage caused after Dhanno sat in Peru during lockdown? Or was the truth much simpler: weight, handling, and the need for a lighter motorcycle for serious solo off-road adventure? From her first Himalayan ride in India to her journey across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, South America, and beyond, this is the full story of Noraly’s Royal Enfield Himalayan era, why it mattered, and why she eventually moved on to lighter bikes like the Honda CRF250L and Honda CRF300 Rally. This is not a story about failure. It is the story of a rider discovering what kind of motorcycle truly fits her style of travel.