Mumbai to London - are we mad?
 

3 of us are planning to fly to Mumbai, buy 3 brand new royal enfield bullets and ride them home to the UK....

This would be our first long trip, so all help and advice gratefully received...

1. can it be done inside 4 weeks?
2. would the bikes be able to cope?
3. trip safety (Iran/pakistan etc)
etc etc

Please help

cheers

Andy

First: nobody is mad around here! Welcome to the "mad-house" - the HUBB!

Though, 4-weeks sounds you'll be hurry and Enfields aren't fast bikes. I'd not hurry there, take a few weeks more time if you can on all costs - those countries are worth to see around!

Enfields have done countless of those trips on the same way, but sure mostly with some problems - it's not the latest word of mechanical reliability, but they can all do the job. I'd recommend doing some research on net about Enfields common faults and solutions, get a bit technically familiar with the bike, then there will be no panic at least if something happends http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif.

Good luck and have fun!

Cheers, Margus

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 27 July 2005).]

I hate to be the bringer of bad news but...

There are some paperwork issues here.

Technically you need to be an Indian resident to buy a bike. That one is easy to get 'round cos no one cares about the rule too much, least of all the poelple selling it to you.

The big problem comes when you try to leave India. You need a "carnet de passage" to enter Pakistan. You can't get one in India, and the RAC in UK are not going to give you one either. Remember, you own the bike illegally - every foreigner in India who has a bike is illegal.

End of the line. Sorry. Have a search around this web site for more details on this matter.

Generally it is a big problem to buy a bike in a non-EU country and ride it home.

Suggestions:
1. buy UK registered bikes, fly or ship them to India, and ride them home.
2. find some others who are interested in doing a share - they ride there, you ride back (although this has paperwork implications too regarding ownership while crossing borders). I know people who might be interested as it happens.
3. Try it the other way around - ride to India and ship home (or with beat-up old things you could just dump them).

I am not trying to spoil your dreams here, just save you a big blow down the road.

Keep thinking. You can do this, just come up with another plan. You have options.

Simon

Some good info on this on the Travellers Stories page

"Wim Langebeen - How to Buy an Enfield in India and ride it home, Two Belgian guys who went searching for two new Enfield motorcycles in India in August 2000 and drove them back home overland. This is very much a practical 'how to' rather than a story, with lots of tips and contact details."

NOTE however that the date on this is 2000 - and the regulations have CHANGED! It is no longer legal, period, but will give you a good idea of the pluses and minuses and problems along the way.

i am an indian and intend to do something like this only.
as i am an indian, i can very well drive out of india on my own bike. but then what about the carnet? how will i get that ?

From your Automobile Association.

Guys....

thanks very much for all your help and advice... i think the fact that the trip is fundamentally illegal may prompt a rethink!

Excellent website!!!!

It is possible if you buy a Nepalese Bullet "for export" and then do a normal bike export after riding through india.

As an ex-Enfield owner I would say, from a technical (I know nothing of the paperwork, I mean the bike can do it.) yes it is possible, plenty of people have done it. Check out 'ipercolate.com' for a guy who is riding one round the world.
You have to have your eyes open though. The Enfield Bullet Has a max cruising speed of 50mph. Any faster and you will just bugger it. Uphill this will slow down. The build quality is terrible in comparison to Japanese/European bikes and they are pretty unreliable. However, they are almost unfeasibly easy to work on and there are lots of workshop guides/CD roms available to help you out. My own experience suggests that carbs, points, wiring, rectifier/regulator units, actually anything electrical, are points of particular concern for the owner. Its also a good idea to go over the bike every day and check all the nuts are still tight/nothing has fallen off http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
However, for such a slow bike they have an incomparible grin factor and there is nothing like chugging along in the sun enjoying the view and the vibes of what is effectively a 50 year old Brit thumper. They also attract far more interest and waves and grins than a modern bike.
My own advice might be to buy a second hand import model in the UK for a few hundred quid (seriously, you should get a decent example for that) and ride it, take it to bits, abuse it and really get to know it then flog it for the same money before you leave. Alternatively buy your bikes here and ride them 'home'to India! Second hand Bullets are VERY cheap and often better than new ones as they have had all their quirks ironed out by the owner.
Finally, if you accept the Bullet for what it is I'm sure you'll love it. I was gutted when I wrote mine off.
Check out 'hitchcock's-motorcycles.co.uk' for their bulletin board. The guys on it really know their stuff and are very helpful.
matt

Sorry that should be 'hitchcocksmotorcycles.com'
matt

Hi there,
I just in this thread there is a problem in India for foreginers buying motorbikes there, ie. you can't. I've found an old motorbike in Turkey and would like to buy it, I have a Polish and Australian passport with no residency or address in Turkey, does anyone know if it's possible for me to buy this bike in Turkey???
Thanks in advance
Paul