Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 10
Planning a trip to India and the Himalayas

I was planning a trip to India, Nepal, and around the Himalayas. I am hoping to start the trip mid August and I am pretty open ended on the duration, I am tentatively planning to travel for a couple years and this is the opening act. Ideally I would like to buy a bike and ride around at my own pace. The only plan I had was to start off in Nepal at the tail end of the monsoon season to do some treking and then work my way down to India where I would probably spend 6 plus months traveling around before picking my next destination. I was interested in hitting up the stans, but I have not had a chance to look into them yet. I have done a lot of backpacking travel, although never in India, and I have done long motorcycle trips throughout the US and Canada. I figured I would try to combine the two on this outing.

Does anyone have any suggestions, advice, or pointers? I am particularly interested where to get the bike, I hear it is best to buy it in India? What kind of bikes I can expect to fine? Whether I should bring my own gear or just buy gear there? Does anyone have experience in the area and have suggestions on itinerary? Thanks in advanced for any help.
__________________
Preparation for big trip and future site of ride blog -> www.onthewanderlist.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 139
Hi ggemelos If spending two years travelling get a good bike, avoid old Enfields (Oilfields), the latest unit construction ones are getting relatively good press, if not there are Honda waves some Yamahas etc but no larger than 250cc, a bit whiney for the Himalayas but will do the job. Starting in Nepal limits your choices of available bikes, best bet are other tourists, stick a few flyers around the hotels and bars. You might consider starting in Delhi or Kolkata and ride up the mountains to ensure you have a good bike. If you stay for a while at high altitudes change your carbie jets.
Bring helmet, gloves, bike tools
I think the itinerary will develop of its own accord, India has a way of ignoring the plans of mice and men, keep it vague.
Little steps first.
1. get over the shock of India (if first time )
2. get a bike
3. get used to the flow and ebb of traffic, its chaotic but it works.
By this stage you will have a better understanding of what you want to do and talking with fellow travellers will give you the current situations at the borders.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: in our 15th year on the road-only half way- now in Panama
Posts: 269
...info for Nepal and India

hi there
we were in India and nepal for a little while....have a lot of GPS ref points for download on the front of our website...http://www.2ridetheworld.com
plus our diary sections online for both countries.
it may be good for you to have a read and start to prepare yourself for the driving 'standards' in India.
and of course great places to visit and stay. 2ridetheworld.com : diary

so - if you have the time have a look at our website. when you got to the above diary link just select the continent and then country you wish to read about.

have fun planning.
__________________
Lisa
www.2ridetheworld.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 10
Thanks for the information. Lisa Thomas, I will definitely go through your website to get an idea about riding a bike in India. I have never been there before, but I have ridden scooters throughout SEA. I am guessing it will be a lot more intense. Twobob, I have heard that starting in Nepal would limit my choice in bikes and I have been warned about Enfields, althought I heard that the newer models were supposed to be more reliable. One place I found in Nepal was Hearts and Tears, see link below. Supposedly you can buy a newer Enfield rigged up for travel and even take a class on maintaining the Enfield. Does anyone have any experience with them or the newer Enfields? Thanks again for all the advice.

http://http://www.heartsandtears.com

EDIT:
Actually, after spending more time on the Hearts and Tears website, I like the idea of the Yamaha RX. It is a 135cc 2-stroke. It is probably bulletproof, I am just not sure about what kind of power it can put out. There appear to be a lot of stories of people taking those bikes all the way back to Europe. The shop also helps you get the Carnet de Passage.
__________________
Preparation for big trip and future site of ride blog -> www.onthewanderlist.com

Last edited by ggemelos; 15 Feb 2012 at 17:57.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 139
Good choice, you have to wear rose coloured glasses with Enfields sometimes
I've got a bit of a masochistic/nostalgia bent so I go the Oilfield though I never absolutely recommend them. Whatever you get check it out thoroughly.
You will only need power in the mountains, average speed in India is 50kph, for power in the mountains be anal with your carbie jets.

Last edited by twobob; 16 Feb 2012 at 02:27. Reason: add
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
Obviously it goes without saying that you should make sure you do the Manali-Leh and Leh Srinagar roads.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Feb 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Aus. Qld. Mackay
Posts: 474
Nepal

We went for a Oilfield ! oh I mean Enfield, & have not regretted it YET !, we are in Pokhara & plan to ride down to Jomson on it. But I love the Enfield here is a pic with the handbrake.
Attached Thumbnails
Planning a trip to India and the Himalayas-img_2911.jpg  

__________________
....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18 Mar 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1
India

Hi,I have had several visits to India and I have to say that it,s a made place which I enjoy greatly.As with the other post the driving standards very considerably,on a sliding scale from bad -down ,but don't let this put you off,I hire a bike each time I go out there,and have a great time,just to address a couple of points that you have raised.

The type of bike should be of an indigenous brand then any one can fix it should it fail,Bmw Yamaha are starting to appear but if you are in the back of beyond that wont help.

Sourcing a bike I could help with,I have a friend who has been in India for a considerable amount of time ,they may have accesses to bike,s should you wont to progress this further,fluent hindi speaker etc,if you send me your email I will pass his details on to you.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by ggemelos View Post
Thanks for the information. Lisa Thomas, I will definitely go through your website to get an idea about riding a bike in India. I have never been there before, but I have ridden scooters throughout SEA. I am guessing it will be a lot more intense. Twobob, I have heard that starting in Nepal would limit my choice in bikes and I have been warned about Enfields, althought I heard that the newer models were supposed to be more reliable. One place I found in Nepal was Hearts and Tears, see link below. Supposedly you can buy a newer Enfield rigged up for travel and even take a class on maintaining the Enfield. Does anyone have any experience with them or the newer Enfields? Thanks again for all the advice.

http://http://www.heartsandtears.com

EDIT:
Actually, after spending more time on the Hearts and Tears website, I like the idea of the Yamaha RX. It is a 135cc 2-stroke. It is probably bulletproof, I am just not sure about what kind of power it can put out. There appear to be a lot of stories of people taking those bikes all the way back to Europe. The shop also helps you get the Carnet de Passage.
The hearts and tears website is certainly interesting but your link has a problem with too many "http" so here's another one:-
Hearts & Tears Motorcycle Club

__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 Mar 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 6
Hello mate
I travelled in India for 10 months in 2004-05 and 5 of the last months on a enfield 350 cc i bought second hand from a fellow traveller. Here's a few of my thoughts:

- if its your first time in India, don't be in rush to buy a bike... see the country travel for at least two months first without bike, and then if you want to stay longer buy a bike. the train journeys in India are their own experience. and i would personally prefer the bike for the mountains rather than the plains.. but i only rode in mountains instead of plains so can't compare.

- if you go to goa or manali you can rent bikes there maybe in rishikesh too - renting is very cheap.. and once you are a bit used you can buy a bike if you want

- itinery - all the places i went to i found incredible.. these are the places and you can form your own itinary i havent been to rajasthan and many other places but at least this is a good start - you have to factor in rainy seasons, hot summers cold mountain winters etc...
south circle: goa, gokarna, mysore, bylakupe, hampi, (i didn't go to tamil nadu or kerella)
west to east (plains): calcutta, bodhgaya, varanassi, delhi
mountains: rishikesh, jashunath, Manali, Parvati valley, Dharamsala, Srinagar, Leh

- i am currently travelling in Colombia, South America, and have just bought me a Bajaj - Boxer 150cc. in colombia first hand is not that much more expensive than second hand, and i bought a first hand. I have met people who have travelled in 125 cc through the mountains in South America. So i expect 150 to be ok. ALthough in 2004 i got the impression for any long journeys in India it was only the enfield 350 or 500, but things may have changed by now.

- the number 1 rule in India for driving is that the bigger the car the right of way it has. As a bike don't take risks give way to the bigger cars.

- in india if a car shows you a headlight it means you wait there, I am taking this road first. In england incidentaly it means the opposite.

Good luck with your trip. There are plenty of bikers travelling in India, so it should be pretty easy to form a group.

Chao

Sameer.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 19 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 139
"in india if a car shows you a headlight it means you wait there, I am taking this road first. In england incidentaly it means the opposite."

Too right Sameer, I rode with some Europeans for a while in India and they insisted that they leave their lights on for safety, it took about 3000 klms before they cottoned on.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19 Mar 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 10
Thanks for all the advice. I was hoping to get a bike at Hearts and Tears, but I think they are closed for a while. I am therefore back to considering other options. Since this is a long trip through quite a few countries, one option I am considering is shipping a bike out there. That definitely is a bit more complex, but has the benefit of getting a lot of the paperwork done ahead of time.

S Davies, I sent you a PM with my email address.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 23 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Portugal
Posts: 139
If your looking to buy a bike in Nepal, be aware that it will cost at least double the price in India, due to tax, of course with a Nepal bike you can get a CDP, but unless you intend to take it out of India you don't need one.When I was sourcing my current Bullet in Kat, I came across a very usefull website www.hamrobazar.com. There's usually a pretty good selection of different bikes for sale and ,of course, you can check it out before you leave to get an idea of prices etc. I don't know whats happening with Hearts and Tears, I was in Pokhara last Nov and they didn't seem to be operating, Rick, the owner, was back in Germany and their mechanic of many years Raju, has parted company and set up a workshop by himself next door to 'The Bullet Bar' on the Road out of Lakeside into Town.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 23 Mar 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uselessbaba View Post
If your looking to buy a bike in Nepal, be aware that it will cost at least double the price in India, due to tax, of course with a Nepal bike you can get a CDP, but unless you intend to take it out of India you don't need one.When I was sourcing my current Bullet in Kat, I came across a very usefull website www.hamrobazar.com. There's usually a pretty good selection of different bikes for sale and ,of course, you can check it out before you leave to get an idea of prices etc. I don't know whats happening with Hearts and Tears, I was in Pokhara last Nov and they didn't seem to be operating, Rick, the owner, was back in Germany and their mechanic of many years Raju, has parted company and set up a workshop by himself next door to 'The Bullet Bar' on the Road out of Lakeside into Town.
Thanks for the pointer to hamrobazar. I do plan on traveling outside of India and Nepal and therefore want to get a CDP. You are right about the price of bikes in Nepal. I am seeing close to 600,000 NPR for a Honda XR250 Tornado; that is a bit steep. Given those prices, it probably will not be much more to buy a bike like a WR250R in the states and ship it to Nepal. The benefit there is I can get all the CDP paperwork done ahead of time with less hassle and prep the bike here. Shipping seems to be its own hassle and I still have not decided whether to ship or buy local. Thanks again for the pointer.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 23 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Bikemandu

That's a shame about hearts and tears, but these folks say they can help in buying, and selling, within Nepal.
But, their site does not look very active in this particular field - they are much more into hiring bikes and organising tours.
Bike Rental Services in Kathmandu Nepal | Rent a Bike Motorcycle in Kathmandu Nepal Pokhara Chitwan Nagarkot Dhulikhel
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:17.