Sri Lanka motorcycling?

[ultspnch]

Hi!
I usually go to a country and 'get' a bike there to tour the country. Lots of info on India, but the cheap round world flights will leave me in Sri Lanka. Has anyone solid info on practicalities/cost of either buying or renting a small local bike there? I had a great trip around North Thailand a few years ago on a purchased NSR 150RR....I wonder if indeed 'visitors' can buy a registered bike in SL, how much it would cost, and availability.Thanks for ideas/tips.

Ron Grant

[Erling]

I was living a year in Sri Lanka in 97/97. I bought a Honda 250cc offroad, but it was hard to find. Usually they just have 125cc bikes. If you are not planning to stay long, I would avoid trying to buy a bike, it's some paper work, and I guess you don't have helping locals avilable as I did. In several tourist places south of Colombo you can rent 125cc bikes, but I don't know the prices. For my quite new 250 i paid about $2000. Else SL is a very nice country, I've been almost all over it, also in some half-way warzones like Jaffna. People are friendly, and it's quite safe except for the pickpocketer's.

[alfonso-the-wanderer]

I agree with the advice. If you're not staying for an extended period of time, don't go for buying one.
Registration I think is also limited for 'residents'. I don't remember if I needed a copy of my resident visa to register my bike.
One of the best brands to buy/rent is Bajaj, as the dealer/importer has an excellent network of service stations spread over most of the island. And good service is important, particularly with a rented bike. Maintenance level is generally poor.
On arrival, stay close to the airport: in Negombo there are several places to rent a bike.
If you want to buy, major brands available are Bajaj, TVS, Hero Honda and Suzuki.
If you need further help, please contact me. I'm living 10 minutes away from the airport.

[Stephano]

Originally Posted by ultspnch

Thanks for ideas/tips.

Ron
I posted some info on Sri Lanka here:
Sri Lanka: possible or not?

including where I rented from. I found it cheaper than Negombo and it's easy enough to get a scenic train ride down the coast to Hikkaduwa from Colombo Fort railway station.
Stephan

[Andysr6]

Hi, did a tour of Sri Lanka in 07. Excellent country, really cheap and friendly. West coast is highly populated and East coast much quieter. Visit to the tea plantations and a few nights at the Hilton in Aragum bay is a must. Andy B