buying in pakistan
 

hallo there,
who has some info on buying or renting in pakistan? everything you know is more then welcome...

greetz
niels

met a couple of Swiss guys up the KKH in 2003 on 125's they bought in Islamabad - so it's possible, unfortuneatly I don't have anymore info.

Why not send an email to the islamabad community?

Hi, I'm going to Islamabad in a weeks time and will find out about bike shops etc to buy a bike. There are lots of 100 and 125's around. Something bigger would be hard to find. I'll keep you informed

Johan

buying in Rawalpindi
 

When you want to buy a bike in Islamabad, go to the big bike market area in Rawalpindi. I've been there today to see how and what to buy. It seems there are 100's to choose from.
a brand new Honda 125 is about PR71 000. It has a 13liter petrol tank and do 40km/l. (sales talk, but still impresive) They had 2 second hand 125's for about PR60 000, 15 - 20K on the clock. A second hand bike does not need to go through regestration and there are no other costs involved. A new bike would take 2 to 3 days for regestration and will cost PR4500. Not sure if that includes the number plate.

I looked at a few Vespa's for about PR50 000, second hand, good nic. Some bigger bikes are also available, saw a Kawasaki Z440 for PR45 000. No Royal Enfeilds, when I asked for them, I was told it is rubbish, garrenteed to brake down, buy a Honda.

When in Rome...... Honda is by far the most popular brand, and you are garrenteed to sell it again for about PR5000 less than what you buy it for. The advantage is also that you will be able get it repaired everywhere, as everyone rides it.

Petrol is PR60 per liter. Exchange rate currently is $1=PR59.
Plan to stay 3 days in Rawalpindi to get a bike, and get it ready for the open road. It will defenately be a wonderfull experience, touring long distances on 125's.

I also came accros a book shop in Islamabad with books on the KKH and Norhern Pakistan that I havnt seen anywhere else. Get a taxi to take you to The London Book shop in Islamabad.

Johan

thanks alot for the info johan,
meanwhile the situation for us changed,not convinced that it would be so easy to buy the bikes, we bought last month 2 mountainbike cycles in bishkek, kyrygzstan and we will be coming down the karakorum highway by that. good luck with your ride, and maybe see you on the road...
greetz
niels