In a 'riksja' from India to Belgium?
 

Well, what can i say? Have been at home now for six months after a twenty month Africa overland trip, got a job, girlfriend got a job, settled in the house again so theoretically all should be perfect... except for the fact that i keep thinking to fly to India, buy a 'riksja' and drive it back to Belgium.
Has anyone ever travelled in one of these 'riksjas' (you know, the three wheeled small motorcycles with a roof that are used as taxis over there)? Are they any good technically, will i have to repair the bloody thing every 100 kilometers or every 5000 km? I know these things are slow and the paperwork problems should be the same as is the case when you want to do this trip on an Enfield, but what else should worry me? Or is it just a perfect idea and should i leave for India tomorrow? Or am i suffering from a post-travelling-depression and should i start a self-help-group (i know you're out there!).
All info and nonsens is welcome! Safe travels for those who are on the road (you lucky bast...)

Koen

Lets put it this way, they are more reliable than Enfields. Lots of people earn their livelyhood using these and under such circs, a model that, er, behaves like an Enfield would be ruthlessly dumped in a short time. Spares are dirt cheap too.

Enclosed bodywork is available, and may make more sense than the open "taxi" kind of set up.

Minuses - tiny wheels, cruising speed somewhere betwen enfield and bicycle, unrefined, not stable while braking on a curve. Oh well, make that emergency braking at any speed....

Its called Rickshaw :-)
 

Hi Alan,
Just curious how did you get this idea , of all things a rickshaw:-)

For starters it is spelled Rikshaw :-) or should it be Auto riskshaw.

for those who don't knwo please have a look here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_rickshaw

And to the best of my knowledge no one has done this before, not to say that you cannot. If you decide to go ahead and do it my best wishes. As far as reliability goes , I would think they are fairly reliable, but they are pretty unstable at high speeds ( anything above 70 - 80 KPH for example) infact the max I have done in a rickshaw with a driver friend is around 60.

take care,
Red Bull

remedies for a post-travelling-depression
 

Koen,
You found one of the best remedies against what we all suffer (from time to time), dreaming of a next adventure.
The others are maniacly checking this HUBB three times a day, lurking all the posts about places/situations you know or want to get involved in and checking the blogs and sites of people you met during your travels....

the'riksja'adventure:
This year two woman bought a tuktuk in Thailand and rode it to England.
They posted on this HUBB from time to time, mostly in the preplanning stage of their trip.
They tell their stories on their site and blog, fun to read:
http://www.tuktotheroad.co.uk/
http://tuktotheroad.blogspot.com/

Regards, dream on, you'll adept to it somehow....

I met some guys who bought a rikshaw from a driver in India somewhere and toured around India on it. They certainly got some strange looks, and also some attention from the police at one stage who thought they had stolen it.
More reliable than an Enfield? Debatable perhaps, the main problem is that they are two stroke engines and not well adapted for long distance or highway travel. Cheap and easy to fix though as long as you are in India. Outside of the subcontinent you would want to know your way around the engine.
In Gujarat i saw Enfield diesel trikes as a rikshaw alternative, with a bench seat on the back and plenty of ground clearance.
Sean

I've known of several people who have taken Thai tuk-tuks for big rides - there are numerous websites dedicated to these beasts. They are extremely reliable with very simple two-stroke motors. They are dirty and noisy though, and the Europeans might not be too welcoming unless you can get yourself a "theme" or raise money for charity etc.

cheers
Brett

They are 4stroke now (pollution norms). Still miserably slow, cheap to run, and evil handling.

India has VERY strict pollution norms now for new vehicles.

Just DO IT !
 

Hi Koen,

I can only say one thing to you. Just do it. I think it is a great idea. No matter how many times it has been done before (who cares), no mater how dificult it "might" be (who cares).
Thinks about it this way..... you'l have plenty of space for lugage, tools and spare-parts.

Go4it

Maarten (who is also desperatly bored)

Bloody Brilliant
 

Hi,
Brilliant idea. There are a lot of options now 2-stoke 4-stroke and even a CNG (compressed Natural Gas) alternative. You can buy the thing-a-majig directly from the manufacturer Bajaj Auto.
You should though figure out how and if it will p[ass the local MOT inspection in your country.
If you do undertake this plan gimme a ring if your in bombay as the Bajaj factory is in Pune. kabir.grewal@gmail.com
Cheers.

Travelled from Bangkok back to Germany by Tuk Tuk
 

i've done one trip in 2005 by Tuk Tuk from Bangkok back to Eruope. Crossing SE-Asia, Japan, Russia, Mongolia, Stans, Iran, Middle East, North Arfica to Europa.
If youo need some detailed informations just let me know.

Daniel

You make me laugh!
 

Hey Mertens!
Its funny reading these forums as its makes you realise that we are all cut from the same cloth. I have travelled close to 50 countries (mostly 3rd world) and its always the same. When you get back from a big trip you talk about the next one you will be doing and not the one you have just done. My next one is a trip back to my home in South Africa on a bike. Why am I doing this? Who knows. Am I addicted to travel? Am I a selfish person? Am I going through a mid life crices? Am I avoiding the mortgage and 2.5 kids? Am I a lost individual? The list can go on and on.
I tried the "no travel plans" thing for a year...I broke up with my girlfriend, was depressed, lost a few friends and achieved nothing!
As for the tuk-tuk thing, sounds great. I travelled around Sri Lanka in one for a month. Very bumpy, noisy, every one wants a lift and i am sure mine didnt need petrol? Sounds great!!
Orrin

Tricycle in Belgium
 

Hello,, I am Pol,
Great Idea indeed,
In Sri Lanka there are mostly Indian made ( twoo stroke?)BAJA tricyle and a few Diesel Italian produced Piagio
I do not know why you want to bring it to Belgium, very welcome indeed:welcome:
I did inform years ago tu use a so caled "VESPACAR"
In Belgium the TAXI MODEL IS ( WAS) NOT ALLLOWED (security matters)
The "CARY MODEL" (FRAIGHT) schould be possibly registered,
BUT...this info is not veryfied to actual rules...

Just to inform you...and
DO IT
Pol (BXL Belgium)

did the rickshaw trip happen?