India in July
 

Hi all

I have to go to India (Kerala) for the first two weeks in July. I'm planning to stay on for a few weeks afterwards and am wondering whether it's worth hiring an Enfield to tour on. Can anyone advise on what the weather is likely to be like? I believe it is the monsoon season but is this going to preclude motorcycling? Also does anyone have any knowledge / experience of hiring a bike in Kochi?

Thanks in advance

Chris

India weather.
 

Hi. I was in Northern india couple of years back. Generally depending on where you are of course, July August is ok. I was in the far north Leh, Manali, Srinigar, Khardung La etc. It was very cold at altitude, but sunny otherwise. We had only 1 day of rain in a month. Did a big trip on an Enfield with a small tour group. The scenery if you are heading up there is unbelievable. Let me know if you need any other info. Good luck. Best. Geoff.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the info Geoff. Don't think I'll have the time to head too far north, but am sure looking forward to the trip!

Mate, augustvis peak monsoon across India, not fun.

We live up in the north, about 2 days ride from manali in a town called Mussoorie. If I were you I would fly into Dehradun, then hire a bike there or get a bus to manali and hire there. I can put you in touch with a reliable bloke who helps me out with parts and advice, he's been running Leh tours since the 90s.

You can also fly into Ladakh as well.

Personally I would skip on riding on the plains.. It's hot, wet and terrifyingly manic on the roads, not much fun. Fly up here to the mountains and avoid the mayhem of the lower altitudes and ride into the rain shadow! :funmeteryes:

And we will take you for a bier if you pass through our way :thumbup1:

Cheers,
Owen

Thanks Owen
 

I'll certainly give it some thought!

If you plan to Stick around Kerala and the Southern states you can also check out the western ghats and the western and the eastern coastal belts for the views, temples, beaches, food, jungles etc.

Do note though, as you have already been advised, it is peak monsoon season (and even more so in the South) so one needs to be careful on a motorcycle.

Some of the places that come to my mind:

Coorg - Karnataka
Kovalam/Trivandrum/Kumarakom - Kerala
Anshi Forest - Karnataka
Pondicherry - Eastern Coast
Hampi - Karnataka

Cheers chickmagnet, I'm starting to wish that I was going another time of year, but hey ho, I'll take what I can get! I won't be renting the bike until I get there, so can make my mind up then. I'll take a helmet and some riding gear anyway.

My son has just got back from 10 weeks voluntary work in a small village in the boonies about a 7 hour ride from Kochi, so would ideally like to get up there to meet the village people he stayed with.