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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



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  #1  
Old 2 Sep 2004
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Various info required for India

Hello ! I am going to India for 6 months in nov or dec and will be doing some serious kms, Im planning to drive from Callcuta to Bombay staying near the coast all the way as im taking the fishing gear, I plan to buy a bike in Callcuta
What kind of driving license should you have in India ?
Would i get away with just a international one ?
Do the Indian police tend to pull over foreighners on bikes often ?
Will i be able to find any enduro style bikes in Callcuta ?
Is a new enfield a good idea and what will one set me back.?
Anyone knowing what the roads are like or who has any advice please let me know
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  #2  
Old 2 Sep 2004
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Location: Gerrards Cross, Bucks, UK
Posts: 150
Quote:
Originally posted by davorsh:

What kind of driving license should you have in India ?
Would i get away with just a international one ?
Do the Indian police tend to pull over foreighners on bikes often ?
Will i be able to find any enduro style bikes in Callcuta ?
Is a new enfield a good idea and what will one set me back.?
Anyone knowing what the roads are like or who has any advice please let me know
An international licence will be fine, 70% of drivers here don't have a licence.
The police don't target foreign bikers. If they do pull you over, it's most likely just to say hello and ask 'what is your good name and 'what is your good country', etc. I hate to say it, but if you do have any trouble, a small amount of baksheesh will usually sort things out.
You're highly unlikely to find an enduro bike anywhere in India, but you might be lucky in the major cities.
A new Enfield is about 75,000 Rupees (£950), but you could buy one a 2002/3 model for half the price. I don't think there's much advantage buying a new one - they're a pain to run in and probably more hassle than a bike that's done a few miles and had any trouble beaten out of it. The engines tend to give up after 20,000km so try to find one with lower mileage. If you look after the bike (ie check it every day and service it every 1000km) it should run okay.
If you can't be bothered with having to do all that, you're best bet if to buy a 180/225cc bike - they do about 70km to the litre, don't need much maintenance and they're cheaper than an Enfield.
As for the roads.... to be honest, there's not much anyone can tell you that will prepare you for the chaos, you just have to come and find out for yourself. I showed a video of Indian traffic at the UK meeting in July and had one guy (who shall remain nameless) in tears because the memories were too much to bare!
It can be fun riding here, but it's very hard work, so don't expect to get too far each day, ride slowly and defensively, give way to anything with four wheels and, above all, use the horn a lot..

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  #3  
Old 5 Sep 2004
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We will be in India then as well. Lots of motorcycle people, including us, head for Goa for Christmas. Perhaps we will meet up then.
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  #4  
Old 7 Sep 2004
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Location: Ardning Austria
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There is only one rule in India what you have to remember! The biggest go's first! If you watch that you will be fine! So if you see two big ones coming on to you head on head, stay safe and leafe the road!

Have fun Albert!
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