Manali -Leh

[Rogierke]

Need some help!! Would like to ride from Manali to Leh in July.Questions:
-better to buy or to rent an Enfield in Manali??
-What does a 500 Bullit rent for? What is included??
-What do you suggest to pack? ( tent/sleeping bags/spares)
-Can it be done TWO people on one bike???
Forgive me asking these questions, but being a novice in this matter...although I cover 25000 km a year on my GS1150,but never in these parts of the world..PLease help!!

[chris]

your post would be better in the "asia" forum. please see my post of a couple of days ago:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000074.html

and also do a search of the whole site using the relevant keywords. i recall spotting a route description similar to the one you ask about.

also check the relevant guide books ref. facilities en route.

i plan to be in manali in late august/september.
ride safely,
ChrisB

[JEP]

Hi!
I just came back from Manali, had, like quite some other bikers in these countries here, an accident, someone crossed the street with his scooter right in front of me without looking left or right, so no chance of avoiding it, nothing serious happened to me except a double-sized right hand and hits here and there, but the bike looks pretty bad and will be shipped home now. So drive SLOW and be EXTREMELY careful, as I thought I was, but still not enough. Thats by the way, the road to Manali is beautiful, the road from there to Leh supposed to be far better even (it is still closed now, the biggest disappiontment on my whole trip so far), but requires good timing, as short after the opening of the passes the rain- season starts, possibly damaging the road again because of rocks coming down, so for a really enjoyable ride you should somehow catch this 1 or 2 weeks. Same for the way back.
Renting as well as buying Enfields is possible there, lot of shops doing this, but I know nothing about prices and conditions.
If you fit two people on a bike, waht is possible without problems, depends on your luggage, I would recommend bringing as little as possible, really cheap guesthouses everywhere, no need for cxamping excepty you want to, and Enfield- sares available everywhere, but concerning this better speak with the guy renting/selling you the bike. What u need is a second pair of clothes, a toothbrush, some shampoo and washing powder, the rest is luxury. And, maybe some biking clothes, my helmet, and special jacket and pants saved me a lot in my accident. Think about it, even if it is unconvenient sometimes and everybody else gives a shit.
Thats all I can advise, have fun up there, such a pity I couldnt go!!
Jens

[stormsearcher]

get yourself some good waterproof boots(motocross type boots that keep out water from entering the boot would be my choice)/ by july end the snow melts and u will hAVE TO CROSS NUMEROUS ICY COLD HIMALAYAN STREAMS.wet feet is not very comfy up in the hills.if u are going to camp out nights might become chill. pack thermal wear, good jacket,gloves/waterproof gear('duckback' is good if u wanna buy in india as in july august before u enter the gateway passes to the himalayas rain can be a bitch.) .i have ridden the himalayas in july 2001, and in the 3rd week of october2002(was very extreme).will be up there in july august this year.plan to get up 'marsimik la '/ the highest road newly opened.(used to be khardungla).have a gr8 ride/

[benbo]

I intended riding from Delhi to Leh, got to the Rhotang Pass and the fuel pump on the Enfield was leaking - so figured the bike wasn't up to it (this was 8 yeas ago - everyday something went wrong with it) and turned back...head lights failed, hit a hole and fell off - bus nearly wiped me out another day...usual dodgy india driving stories. Take it easy!

Don't bother with spares - wave some money and chuck it in a truck when it breaks...india's not a place for preperation. 2 people on a 500 would be a go-er without all the in-essentail clutter of tents/spares etc.

Good times,
Ben

[stormsearcher]

lol.. its not so bad/if u have some basic knowledge bout bikes u can have a blast/though i dont use an enfield there arte loads of ppl travelling on an enfield. so carry basic stuff like cables etc.and there are mechs who are familiar with enfields in manali as well as leh/ and availablity of spares is ok.in manali and in leh u can find other travellers with whom u can team up with.there are loads of indian enfield clubs u can mail and team up with.http://inddiethumpers.8m.com/
post up there ndcheck out link'bullet clubs in india'. and u will be helped.i might be going with a group of 4 enfield riders(friend and i ride rd350yamahas). so dont worry just have a blast in the himalayas.

[stormsearcher]

here are some pics fer u to get an idea bout the ride.
www.bsmotoring.com/bsmrd350club/rdhim
this was in 2001 with my girlfriend
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gopalph/l...ayan%2bTrip%2b Part1%26.src=ph%26.view=t
these were in oct3rd week 2003.Our trip scaled close to 3800kms starting from Delhi and ending back in Delhi the route being Delhi-Ambala-Chandigarh-Solan-Simla-Rampur-Sangla-Rampur-Luri-Auto-Kullu-Manali-Dartcha-Pang-Sarchu-Leh-Kargil-Drass-Srinagar-Udhampur-Pathankot-Jalandhar-Ludhiana-Ambala-Delhi scaling 14days.
have a ball!

[stormsearcher]

sorry the date was oct 3rd week 2002.