enfield bullet-paperwork in india

[quetzalcoatl]

hello out there, I'm planning to
buy an enfield 500 b. motorcycle
in delhi for a 5 month-journey
through india. what I need to
know is ANYTHING about ALL the
essential paperwork and related
costs (Insurance, f.e.). how much
time does this consume and are
there people to do it for you?
if anybody has recently made
experiences with this I would
be glad to hear about any
related information.
another (technical) question:
are the original rear shock
absorbers good enough for 2
people and luggage? if not,
is it possible to buy better
ones?
***thanks for your help***

[kipper]

Quetz-

you might want to reconsider and get a 350. yes, people at home will snicker and think you might as well drive a lawnmower but... the fact is the parts for the 350 are much easier to come by, cheaper, and mechanics are more familiar with them. I've run into people who faced some challenges with getting parts.

As for two people and luggage. There are three things to consider: your weight/your partners weight, luggage weight, and the type of terrain you're considering. The max load for an enfield is 176kg for both the 350 and 500. That sort of rules out doubling up for most westerners... unless you don't mind going slowly and you're not pack rats.

Insurance is very inexpensive, rs 500 for liability. If you get the papers in your name you can get full coverage for a song.

Papers. To drive in India you just need the original ownership papers and a sales affidavit. You can purchase insurance in your name with that. Police will not care whose name it is in as long as you have the papers.

HOWEVER, if you want to travel anywhere but in India and Nepal, you need to get ownership papers in your name so that you can apply for a carnet. That sounds easy enough, but, can be quite a challenge.

Second hand shops doop westerners all the time saying the documentation they are providing is all you need. Not true. You need a form 29, stating you as the owner. You'll need a "No Contest" form signed by the previous owner and each owner going back. Be sure for each owner listed, there is a "No Contest" form signed by them.

Like I said, you only need to jump through these hoops if you're buying a second hand bike, and/or if you plan to travel outside of India or Nepal.

Cost for a second hand Enfield 350 run $500-up. The most expensive I've seen up north is $800. It usually goes by year, not by miles or appearance, or condition. Its a buyer beware market. I bought mine for $600. I probably put an additional $150 into her to make her worry free. I also plan on taking her back, and considering what mechanics fees are like at home it was a good investment.

Repairs are very inexpensive and the average no sweat repair will run you anywhere from 40 cents to $5. Getting a new piston, labor, etc., including some other work thrown in, cost me $14.

Be careful, if you've never driven or been in India before be prepared for the shock of your adult driving life. India has turned seasoned international drivers into weepy puddles. It is the scariest scenario you can imagine. Almost every moment you are on the road near cities feels like a near death experience. There are incredibly beautiful stretches of road where you can relax a little, but to be safe you can never let your guard down.

It's not a question of IF you will have an accident, it's a matter of how many and when.

Despite that it is an incredible experience that will leave you soaring in the clouds one moment and ripping your hair out the next. But, as humans we tend to remember the good bits.

I've been driving for a month in Nepal and 7 months in India. I've really enjoyed it but I think I've used up the bulk of my nine lives and will be moving on. Good luck!

Cat

[quetzalcoatl]

thanks a lot to cat - you wrote half a
book...
I have three more questions to you (and
everyone else):
1) how much time does all paperwork
consume?
2) do I need a "no objection certificate",
if I just want to travel inside India?
hasta luego

[quetzalcoatl]

ok, forgot third question-
still trying to remember...

[kipper]

Because you're buying and only traveling in India, all you really need to do is hand over the money and they hand you the papers.

If you're like most foreigners this will make you uneasy and you'll probably at least want a letter or sales receipt.

If you buy used... the time it takes for someone to write a sales slip.

If you buy new... 1-3 days is what I've heard.

Sorry for the long response, but I know how confused I was and how long it took to figure everything out. Hopefully this will spare you any anxiety and save you time.

[Afrikaansen tweeling]

Hello,

What is the thing with buying a 350 bullet instead of a 500? Both motorcycles are identical! Even the engine, witch has a larger piston in the 500 than the 350.

It goes even so far you can rebuilt a 350 to a 500 by just enlarging the clinder and replace the smaler piston by a larger one

Greetings

Maarten

[Spud]

350 parts are cheaper and easier to get hold of.

I had a 350 Bullet with two up fully loaded. Rode it with all original kit, was about 10 years old and was superb even up hills. It's a good old solid bike. I had exactly the same experice with buying etc.. so can vouch for what Kipper has mentioned. 350 still sounds cool though.. nice thumper!


ps. not identical by the way.. a few subtle differences. Front brake for a start!


[This message has been edited by Spud (edited 14 February 2002).]