hi there - i just solo completed 11755kms in 60 days in India. Key points :
Bike buy or hire? as it was 60days i decided to hire - so i hired from Bangalore - Wicked Ride. they have many bikes and pricing is on their website. they were good pre and post customer service and payment thru paypal which was good. i would use them again.
- I hired a Bajaj Avenger 220cc. I am more about the travel than the bike and this suited me fine. a few minor touchups required on the way but this isnt a issue with the bike more the mileage and the road quality. new battery at $50 but was reimbursed for this and i had to get the carberator retuned a couple of times
- Papers. i have an international bike licence, bike came with 3rd party insurance and the pollution certificate not required if bike post 2016. i rode thru 14 Indian states and wasnt stopped at any point - and the police were very helpful for directions... i went to Bhutan for a few days without the bike and the police let me park my bike at their station - no paper work requested.
- Costs. bike costs on the website, but petrol around us$1.10/litre. (70 rups) getting a quick lookover of the bike etc unlikely to cost more than $10. i had to take a link out of the chain at one point and that was about $10... other living costs dependant on the individual but i typially paid $us8/night (500 rups) and typically a double room.
- Safety. Crimewise no issues at all. felt very safe. Roadwise - many issues. its a real mix off agressive/impatient drivers (mainly buses and small car owners (lego cars)) mixed with most people looking for a short cut. dont be surprised if on a dual carriageway/highway and someone is screaming toward you against the flow of traffic. many break lights not functioning, motorbikes with no wing mirrors, many styles of transport, people strolling across highways, potholes, speed bumps, and a whole noahs arc of livestock wandering various roads at various times... i didnt ride at night for these reasons. but a 0600 start was always a good idea.. if u are a natually defensive rider and its more about the journey than riding the bike like a bullet then depsite above its a great experience. if you are an agressive impatient rider then best of luck to you.
- Flexibility. bike was great for India as super flexible and beats cramming into those buses. maps.me was generally good for directions but nothing beats asking locals for directions - always helpful and very accurate - just break the stages into 30-40km cause they know the place up the road but maybe not the place 300kms away.
Hope above short insight is helpful. a super adventure and any information required on any element of the trip simply let me know... a awesome experience.
cheers, Sweeeet
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