Mumbai > Cochin bike hire
 

Good afternoon!

So after determining that Ladakh is out of the question this early in the year we've had a slight change of plan (and managed to incorporate the Bahrain GP into our very short trip...)

So myself and two friends will be flying into Mumbai and then out of Cochin approx two weeks later.

We will be looking to hire Enfields and just do one way hire. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations or if it's better to get this sorted when we're 'on the ground'. I only seem to have found one company that does it indiabikes but their prices are vastly ahead of anywhere else (£650 for 2 weeks one way vs £200-250 for two weeks)

I expect to pay more for the one way hire but 3x the cost seems excessive! so if anyone has any recommendations it would be appreciated.

Also any suggestions on what to see down the West Coast of India or anywhere roughly along the Mumbai>Kerala route would be good!

thanks
Tom

Hey Tom,
if you need any help while you're in Mumbai finding bikes give me a shout. Are you'll looking for two motorcycles, and do they have to be enfields?
The coastal route between Mumbai and Goa is great, no big highways so less traffic, but the roads are not very good in parts. There are nice coastal village roads and some great sea forts too.

I cannot help with bike hire but if you have time when you reach Mangaluru, Mangalore in old money, head up into the Western Ghats to Madikeri, across to Ooty, Coimbatore and if you have time Munnar before heading down to Cochin.
As Dan says the coast road, NH66 is a good ride but the trip up into the mountains is well worth it.

you have to drive up to ooty(udagamandalam) from masinagudi where you can spent the night at wild haven,john is a very good host.
in muhzhappilangad stop at the beach pavilion beach resort.
beware of wild elefants!!

thanks gents!

And Dan, thanks very much for the offer of bike help in Mumbai. Just this morning arranged hire with a company called enfieldriders at a far more reasonable price (£340 inc one way), they have a lot of reviews and have been very responsive and helpful so fingers crossed it will be great!

Western Ghats definitely look like they're worth a trip!

Ooty and Wild Haven look fantastic. should definitely be able to fit in a a night or two there towards the end of the trip. Better get a decent camera bought..

Dan,

I am trying to rent or even buy up to 3 bikes in India. Dual sport Jap ones. Like Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki KLR650 - anything between 250 to 600 cc. Can you hook me up with the right people?

Truly speaking we would prefer these to be in Manali. But if we are able to buy we can figure out the shipping, plates aspect. I do have friends in India who can figure out the logistics. But they have no clue about the bikes . They keep recommending I buy Harley or Hayabusa for riding in the Himalayas LOL. So you see why I cannot turn to them for advice?

Cheers.
bier