I have to say that (in my opinion) after 8 years on the road and 71 countries travelled that India was the worst place to ever attempt to ride a motorcycle.
the list of 'who rules the road' is a good one Turbocharger!
You are left totally drained at the end of the day. I found that I was unable to enjoy the riding as your concentration has to be 200% + 360 degrees awareness (!!) every second you are on the road. its exhausting.

the noise of the constant horn use plus the pollution also adds to the feeling of frustration and exhaustion. if you want a quick read look here at our time in India
.2ridetheworld.com : diary

would I go back. Oh yes...but not on a motorbike, then at least I could enjoy it a bit more as its a beautiful, vibrant, colourful, highly overpopulated, poisonously polluted country with a 'deathwish' population once they get on the roads on any form of transport.

as long as you are aware of all of this, go, try to be safe and find those rare quiet and calm areas...there are a small few of these still left in India!

note: yes India is a Carnet country. how were you thinking of getting there? shipping straight in or via a landborder...from?

__________________
Lisa
www.2ridetheworld.com

Very well said. My two trips riding in that country, that was EXACTLY how I felt every evening! So true about the concentration, too - the density of traffic, combined with the rules of the road á la India, you´ll just have to see it to really believe it.

I´m also glad I went there, as it´s a fantastic, bizarre country, that gives you a very raw experience (in good and in bad!), and I hope I get to go again... but not on a motorcycle any more, I´ll rather ride somewhere else!!

just arrived back home for a short rest.
After 10 years on the road (always 6 mnth ride, two mnth at home) with bicycle, bike and car and covered roughly 20.000km in India with an Enfield (500 and 350)two up from Darjeeling to Kanyakumari and about everything in between I can just say: Act as the romans in Rome and you stay alive. Off course we had our moments but the roads between Rotterdam and Amsterdam in rush hour are way more dangerous.
So I say, when you ride in India, take it easy and you will stay alive.
Have fun

Can´t agree with that. Risks are of course everywhere, and more or less everything is very different in Asia, so probably should not be compared... but generally it´s quite safe in Europe, and in my view doesn´t even get close to India.

Just my 0,02.

Try this for six months, eight hours a day.

YouTube - India Driving

The day we rode out of India into Pakistan was like having a massive weight lifted from our shoulders and we couldn't wait to leave.
But now having been back for ten months I'd go straight back tomorrow rather than sitting here, 7000 miles over a six month period was too much for us in one hit and that was with two months spent chillin in Goa.

Cheers
Pete

__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:

IMO backpacking in India is uncomfortable and more dangerous than riding

What is required is
1. Ride alone - looking for your mates all the time is dangerous ( if you do have a mate then agree to meet at a town and carry a local phone card, they work quite well and are cheap)
2. Big mirrors they may look dickie ,but trust me
3. Big smile India will break your heart, but mend it twice if you have one
4. disconnect your indicators hehe, I know I'll be flamed for this, but, Indians don't- signal/read signals -well. So it its best to learn to go with the flow.
Anyone with a modicum of riding experience can ride in India. the true test is to walk through the streets of any major city until you have the feel and confidence of the traffic and its "rules"
Then true Mother India awaits

Hello!

Twobob, that sounds like some sage advice!

I guess I am surprised at what the majority say. I know India is meant to be one of, if not the worst place to ride in the world but I'm surprised to hear people wouldn't go back on a bike.

I guess cities and such are the maddest. Watching that video posted by mcgiggle, I watched with amazement, amusement and curiosity at the way that despite a few times where they bunch up, the traffic seems to flow...albeit very randomly! If that was a junction in the UK and the same system was in place, there'd have been a few crunched bumpers and a few cases of road rage.

A mate and I are planning a ride to India later this year and this thread has made me think a bit more about what to expect. Which can't be a bad thing! I am thinking that we will be OK as my mate spent some of his childhood living in India and has driven in many countries but he's not got his bike test yet. I've been riding on and off road for 26 years, was a motorcycle courier in Bristol for a while and have done a bit of riding in Sri Lanka.

Like Touring Ted, I'd also like to hear about cost/day, etc for a trip to India

just wrote you a huge reply but i lost connection as we are in thailand. Its about 90p to £1 a litre and your going to want to filtre it before it goes in your tank in most places, then you can get by on about £5 a day after that if you want to but to live well and in hotels £15 makes you a king.

India is the most dangerous place i have ever ridden, i got to a point where i really was just wanting to get out without it costing me my life and i race a fireblade in England and have ridden in London traffic for 8 years.

It's horrific, do a first aid course and a good one before you go, as the Austrian i was talking to today said "you will dies 5 times a day"

Your mate in my opinion could be in real danger you will be forced off the road and i mean forced with a seconds notice and you will be headed for deep sand, mud or gravel and there may be a sheer cliff drop the other side and hes going to need to be able to keep the bike up.

I will never go there again, not on a motorbike. I have now ridden in 40 countries and india is the most scary bar non!!!! Unless you have to go there i really would not bother!!

If you decided to go be well prepared, take into consideration if you come off your on your own for over an hour so bring a good medical bag and ALWAYS carry some US dollars. It was the craziest experince of my life but i fell like i acciedentally wondered into a hungry lions den and managed to walk out!!

If you want any more info then let me know, we had some good times but its just not worth it, it will make a big difference what bike you are on, i want to tell you to have a go but if you do just know how dangerous it is!!

Good luck!!!

__________________
Mr and Mrs Rixxy - London to Australia 2011 - 2012
www.jamesandcat.com