Motorcycle touring: Manual to Ride in Himalayas

saajan_20 · May 6th, 2005, 19:01

hey hippie this seems to be ur thread SIR and i would like 2 hav some info from u please
v r a 4 freinds travelling from mum to leh this year it shall be in my qualis and v hav zeroed on july as being the month of travel shall be the first fortnight and looking @ the snow it s being postponed as we had thout of june earlier.
so my freind hippycan u give us soime valuable peices of advise on ii
thanx

Hippie at Heart · May 6th, 2005, 22:27

xbhp have a blast I am sure Ghats in monsoon are as charming and fun to bike around. if Lovemax and sushmit gets around to go somewhere north, Tea is on me at border dhaba !
S-20 I feel July first week is absolutly safe bet. Passes should open by 20th June at most. BTW Lovemax is all round champ and range rider, I have requested him to keep giving his valuable input on the forum, and best part is he do mind if addressed as SIR ! have a safe trip and do look around in serch fuunction for specific info, goodluck.

bora · May 10th, 2005, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushmit ghosh

there you go! hez hitting the hills for 3 days!
quite doable...but i was esentially referring to getting away from delhi for 2 days....not necessarily the hills....but maybe nearabouts....

In two days you can go to a lot of places in and around Delhi, but I'd suggest three days. I've done most of my trips like this, 3 day trips Delhi-Delhi. Of course on the downside you don't get to see the usual sights, but who cares?
It's the journey, not the destination!

For two day trips, you could do the following:

Delhi-Sattal

Delhi-Bhimtal

Delhi-Mukteshwar

Delhi-Binsar

Delhi-Dhanaulti

In three days, you have more time and therefore more fun.

E.g. Chopta, Gangotri, Narkanda etc etc.

Ideas abound but no time to head anywhere right now, maybe next month....

xbhp.com · May 10th, 2005, 12:13

delhi-binsar isnt good for 3 days. coz u end up drivin for full 2 days..

other option could be
day 1 : delhi-chail-shimla (395kms)
if u r travelling by ur own car , hit the road by 6am to be in chail by 1pm for lunch. visit the world's highest cricket ground and explore chail.
leave for shimla via kufri by 4pm. have a stop over at kufri.
reach shimla by 7-8pm. stroll the mall. night in shimla

day 2 : shimla-narkanda. narkanda has some of the best views around. visit hatu temple. night could be at thanedar. nice little quite place

day 3 : thanedar-narkanda-shimla-delhi (nh-22 and then nh-1).
to delhi in easily 11-12 hours.

ashishpdy · Jun 13th, 2005, 16:16

Hi
I just went through the article and I just wanted to thank Hippie at heart for the useful information.
Is there any place where you have placed any of your trips??
And, do you think that those cold temperatures would give any prob to Bullets or CBZ's?

Hippie at Heart · Jun 14th, 2005, 02:16

Ashish I feel June July are already ‘hottest’ months for that area, by June end there wont be any snow left except on top peaks, so the winter situation wont be anything more like January night in Delhi at worst. So don’t feel cold temperatures for the bike will cause any problem as long you don’t use thicker oil. You can add a bit of anti freeze as well but I doubt it’s available in India as a commercial product. Don’t fall in the trap of running bigger jets or adjusting the original 1:25 fuel air ratio to more richer setting, when there is already less oxygen available for burn then simply running rich setting wont help, because LOT of fuel need LOT of oxygen to burn as well.

I have not set up any blog for the trips anywhere on net and they remain personal idea to me.

MeCasa · Jul 23rd, 2005, 22:19

Hello everyone, glad to meet ya

I've been from Alaska to Costa Rico via Baja and Nova Scotia to Key West and most places in between with nary a motel room. But I've never been off Norte America. Fifty-year-old semi retired semi workaholic/bum, and a proud Americano with no health benefits. So I'm making plans to fly to Delhi in October, give or take and have a checkup and tune-up done at Apollo.

Since I'll be in country and no doubt they will find something, which proves the theory of mortality, I see no reason not to stay for a month or so.

Where can I buy a bike, don't really care what kind, cost is less important than resale possibility, although naturally the less money tied up the better.

Thanks

Hippie at Heart · Jul 24th, 2005, 02:51

Welcome MeC, Apollo is pretty ok place, and so far they been proving pretty good.
For your biking requirements I can proudly present a bike that is still made and run the same way it was conceptualized in 1956, a single push rod over the cam design making 17 horses at approx 4500 rpm. This stuff is all over the place, nay infect cities right from grade A to D are seething with this bike, spare and mechanics are available everywhere. Mind you its not a peg scrapping performer though and fanatics for slugs call her Ugly, rather very lovingly. A decent and road worthy piece should cost you about US 600$. You may call her Bullet or Royal Enfield 350/500 cc or lil harlay even, same difference !!

Then you have 2 stroke Jawa 250 cc in almost same genre, utterly reliable and simple machine I have ever seen on road. Shdn’t cost you more then 400 $

MeCasa · Jul 24th, 2005, 03:28

Very Good, I keep my gear packed and ready to go. I use all soft packs, very good quality but properly seasoned and ragged lookin'.

I don't want to make set plans on where I'll go but I would love suggestions and can move that to another forum if necessary. I was a mid skill climber in my younger days with high hopes, and even though I no longer have the skill to do big things I still have all the gear so cold weather riding is not a problem although the bulk of cold weather gear is a pain. In other words I would contemplate riding at elevation.

Will I need tags and or insurance on a vehicle and is this a problem?

Thanks

PS I'm glad I found this forum, I'm starting to get excited :P

If someone can suggest a book, I won't need to ask dumb questions.

Hippie at Heart · Jul 25th, 2005, 00:52

MeC your gear looks fine to me, from here, more rugged it looks the better your chances to enjoy the trip !
Since you are mulling over about riding in higher climbs it will be a better idea to post a separate thread keeping in mind what you may want to set out for in the October. It could be a trekking, wild life, historical or even anthropological trip, once form members get to know your liking then ideas and suggestions can really pour in like cats and dogs ;-)

If you do a thread search in Mountaineering and climbing section, there are very seasoned guys around and know their stuff, because personally the only mountain I have climbed was a small peak that hold distinction of being the only peak in lower Himalayas which is snow bound whole year around.

As for insurance I think your overseas insurance should take care of that aspect as well.

Which kind of book you may have in mind? I don’t know really about anyone motor biking in India and writing a book subsequently. But many people are blogging on net and some of them blogs do have a quality element in them. Long time ago I did read a book ‘Ram Ram India’ by two BBC guys touring India on cycles, soon after Indira Gandhi was assassinated, so it might come across slightly dated to readers today, but I enjoyed it. I think it was penned by Alex something and Nick Roositor.

MeCasa · Jul 28th, 2005, 23:31

Thank you sir, I was thinking some general 'gettin' by in India' book but the title you offered is even better. I have a bad habit of over-engineering my trips, so this time I made myself a promise I'm going nekkid. With the exception of my main gear, pack, bag, tent, etc. I'm not packing anything. I will wear Indian clothes, eat Indian food and wash with Indian soap. And that looks to be exactly what these gentlemen did. Quite simply, I don't want to have to worry about a bunch of gear, the less I care about the more fun I'll have. I'm not shy about draggin' my main pack in a bar to get a drink, but it's tacky if you have to make three trips

This would be the book you mentioned
THOMSON, ALEX & ROSSITER, NICK Ram Ram India: Notes From a Ride in the Subcontinent, Collins, London, First Edition, 1987

Out of print but findable (I think) this is a discription of the book, which seems to be pretty much what I need. Good choice

Notes: Red binding, gilt titles to spine. Illustrated dustwrapper, protected. Ex-library with stamps ffep, otherwise very clean. 260pp + glossary. B/w illustrations. The authors cycle from Kashmir to the southern tip of India with `a lack of preparation that would reassure the most absent-minded city dweller; no sleeping bags, very little initiative. They were not even terribly good cyclists...`

I will try to locate this book and a couple more that will teach me India basics before I bury you in dumb questions. But I will be back

PS: I'm to old to climb anymore, so I'll probably go no higher than my billy goat/bullet will take me, but....never say never......................... ...

Hippie at Heart · Jul 29th, 2005, 13:37

Am sure you will enjoy the read, there are some other titles too and people using various modes of transport, sometime out of genuine need to use a particular mode and sometime to buy more gossip time amongst page three hacks and revellers. Mark Shand has been riding, a she elephant named Tara and a ferry boat with a pie dog, he is brother of Camilla Parker and new age nawab cum laude, know many kings here by first name. And he ride/travel so that he can write books. You can read him too, but then you know what the caveat is ;-)

MeCasa · Aug 9th, 2005, 05:09

An excellent read for anybody who wants to cycle in India, take the time to read the man's day to day journal and kudos to him.

http://www.onwalkabout.com/journal/index2.htm

stoki · Jan 22nd, 2006, 16:08

I am new at this forum, so please be patient if I will ask some stupid question. I think tak it may be said somewhere in here, but I'm lookin for the adresses of best royal enfield's dealers in Delhi (or else). Last year I was in India and, as a rooky biker, I was riding a 15 years old Yama. Some highlitghts from this trip are on the site:
http://www.vlem.pl

This year I would like to try something better. Thanks for some information and sorry about mistakes I've made- my english isn't very well.

zzzehar · Jan 23rd, 2006, 04:44

Check out this guy, http://www.lallisingh.com also known as Inder Motors ! Very trusted guy with loads of options.

Check out this gallery at Lalli Singh's Garage ! The guy with the turban is Lalli Singh himself !! Check out the comments on the left side of each pic. pretty kewl....huh ! http://www.onwalkabout.com/photos/20...mony/index.htm

Jun 13th, 2005, 16:16	#35
ashishpdy Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 6	Thank You for the tips Hi I just went through the article and I just wanted to thank Hippie at heart for the useful information. Is there any place where you have placed any of your trips?? And, do you think that those cold temperatures would give any prob to Bullets or CBZ's?

Jul 23rd, 2005, 22:19	#37
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	Hello everyone, glad to meet ya I've been from Alaska to Costa Rico via Baja and Nova Scotia to Key West and most places in between with nary a motel room. But I've never been off Norte America. Fifty-year-old semi retired semi workaholic/bum, and a proud Americano with no health benefits. So I'm making plans to fly to Delhi in October, give or take and have a checkup and tune-up done at Apollo. Since I'll be in country and no doubt they will find something, which proves the theory of mortality, I see no reason not to stay for a month or so. Where can I buy a bike, don't really care what kind, cost is less important than resale possibility, although naturally the less money tied up the better. Thanks Last edited by MeCasa : Jul 24th, 2005 at 01:13. Reason: Spelling

Jul 24th, 2005, 03:28	#39
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	Very Good, I keep my gear packed and ready to go. I use all soft packs, very good quality but properly seasoned and ragged lookin'. I don't want to make set plans on where I'll go but I would love suggestions and can move that to another forum if necessary. I was a mid skill climber in my younger days with high hopes, and even though I no longer have the skill to do big things I still have all the gear so cold weather riding is not a problem although the bulk of cold weather gear is a pain. In other words I would contemplate riding at elevation. Will I need tags and or insurance on a vehicle and is this a problem? Thanks PS I'm glad I found this forum, I'm starting to get excited :P If someone can suggest a book, I won't need to ask dumb questions. Last edited by MeCasa : Jul 24th, 2005 at 04:30.

Jul 28th, 2005, 23:31	#41
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	Thank you sir, I was thinking some general 'gettin' by in India' book but the title you offered is even better. I have a bad habit of over-engineering my trips, so this time I made myself a promise I'm going nekkid. With the exception of my main gear, pack, bag, tent, etc. I'm not packing anything. I will wear Indian clothes, eat Indian food and wash with Indian soap. And that looks to be exactly what these gentlemen did. Quite simply, I don't want to have to worry about a bunch of gear, the less I care about the more fun I'll have. I'm not shy about draggin' my main pack in a bar to get a drink, but it's tacky if you have to make three trips This would be the book you mentioned THOMSON, ALEX & ROSSITER, NICK Ram Ram India: Notes From a Ride in the Subcontinent, Collins, London, First Edition, 1987 Out of print but findable (I think) this is a discription of the book, which seems to be pretty much what I need. Good choice Notes: Red binding, gilt titles to spine. Illustrated dustwrapper, protected. Ex-library with stamps ffep, otherwise very clean. 260pp + glossary. B/w illustrations. The authors cycle from Kashmir to the southern tip of India with `a lack of preparation that would reassure the most absent-minded city dweller; no sleeping bags, very little initiative. They were not even terribly good cyclists...` I will try to locate this book and a couple more that will teach me India basics before I bury you in dumb questions. But I will be back PS: I'm to old to climb anymore, so I'll probably go no higher than my billy goat/bullet will take me, but....never say never......................... ... Last edited by MeCasa : Jul 29th, 2005 at 06:23.

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May 6th, 2005, 19:01	#31
saajan_20 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: bombay {mumbai} Posts: 311	hey hippie this seems to be ur thread SIR and i would like 2 hav some info from u please v r a 4 freinds travelling from mum to leh this year it shall be in my qualis and v hav zeroed on july as being the month of travel shall be the first fortnight and looking @ the snow it s being postponed as we had thout of june earlier. so my freind hippycan u give us soime valuable peices of advise on ii thanx

May 6th, 2005, 22:27	#32
Hippie at Heart Born Epicure Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India Posts: 322	xbhp have a blast I am sure Ghats in monsoon are as charming and fun to bike around. if Lovemax and sushmit gets around to go somewhere north, Tea is on me at border dhaba ! S-20 I feel July first week is absolutly safe bet. Passes should open by 20th June at most. BTW Lovemax is all round champ and range rider, I have requested him to keep giving his valuable input on the forum, and best part is he do mind if addressed as SIR ! have a safe trip and do look around in serch fuunction for specific info, goodluck.

May 10th, 2005, 12:13	#34
xbhp.com himalayan lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: new delhi,india Posts: 111	delhi-binsar isnt good for 3 days. coz u end up drivin for full 2 days.. other option could be day 1 : delhi-chail-shimla (395kms) if u r travelling by ur own car , hit the road by 6am to be in chail by 1pm for lunch. visit the world's highest cricket ground and explore chail. leave for shimla via kufri by 4pm. have a stop over at kufri. reach shimla by 7-8pm. stroll the mall. night in shimla day 2 : shimla-narkanda. narkanda has some of the best views around. visit hatu temple. night could be at thanedar. nice little quite place day 3 : thanedar-narkanda-shimla-delhi (nh-22 and then nh-1). to delhi in easily 11-12 hours.

Jun 14th, 2005, 02:16	#36
Hippie at Heart Born Epicure Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India Posts: 322	Ashish I feel June July are already ‘hottest’ months for that area, by June end there wont be any snow left except on top peaks, so the winter situation wont be anything more like January night in Delhi at worst. So don’t feel cold temperatures for the bike will cause any problem as long you don’t use thicker oil. You can add a bit of anti freeze as well but I doubt it’s available in India as a commercial product. Don’t fall in the trap of running bigger jets or adjusting the original 1:25 fuel air ratio to more richer setting, when there is already less oxygen available for burn then simply running rich setting wont help, because LOT of fuel need LOT of oxygen to burn as well. I have not set up any blog for the trips anywhere on net and they remain personal idea to me.

Jul 24th, 2005, 02:51	#38
Hippie at Heart Born Epicure Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India Posts: 322	Welcome MeC, Apollo is pretty ok place, and so far they been proving pretty good. For your biking requirements I can proudly present a bike that is still made and run the same way it was conceptualized in 1956, a single push rod over the cam design making 17 horses at approx 4500 rpm. This stuff is all over the place, nay infect cities right from grade A to D are seething with this bike, spare and mechanics are available everywhere. Mind you its not a peg scrapping performer though and fanatics for slugs call her Ugly, rather very lovingly. A decent and road worthy piece should cost you about US 600$. You may call her Bullet or Royal Enfield 350/500 cc or lil harlay even, same difference !! Then you have 2 stroke Jawa 250 cc in almost same genre, utterly reliable and simple machine I have ever seen on road. Shdn’t cost you more then 400 $

Jul 25th, 2005, 00:52	#40
Hippie at Heart Born Epicure Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India Posts: 322	MeC your gear looks fine to me, from here, more rugged it looks the better your chances to enjoy the trip ! Since you are mulling over about riding in higher climbs it will be a better idea to post a separate thread keeping in mind what you may want to set out for in the October. It could be a trekking, wild life, historical or even anthropological trip, once form members get to know your liking then ideas and suggestions can really pour in like cats and dogs ;-) If you do a thread search in Mountaineering and climbing section, there are very seasoned guys around and know their stuff, because personally the only mountain I have climbed was a small peak that hold distinction of being the only peak in lower Himalayas which is snow bound whole year around. As for insurance I think your overseas insurance should take care of that aspect as well. Which kind of book you may have in mind? I don’t know really about anyone motor biking in India and writing a book subsequently. But many people are blogging on net and some of them blogs do have a quality element in them. Long time ago I did read a book ‘Ram Ram India’ by two BBC guys touring India on cycles, soon after Indira Gandhi was assassinated, so it might come across slightly dated to readers today, but I enjoyed it. I think it was penned by Alex something and Nick Roositor.

Jul 29th, 2005, 13:37	#42
Hippie at Heart Born Epicure Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: India Posts: 322	Am sure you will enjoy the read, there are some other titles too and people using various modes of transport, sometime out of genuine need to use a particular mode and sometime to buy more gossip time amongst page three hacks and revellers. Mark Shand has been riding, a she elephant named Tara and a ferry boat with a pie dog, he is brother of Camilla Parker and new age nawab cum laude, know many kings here by first name. And he ride/travel so that he can write books. You can read him too, but then you know what the caveat is ;-)

Aug 9th, 2005, 05:09	#43
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	An excellent read for anybody who wants to cycle in India, take the time to read the man's day to day journal and kudos to him. http://www.onwalkabout.com/journal/index2.htm

Jan 22nd, 2006, 16:08	#44
stoki Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 2	I am new at this forum, so please be patient if I will ask some stupid question. I think tak it may be said somewhere in here, but I'm lookin for the adresses of best royal enfield's dealers in Delhi (or else). Last year I was in India and, as a rooky biker, I was riding a 15 years old Yama. Some highlitghts from this trip are on the site: http://www.vlem.pl This year I would like to try something better. Thanks for some information and sorry about mistakes I've made- my english isn't very well.

Jan 23rd, 2006, 04:44	#45
zzzehar Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: I see a Woman on Top - Feels Like Heaven :-) Posts: 375	Check out this guy, http://www.lallisingh.com also known as Inder Motors ! Very trusted guy with loads of options. Check out this gallery at Lalli Singh's Garage ! The guy with the turban is Lalli Singh himself !! Check out the comments on the left side of each pic. pretty kewl....huh ! http://www.onwalkabout.com/photos/20...mony/index.htm

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