Travelling by motorbike, India to England, ANY past experiences/info welcomed!

mrnickosmith

Hi, im new to the site (only just worked out how to post this - i wasnt logged on!) and starting to research into my next journey. the plan is to fly to india (late 2008) then buy a second hand enfield and gradually make my way back to the UK. i have no deadlines to keep to, and, depending on the cash situation, would like to visit as many countries as possible en route. So, if anybody has any info, for example, about bringing a bike back into the uk from india (is this even possible?) rough ideas of prices, (bikes, trip as a whole) routes... anything would be appreciated. I have been to india and nepal before, but only hired bikes. Happy New Year to you all!
peace

mbongwe

You can buy a decent new bike in India for around $1,000.
On your way back you can go India-Pakistan-Iran-Turkey-Bulgaria... and then whichever European countries you choose.

shere

Can be hard to get a visa for Iran so arrange your visas before hand.

Shiver me Timbers

Hi, see the thread in my signature 'Travelling overland from Europe to India', it might help you out with some ideas on routes, things to see, etc.

Great trip btw!

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Cas

mrnickosmith i would like to know where you rented the royal enfeild from as i was hoping to rent one on my trip im planning from goa to sri lanka..

mrnickosmith

Cas, i just came accross enfields for hire here and there, there are bike rental stores about. last time i visited india i was only travelling in the the north, so wont be able to help you regarding the goa area. i have also visited sri lanka, in 2005 but never saw anywhere to rent bikes there...
i was also offered an enfield from an indian friend of mine, someone who id just been getting along well with. i was quite surprised he offered me his bike... it was in such good condition i didnt rent it!

CONOR - iread you thread about overland travel, very interesting! im wondering whether it would be better for me to buy a new bike or used in india to bring home, regarding paperwork... and ive also been hearing about a carte de passage. its the paperwork side of things that i want to get sorted and know about before i leave. the actual journey, not too much of a worry for me. Damn Bureaucracy!!

machadinha

You might want to try this forum as well http://www.team-bhp.com/ , supposed to be really good.

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mrnickosmith

Cheers, ill check at out

Familyonthemove

You'll need to get in some practice before you ride on Indian roads again. Suggest you ride the wrong way up the M5 to Bristol, then honk your horn at anything that moves!

I hope Pakistan has calmed down a bit before your trip.

Also agree with above comments - you can a new bike for a good price here, so why risk a second hand one?

Bullet is the obvious choice, but the new Bajaj 200 is worth a look.

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Cas

Ok well cheers for the reply. Bike hire would just be a bonus anyway.

Cheers

Tobias

I strongly recommend that you visit Horizonsunlimited.com.

It is the motorcycle travel website and you will find some very impressive knowledge there.

mrnickosmith

tobias, that site is excellent! nice one

mickwood

Nick,

Have you done this trip yet? or got any info? I've just thought of doing the very same trip - flying into India, buying a bike, riding it back to the UK!

How long do you think this trip could be done in? What is the visa situation?....questions questions!! lol!

If I could piggyback onto you research to help me decide the viability of the trip for myself I'd appreciate it!

Cheers

Mick

machadinha

I think Nick hasn't been back since his questions in January really. Would be great if he heard your call and replied though (he wasn't planning to leave till later this year however).

I believe the overlanding as such (with no stops) can be done in a matter of weeks really (3-6, off the top of my head. The latter even if driving yourself I believe.) How much fun and/or therefore wise (exhaustion) that is I'll leave up to you.

You'll find other threads on the subject on this site, notably in the Crossing the Border sub-forum you're in. Perhaps some in the Transport forum as well. & Elsewhere on the web (and in [travel] bookshops and libraries, of course). I don't mean to downplay your plans (sounds great really, I've toyed with similar ideas in the past), but it's hardly a unique concept and many have gone before you.

For starters and minus your preferred mode of transport, maybe check ShiverMeTimbers's posts for inspiration: Travelling Overland From Europe to India , & others of his as well.

While geared to train travel, you'll likely find this site useful too: http://www.seat61.com/

mickwood

Thanks for that, and whilst I hear what your saying I firmly believe that life is about what YOU have done, or not, rather that what has been done by others before...you know? This trip would be brilliantly interesting and provide endless stories and memories!

The other idea would be similarly, head to the furthest southernmost part of South America and drive North.....just keep going North! How far could you get? Alaska? awesome...but no doubt been done before.....someone once said there is no such thing as originality?

Mick