Buying a motorbike in Delhi

Harry

I am intending to tour India for a 4 or 5 month trip. I plan to buy a motorbike in Dehli, do the tour and then sell the bike in Delhi. I may be going against the flow, but I don’t want to buy an Enfield, I would prefer a Honda or Bajaj etc. I realise that there are some problems for a foreigner to buy a new bike, so I have been searching for information on buying a second hand bike in Delhi and have come up with a blank.

I have emailed both Lalli Singh and Madaan motors but have so far received no reply. (Admittedly, both of these are Enfield dealers)

Has anybody got any recommendations for Honda/Bajaj etc. dealers in Delhi?

Is it just a matter of turning up at a dealers and getting a bike, or is there a long drawn out process that has to be followed?

Thanks

Harry

mountaingirl

I guses you mean a hero Honda or a Kawasaki Bajaj right?
Once you decide on the bike - it does not take much time to get the papers etc....if you are ready to pay the 'agents'.
I can put you in touch with someone reliable ...please check your PM.

-m2-

I believe it is ok for a non-resident to buy a new bike in Delhi (though this is not the case in all states) The Bajaj Pulsar 150 or 180 would be a good choice and as there is no longer a waiting list, you should be able to walk in and get one -- although the paperwork might take a while without 'help'. Hero Honda has a couple of models which would be suitable for touring as well, but the Pulsars are pretty well regarded and seem to be better value for money. As far as dealers, you could check the Bajaj website, or wait till you get to Delhi and ask for the closest to where you are staying.

(btw, I'm a former enfield owner, and I agree with your thinking and would go new rather than used despite the break-in required)

Harry

Thanks for your help guys.

I now have a couple of leads which I am following up.

Regards

Harry

picklepak

If you later decide to look at used bikes as well, I can recommend the used bike market in Karol Bagh (sp?) in Delhi. It's easy to find and it is spread over several blocks. I bought my Enflield there but there are many different makes and models of other bikes too, including Honda, Bajaj, Kawasaki, etc. I don't know any new dealers though so mebbe this post is off-topic slightly. Good luck and enjoy your 4 or 5 months on the bike!!

concoran

adding to Picklepak,
If you ever want to go to any of the used bike markets, grab a local guy, tell him the price, and ask him to negotiate.

Stippy

Hi all

I am looking at doing a similar thing to Harry, but have a few questions:

1. Are there dealers who would sell a bike and then buy it back after a few months. (I.e. Same Dealer!)

2. Can you put a bike onto a train, if the necessity arose?

3. What is the average cost for an Enfield?

4. Which bikes are the most reliable?

All help would be much appreciated guys.

Regards

Stippy

india-welcomes.com

Hi there !

Greetings from INDIA !!!

... in delhi you can find all type of bikes ...there is big market in KAROL BAGH ... which deals in second hand bikes, there you can buy these bikes...one friend of mine had bought a second hand YAMAHA RX 100 for rs. 15000/- ...bike condition is in OK condition ...and it runs good...

the rest depends how good you "neogoiate"...

and ...yes you can carry your bike on train for that you have to pay something on stations as a fee...

cheers

Team INDIA-WELCOMES.com

Stippy

Thanks for that.

Can you sell the bike back to the person that you bought it from?

Regards

Stippy

IndyBoy

Most dealers offer some osrt of buy-back policy, heavily weighted in their favour. For example, on a purchase price of US$600, they will offer to buy back at $350 or $400, or maybe as low as $300. If you are in the right place, you can sell to other tourists easily though, with some judicous advertising. Two years ago in Kathmandu, I sold an indian registered bullet 350 only two days after I started my ad campaign. I had 6 people come to see it before the sale, and after, I was continually asked about it until I fled the city three days later. I got the same money that I had paid for it 8 months and 10,000kms earlier. Maybe I'm just a lucky b*strd.

As an alternative, and to get the information out, I would highly recommend buying from Vijay Automobiles, on Mirzaipur Rd in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. For 30,000rs I got a '97 Bullet 350 Machismo, fully rebuilt, rechromed, repainted, in short, probably the best buy I have ever seen. The service is second to none, with Vijay repairing free of charge or quibble the inevitable teething problems after the rebuild. I'm looking forward to starting my wander south via Omkareshwar on it tomorrow, so wish me luck! See you all in Goa!

p.s. anyone who fancies sharing petrol or beer or stories between gujarat and Kerala, give me a shout on the email

indiawise

1. Which Bike?
An enfield is a different ball game. 350 cc or 500 cc. Both are fine. The 500cc gives u that extra reserve pwer if u r loaded heavy and have a pillion. I've owned both and used both long-distance. Initially i used to swear by my 500cc as its extra power,with little or no difference in mileage, was a godsend. And was great doing some stupid beatups. Then I got to ride a well tuned 350cc again and it was just as fine! If u get a good 500cc go for it otherwise don't hesitate on a 350cc.
2. So Whats special about the bullet?
It has a feel thats special both in terms of the riding comfort and the easy handling. That much is par excellence. I've done 30 hrs non-stop(stupid true, but thts another story..only stopping for fuel and catnaps on the roadside). The other thing is the 'thing' about riding this bike...thats a slight buzz thats worth it...u'll figure that out once u own one..ride one.
3. The Down-Side of a bullet?
It can be a pain in the neck, at times. Especially once u consider the non-hassles of riding the newer, better enginnered indo-jap bikes.
4. The Indo-jap bike?
They r great. These new bikes don't give no trouble,usually, and that is a great great blessing. Considering that the prices are the same the choice u have is evenly balanced. The newer versions (there r many recceee and take yr. time) have good seats, lights,brakes, and comfortable for long rides. The These new bikes u could always sell off at any small town also to the local demand. Let yr. hotel owner know and spread the word around and u should be able to sell the bike off easy most places, if its in a reasonably good condition. Quite unlike a bullet which will have a market in the north or in tourist centers like goa, pushkar etc.

5. The Paper Work;
When u buy a second hand bike in delhi or elsewhere. Get all the authentic registration papers, insurance. Then get a NO-OBJECTION CERTIFICATE. This being the most imp. document after the original registration papers of the bike. This is the permission to u (or anybody) to transfer/sell the bike to another Mr?Mrs. XXXXX. The bike remains in the original owners name (not in yr. name) but u have a letter from the owner saying that he/she has received all payment for the bike. There is a separate form for this and its all legal. Basically u r riding somebody elses bike but have his legal letter to sell to anybody. The only catch is that if yr. bike is stolen etc, then the insurance goes to this original owner. But thats the way it is and most travellers follow this mechanism.
To buy a new bike its a different procedure and the dealer will spell it out. It really is not complicated and works smoothly.

6. So U don't wanna ride now.
Tired and now looking to take a break from riding. Its very easy. If u have a reserved ticket on a train then u ride up to the train station hour earlier, go to the accompanied baggage office and book yr. bike. Insist that it has to be on the same train as u r in. They'll book yr. bike for a nominal charge of a few hundred rupees, load yr. bike onto the brake-van(luggage bogie) and when u get off, you pick upo yr. bike and ride off from the station. Hang onto the receipt they give you. The things to do: You have to empty yr. fuel tank. They don;t allow fuel in the luggage. Pack yr. headlihtgs and seat and tank with some cardboard, cloth and scothch tape, pay the coolie a couple of 50s to load and unload yr. bike with care. They'll evenarrange for the minor packing.

More details ask me.
FINALLY: I've done the hills and long distance on my Bajaj/vespa too and used the the smaller indo-jap bikes. They are definately better in more ways! And I think that u r on the right track in terms of going for aone of these. Mountaingirl has a some dealer/ tips. thats great.
The Hero-honda i found underpowerd however with luggage, pillion and on hills and open stretches.

Colin

Indiawise. I saw in Delhi a diesel Enfield. The guy (a westerner) claimed it was great and had plenty of power, I don't know the capacity but he said it was as good as a 500.
Do you know about diesel Enfields?

davidsblakeslee

Whatever you do, don't buy a bike at Madaan Motors. The guy is a thief and ripped me off pretty massively a couple of years ago. Go to my website to get the details.
http://www.madaanmotorsthief.com/

mira4bai4

Presently I am not impressed with Royal Enfield's service and quality, pretty crappy actually but hopefully after replacing a pile of parts on my 6 month old 6,000 km 500cc it will be faultless cruising to Puskar tomorrow.

Anyway the best option that I know of is Bulletwallas so check out http://www.bulletwallas.com