Buying a Moped in Goa

SteveM

Hi Indiamikers

I am looking to purchase a moped 125cc in Goa for long-term stay.
I am aware that you can rent them monthly
I know you need to have a 5 year visa.
Any thoughts on places in Goa to buy mopeds and cost?

Cheers

SteveM

__________________
Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans.

crvlvr

used or new?

SteveM

Hi Crvlvr

A new moped

crvlvr

steve,

For a new motorcycle you will have to go to a dealer in Goa. I have seen a number of them in Panjim. If you are not sure which one you want, check mouthshut for reviews and visit the forums at xbhp if you want any speific questions answered. You can also locate the manufacturers site (like this one) and look up the dealer's info.

-m2-

Hi Steve,

---You need to have residence status to buy a new motor vehicle in your own name...a 5 year visa is not the same thing. My understanding is that a second-hand vehicle only requires a local address. Some non-residents do buy new units in the name of a trusted local person.

---There are dealers for the main brands in Mapusa, Calengute, Panjim and Margao

---I'm not sure what you mean by 'moped' -- the old pedal-assist 50cc things are pretty-well obsolete. If you mean scooter, then there are several popular brands available. The most popular in Goa these days, is the Honda Activa which is a gearless 100cc, electic start 4 stroke unit. Easy to drive, storage under the seat, reliable and reasonably economical. A new one with road taxes, insurance etc will run around 40,000 rp (there was a waiting list for these, last I checked). Kinetic builds the Nova (115 or 135cc) which is also gearless and well-regarded; it is priced similarly to the Activa and would be available immediately.

-- if you are leaning more towards a small motorcycle, then there are many 100-150cc choices available. At the bottom end, Hero Honda has the CD Dawn and Bajaj has the Boxer CT which are both around 100cc and would cost about 32,000 Rp on the road. If you are planning on driving 2-up and want to push a little further than purely local riding, a 5-speed box and disc brakes would be nice and there are several choices that would do. Bajaj Pulsars come in 150 and 180cc flavors (55-65k Rp on the road). My favorite ride in this category is the Honda Unicorn 150cc, a new model which has an excellent gearbox, brakes, and an ultra-smooth engine. It is priced at 55,000 kick-start and around 58,000 with electric.

I have a recent car magazine with current prices if there are any particular models you are interested in. The older-style geared scooters are fading away, but still available (the venerable Chetaks and Vespas (LML)) and there are many other choices in the 100-180cc range.

An advantage to renting for the season is that storing and upkeep during your away time is not a problem. You should be able to rent a new Activa for 3000/month on this basis. A larger 5-spd would go for around 4500/month.


Here's a picture of the Unicorn I rented this past winter that I took while on an outing to Jog Falls:

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SteveM

Thanks for the info -m2- much appreciated

Where could I find more info on the Kinetic Nova 135cc?

-m2-

here is Kinetic's Nova 135 page:

http://www.kineticindia.com/nova_135/index.asp

there are probably some owner's reviews at the 'mouthshut' link that crvlvr mentioned.

(edit for additional comment: here is the mouthshut link for the Nova -- be sure to check the sort of review you want -- the default is probably most positive review -- you should probably check 'most recent' as the 'positive' ones are often from enthusiastic new owners)

http://www.mouthshut.com/product-rev...925039026.html

SteveM

Hi -m2-

Can you get an higher engine capacity with the Honda Activa or is just 100cc?

crvlvr

As stated in my previous post, mouthshut.com probably has most of the info you need. Here are all the bikes you can choose from.

Upto 100 cc
• Escorts Yamaha RXZ
• Hero Honda CD 100 Deluxe
• Hero Honda CD 100 SS
• Hero Honda Splendor
• Hero Honda Street 100(DLX)
• Kawasaki 4S Champion
• Kawasaki Boxer
• Suzuki Max 100
• Suzuki Max 100 R
• Suzuki Samurai

Between 100 - 150 cc
• Bajaj Auto BYK
• Escorts Yamaha Crux
• Escorts Yamaha RX100
• Escorts Yamaha RX135
• Escorts Yamaha YBX
• Hero Honda Ambition
• Hero Honda Passion
• Hero Honda Passion Plus
• Kawasaki Bajaj Eliminator
• Kawasaki Caliber
• Kawasaki Caliber Croma
• Kawasaki KB 100
• Kawasaki KB 125
• Suzuki Shaolin
• Suzuki Shogun
• Yamaha Libero

Above 150 cc
• Bullet 500
• Bullet Lightning (Citibike)
• Bullet Machismo
• Bullet Standard/Deluxe
• Bullet Taurus Diesel
• Bullet ThunderBird
• Hero Honda CBZ(Disc Brake)
• Hero Honda Karizma
• Kinetic Hyosung Aquila

BTW, if you have never ridden a motorcycle in India, then you should review this thread: Europeans on bikes in Goa

-m2-

Not at present, Honda's website is still just showing the 100cc model Activa. However, from reports of friends who have used them, they are just fine for potting around Goa, even for couples riding 2-up. The variator transmission gives rather amazing pick-up when cranked, and hills are no problem. Scooters are just not really optimal for highway riding, regardless of horsepower (in my opinion, anyway).

http://www.honda2wheelersindia.com/

SteveM

Thanks IndiaMikers for all the info

GoanCanuck

>> Hi Steve,

---You need to have residence status to buy a new motor vehicle in your own name...a 5 year visa is not the same thing <<


You definitely need a certificate of residency to register a scooter or motorcycle in your name. This certificate is ONLY issued to those foreign nationals who have purchased property in Goa or those foreigners who have started a business in Goa.

GoanCanuck

Some more useful information for you here http://www.goacom.com/realestate/property_rates.html