Hiring a Motorbike in Goa

embassy

It has been a few years since I road a bike back here in the UK. In a week I'll be in Goa with my wife and am interested in hiring a motorbike to explore the coast.

I know that it will take a while for me to get used to riding again and I don't want to ruin my five month trip by killing myself on a motorbike but....... what are the roads/traffic like?, how far could I get in a day of gentle riding?, am I stupid to contemplate this as a way of exploring?

Thanks for your advice!!!!!!!!

Jorge Reverter

Hi Embassy,

I suposse you don't expect to travel all around India with Motorbike. To move in Goa with the motorbike is a great idea, but I don't advice you to travel trough India.

I suposse you have never been in India. The traffic in India is terrible, but is a part of the whole experience. Do not worry too much about it and let the things going on. To spend five months in India is really a luck. Wish I was there.

Bilmag

I agree that traffic is dangerous but its worth a go. However, I read in local papers (February) that the police are checking on tourists riding scooters/bikes to see if the have an IDP (International driving permit). If not they issue on the spot fines. Have heard of a couple of people getting done in big towns/cities but not in rural areas. I am going back soon and have got myself an IDP from some main post offices. You need just 1 passport
type photo. Form is a doddle and can be done on spot and it only costs £5.50.
Make sure you get a type 1949 IDP as this is what India requires. You can also get these via the AA or RAC. They charge more but you can download form from AA website.
As you will no doubt be riding without insurance I think your travel insurance also goes up the spout if you have an accident (not 100% on this point).

embassy

Thanks for the reply. I have been to India before and have a vivid memory of driving a rickshaw through Delhi!!!

I haven't been to Goa though and was hoping that the roads may be a little less chaotic than some of the big cities!

I'm most interested in how far you could cover in a day at a reasonable pace. I have an idea that I'd like to check out some of the coast before choosing somewhere to stay for a few days.

Bilmag

Goa is the smallest Indian state so nowhere is to far away. For me its best to head north. Road has been improved (part of it anyway) and you get good sea views. Leave main road to get to Morjim beach then carry on to Madrem beach, Good new huts on beach with all mod cons at good nightly rates.
Loads of good stopping off points right up to Tiracol Fort which is state border. You can get ferry across to fort which is worth it for the view but it is now a posh hotel and when we asked if we could eat, were told we would have to wait 2 to 3 hours. Depending where you start-but coastwise from Panjim it is a just a few hours to can easily be done in a day. To the southern border takes longer so good idea to stay over and come back next day. Lots of places to stay and great beaches again. Loads of places to go.

Dr Funkenstein

I wouldn't recommend eating at Terekhol Fort, either. A bottle of Bisleri costs Rs. 50 there! Nice view, though.

Riding a motorbike around Goa was one of my favourite parts of the trip - I rented a little 100cc scooter (Rs 150 a day, I think) for a few days and rode from Terekhol in the North down to Anjuna / Chapora / Mapusa. I did all this in one day, including a few hours at Anjuna Flea Market and a long chai stop in Chapora. Like Bilmag says, nowhere's very far in Goa. The scenery along the coast is beautiful and the small villages of inland Goa have a very different atmosphere than down on the beach.

The traffic's nothing like the cities, embassy. If you stay away from the big towns like Mapusa you shouldn't have any trouble. As usual in India you've got to watch out for other psychopathic road-users (bus drivers seem to be particularly hell-bent on killing you, in my experience) and the odd cow. But keep your wits about you and you'll be fine.

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LuAnnandJawahar

Stay along the coastal roads and you'll be fine.

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sticky

do you have to be licenced to ride a motorbike in your country of origin to ride a bike in india? or will a international driving permit from a car licence be fine?

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crvlvr

embassy, there are lot of informative threads regarding this matter. Try the Search function

machadinha

Just sticking my big ol' nose in to include my signature which has 3 good sections on traffic in general and motorcycling and Enfields in particular. The Indax one I mean.

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davey

We rented one there a couple of weeks ago, just a small scooter automatic that gets along as fast as you'd probably want to go on the back roads, cost 200 IR per day. we actually went on the highway from Anjuna to the main city Panaji it was on a sunday so the traffic wasnt to bad but we got stopped by the coppers there and received a 100 IR ticket for no helmet, they then told me that the ticket would allow me to carry on riding without a helmet for 24 hrs. As a tip when you are hiring one go over it with the person and if there is any damage or problems make a note of it and make sure they are aware you have done this, we didn't do this but a freind had two problems when returning his, they went straight to a scratch and tried to make him pay extra for the damage and another occasion the tyre blew out and they wanted him to pay for it. When we set of from Anjuna we were heading south down the coast to be honest I wouldnt do it again it was literally a pain in the arse and I think the longer you spend on the roads the more ganesh (luck) you are using up. We actually saw several accidents were people had come off their bikes due to the chaos/ madness of the traffic, My tip woulkd be hire one but stick to the local areas and dont push the envelope to far in travelling on one.

embassy

Thanks a lot for all the advice.

Does anyone know the answer to sticky's post about the international driving permit?

GoanCanuck

You HAVE to have a motorcycle licence in your country of origin. Fortunately, most policemen in India don't have a clue about the difference between a car licence and a 2-wheeler licence.
Generally speaking you won't be bothered by the police while driving in Candolim , Calangute, Vagator and other areas close to the beaches but you will be asked to show your licence while driving from Panaji to Madgaon and Panaji to Vasco. The Cortalim bridge is the main spot where the police will stop you and question you.

davey

Thats were they got me, its true what Goan Canuck said, they dont give a Tinkers Cuss about the beach areas and they never checked my licence at all when I was stopped on the highway.

Summer69

We're paying 100 rupees a day for a brand new Honda Kinetic with one helmet and all the paperwork. Its a great way to get around but we did get stopped on the bridge into Panjim (missed the ferry at Betim and it was too hot to wait). Had to pay a 100 rupees fine and show our licence. The policeman spotted that our licence had big crosses on the motorbike sign above 49cc and said the kinetic was over 100cc. We apologised and just said the rules on motorbikes were different in the UK. He didn't say anything else luckily.