Manali and bikes

arunchs

I am planning to rent a bike in Manali and drive around in Himachal Pradesh for a week. From whatever research I have done, it is possible to rent Bullet 500cc or 350cc bikes, but I did not see mention of modern bikes. I am not too particular to hire a Bullet and would rather prefer a Pulsar or equivalent and if they are not available, may be smaller bikes. Bajaj Avenger is my ideal choice though.

I will be on Manali approximately on 5th of June.

Now the info I am looking for.

1. I am wondering if any of these bikes can be hired in Manali or Bullets are the only available choice.

2. I have nearly a week for biking ex-Manali. I am thinking of riding to Darcha and back to Manali, and then via Kunzum La to Kaza and back. I presume road to Darcha would be bikeable anyway, but how about the road to Kaza? Is it worth taking? Or should I simply head to Leh instead?

3. I also want to bike to Sangla, but doing it from Manali would be too much. Will there be any bikes available for rent in Shimla?

Thanks in advance for all the information.

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guidedeba

Ithink you have the reply in your own question. The other smaller / lighter kinds of bikes won't survive the ruggedness of the routes like Manali - Kaza. it needs heavy bikes to kepp you on the roads with boulders only and especially at the places where the road is washed away by landllides. don't under estimate the road to Darcha. it could even difficult to reach Keylong after Khoksar because there are two places which often washed down by the mountain streams. If you are new to thte biking in the mountians better you head to leh than going to Kaza. But I have great doubt whether the route to leh will be open this year for transport. because it snowed a lot this year. And the route is not open yet.

landoormama

I know a guy called Taru Bhai from Old Manali , he has his garage near the Old manali bridge,he rents out Bullets(350) . His contact nos is -098161 54297 . check them out

Yogesh Sarkar

Hi Arun, my suggestion to you would be to hire motorcycles from Delhi and then ride to Shimla – Narkanda – Kinnaur – Spiti – Kaza – Kunzum – Manali and back to Delhi, it can be done easily in 7 days. In fact I will be doing the same route in the second week of June with my group.

In Delhi you will get a Pulsar for rent provided you have couple of days, since it’s not as readily available as Bullets. As for Shimla I am not quite sure about it, in Manali I have mostly seen Bullets available for rent due to the fact that most of the people renting bikes there are foreigners and they prefer bullets.

Have you ever taken a motorcycle on this route?

If not then its best not to assume things, I have been to ladakh twice in past couple of years on my pulsar 180 and I have done all of the tourist circle and that too without a hitch! Last year one of my group member did Manali – Leh – Khardung La – Manali on a Bajaj M80 Moped and he made it without breaking anything, don’t believe me then open this years limca book of record and you will see his record.

FYI the road to Leh via Manali is open at this moment and traffic is going through!

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dhananjay

Hi,

Absolutely right Yogesh ... It is advised to always hire bikes frm Delhi ... Karol Bagh ... Shimla and Kullu are not really the places to hire bikes ... hmmm if it is mountain bikes then it is another thing ...

cheers
Dhananjay

gautam

What kind of mountain bikes are you talking about.???

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dhananjay

Hi,

Mountain bikes as in MTB's 21 speed front suspension

Cheers
Dhananjay

gautam

Oh..you are talking about a bi-cycle.

The thread actually was talking about 500cc bikes, then you mentioned monutain bikes & i was still thinking of motor cyles

dhananjay

hehehehehe ... I know .. apologies ..

Cheers

arunchs

Hi Yogesh, Thanks a lot for the info, it really helps.

I had assumed this thread was completely buried and I may not get the info I needed. Was pleasantly surprised to see the responses

redcombat

How would it be for a first timer ?

dhananjay

Not bad at 40 - 60kmph , a lot of nerve and inclination ... but you have to let go ....

Cheers

up2date

If people are planning to hire / rent bikes from Manali, please think again. We were recently on a biking tour from Manali- leh. We hired bikes from Taru at Manali.

refer the below link for the experience
http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/view...3&highlight =

dhananjay

Hehehehehehe ......... fantastic revelations ... karol bagh and lali bhai are the best places to hire bikes ... bullets if it is ... I saw ne interesting place in paharganj this year in april smetime ... bulletwallhas ... looked interesting ... didnt try .... my frame does not allow bullet riding ... hehehehe .... posting a detail about a total off road recce here ..

Shimla - Tattapani - Luhri - Ani In (3kms before Ani) - Chattri - Jhanjehli - Chach Galu - Gadah gushaini - JIbbi - Jalori pass - Shamshar - Tarala - Keolidhar - Nither - Baghipul - Nirmund - Rampur - Taklech - Bahli - Sungri - Khadrala - Nankhari - Tikker - Narkanda - SHimla ...

an awesome ride ... just completed it coupled with treks ....

and for kullu sarahan information ... there ia an absolute good soiled road which goes all the way upto the meadow ... I dont know good tidings or not ... but yes a good ride definitely ...

Cheers,
Dhananjay

landoormama

Hi up2date , Read your post...Good insight .

I believe Renting out Motor Bikes in India Is Illegal ( Except May be GOA-where they have a Tourist Number Plate).
The most important thing besides the condition of the Machine ,are Papers .
I believe there is no written agremment between the Client and Person who reants the Motor Bike .
Its Best to Ride your Own Bike ..
I Toured the West Coast of India -- following the Coast from Mumbai and then Cut across the Western Ghats in Kerala. I Purchased a Second Hand Bike in Mumbai and then ..sold it later after I was done with the Trip .
Keep us posted on your future endeavours .
Cheers & Have Fun