Motorcycle tour Manali-Leh ; Leh - Srinagar

Hi,
I intend to catch the next season to leh (around july 09) ; the idea is to do in on a motorbike (around 15-20 days). I am not aware of any motorcycle groups around, riding solo would be the worst case scenario; So if any one has done this before , please let me know of the groups. Also any one else who has the same trip in mind , feel free to get in touch.

Thanks,
Haresh

Haresh there are plenty of motorcycle and travel groups which undertake such rides. We did a similar group ride in 2007 with 11 riders and a pillion, since its too far away in future, I am not 100% sure if there will be a official group ride next year. Though plenty of tourers from Indiamike and BCMTouring undertake this trip each year, so keep visiting the forum and try to be active in the travel partner section and you will easily find someone to travel with and in case you don't, don't fret. You can easily do this ride solo, I have personally done it solo once and plenty of my friends have done it as well.

Hi Yogesh!
Thanks for the prompt reply. I understand what you are saying... I'll keep my eyes open... looks like there already is a thread running below... I have some generic questions , i would appreciate if any one could pitch in.

1) Can the trip be achieved on a 2 stroke RX 100/135. Most of the trips i see have been undertaken on cruisers...enfield to be precice... Can any one comment on the performance of the 2 strokes due to combustion problems at high altitudes? Or any other problem for that matter.

2) Any good links/books you guys have come across regarding the road to leh? I am mainly gathering info from old travelouges..

Cheers!

Hello Haresh. I ride an Enfield bullett and have some experience with riding on hills. Doing trip on 100/135 cc bike in the Himalayas is slightly dicey. For one, you'll have to keep it very light. Don't load it up.

Disadvantage two is that with narrow wheel base such as a yamaha's, youll have to really watch out for slippery/bad roads.especially on steep ascents.

I hope you have some idea how to fix minor problems in the bike. I dont know about combustion problem though.

July 09 on bike sounds good.

However, isnt it too long a wait? Am running off next week

Hopefully will be able to join you next year too. Ride safe

Hi spaceman!
The reason i am planning in advance is because , i am pretty sure those who say "YES YES YES!" now are going to back out later (from the folks i know)... Just looking out for more folks ...

I don't know squat about bikes , but i have time to remedy that! So it should be alright.

Isn't the current weather messed up? Man do look it up before your takeoff sequence

I'll beam you up when the things are solid ...

Cheers!

Biggest problem you will face with Yamaha RX100/135 would be that you will have to carry lots of spare petrol and rely on premix, since they have small petrol tanks and the mileage isn’t all that great, especially when you have to ride in power band most of the time. Plenty of people have done this route on their RX so the bike isn’t the problem, in fact just about any motorcycle can do this route if it is in good condition. Just that you have ride within its limits and watch out for any signs of trouble.

If you don’t know much about bike then it is time you start learning about them, just ask a local mechanic to teach you the basic repair stuff i.e. fixing puncture, replacing clutch/accelerator wires, adjusting air/fuel mixture etc. and you will be fine.

Check out the Ladakh Travel Guide which I wrote, contains all the info that you will need to make this trip happen. If you still feel you need to know more, pickup a copy of Ladakh travel guide by Harper Collins, should set you back by around 195 bucks and contains all the info you need (minus stuff about motorcycles).

hi haresh your plan is in july but we two friends going on this route on 14th or 15th june so if u want to join then plz reply...

This thread was posted a year back!

but he said abt his plan in this june or july that 2009 so plz check it again dear....

Hello Yogesh and all friends its a bad news because my friend Chetan had just demolished my all plans and dreams for which i was working for the last two months and he said no i am not able to go for this trip so please tell me if any group or friends going to the manali to leh on motorcycle on these dates that is from 15,16,17,18,19,20,21 june for 13 or 14 days please friend inform me i will like your company...thanks people hope for quick and good reply.............

hello my name is Matt I am from Australia I am planning on doing the Menali to Leh ride this July or August would like to ride with some other s. when are you planning on doing the ride?

can we get moterbike on rent in Manali ?

hi we r planin a trip from manali to leh by rented bike, drop the bike in leh n take a flight back to delhi.so is it possible to rent a bike in manali n drop it in leh. n can we find mechanics in manali to leh. and we r two persons only so can we find ny group in manali

No it may not be possible for you to rent it in Manali and drop it in Leh, usually this facility of renting and dropping at different locations is not possible in India right now. Usually from where you rent the bike is the place you need to return back to claim your refundable security back.

thnks 4 ur help dude.so can u pls help me with name or contact of best bike providers in manali