Motorcycling through Rajasthan

LeilaKaaml

Hi everyone, I'm not new to browsing India Mike, but I am a newbie member! Please forgive me if a similar question has been asked. I've searched the forums, but can't find anything. My husband and I as well as 5 friends are travelling through Rajasthan in November on royal enfield bullets, and as the days go past, I feel myself feeling a little nervous about it. My husband has his license and is a competant rider. I've never been to India before, but I have been through the Middle East, and seen some pretty crazy traffic. And I have experience as a pillion passenger in New Zealand (I'm a kiwi...) but that is it. I'll be travelling as a pillion passenger again this time, but I guess the question I need to ask is - Am I mad?! I'm really excited about taking on this adventure, but I guess I'd love to hear other people's opinions as reassurance. We plan to leave quite early every morning that we are motorcycling. Are the roads significantly quieter at any particular time? (Besides in the middle of the night- which is out of the question!)
Anyway I'd love to hear your opinions,
Thanks heaps,

Leila

Will Marks

Namaste and G'day Leila,

I'm also an NZ'er and survived an Enfeild ride across Rajasthan - it's a great trip - you're mad if you don't!

Roads are significantly quieter early in the morning. However, 1) it's also cold (wind chill) and 2) it requires getting up early.

We ended up sleeping in so we could enjoy the warm May weather (40C+). Didn't make too much difference to our enjoyment of the ride. I loved arriving at a place around sunset under orange Indian skies. People were super friendly - we'd ask a local biker the way and would often end up following them a few k's as they showed us where we wanted to go. The mountains are also fantastic if you have time.

Enjoy

.

anjuna mark

Hi Leila;
Indian driving is quite the experience.
I wouldn’t be afraid, especially with a group; then there are always people to go for spares or help if you break down, or watch your stuff for you.
Enfeilds are abominable motorcycles, but fun. They’re chunky, slow, and sound great.
They do break down, but are easy to repair. Actually, the good friends I’ve made while traveling through India were when I had trouble on the road; if your journey runs too smoothly, you miss out!
If you can, bring a pair of rear shocks with you. Sorry, I don’t know what fits.
A good friend of mine is a tour guide with one of the firms who does guided tours on Enfeilds in India [ http://www.classic-bike-india.com/ ].
He tells me that it’s a rare journey that everyone doesn’t take the time to tell him what a great time they all had. serious trouble is rare.
I recommend a lightweight helmet [the weather is warm and the speeds are low], and good boots. Denim is ok [it breathes] but for the best in safety bring specialty motorbike clothing.
I’m going to be writing a piece on safe driving / riding in India soon. I’ve done a lot of it [both safe and the other kind].
Enjoy your journey!
Mark

Snowy

I have always avoided motorbikes having fallen off one as a Kid. However I discovered 5 years ago that it really is the best way to travel and since then have spent a month touring Sri Lanka, a month round Kerala and month round Tamil Nadu. As an inexperienced rider it was probally a foolish thing to start doing but the most rewarding and practical method of traveling in my book.
As for advice .... take it slow and easy, if it's bigger than you get off the road and assume everyone is out to kill you.
Travelling early in the morning is great ......just returning the waves from the kids as they go to school all neatly dressed and smiling makes you be glad to be alive.
With five of you i'm sure you will have a great time with few problems.

Snowy

LeilaKaaml

You couldn't believe how relieved I feel! You three are wonderful! I guess what spooked me is a lady that came into my work who had just come back from touring around Rajasthan by motorbike and found it terrifying. But everyone reacts differently don't they? I feel so much better after reading your replies as it has really been gnawing away at me! I'm back to feeling all excited again!

Thanks again...

Leila

Baldy

Everyone exaggerates the dangers of road travel in India, but what is often forgotten is that car ownership is very low and traffic volumes (outside of towns are often very light).

Due to road surface conditions speed is also mcuh lower than people are used to. I think bike travel for India is the ultimate.

You must suck it and see (as we say here)

LeilaKaaml

Thanks Baldy, that is good to know. And I'm guessing I'll see a lot more of "real India" on a motorbike anyway than I would any other mode of transport. Not long now...I can't wait!

Leila

rahulmehta

Hi Liela,

I am an indian & belong to rajasthan. the lanscape is wonderful & so are the people.
dont worry about road travel, as its quite safe & bullet is one bike which can be repaired by anyone, anywhere. You'll find a bullet mechanic in even the remotest part of raj, as its quite popular over there.
rest dont travel at night & the best place for a rest is the roadside dhabha's, or food stalls.
my # is +919899710660. do give me a call when you guys reach india & i will be delighted to offer any assisatnce you require.

__________________
the road never ends........

xbhp.com

i wud say go for it.. my being a die-hard biker, i have done numerous trips to rajasthan on my karizma bike.. the highway to rajasthan , or the delhi-jaipur highway or the NH-8 is a dream to drive on..
do plan out trips accordingly.. also in nov,nights will be cold , so carry appropriate clothing.. all da best
me and my biking grp can escort u till the rajasthan border if u want us to.
u can get in touch wid me at 011-32109083
bunny punia
vice-president
www.xbhp.com

LeilaKaaml

Hi, thanks for some much positivity! It really has changed my perception, and thank you for offering to help me when I'm in India, that is really very nice of you. One of my friends who I'm travelling with has done this numerous times and we are also travelling with an Indian mechanic, so hopefully we'll be pretty much covered in that department.
Less than 2 weeks before we fly out!

Leila