Bikes & Riding

The legendary Royal Enfield Bullet is one of many examples of older technology, which has prevailed in modern India. It is a 500cc single cylinder true classic which has been manufactured in Chennai (Madras) continuously. Our fleet comprises well-maintained later models sporting 12v ignition and disc front brakes. The Bullet has good positive handling and suspension with a maximum speed of around 100 kph. A realistic cruising speed on most Indian roads is 50-70 kph and the bikes have ample power at these speeds. The Bullet has passed the test of time and remains the ideal bike for India’s sometimes challenging conditions. We use modern left hand gear change bikes. If you would like to use a ‘classic’ right hand shift we will do our best to accommodate.

The bikes used on our tours are rented on your behalf from Lalli Singh, a dealer with an international reputation for preparing first class motorcycles for both extensive touring in India and for export. He and his team of mechanics have been supplying our bikes for the last 27 years and they work tirelessly to provide the best machines possible.

Before each tour each bike is thoroughly overhauled and tested and they are checked by our mechanics after every riding day during the tour. Being passionate bikers ourselves, we know that there is nothing worse than a poor machine on a tour and we are fanatical about getting the bikes right. All of our tours are followed by a back up vehicle, carrying our luggage, mechanic and a full array of spare parts. There are limited places for non-riders to accompany us on tour in this vehicle. In case of temporary sickness, a rider is able to take a break from riding.

Travel & Accommodation

Our 25 year’s experience in India has enabled us to develop close relationships with many boutique style hotels with emphasis on heritage style properties. There is some variation in standard, but all rooms have their own toilet/shower, towels, air conditioning and clean fresh bed linen. All breakfasts and most dinners are included in the tour cost. After a hard day on the road we are certainly not ‘roughing it’.

For tour participants travelling alone the single accommodation supplement applies. If you are a single traveler and wish to share accommodation we will endeavour to find a suitable room mate but we cannot guarantee this.

We offer our tours excluding air travel from New Zealand to enable you some flexibility. You should arrive in plenty of time to join the tour on the dates suggested on the itinerary. If you arrive early or depart later, we will gladly organise a pick up and extra accommodation at a very reasonable cost. We are also able, through our networks, to arrange any Indian add-ons that you may wish to enjoy.

Health & Safety

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit on all our tours and our team are fully trained in first aid. We carry our own oxygen equipment on the Himalayan tours in case of altitude sickness.

Though your riding skills will undoubtedly improve during your tour, you must be an experienced rider. India is not a good place for a novice rider to learn, nor for a lapsed rider to become current. At the beginning of each tour we hold a detailed safety briefing and allow ample time for you to get used to your Bullet. To ride on one of our tours you must hold a current international motorcycle driving license. You must be 18 years of age or over to ride and at least 12 years of age to be a passenger on one of our bikes.

Our tours are run at a leisurely pace and there is no pressure to travel at speeds that you are not comfortable with. However, responsibility for the speed and control of the bike rests solely with its rider. We will do our utmost to keep you safe at all times on tour but ultimately, only you can be responsible for yourself – this is your adventure!

We insist that you wear a crash helmet when riding as you may not be insured without one.

Insurance

It is essential that you obtain personal travel insurance. This should include cover for medical, hospital, emergency repatriation, additional unforeseen travel expenses with provision for cancellation, curtailment and baggage loss. You should make it absolutely clear to the insurer that you are traveling by motorcycle of 500cc capacity as some policies exclude motorcycle travel. The motorcycles are insured for third party, theft and accident damage.

In the event of accident damage to your motorcycle, you will be liable for the first NZ$300 of repair costs.

Driving Licenses

To ride on one of our tours you must have with you a current international motorcycle driving license. This must be accompanied by your local driving license to be valid. You must be 18 years of age or over to drive and at least 12 years of age to be a passenger on a bike. Though your riding skills will undoubtedly improve during one of our tours, you must be an experienced rider. India is not a good place for a novice rider to learn nor for a lapsed rider to become current. At the beginning of each tour we will hold an extensive safety briefing and will allow ample time to acclimatise to your bike.

Our tours are run at a leisurely pace and there is no pressure to travel at speeds that you are not comfortable with. However, responsibility for the speed and control of the bike rests solely with its rider even when following a tour guide. We will do our utmost to keep you safe at all times on tour but ultimately, only you can be responsible for yourself – this is your adventure! You must wear a crash helmet and suitable safety gear when riding with us.

Visas & Passports

A current Passport valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay is required for entry into India & Nepal. You will also require a visa to enter both India & Nepal and we will forward all visa information to you upon receiving your booking.

Still have questions? Our FAQs may be able to help. If not, please email us: booking@indianmotorcycleadventures.com. We would love to hear from you.

FAQs

  • Age – Riders age must be between 18 years and 75 years and co-riders must be 12 years or above (at the time of the start of the tour).  Passengers in the support vehicle must be five years or over (with the authorisation of an adult/guardian).

    Experience – This depends on the tour/region you want to ride in.  Conditions in India can challenge your skills if you have never ridden a motorcycle in similar conditions.  We want our riders to be fully aware of the conditions expected and the skills/ experience required to deal with them.  Therefore, we have a separate “advisory” for each of our tour regions.  Please read the “advisory” for the respective tour/region you are looking at before signing-up/committing to the tour.  As a general guide, if you do not have at least 3-4 years (<10,000 Km) of motorcycle riding experience, you should consider things very carefully.  

    Fitness – (*for High Himalayas) Riders must be reasonably fit, for instance, must be able to go about daily life (like climbing two flights of stairs) without getting out of breath. Consult your doctor if you have any existing medical conditions. Please be aware that touring in the Himalayas involves being at very high altitudes and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) may occur.

    Travel insurance – Adequate travel insurance is mandatory for your tour with us and is not included in the price of the tour.  If you are a rider or co-rider on the pillion the insurance must cover motorcycles of 411cc/500cc for leisure.  Ensure that travel insurance also covers you against cancellation charges, unexpected curtailment of the holiday, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses arising overseas, loss or damage to luggage & property and personal liability claims against the participant. 

  • The services of the tour coordinators, luggage transport in the back up vehicle [20kg maximum per person], mechanical and puncture repairs, petrol and oil, accommodation from first night of tour until checkout on the last day. Breakfast is provided daily during the Indian portion of the tour. Most evening meals. We have found that our groups take most of their meals together and we have included those in your tour cost, [approximately 15 meals]. Motorcycle hire from Inder Motors, motorcycle insurance for third party damage, theft and accident damage.

  • Personal injury and health insurance, vaccinations, passports and visas, meals and drinks other than breakfast and most dinners, porterage, items of a personal nature such as laundry, tips, gifts, telephone services, camera and video fees, emergency evacuation costs, fines. Entry fees and camera fees for forts and monuments. Extra accommodation if joining the tour early or departing later.

  • No, we do not provide safety gear. While it is sometimes possible to rent this in Delhi we very much suggest you bring your own as you will not be able to ride without it.

    Good protective riding gear for riders and pillion passengers is essential. Helmets for both riders and pillions are compulsory in India and must be worn throughout the ride. 

  • If you are a member of a motorcycle club or group and 6 or more of your associates wish to travel together on a tour, we will consider designing an itinerary to suit your group date requirements.

  • Yes! We can accommodate non-riding clients in our modern tour vehicle. This is a great option for solo travelers or partners of riders and is an excellent way to join our tours in comfort. Please contact us for more information.