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| Main Spiritual Guides Page > Main India Page > Travel > Motorcycles | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Motorcycles Motorcycle travel is becoming more popular in India. A major advantage of traveling by motorcycle is that you can travel at your own pace, stopping when you want and where you want. You can travel to small villages and stop for a picnic in the middle of nowhere. A good rule is to never drive at night unless it is essential. Better to stop a few hours early then to risk the dangers of night driving in India. On
a national highway, drivers average about 50km per hour. On some roads
you may only be able to average 10km per hour. You can expect to be
able to go about 150km to 200km a day. When
you ask for directions, pay attention to the hand movements of the person
giving them. Usually if they tell you to turn left at a particular place
but point right, they actually mean right and not left. At this point
politely ask, do you mean right or left. Also, always ask them how far
it is before the turn. I learned this when once I was supposed to turn
left after one km, but I went 20km before I again asked directions. What
to Bring (from overseas) You
should bring a good pair of boots and gloves. If you plan to wear a
helmet definitely bring one from overseas, as the ones made in India
are not as high quality. In some cities helmets are legally required.
You should also bring a few pairs of jeans or other rugged pants, a
good pair of sunglasses, and a mask to protect against air pollution
in the big cities. The pollution in some of the big cities in India
is among the worst in the world. You should bring waterproof clothing. To purchase a new bike, you are supposed to be a resident foreign national and have a local address. Usually the dealer from whom you are purchasing the bike has a way to get around such requirements. To purchase a used bike, you simply have to give an address. To purchase a used bike, it is usually best to go though an “auto consultant,” who is a middleman between buyers and sellers. Such consultants also help obtain the legal papers for about Rs 500, which usually includes a bribe. Without their help, it can take a couple of weeks to process everything. To find an auto consultant, ask at a repair shop or at the local restaurants. If you are a seller, there is a good chance the consultants will find you. Dents
and scratches on the bike do little to reduce the price. When you want
to sell a bike, if you get a decent offer, take it. Types of Scooters: 150cc Bajaj, 150cc Vespa, and 100cc Honda. A new 150cc Bajaj costs Rs 30,000. They are easy to ride, and relatively cheap to buy and run. They have a good resale value. Four Japanese companies make 100cc Motorcycles: Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, and Kawasaki. All of them are good, reliable bikes, and are easy to repair. They cost about Rs 40,000 new. Be careful of the old Rajdoot 175 XLT. The
Enfield Bullet is a beautiful bike and is the favorite
of foreigners planning to ride long distances. They come in 350cc and
500cc varieties. The 500cc Enfield costs Rs 65,000 new. The front brakes
of the 500cc Enfield are superior to the front brakes of the smaller
350cc. You can have the front wheel of the 500cc Enfield fitted on the
350cc bike for better braking power. The Rajdoot 350 is made by Yamaha and is a good bike. It is an older bike, so it may be hard to find spare parts. The Yezdi 250 Classic is an economical bike. Legal
Papers and Insurance To get your ownership papers, you should take the help of the agent from whom you are buying the bike or from an attorney located near the Motor Vehicles Office.You can do the paperwork yourself, but this will most likely take a long time. I would not recommend doing it yourself. If you plan to sell the motorcycle in another state, you should obtain a “No Objection Certificate” when you purchase the bike. Third-party
insurance is required. The cost is about Rs 1000 for twelve months.
This insurance is also good in Nepal. The National Insurance Company
and the New India Assurance Company are two insurance companies in India. If your motorcycle or car is still running, it is best to make a run for it, or to go immediately to the police. If your vehicle is not running, try to go immediately to a police station or take the help of a local merchant. It is best to make a move before a crowd assembles. Do not even think you can reason with anyone. It is amazing how a single policeman can quiet an angry crowd. Dangers
on the Road Be especially careful when crossing bridges, as it is not unusual for trucks to pass one another on a bridge. It is no joke riding a motorcycle in India. Usually only experienced drivers should attempt it, except around the beaches in Goa or other such local driving. On the main highways, truck drivers are wild. There are many unexpected hazards, such as camels or cows crossing the road. If you know of
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