HERE IS WHAT SOME TRAVELLERS HAVE TO SAY

1. DRIVING LICENCE REQUIREMENT , RENTING A BIKE , DRIVING IN INDIA

Hello I am planning a trip to India and I want rent a motorcycle. I live in Canada, I had a motocross but I don’t have my motorcycle driver license. I do have my International driver license.

I spoke to my insurance company to see if I will be cover if I get a 200 cc motorcycle in India. They told me that the law in India will be consider. Meaning that if I am a legal driver there then I will be cover by my insurance.

1. What is the law regarding driving a motorcycle ? Is there a number of C.C limit / Age etc. Do I need any “motorcycle experience” on my International driver license?
2. I heard that I have to leave my passport to get a motorcycle. Is there any alternative to that ?
3. How would you qualify the “Dangerousness” of riding on India’s roads?

Thank you.

2 ^^

It would be better to have the motorcycle designation on your international drivers license. I didn't have this so I obtained a local (use someone savvy to get this). As far as danger is concerned the fatality rate per mile is more than 35 times that of the US at much slower speeds. If you have driven in Italy you have a taste of it..

Edwardseco

3. Motorcycle rental??

I rented a motorcycle in Goa for a week on my last trip to India. Not only did I not have to leave my passport, but I didn't have to leave a deposit. It will completely depend on who you are dealing with. The guy I went through did not even check to see if I had an international licenses (I did not!)

As for safety, there is a saying that is very popular over there--"Might is right"-meaning the biggest vehicle has the right of way-and you will never have the right of way on a motorcycle (Believe me on that!!). There were many times where I had to pull off the road to miss an oncoming bus/truck passing another bus/truck. Also remember that the conditions of the roads are horrible-to say the least. I'd say it is VERY dangerous-especially planning on a two month motorcycle tour.

Either way, good luck with it.

4. Motorbike

1) You don't need a motorcycle license, just an international drivers license. You can ride any cc with this, but the largest you're likely to find is an Enfield 500.

2) As previous person said, depends who you deal with. Most likely they wont keep your passport.

3) It's ok, as long as you keep your eyes open, give way to anything bigger (even if it means getting off the road), don't take traffic lights for granted, watch for potholes/cows/monkeys/camels/elephants/people driving the wrong way/wrong side of road, and use your horn all the time.

6. enfield

You can contact B.R. Gurunandan (Bangalore) for the best way of hiring an Enfield. If you type his name in a search engine you'll find his excellent cyber steering pages over the Bullet (also very handy if you need to know about fixing things) and a link to his bike hire pages.

I bought a bike for a great price from him last year which he's stored for me for my next trip in January. Hiring: giving up your pasport is not required, just a deposit in case you crash it up/lose it (although insurance is arrangeable I'm not sure how effective it actually is!)I think he also does buy back. He's a straight-up no BS guy.

As for the Indian roads we were 3 months touring last year averaging about 250kms per day on riding days - apart from a few brushes with buses I found the roads good fun and didnt come anywhere near to having any accidents.

It depends how you ride. I saw enough tourists going as fast as possible (which aint very fast, but too fast for Indian conditions)which increases the chances of not being able to stop for the cows, monkeys,grandads,snakes,children,craters in the road,etc that seem to appear on the roads at the most unexpected moments.

When and where you drive are also important factors- we tried to get away at sun up and drive for 4 - 6 hours- more is too much for the concentration.

You shouldn't always stick to major roads either because of the buses- if you take your time, ride slowly and use the minor roads it's really very do-able and pleasant. Cities are definately for the experienced rider however..very entertaining!

WEBYATRA COMMENTS

The right of way in India comes from speed and size - I know many will shake their heads at this, but this is the traffic sense here ! If a truck wants to overtake you , let him , if a car wants to overtake you , allow it! This will actually allow you to do defensive driving.

On the highway, if a truck is attempting to overtake, slow down , let it pass and created your defensive zone! If there is a line of trucks, let it go by and take a gap in traffic and maintain it !

By all means, create a defensive zone - makes for safer and enjoyable riding.

5. Bike rental

Hi
I rented a motorcycle in India 3 years ago. My original plan was to ride the perimeter of India in 6 weeks, but because of poor read conditions and so many things to see along the way I didn't get that far.

I had an international drivers licence, but had forgot to get the motorcycle endorsement before I left, because of this error I had to FED EX it back to friends in the US for the motorcycle stamp.

I rented an Enfield 350 from Lolly Singh in Delhi, near Kashmer Gate where there are a lot of motorcycle shops. At first I thought that the price was very reasonable until I realized that the selling price of a new one was only about $US2000. Lolly Singh took care of the insurance for me, and I will probably go back to rent from him again.

I don't recall having to leave my passport with Lolly, but I may have.

As for dangerous riding conditions in India, I can promise you that you will experience more joyful adrenalin rushes than a kamikaze pilot. I once came within inches of seriously injuring a poor elephant who had the misfortune to be standing in the middle of a blind curve during a heavy rainstorm, and the homicidal truck drivers will provide you with a constant source of amusement. You have to remember to yield to anything larger than a goat.

Have a good trip
Bill Battle