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Enfield rental in Delhi
OK Guys and Girls, Give me some advice!
I'll be renting an Enfield in Delhi for about 2 weeks for my trip to Leh & back. The famous Lalli Singh of lallisingh.com has quoted me $294 USD/week with a $588 USD deposit. This is a kick start 500cc Enfield and I've been told that Lalli has reliable bikes in good condition. Indiabike.com has a "new" 2008 model 500cc Enfield with low kilometers used and electric self-start for $210 USD/week with a $1,172 USD deposit. They have been very good at returning emails and answering questions. Tonybulletcentre.com also has the 500cc Enfield with electric start for $115 USD/week and 1,172 USD deposit. They have also been good at returning emails. My questions are: has anyone done business with any of these people and can give me some feedback? What are your thoughts on the various prices? Is an electric self-start desirable or just one more thing to go wrong on an Enfield? I want to minimize my time picking up a bike in Delhi so convenience and reliability is more important than $. What would you do? THANX! |
Hi ColdC.
I'm arriving to Delhi june 7th and more or less 12-15 june i leave to Leh ( via Manali). I haven't found a bike yet, i wanna make the deal there, due that there's a big offer and you can choose. I think that if you close the deal from home via internet it will be more expensive. I want a Bullet 500 and i've heard that Lalli Singh is very reliable, but it seems quite expensive. Didn't know anything about Tony Bullet Centre, but the price is good and, looking at their web, they seem reliable too. Thank you for the discovery... My advise is that you close the deal right there. Cheers. P.D: When do you think you will be leaving Delhi to Leh? |
I've heard that the 350 is the one with the most reliability, but either way, it's still an old brit bike so problems are likely. Probably just small stuff that you can take care of by tightening bolts and the like.
Good luck! I show up in New Delhi on July 15 and plan to spend several months there. --Dave |
Enfield 350 more reliable than the 500?
Dave, Interesting thought as I will be riding solo with minimal luggage and thought about the 350cc as the rental rates are much cheaper.
The bike suppliers have steered me toward the 500cc saying that it will "have more power for the hills." It also probably brings them more profit. Does anyone have experience taking the 350cc over to Leh? Underpowered or can it do the job? More reliable than the 500cc? THANX! |
Ha, I'm on a 250cc and the power has been fine so far. I think it depends on you. I like the small bike for my foreign adventures because it forces me to go slow. For me, a bigger bike just means more speed and less time looking at scenery and more time looking at the road itself.
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I'll see your 250 and go 125....
I hear you Dave. You wouldn't believe the tracks I've conquered on a 125 Honda Dream in South East Asia with my luggage roped to the seat!
However I've heard the 150cc Indian Pulsar will out run the 500cc Enfield. Remember this is 500cc of rolling antique. Cheers |
Lahli Singh
A friend and I rented Enfields in Delhi a few years ago. I got mine from Lahli Singh, and Frank got his somewhere else (can't remember but it was close by in Karol Bargh). Frank had a 350 and we had a 500 as we were two up. We went up some rrrreally steep roads as we went as far as we could to Leh (Rotang La) as the passes were closed for a bit longer than normal. We then changed our plans and headed east from Manali with the idea of riding to Nepal instead. The roads that way were even steeper! Both bikes had their share of breakages and things falling off, even with a 10 minute spanner and screwdriver session every morning. However, they were ridiculously cheap to get fixed pretty much anywhere (7 new spokes, oil and gearbox grease top-up, tappets, timing and points, extract and replace two broken studs, a couple of gaskets and some other stuff I can't remember, NZ$14 including decent tip!!!).
As to starting, the kick start ones we had were very easy to start, once you learnt the very simple technique based on watching the ammeter to see when the motor was at top dead centre. It was really part of the fun. And yes, the smaller modern bikes would out-run and were more reliable than the Enfields, but they are not Enfields, if you know what I mean. I would do it again on an Enfield. Talk about living history, but then I do collect old bikes. 350 or 500? The 350 will do the job, and seemed to be less fussy about altitude and fuel. There are very few places where the 500 was significantly better. However, we were two up. I'm sure it could easily have been due the individual bike's differences. I would probably take a 350 if there was a big difference in rental rates, and they use less fuel too. As it turned out, we could not cope the 45-50deg C days and went back to New Delhi five days early, then flew to Nepal. Lahli Singh sent a boy around to our hotel to collect the bike, WITH a full refund for the five days! Frank had booked his bike for longer than us and got no refund at all from the other place. I have heard similar stories from other travelers who have had rented from Lahli. I would go straight back there, myself. Kind regards Nigel in NZ |
Nigel...
I really appreciate the detailed reply. I had originally thought the 350cc was adequate since I'm solo and traveling light. I got talked up to the 500cc but I think my original idea was probably right on.
Funny, but I just thought I'd mention that I kept reading to take a set of "spanners" as part of the tool kit but "spanner wrenches" refer to a different tool here in the States. I kept thinking what in the hell do I need a set of spanner wrenches for?! Thanks again for the feedback on your experience with the different size bikes and Lalli Singh. Cheers, C |
Spanner is the English term for wrenches. Open ended and box. You can buy cheap ones there that will work. Nothing that you'd want to bring home. They updated to metric, not whitworth. I like that they're building bikes from 60 year old British plans but they've updated to metric. The USA is the only country that uses kooky sizes now. But it's still basically an old Brit bike, so you'll want to take some blue or red loctite with you and tighten everything down. And constantly check to make sure they're tight. Like once a day.
I hope it goes great for you! If I blow up my Ducati again, I'll probably switch to an Enfield 350. --Dave |
Indiabikes
Hi there,
Rented a 'new' bullet from Indiabikes in Mumbai (Bombay) last December. It was totally reliable for a leisurely 2000km holiday and we got over 90 mpg two up with light luggage. The electric starter wasn't the strongest but the bike kickstarted with no problems hot or cold. the 'new' bullet is reported to be a world away from the older bikes in terms of reliability, which may be less important on a longer trip where you have the time for characterful repairs, but with only two weeks reliability was important for me. Another advantage for me was the left foot gearchange and disc brake, I'm sure it wouldn't take long to adjust but I'd prefer not to have any additional challenges when dealing with Indian town traffic!! I paid Rs9,000 per week with a Rs90,000 deposit left in an envelope which was returned unopened. Fully recommended. Regards Graeme. |
Renting in Delhi
I just came back few weeks ago from a 7000 miles ride in India and Lahli and the place have great bike , the kick start is very easy to use even if you are not use to it, now as far as reliable ??, mine had few issue but I was doing a lot of miles on it so maybe that is the reason.
Good luck driving in India. |
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The rental is much more for the 500cc bikes. If you want "more power" get your own bike in, but then I don't think you are coming here to race with anyone. |
Thanks a1arn....
....great info on the 350cc. 4bhp more; I think I'll just go on a diet before I leave. The 350 sounds fine for my trip and besides, will be better on petrol.
Actually, I would prefer not to take an Enfield. I'm sure you've read some of my posts elsewhere inquiring about a non-Enfield rental. It just seems the Enfield is the easiest way to go as far as rentals are concerned for a short trip. If I had some more time I would probably just purchase a more modern bike. I am going to briefly look for an alternative and if something falls into my lap I'll take it, but the Enfield rental appears the easiest way just to arrive, take care of business and be on the road to Leh asap. |
Alternative
Perhaps you could fix up with Chanderjeet or Mani to take you with them to Karol Bagh immediately on landing, so as not to waste time. If you are prepared to buy new, I'm sure something other than enfields can be arranged, which can then be bought back (you'd have to work that out at the time of buying).
People are reluctant to rent out the 150cc+ indo jap stuff. Faster, more crash prone (because it is faster), more commonly stolen (for some reason thieves usually don't target bullets - maybe they know something!!?) but none of that famous character. Indiabikes had a couple of pulsars, both totalled now, and he is not buying any more. |
agree with everything said abut the 350cc. Unless you have sh!tloads of luggage or a passenger go for a 350. I'm in Manali now with a 350 and have had no probs. with the roads. Also I'd say go for a standard bullet - unless you can't handle the gears on the right hand side - none of this electric start business.
Lalli Singh has got a very good reputation all over India, but is def. more expensive. Never heard any bad stories about his rental/sale bikes. A couple of friends bought a bike from Tony Bullet Centre in Delhi and have been fairly happy, but had a few problems mechanically. Lalli will have th bike ready for you to go when you arrive and should have your bike in good nick when you take it. Nothing is guarantted though buddy, these bikes are bombproof but not foolproof. Good luck anyway, I'm gonna miss out on the Leh trip as my visa is nearly up so I'm v. jealous. When you going by the way? Passes are only just about open and a French guy I just met said he was riding through knee high water some of the way last week! |
chuzzlewit...
....really appreciate the info. I see no advantage of the 500 for my purposes so I'm pretty much determined to go with the 350. Yeah, I expect to do some daily inspection, maintenance and tinkering, I just want to be sure to spend more time enjoying my trip than wrenching.
You are the first to have feedback about Tony Bike. Lalli Singh is expensive, but I've never heard a bad word. I think at this point I'm just going to have to inspect a couple of bikes and trust my experience and senses. I anticipate leaving Delhi for Leh on July 2nd or 3rd. Cheers, C. |
Just searching for Indian bike hire info and found this thread - how did the trip go ? Any recommendations ? And what availability is there for simple Jap bikes - 250/350 trail bikes ?
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Hi Wheelspin,
You're thinking "big". 250/350s Asian/Indian bikes aren't readily available here. 100/150/180s are and I think it's the 180 that provides difficulty if you break down outside of a city because they're uncommonly large. Bikes are built by Bajaj (who also do the Indian Vespa) and Hero Honda, which is Indian built Honda, are common. Some Yamahas, Suzuki, and a few others. But for most of the roads and the insane traffic, small bikes are fine. I haven't seen many trail bikes. One was a Honda Transalp 250 owned by a super nice Indian who rode it through Burma/Myanmar. I've seen a few trail bikes in Nepal complete with knobbies, but they're still rare. The Enfield 350 powers over most everything except the Enfield 500. It's crazy to think that a 350 is King but it's true. If I screwed up anything, someone correct me, but I think that info is correct. -Dave |
Lahli Singh Contacts
Hi,
does anyone know the correct email of Lahli Singh ? The email on the website doesn't exists anmore: <lallisingh@vsnl.com>: 203.200.235.142 does not like recipient. Remote host said: 550 5.1.6 recipient no longer on server: lallisingh@vsnl.com Giving up on 203.200.235.142. |
No idea, but I'll be selling my Delhi plated Enfield 350 in November.
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Lalli Singh
Hi.
I can reccommend Lalli Sing for the rental. He can sort out spares for you to take on the trip and charge you only for what you have used when you return. I found him very hepfull. Allow a whole day to sort the particulars/bike out though as they are in no rush there. David. |
Enfield rental in Vashisht / Manali
I know a guy who can rent you a great reliable Bullet for a reasonable price, he will give you a spares kit and help you on your way. He is just outside Manali on the way to Vashisht. If you want to rent a bike from him, get in touch with me and I can put you in touch. He can rent one bike and has enough to be able to rent up to 15. Occasionally he will pick a bike up from Leh if you want to fly back down to Delhi for example but you have to pay a bit more obviously. my email: l.e.webber@gmail.com
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Lalli Singh is very good when it comes to keeping up his promises. Though i have personally been dealing with another guy named sunil @ PardesiMotors.com
He has experience of renting, exporting and repairing bikes of RTW riders. Dave smiths bike is currently being repaired there. :thumbup1: |
go with lalli
i have dealt with this man a few times and he is nothing but reliable.
he prepped, crated and shipped my 350 to florida for me in 2003. a very professional job and all worked out well. i took that bike from kolkata to darjeeling throgh nepal, ladakh kashmir and rajastan. 11k in 5 months. only normal wear and tear as problems...most of which i fixed myself. yes a pulsar will blow an enfield away in speed but what can you pack on it for a trip? not much more than a toothbrush. lalli uses the 500 mainly now because thats what the foreigners want. they think bigger is better. my 350 did well all packed up and i would prefer the kick start cuz if the electric goes bad in the wilderness...! later |
Lalli's email and REnfields in the South
Hi, I seem to be having problems with Lallis email as well. Does anyone has exchanged emails with him recently? It's the email at his website working? I tried emailing them but had no reply; I was surprised because everyone says they are very quick to respond and business like.
Has anyone deal with Sonimotors in Delhi -Karol Bahg? We were planning to travel to the south but there isn't much info about buys/rentals in Chennai. Strange, don't they make the enfields there? Any info re buying or renting in Tamil Nadu - Chennai much appreciated. Last, we are two yet I still think a 350 will be good enough for a two up in the south which is flatter country and slightly less busy than the North. Or Im I wrong? Why it makes a difference the state or city license number plate? I understand you need extra papers to seel outside the state the bike's registered, is there more to know about cross border travel there? Thanks a lot, ride safe and have a very Happy New Year |
A 350 is fine for two up. When I showed up, I went on a ride with a bike group around Delhi and Rajhastan. I didn't have a bike so I rode on the back and there were a few other bikes with passengers.
The roads in the south are much nicer and easier to ride than the roads up north. The traffic is better too which will be hard to understand when you end up riding through what seems to be a crowded shopping mall. They only do tours of the factory on Saturdays. I think you need to be there around 9:30am. I spent almost a week in Chennai waiting for the tour. I visited lots of bike shops but didn't find any that were renting. If I was asking, I might've been pointed out to one. |
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Soni motors - He has good collection of bikes, but i have never dealt with him. Lalli Singh is a little expensive but has good service. Sunil at pardesimotors.com is good. He's reasonable and will help you any way possible. A few hubb and adv members have had good dealings with him.... |
I don't know about Lalli Singh or Tonu Bullet Centre but I had a very great & satisfactory experience with Stonehead Bikes. They have a very good & quality of bikes in their fleet. I have taken the bullet 350 for around 10 days for Leh & they charged me $80 (Rental) + $10 (One time service charges). Top of it, they deleivered the bike on airport free of cost & offcourse bike was in damn gud condition (it was 2009 model)
They are somewhere in east delhi based. Thanks Khomen. |
Thanks for the link to StoneHead Bikes - their rental rates seem pretty reasonable - but I'm confused. You say they only charged you $80 (+ $10) for a ten day rental? Is that a discounted rate or was the conversion on the Indian Rupee a lot less in December?
Also - what was your route into Leh and do you have any route recommendations? |
This man is an employee of Stonehead Bikes
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Yeah - I've been dealing with a guy from StoneHead called Khomendra - If this is him (and it seems likely) it seems a bit of an underhanded way to generate some positive reviews - although it WAS quite a while ago...
WorldlyMaret - when did you rent from StoneHead? What were the specific problems you encountered? |
Good information, but where do I find it in future?
Hey guys,
This is a great informative thread but it goes back about 4 years. In the meantime there is now a forum for feedback about hiring of bikes. Bike Swap or Rent - The HUBB Could I urge one or other of you who are directly involved in this to post in that forum and place a link back to here so I (and others) can find this information in the future. Cheers, bier |
Cheap bike rentals - https://bikesbooking.com It was super easy to book and the prices are lower than all other competitors
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Bulletwallas
My friend and I ended up renting from Bulletwallas in Delhi. Their prices were good but the tools they provided were absolute shite. Nothing fit. I haven't written them all up yet, but I've been posting articles about the trip here:
https://roadslesstravelled972.wordpr...get-lehd-pt-1/ If you scroll to the bottom of the page you can read the next one. |
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