My Brother-in-Law and myself are traveling to GOA in February 2014 for a whole month to get away from the bad weather in England.
Should be nice in Goa end of February.

We intend to stay in Goa for first two weeks and then tour other parts of India thereafter.

My first idea was to use the excellent & extensive (British made) railway system which apparently is dirt cheap to use?

I have spoken to my brother and he now thinks it might be better to travel by bike instead.

First of all, how easy is it to hire a bike in Goa?

Secondly, what bikes are available to hire there?

We have 2 options:

1. Hire one large capacity bike for the both of us (I will ride it because he's just a car driver). A Royal Enfield 350/500 would tick my box here.

2. Hire one small capacity bike EACH. Is it advisable to use 2 small capacity mopeds for this kind of travel?

We hope to ride to Bombay and perhaps Madras. I appreciate India is a huge place! We will probably be limited to where we can go in only 2 weeks.

It will be an adventure that's for sure, if only on a tiddly bike. Many people have RTW the world on mopeds.

I presume two friendly, law abiding, respectful Anglo-Saxon's from England will be safe there? I am widely traveled in Africa / Pakistan but not India. Last time I was in Pakistan I got into a few nasty situations on the streets there. I have heard that the Hindu's in India are a very friendly peace-loving people, so I think it's a pretty safe place to be?

Any advice gladly received.

Thanks.
Neil

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Hi Neil,

February would be the perfect time to be in Goa . Not too hot and and not too crowded.

First of all, how easy is it to hire a bike in Goa?

Secondly, what bikes are available to hire there?

It's really easy to hire a bike in Goa. You'll find them all over the popluar tourist areas. The only problem is that you might have trouble taking a rented bike out of Goa. The reason being the rented bikes have a different coloured licence plate(yellow text on black) meant specifically for Goa and I'm not sure if you are allowed to take it into the other states.

You'll get all sorts of bikes- from automatic 100cc scooters to the 500cc Enfields.

I think a 350cc Enfield would be ideal. I'm an Enfield fan, so am a bit partial.

]We hope to ride to Bombay and perhaps Madras. I appreciate India is a huge place! We will probably be limited to where we can go in only 2 weeks.

The Coastal road from Goa to Bombay is lovely. Non-highway so less traffic, lots of nice sea forts (some in the middle of the sea too!) and pretty beaches as well.
The East coast is lovely as well

Shall PM you more info.

I presume two friendly, law abiding, respectful Anglo-Saxon's from England will be safe there? I am widely traveled in Africa / Pakistan but not India. Last time I was in Pakistan I got into a few nasty situations on the streets there. I have heard that the Hindu's in India are a very friendly peace-loving people, so I think it's a pretty safe place to be.


Yup, India is very safe. Most people are friendly and helpful. I guess there's always a chance of meeting some annoying folks once in a way, but nothing to worry about really.


Regards,
Daniel.

Goa is a huge tourist destination and motorbike rental shops are almost on every corner. No problems whatsoever. But taking the bike out of Goa province requires some more paperwork if I remember right, and my guess is that not all rental shops are happy with that.

I would certainly go for the Royal Enfield. Its a very comfortabel bike and if you have some problems with it youre never far from a garage and persons that can fix it.

My personal view about India is that its quite safe. However there are very very many poor people - and poverty and hunger can make people desperate. I have talked to an Australian guy who had travelled on a Royal Enfield in India for 5-6 months and he loved every moment of it and he didnt have any major problems. The traffic situation can be very chaotic and crowded and the traffic culture is very different from Europe.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Dan,

I have replied to your most kind PM.

It might be worthwhile downgrading our Indian tour to the coast of Goa up to Bombay? 2 weeks seems a little rushed for a full blown tour of India.

I will discuss this with you by email.

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

i am looking for any ideas on good trails around southern goa, any ideas?

Hi Neill,

In two weeks,you simply can't do this kind of trip.Average speed on most roads in India,is 25kph. After 6 hours of riding and constantly concentrating and blowing your horn,you will be buggered.
Take it as it comes and be prepared to change your mind.India is always terrible road wise and fascinating other wise.
Enjoy the ride of your life,memories will stay for ever.

Cheers

Stick to the coast going south from Goa, nice ride, Gokarna an easy days ride, you can ride to the of the back of the dunes at Om beach for a nice beachside hotel.

You might want to get in touch with Royal Enfield in the U.K and ask if they can hook you you up with some bikes while in india so you may get one in each city from the dealership
Goa to Bombay is a lovely ride and the roads are pretty good. The coast road will take you 2 days while the NH17 (the national highway) is a good 1 day (12hr) ride if riding solo. I've done this ride many times. My advice is just hire a bike in Goa and ride around Goa. I can give you a list of places to ride to in and around Goa. Nothing more than a 2 to 3hr enjoyable bike ride

Hi Neil,
I'm in Goa now until the end of Feb apart from a few little ride outs. I can have a ask about to rental guys to see who's happy about having their bikes taken out of Goa if you like.
I've riden North, South and East from Goa so if you have any questions i'll try to answer them for you. Feb is a while off yet so lots of time to make plans, just remember to get your IDP, and you should be fine.

Two weeks in Goa might be two weeks too long if you're looking at doing some good mileage and visiting East coast and Mumbai etc.

Bike rental there is easy and I'm quite confident you won't have a problem leaving the state - I've done it a few times.

As for being safe? Be sensible like you would be anywhere else in the world and all should be fine.

I live here off and on and am currently riding for 6 months on a 150 hero impulse.

Details at wwww.travelpod.com/members/simonchegwyn if you want to view the Blog.

I'm currently heading south and can certainly average more than 25kmph if required - safely!

It's an easily achievable trip and please email me if you'd like any reliable information.

Regards,

Simon

we could give you a bike...depending on how many days you need it

regards

Rajiv
royal india bikes

Hi folks, slightly off topic, but instead of a new thread I'll throw it in here...
Does anyone know of any recommended shops in Mumbai to rent a bike for 2 or 3 weeks, to take down to Goa and back? I see a couple coming up in searches, but you can't beat a personal recommendation.
Thanks for your help folks!

Mick

Actually, as a further question....I'm thinking of doing this wee trip, and a fair bit of riding around the region, in late April/early May, anyone have any thoughts on that I should maybe consider please feel free to drop me a line.

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We're here for a good time, not a long time...
Mini-on-Tour

'' thinking of doing this wee trip, and a fair bit of riding around the region, in late April/early May''............................................. .................

Not the time of year for south India, debilitatingly hot, temps in the 40's, there is a reason why everyone packs up and heads for the mountains end of March !
UB.