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).