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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
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  #1  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Renting a bike in Nepal
Hi guys;

We (me and wifey) are flying in to Katmandu in a couple of days. Would like to rent a 500 bullet from somewhere reputable. Bikemandu has no bikes as they;'re doing a tour. Another company has one available albeit quite expensive at $40 a day (even if its for 10 days).

Someone suggested going to Bullet base camp in Pokahara and finding one there.

What are your experiences / route advice would be nice
Our plan is to have 2-3 weeks in nepal, probably ride a week, might do the base camp trek, then chill out a few days in Pokhara.

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Oli
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  #2  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Pokhara is much better
I would rent in Pokhara which is a much better location for rding than KTM - the latter, is dusty, traffic-jammed and polluted with vehicle emissions, whereas Pokhara is comparatively traffic free etc etc.

Maybe visit Heart and Tears which has reopened under new management:-

https://www.google.co.uk/search?clie...hannel=suggest


You can fly to Pokhara or take the local bus from KTM - about 6 hours to get there - which is an experience in itself.
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  #3  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Brilliant matey, I just dropped them a line.

I think using Pokhara as a base is a good idea. We fly in to KTM then stay the night, take the bus get the bike, 7-10 days Nepal exploration. Back to Pokhara trek a bit chill out a bit, back to KTM as tourists and off to Bangkok to be reunited with the Af-Twin.

Thanks a lot,
Oli
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  #4  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Here in rainy Ireland........ bring me with you to Nepal and I will drive a support vehicle for you or be your dedicated mechanic

Deffo on my list of places to visit!

Safe travels and post some pics
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  #5  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by olionel View Post
Brilliant matey, I just dropped them a line.

I think using Pokhara as a base is a good idea. We fly in to KTM then stay the night, take the bus get the bike, 7-10 days Nepal exploration. Back to Pokhara trek a bit chill out a bit, back to KTM as tourists and off to Bangkok to be reunited with the Af-Twin.

Thanks a lot,
Oli
That sounds good
The buses depart fairly early - ask the hotel/B&B about getting to the start point in KTM, in a taxi.

I'm not discounting KTM - Pokhara has the scenery while the capital has the "grand history" aspects, such as Bakhtapur and the various other capitals of the earlier kingdoms. There are lots of places to see.
Two things: haggle on prices, such as taxis, it is expected; but remember that very often you are arguing over what amounts to a few pennies.
And have a good camera to hand.

ps Arriving in Pokhara by bus there are hordes of locals who want to show you to their favourite hotel - just walk along the front of the lake (and look down the side streets) and take your pick; some will be full but you can get in somewhere and move later if you see another one that you fancy
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Last edited by Walkabout; 27 Oct 2013 at 17:54. Reason: ps
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  #6  
Old 27 Oct 2013
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Thanks for the info Dave!

Lynch...thanks for the offer mate. We were in rainy Manchester.. then packed it all in last May. It's been sunny since Greece.. that was back in June...

Will put pics up on the blog (link in my signature)

Have fun and take care guys!
Oli
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  #7  
Old 30 Oct 2013
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Hearts&Tears Pokhara
Hi guys,
I'm having similar plans and rented a bike from Hearts&Tears in Pokhara.
Chantal is very efficient and got me a plane ticket from KTM to Pokhara for 100$ plus accommodation for the first 2 nights at the Peace Eye Guesthouse for 10$/night.
Starting my trip on Nov 6th!
We might run into each other at the Busy Bee Cafe
cheers,
vic
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  #8  
Old 30 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vicreuter View Post
Hi guys,
I'm having similar plans and rented a bike from Hearts&Tears in Pokhara.
Chantal is very efficient and got me a plane ticket from KTM to Pokhara for 100$ plus accommodation for the first 2 nights at the Peace Eye Guesthouse for 10$/night.
Starting my trip on Nov 6th!
We might run into each other at the Busy Bee Cafe
cheers,
vic
That's a good price for the flight, but the accommodation might be a bit pricy, depending on how many people are hanging out in Pokhara right now.
I recommend that you shop around during that first couple of nights, depending on how long you are staying - the most I paid in Pok was 5 $US per night.

I have wondered, for a nano-second or so, if the Busy Bee in Pokhara is named in relation to the Busy Bee in the UK:-
Busy Bee Cafe Watford
http://hermajestysthunder.blogspot.c...-bee-cafe.html
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  #9  
Old 7 Nov 2013
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Hey all;

We made it back to Pokhara last night. The road was tough and tiring. As the Enfield is not an offroad bike (bottoms out at every opportunity) wifey did quite a bit of walking over the boulder-ous sections of the road.

ALSO: 3-5km's after the Beni petrol pump there road forks. One is straight on the other up hill (left turn). The road sign is on the right hand side of the roaded, faded wood, but opoints towards the left... We took this road, its a tough hard climb.. and is the wrong road so keep on going straight when in doubt at this point.

Blog is updated for pics...

All the best and have fun!
Oli
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  #10  
Old 7 Nov 2013
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Originally Posted by olionel View Post
Blog is updated for pics...

All the best and have fun!
Oli
I've read yoiur blog pages about Nepal - thanks, they bring back good memories!

Om Mani Padme Hum

In Pokhara, the Nepalese mountaineering museum is worth seeing - it is near the airport, + the museum for the Ghurkas which is somewhere in the town - a taxi will sort out exactly where!
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  #11  
Old 7 Nov 2013
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KTM
I did a month of riding there about 2 years ago and I would definitely take the bus to Pokara and rent there. KTM pollution is something to see but not to ride in. It is just very hard to explain or imagine how bad traffic can be in KTM. The bus trip there would be great for sure. I rented in KTM and then drove up to Pokara and it does take about 6 hours. The country is very safe and the people are very friendly for sure. You will not believe the backpacking all over Nepal and you will not find others doing motorcycle for the most part. I do not think I saw a single other person touring from other parts of the world but it is all backpacking backpacking backpacking. Wish I could go back with you.
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  #12  
Old 19 Nov 2013
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I'm planning on renting from Hearts & Tears. Very impressed with Chantal's assistance so far.

Looking to sneak in 3 weeks in May 2014. Can't wait!

I'm plotting no renting one of their Yamaha 125s. I hope it'll be sufficient for some exploration of the high mountains and it'll have a grunt to keep me going :confused1:
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  #13  
Old 20 Nov 2013
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Nepal
We rode from KTM up to Muktinath last year & also took the wrong turn to Beni,
yes the road was rough but the scenery was awesome then on to Tatopani, Marpha, Kagbeni, Jomson & Muktinath. I didn't find riding out of KTM that bad (except everyone spitting out the windows of the busses ! The ride down to Chitwan was great as well. There is alot to see between KTM and Pokhara to !!!
Just get off that main road. Muktinath was very f*&%^$# Cold tho & lots of snow !!!!

Cheers
Paul
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  #14  
Old 21 Nov 2013
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What're the "must ride" roads? I want to amble and meander and see where I end up (that's where the adventure lies), but some tips if you're starting out from Pokhara would be good.
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  #15  
Old 26 Nov 2013
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Hearts&Tears Pokhara
Quote:
Originally Posted by IncompletePete View Post
What're the "must ride" roads? I want to amble and meander and see where I end up (that's where the adventure lies), but some tips if you're starting out from Pokhara would be good.
Hi Pete,
I started on a 135 and finished on an Enfield from Hearts&Tears. Great trip…..flying back today.
Some pics on my blog, if you want to have a look :-)

Nepal on a RX135 Overlander

Cheers
vic
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