Advice and tips
GENERAL ADVICE
1. After youve prepared your bike, take
it for a serious test ride, ride it over all kinds of roads including terrible terrain to test the strength of your luggage racks and the durability of your equipment. Its no use having equipment thats fine on motorways thats going to break at the fist bump in the road. My racks broke going over terrible dips and potholes in tarmac in Morocco, and my shocker spring broke with an overloaded bike a few years ago in Belgium. Test it!
2. When youre packing the bike, think about the weight. All the added weight puts added strain on the suspension and the frame and the engine and just about every element of the bike. Which either reduces efficiency, breaks or wears quicker. Take only whats necessary and then send back what you realised wasnt necessary at all.
3. Once youve got your bike loaded, see how your bike fairs with all the weight. Im considering uprating the monoshock as the bike bottoms out over big dips with the added equipment and the stock item is just not really up to the task. Hagon will do a custom shock with stiff springs for around 300 pounds which is pretty good value. Again this would all be better-735214.jpg)
to find out when youre at home rather than away.
4. Go away for a weekend to test out all your equipment and find out what you do and dont need, how it packs up etc. I took loads of stuff I never use or was simply a luxury thats not needed. Most of which Ive simply sent home. The weight will very quickly add up with only the basic requirements and put more stress on your bike
5. Take it easy, theres no rush.
6. At borders
, expect to be hassled by touts, fixers, officials, people asking for tips, documents etc. Make sure youve got everything in order and at your fingertips before you hit the border. Only give over your documents to an official, anyone else is simply wanting a payment. Keep calm, patient and wait, it will all eventually get sorted hopefully without bribes or tips but a few hassles.
7. When you hit major cities, keep your wits about you, driving is nothing like youve ever experienced in Europe. Just keep calm but confident, dont ride like a macho fool, but ride with assertion. Always look over your shoulders as drivers dont care where youre going and arent going to stop for you. I nearly got killed turning across the road when a driver overtook me. Youve been warned.
8. Keep an eye on your kit when your stopped anywhere like borders etc. Or simply put your valuables in your jacket and forget it. But dont get paranoid about this or it will simply put you ill at ease. use your gut instinct about security.
9. Remeber if anything goes wrong its not the end of the world and as long as youre ok any parts can be shipped, document got, welding done etc etc. Dont panic it just might not
get done as quick.
10. Remain calm and trust that its meant to be the way it is and it will all work out as it should in the end.
11. The little coleman petrol stoves are an absolute must. No hassle about fuel, just get it from the bike and they cook things in seconds. The best!
12. Expect shitty fuel in places. Morocco was terrible I thought there was something seriously wrong with the bike, but it seems it was probably just crap fuel.
13. Make sure you have the tools to fix your bike and do regular checks to make sure alls good. Follow the service shedule for oil changes etc. I change mine every 2000 miles but you could do this more frequently if you wish.
14. Im not that taken with the K and Filters I think theyre ok in europe, but once you get into the desert and the dust theyre quickly clogged up and where do you get K and N oil in africa or Pakistan. Get a foam one thats easily washed and oiled.
15. Garmin GPS unit is probably a big help across Asia. Im considering getting one. A Quest or similar will do.
16. Dont
buy expensive gel pads for your seat. Mine melted in the Moroccan desert, scorched my arse when I sat on it and went solid hard, a waste of money. My bike is now half sheep half bike with a sheepskin rug on it.
17. Get a list of your bike dealers in major cities across the world before you set off and have contact with a dealer in the uk who will send out spares to wherever you are.
18. There seems to be lots of talk about using enduro style motorcycles, but as far as I can tell, unless you plan to go really out of the way theres no reason why you cant use a decent road bike, or anythin
g for that matter and the ride will be a whole load easier. I'll probably be eating my words later but from the research Ive done most of my route seems easily done on a road bike.
19. Its my firm belief that taking an older shittier bike is a good idea. Just make sure its all mechanically sound before you set off. Heres the benefits, older bikes are simpler to maintain, dont have any fancy gubbins to go wrong, are cheap on you wallet when it comes to carnets, its not the end of the world if something breaks, you can get cheap spares and if you drop it you just pick it up again and dont cry about the dent in the grands worth of tank.
BUYING AND RUNNING ROYAL ENFIELDS IN INDIA
1. Firstly and most importantly be aware that peole will try to sell you any old pile of crap as solid and relaible and also at vastly inflated prices. If youre interested in a bike cut the price by at least a third and see the guys reaction.
2. Dont buy the first bike you set eyes on, see as many bikes as time will allow. This will give you an idea and feel for prices and conditions. If you have the chance go to different towns and try places away from tourist hot spots as the people are friendlier and the prices lower.
3. Do
check the bike over thouroughly. Do not take the sellers word for anything! People have tried to sell me bikes with shot valve trains, bent forks, cut and welded frames, you name it. Check it over thouroughly and listen to none of the patter. You have been warned!"
4. Rattly tappets is fairly normal, its a fault with these bikes and easily fixed with a couple of new timing cam sprockets costing about £15 if you do it yourself.
5.You should be able to just about stand on the kick start if you cant and it falls easily the compression is down and will need new rings.
6. Fork seals are poor on these, but cheap to replace 19p!
7. If a mechanic is telling you he's fitted all these new parts etc, be aware that they cost peanuts. For example a clutch kit costs £1.20 and new drum and sprocket £4, chain set £12 oil filter 20p air filter 40p. Mirrors £1. You get the idea. Just because it has new parts doesnt mean the price should be through the roof.
8.Mec-790263.jpg)
hanical work also costs peanuts, I saw a guy have a clutch fitted, oil changed, and fork seals replaced for the pricey sum of £10. So bear that in mind.
9. Take no notice of the mileage its usually been disconnected, take more notice of the sound of the engine, the compression and the tyres and chain as these are expensive items.
10. Take it for a ride. If possible for at least 10 minutes, check the brakes, the clutch the pickup of the engine etc. Also listen up for rattly primary chain on decending hills with no power, best heard in first on steep hills. Get it adjusted by seller, its easy and not expensive
11. Check to see if it has a split electrical system. I.e 4 wires coming out from the alternator. This vastly improves battery life and lighting etc.
12. Disc brakes are a bonus but rare.
13. Parts for the 535 lightning can be expensive as theyre european made and i-793858.jpg)
mported.
14. Racks should cost you 1000-2000 IRP, haggle. Try to get them fitted into the price.
15. Buy some tools and learn mechanics! These are simple to fix, parts are cheap,tools are cheap and if you mess it up you can just drop it in to a mechanic for next to nothing.
16. Carry some spares with you. Coil, points, condenser, some wire, cables, puncture kit and levers. especially important in remote areas of Ladakh and hill areas. A petrol can is handy too.
17. Dont overload your racks, the subframe is weak and flimsy.
18. Dont ride without a helmet! These are cheap around 1500 IRP and could save your life. Get a good jacket and some good jeans.
19. Be prepared to fall off, the roads and driving here are hellish. You are small fry on a motorcycle so be careful.
20. Heres an online bike
manual. http://workshopmanual.tripod.com/
21. Make sure you get all the documentation you can. You should have, bike registration documents, forms 29 and 30 transfer docs, emissions certificate, insurance certificate, sales receipt, a no objections certificate, and an affidavit to say the bike is now your responsibility. In theory this is what you should have, however you can get away without transfering the document and the NOC with the affidavit. But you best prepare yourself for fines and bribes with the law.
22. Try to buy a bike thats registered in the state you buy it in. This makes transferal of documents easier. If it has out of state plates make sure it has an NOC certifcate which allows you to reregister anywhere. If it has no NOC you will have to go back to the place it was registered to get your documents. Most foriegners dont bother and just get an affidavit. Its your call.
23. Enjoy plodding around India avoiding holy cows, squashed monkeys, maniacal lorry drivers and seeing amazing and beautiful things.....ENJOY! If you get stuck email me from my email pages for advice.
1. After youve prepared your bike, take
it for a serious test ride, ride it over all kinds of roads including terrible terrain to test the strength of your luggage racks and the durability of your equipment. Its no use having equipment thats fine on motorways thats going to break at the fist bump in the road. My racks broke going over terrible dips and potholes in tarmac in Morocco, and my shocker spring broke with an overloaded bike a few years ago in Belgium. Test it!2. When youre packing the bike, think about the weight. All the added weight puts added strain on the suspension and the frame and the engine and just about every element of the bike. Which either reduces efficiency, breaks or wears quicker. Take only whats necessary and then send back what you realised wasnt necessary at all.
3. Once youve got your bike loaded, see how your bike fairs with all the weight. Im considering uprating the monoshock as the bike bottoms out over big dips with the added equipment and the stock item is just not really up to the task. Hagon will do a custom shock with stiff springs for around 300 pounds which is pretty good value. Again this would all be better
-735626.jpg)
to find out when youre at home rather than away.4. Go away for a weekend to test out all your equipment and find out what you do and dont need, how it packs up etc. I took loads of stuff I never use or was simply a luxury thats not needed. Most of which Ive simply sent home. The weight will very quickly add up with only the basic requirements and put more stress on your bike
5. Take it easy, theres no rush.
6. At borders
, expect to be hassled by touts, fixers, officials, people asking for tips, documents etc. Make sure youve got everything in order and at your fingertips before you hit the border. Only give over your documents to an official, anyone else is simply wanting a payment. Keep calm, patient and wait, it will all eventually get sorted hopefully without bribes or tips but a few hassles.7. When you hit major cities, keep your wits about you, driving is nothing like youve ever experienced in Europe. Just keep calm but confident, dont ride like a macho fool, but ride with assertion. Always look over your shoulders as drivers dont care where youre going and arent going to stop for you. I nearly got killed turning across the road when a driver overtook me. Youve been warned.
8. Keep an eye on your kit when your stopped anywhere like borders etc. Or simply put your valuables in your jacket and forget it. But dont get paranoid about this or it will simply put you ill at ease. use your gut instinct about security.
9. Remeber if anything goes wrong its not the end of the world and as long as youre ok any parts can be shipped, document got, welding done etc etc. Dont panic it just might not
get done as quick.10. Remain calm and trust that its meant to be the way it is and it will all work out as it should in the end.
11. The little coleman petrol stoves are an absolute must. No hassle about fuel, just get it from the bike and they cook things in seconds. The best!
12. Expect shitty fuel in places. Morocco was terrible I thought there was something seriously wrong with the bike, but it seems it was probably just crap fuel.
13. Make sure you have the tools to fix your bike and do regular checks to make sure alls good. Follow the service shedule for oil changes etc. I change mine every 2000 miles but you could do this more frequently if you wish.
14. Im not that taken with the K and Filters I think theyre ok in europe, but once you get into the desert and the dust theyre quickly clogged up and where do you get K and N oil in africa or Pakistan. Get a foam one thats easily washed and oiled.
15. Garmin GPS unit is probably a big help across Asia. Im considering getting one. A Quest or similar will do.
16. Dont
buy expensive gel pads for your seat. Mine melted in the Moroccan desert, scorched my arse when I sat on it and went solid hard, a waste of money. My bike is now half sheep half bike with a sheepskin rug on it. 17. Get a list of your bike dealers in major cities across the world before you set off and have contact with a dealer in the uk who will send out spares to wherever you are.
18. There seems to be lots of talk about using enduro style motorcycles, but as far as I can tell, unless you plan to go really out of the way theres no reason why you cant use a decent road bike, or anythin
g for that matter and the ride will be a whole load easier. I'll probably be eating my words later but from the research Ive done most of my route seems easily done on a road bike.19. Its my firm belief that taking an older shittier bike is a good idea. Just make sure its all mechanically sound before you set off. Heres the benefits, older bikes are simpler to maintain, dont have any fancy gubbins to go wrong, are cheap on you wallet when it comes to carnets, its not the end of the world if something breaks, you can get cheap spares and if you drop it you just pick it up again and dont cry about the dent in the grands worth of tank.
BUYING AND RUNNING ROYAL ENFIELDS IN INDIA
1. Firstly and most importantly be aware that peole will try to sell you any old pile of crap as solid and relaible and also at vastly inflated prices. If youre interested in a bike cut the price by at least a third and see the guys reaction.
2. Dont buy the first bike you set eyes on, see as many bikes as time will allow. This will give you an idea and feel for prices and conditions. If you have the chance go to different towns and try places away from tourist hot spots as the people are friendlier and the prices lower.
3. Do
check the bike over thouroughly. Do not take the sellers word for anything! People have tried to sell me bikes with shot valve trains, bent forks, cut and welded frames, you name it. Check it over thouroughly and listen to none of the patter. You have been warned!"4. Rattly tappets is fairly normal, its a fault with these bikes and easily fixed with a couple of new timing cam sprockets costing about £15 if you do it yourself.
5.You should be able to just about stand on the kick start if you cant and it falls easily the compression is down and will need new rings.
6. Fork seals are poor on these, but cheap to replace 19p!
7. If a mechanic is telling you he's fitted all these new parts etc, be aware that they cost peanuts. For example a clutch kit costs £1.20 and new drum and sprocket £4, chain set £12 oil filter 20p air filter 40p. Mirrors £1. You get the idea. Just because it has new parts doesnt mean the price should be through the roof.
8.Mec
-790611.jpg)
hanical work also costs peanuts, I saw a guy have a clutch fitted, oil changed, and fork seals replaced for the pricey sum of £10. So bear that in mind.9. Take no notice of the mileage its usually been disconnected, take more notice of the sound of the engine, the compression and the tyres and chain as these are expensive items.
10. Take it for a ride. If possible for at least 10 minutes, check the brakes, the clutch the pickup of the engine etc. Also listen up for rattly primary chain on decending hills with no power, best heard in first on steep hills. Get it adjusted by seller, its easy and not expensive
11. Check to see if it has a split electrical system. I.e 4 wires coming out from the alternator. This vastly improves battery life and lighting etc.
12. Disc brakes are a bonus but rare.
13. Parts for the 535 lightning can be expensive as theyre european made and i
-794086.jpg)
mported.14. Racks should cost you 1000-2000 IRP, haggle. Try to get them fitted into the price.
15. Buy some tools and learn mechanics! These are simple to fix, parts are cheap,tools are cheap and if you mess it up you can just drop it in to a mechanic for next to nothing.
16. Carry some spares with you. Coil, points, condenser, some wire, cables, puncture kit and levers. especially important in remote areas of Ladakh and hill areas. A petrol can is handy too.
17. Dont overload your racks, the subframe is weak and flimsy.
18. Dont ride without a helmet! These are cheap around 1500 IRP and could save your life. Get a good jacket and some good jeans.
19. Be prepared to fall off, the roads and driving here are hellish. You are small fry on a motorcycle so be careful.
20. Heres an online bike
manual. http://workshopmanual.tripod.com/21. Make sure you get all the documentation you can. You should have, bike registration documents, forms 29 and 30 transfer docs, emissions certificate, insurance certificate, sales receipt, a no objections certificate, and an affidavit to say the bike is now your responsibility. In theory this is what you should have, however you can get away without transfering the document and the NOC with the affidavit. But you best prepare yourself for fines and bribes with the law.
22. Try to buy a bike thats registered in the state you buy it in. This makes transferal of documents easier. If it has out of state plates make sure it has an NOC certifcate which allows you to reregister anywhere. If it has no NOC you will have to go back to the place it was registered to get your documents. Most foriegners dont bother and just get an affidavit. Its your call.
23. Enjoy plodding around India avoiding holy cows, squashed monkeys, maniacal lorry drivers and seeing amazing and beautiful things.....ENJOY! If you get stuck email me from my email pages for advice.
