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January 14, 2023January 14, 2023

Is Solo Motorcycle Touring The Best? Pros and Cons

Freedom, wind and peace. These words have deeper meanings and emotions attached to them when it comes to solo motorcycle touring.

While one might argue that solo touring is better than group touring, here are a few pros and cons to solo motorcycle touring.

Pros of solo motorcycle touring

1. Freedom

Freedom is the biggest perk to touring solo on a bike. You get to set your timelines, schedules, and itineraries and make impulsive decisions to feed your adventure needs on the go. You can relax and take break days when you feel tired without worrying about dragging anyone behind.

2. Making new connections

You mostly tend to stay in your group when you ride as a group. While you ride solo, you will be forced to interact with strangers for help or companionship. This opens up a new world of socialisation even to the shyest introverts.

You will get to meet people, be a part of their group, learn about new cultures, listen to stories and the list goes on. It’s a surreal experience.

3. Enjoy moments at your own pace

This goes out for all the introverted and shy folks like me. When you tour alone, you can stop at every sight that moves you and get emotional without feeling embarrassed.

When you are one with nature and with no one around, you can smile, sing, dance or even cry without fearing judgment. That’s something every solo motorcycle trip promises to offer.

Cons of solo motorcycle touring

1. Safety risk

Solo riders are more vulnerable than group riders. Often solo camping and riding in remote locations come with their fair share of the risk of being confronted by animals or humans.

Avoiding riding in the dark and riding in remote locations with proper communication and navigation equipment are some of the ways to mitigate the risk involved. Moreover having each other’s back in case of any health or motorcycle emergency is a big plus point of riding with a group.

2. Expensive

Solo rides tend to be more expensive. Often you’ll get only double bedded rooms to stay in and will have to pay two person charges. The same goes for tickets to tourist attractions, fuel, food and public transportation tickets.

3. Loneliness

At times riding long hours on the highway can get boring. Loneliness hits at the least expected moments and you’ll wish you had somebody to talk to. Taking a break and calling someone back home can be refreshing in these moments.

With all that being said, choosing to travel solo or as a group boils down to personal preference after weighing the pros and cons. With my experience in riding alone, I would anytime choose to travel solo because of the unique experience you get.

I’d prefer riding with a group in remote locations such as Ladakh and on difficult off-road trails. The only way to know which would suit you better is to try both. Ride safe.

Check out the pros and cons of solo motorcycle touring in a video format here –

January 7, 2023January 7, 2023

8 Motorcycle Pillion Rider Tips for Safety And Comfort

Riding a pillion doesn’t reduce the safety risk in any way. Here are 8 pillion rider tips to follow to ensure maximum safety and comfort.

1. Wear full protective riding gear

Always be equipped with the full riding gear as the rider. Wear an appropriate helmet, jacket, pants, boots and gloves. Never neglect the importance of proper riding gear for the pillion as the chances of the pillion getting hurt in the event of a fall are almost equal to the rider.

2. Use a pillion backrest

Fix an aftermarket backrest on your bike. This goes a long way in ensuring maximum comfort for the pillion rider.

3. Never let your hands be free

Pillion riders should always have at least one of their hand holding onto the grab rail at all times. Never let your both hands be free as you never know when the rider intends to brake or accelerate.

4. Keep your thighs close to the seat

Never let your legs sway away from the bike. This is will lead to unnecessary wind resistance and loss of balance. Keep your thighs close to the seat.

5. Never try to steer the motorcycle

Often the first instinct for pillion riders, when they see the oncoming traffic at a fast pace, would be to use his/her body weight to try and steer the bike to the opposite side. This is dangerous.

Trust the rider and keep yourself rigid to maintain the balance and thus make it easier for the rider to steer and control.

6. Never distract the rider

As tempting as it is to show the rider the unexpected sights you see on the side, it comes at a great cost to safety. The rider should always focus on the road and the immediate roadside.

If you have something to bring his/her attention to, signal him to slow down or stop the bike first.

7. Use helmet mounted Bluetooth intercoms for communication

Maintaining communication with the rider is vital. The rider has to be kept engaged so that he/she doesn’t dose off on long highway hauls. Do not try to talk through the helmet while riding. The wind noise makes it difficult to both speak and hear. Use helmet-mounted Bluetooth intercoms for communication.

8. Practice!

Practice riding pillion for short distances before you take on long highway hauls. Pillion riders tend to fatigue faster as they receive more impact of the road and have less seating real estate. So practice riding short distances first to get comfortable with the rider and the bike.

Pillion riders can also have a good time on a motorcycle without compromising safety. Never neglect the importance of gears and practice for the best safety and comfort. Follow these pillion rider tips and enjoy your long highway hauls.

Check out this article in a video below –

October 22, 2022October 22, 2022

6 good practices for a motorcycle rider / 6 motorcycle riding tips

Motorcycling is an art. Every form of art requires good practice to improve and become better at it day by day.

With the safety of the rider being the ulterior motive, here are the 6 best motorcycle riding tips for beginners and experts alike. Keep these motorcycle riding tips in mind for your short and long journeys alike.

1. Check the basic functions of your motorcycle every day

Turn on all the indicators and lights, sound the horn, check the chain slack, inspect the tyres, inspect the oil levels, start the engine, and look for any abnormal noises. An issue caught at the moment of inspection can avert a major disaster while you are on the journey.

2. Start your day’s journey early in the morning

I make it a point to start my ride at the break of dawn and end by sunset. This practice gives good legroom for any delay that can occur in between due to your ill health or your bike’s ill health. Also, it avoids all the dangers of riding in the dark.

3. Take frequent breaks, stretch and hydrate

The long monotonous highway riding tires your body faster than you know. Taking a 5 – 10 minute break for every 1 – 2 hour ride can relax all the tense muscles and recharge you to continue your ride. Do some basic stretches and hydrate yourself well. Know more about diet and exercise you can follow while travelling here.

4. Have frequent meals and in small quantities

Heavy meals can make you feel sleepy. Try to eat in small quantities whenever you take a break and keep the heavy meals at the end of a day’s journey.

Another practice to avoid sleepiness during the day is to make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep prior to your journey. Read more on that here.

5. Plan every move of your trip ahead of time

Although as exciting as it sounds to make impulse decisions on the go, practically this can wear you down faster and expose you to risky situations.

Every move might not go according to plan either but the ones that do, open up even more possibilities of unplanned excitement with much less risk involved.

6. Know the basic repairs of your motorcycle

Small punctures can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere and a lack of mechanics around can leave you with a minor cable issue making your journey to a dead halt.

Here are the basic repairs you should know and what spares to carry on your next trip.

Avoid unnecessary complications and enjoy your trip to the fullest with these tips for motorcycle riders. As always good practices will keep you going long and strong throughout your journey.

October 15, 2022October 15, 2022

Staying Fit While Travelling – Diet, Workout and Sleep Tips

how to stay fit while travelling diet workout and other tips to stay healthy while on vacation

Travel comes with its own share of compromises on a lifestyle routine. Eating habits, workouts and sleep routines get disturbed by ever-changing vacation plans.

While it’s difficult to work out while on vacation or eat healthy food while travelling, it’s not impossible to be fit while travelling if you follow a few tips to keep routines in balance.

What should you eat while travelling?

Keeping your diet in check forms the base of the fitness pyramid. It’s easy to lose track of your calorie intake while you are on vacation. Giving in to your cravings can make you take a few steps back on your fitness journey.

Here are a few things you can do to minimise the effect of travel on your diet.

As always, eat whole foods. Healthy meals while travelling include 2/3rd of the plate of a lean protein source (grilled or baked chicken, beef, tofu, eggs) with adequate amounts of vegetables and fruits and the rest 1/3rd of the plate can be a complex carbohydrate source (potato, rice, dry rotis).
Avoid high sugar and fat-containing food products like pastries and fried snacks. They add up unnecessary calories and won’t fill you too.
Eat in small quantities frequently as this helps keep your hunger in check and won’t make you sleepy while travelling as would be the case with a heavy meal. My go-to snack is all-natural peanut butter and whole wheat bread that I always store in my tank bag.
Hydrate yourself well. Don’t let the fear of not having clean toilet access deter you from hydrating yourself well. Take frequent toilet breaks as this helps in refreshing you to continue driving down the road.
Make sure you have your meals from relatively hygienic eat-outs although you cannot ensure cleanliness every time. Avoid street food stalls and cheap local eateries. They might be easy on your pocket but can cost your health big time.

How to workout while on vacation?

What if I told you that you carry a gym with you every day? Yes, your body is your gym. Callisthenics and body weight exercises are your best bet workout while on vacation.

Here’s a simple 1-hour travel workout routine I follow in my hotel room after/before a day’s travel.

Whole body workout while travelling

Warmup & dynamic stretches
Pushup – 3 sets till failure
Pull-up – 3 sets till failure
Lying leg raise – 3 sets till failure
Ab crunches – 3 sets till failure
Pistol squats – 3 sets till failure
Sliding leg curls – 3 sets till failure
Static stretches

Mix, match and improvise any variations of these exercises according to your liking. The goal is to keep your muscle stimulus active until you hit the gym back home. If you get access to a hotel gym, make use of it!

Don’t lose your sleep during vacation

Never lose your sleep while travelling, especially if you are driving/riding. I’ve seen and heard people crashing because they dozed off on the road. In many cases, they haven’t gotten enough sleep the previous night.

Heavily relying on coffee to keep you awake while driving/riding isn’t a foolproof method to get you through long distances. Make sure you get at least 7 – 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep in the nights before your drive/ride.

Postpone your ride/drive if you’ve had a night of partying or staying up late due to any circumstance. Never push your body beyond its limits or it’ll sure give up in the least expected moment.

Never let travel hinder or slow down your fitness routines and goals. Instead, let your vacation be a break your mind and body deserve without compromising the fitness gains you’ve achieved so far. Follow these tips and stay fit while travelling.

Watch this article summed up in a video here –

October 1, 2022October 15, 2022

Which Motorcycle Should I Buy? – Types Of Motorcycles

There are varieties of motorcycles in the Indian market to choose from. Which motorcycle should I buy? Based on your needs, there are motorcycles that can do one job perfectly and there are others who can do a bit of everything.

I will broadly classify the types of motorbikes and their primary mode of function or use so that you’ll get an answer to ‘Which motorcycle should I buy?’

Types of motorcycles available on the Indian market.

City Commuters

City commuters are generally 100 – 150cc scooters and bikes that are just powerful and comfortable enough for city rides. They are usually lightweight, have an upright seating posture and are easy to manoeuvre in city traffic. Eg Activa, Splendor.

Naked Street Bikes

Bikes with exposed engines and surroundings with a bit of sporty aggression are common in our streets. They are good for city commutes as well as short-distance highway touring. They have larger capacity engines ranging from 150 to even 1000cc ones. Dukes, Pulsars.

Cruisers

Perhaps motorcycles with the most upright seating ergonomics, cruisers are meant for long-distance highway touring. Their wide and tall handlebars, plush seats and forward-placed foot pegs make long highway hauls easy. They can be a bit difficult on city roads due to their heavy weight but are still manageable. Eg Classic, Meteor, Avenger.

Sports Tourers

Resembling a sports bike, they have the most aggressive seating ergonomics in the group. They are meant to go fast on the highways owing to their aerodynamic design. Sports tourers are difficult for city commutes due to their wider turning radius and low ground clearance. eg R15, RCs, Gixer SFs

Dirt Bikes

Although not very common on Indian roads, dirt bikes are the most suitable ones. Their long travel suspension, larger radius tyres and better low-end torque offer great advantages in riding harsh off-road terrain. New models are coming up on the market as these bikes have gained popularity over the years. eg Xpulse with rally kit, Impulse.

Dual purpose ADVs

ADV bikes offer the best of both worlds – cruisers and dirt bikes. The upright seating ergonomics and long travel suspension offer great highway touring and moderate off-road riding capabilities. Their popularity has skyrocketed in the Indian market over the past decade due to their versatility. eg Himalayan, KTM ADVs

There are many more types of motorcycles that ply on our roads. A few examples would be scramblers, roadsters, retro bikes, bobbers, and so on. These ones are not very common and their functionality can be attributed to one of the above-mentioned ones.

Which motorcycle should I buy?

When deciding which motorcycle to buy you should ask yourself which functionality I use the most in my daily life. Is it city commuting, long-distance touring or even dirt racing? Find a motorcycle type that fits your need overall. This can help you narrow down your available choices and thus make your decision faster.

Watch the article summed up in a video here

August 6, 2022September 18, 2022

3 Best Monsoon Riding Tips To Make Your Ride In The Rain, Safer

Monsoon riding is a different feel altogether for riders. The long western ghat routes to the beach routes during the monsoon are simply a joy to ride on. And to top it all off, is the highway chai!

I’m sure everyone reading this would be imagining their experience riding during the monsoon. If you haven’t already, it’s high time you experience it.

As good as it sounds, monsoon riding is risky compared to any other day. The roads are wet, visibility is low and it can get cold and uncomfortable. I’ll share with you 3 best monsoon riding tips to make your ride in the rain, safer.

1. Tools & Gear: Using adequate rain gear

Assuming that you have proper riding gear, you must use adequate rain gear to keep your riding gear dry. I use Decathlon’s Rain jacket and pants that are a size larger than my riding gear so that it fits fine. They are very durable, high quality and cheap too.

It’s good to have a pair of shoe covers as well even if your shoes are waterproof. You can get one from amazon for a good price.

Buy it here!

Normally I don’t use riding gloves while it’s raining but it’s recommended to use gloves even when it rains. You can get waterproof gloves or use waterproof hiking gloves from Decathlon over your riding gloves.

Coming to the helmet, it’s good to have a pin lock visor to prevent fogging. I’ve never used hydrophobic coatings on the visor but If anyone of you have tried it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

You can check out all my riding gear here – https://bulletstrings.com/motorcycle-riding-gear-review/

2. Preparation is Prevention: How to prepare your motorcycle for the monsoon ride

Your motorcycle needs its fair share of preparations when it comes to monsoon riding. Start with the tyres. Your tyre grip matters a lot in wet conditions to provide you with better stability and braking. If your tyres are nearly worn, change them before your monsoon ride.

The chain will need frequent cleaning and lubrication due to its exposure to slush and muck. And so I advise that carry all the tools needed for chain maintenance when you head out during the monsoon.

Braking performance also tends to be low while riding in the rain. Be sure to replace your brake pads a little before its usual schedule.

Overall keep your motorcycle in good health. Get a thorough check-up done before a monsoon ride and get it serviced if that’s due. Keep a spare set of cables, fuses and fluids just in case.

3. Safety Visibility and Responsibility: Precautions for a responsible trip.

Last but not the least are the steps you need to take as a responsible rider to enjoy your monsoon ride

Since the visibility is generally poor due to the rain or fog, drive slower than you would normally do on a sunny day. 20-30 kmph slower than your average would be ideal. That’ll give you more confidence in both braking and acceleration.

Make yourself visible. Four wheeler drivers tend to miss riders in oncoming traffic due to the general low visibility and due to smaller sizes of bikes compared to cars or trucks. So it becomes our responsibility to make our presence known. Use indicators, always have the headlamps on and sound horn around the corners or before overtaking.

In general, take frequent breaks, hydrate yourself well and get a good night’s sleep before you head out.

PRO TIP

Check the weather online before you head out. Take another route or wait another day if there are alerts of bad weather.

You can watch the entire best monsoon riding tips summed up in a video here –

Check out my post on all the motorcycle accessories that failed – https://bulletstrings.com/5-motorcycle-accessories-that-failed/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it okay to ride bike in rain?

It’s safe to ride bike in rain provided you take necessary precautions and wear adequate gear as mentioned above.

Is riding a motorcycle in the rain hard?

Riding a motorcycle in the rain is difficult compared to riding in dry weather condition. However with necessary precautions and gear, riding in the rain can be fun!

How do you stay dry while riding a motorcycle in the rain?

By using rain jacket and pant over your riding gear, using a waterproof show cover over your boots, full face helmet and waterproof gloves over your riding gloves, you can stay dry while riding a motorcycle in rain even for long hours.

Will my bike rust if I ride it in the rain?

Exposed metal parts on your bike are prone to rusting if you don’t wipe your bike dry after a ride in the rain or if it is parked in an area exposed to rain.

Should I dry my bike after rain?

It’s ideal to wash and wipe your bike dry after riding in the rain to reduce chances of rusting of exposed metal parts.

July 23, 2022September 2, 2022

Motul 15W 50 Semi Synthetic Engine Oil Review

My review of Motul 15W 50 semi synthetic engine oil for Himalayan

At 20000 km service of my RE Himalayan, I decided to change the engine oil myself and use the highly praised Motul 15W 50 Semi synthetic engine oil. After 4000 kms of riding, here’s my honest opinion of the oil. Spoilers – It’s good, not great.

Pros of Motul 15W 50 Semi Synthetic Engine Oil

There are 2 main pros I noticed with Motul 15W 50 Semi Synthetic Engine oil compared to the RE’s liquid gun engine oil.

1. Better engine heat management

The engine heat noticeably reduced with Motul’s engine oil. I rode the same stretch in Bangalore’s bumper to bumper traffic with the stock oil and Motul’s oil while wearing shorts.

The engine heat in traffic reduced to a point where it was not severely uncomfortable anymore but manageable. It’s not something very significant but helpful in daily commute.

2. Easier gear shifts

The usual clunky and hard gear shifts became slicker and smoother with Motul’s oil. Again it doesn’t make a world of a difference but it’s definitely noticeable and enjoyable. Anything that reduces the Himalayan’s notoriously difficult gear shifts are a welcome.

Cons of Motul 15W 50 Semi Synthetic Engine Oil

Now here are 2 main cons I thought of Motul 15W 50 Semi Synthetic Engine oil compared to the RE’s liquid gun engine oil.

1. Lower oil life

RE’s liquid gun performs well upto 7000 km after which the engine starts showing signs of burnt out oil. With Motul, it starts at 4000 km. Even though it outperforms the liquid gun, it wears faster.

2. Higher cost

Oil change with Liquid gun costs around 800 rs at the service center. Motul comes in 1L bottles of which each costs near to 600 rs and you’ll need 2 bottles at once.

Conclusion

Motul 15W 50 semi synthetic oil is better than RE Liquid in terms of engine cooling and gear shifts. It lacks the life of Liquid gun oil. There’s no other added benefits in performance or maintenance.

If you are someone who changes oil every 5000 km and is willing to spend few extra bucks, go for the Motul. If you want the maximum life out of the oil and don’t care about the better performance, stick to the Liquid gun oil.

As for me, I’d go with Motul from now on. Watch the video review below.

Watch and learn how to change the engine oil of the RE Himalayan below

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Motul 5100 15w50 fully synthetic?

Motul 15w 50 5100 engine oil is semi synthetic.

How long does Motul oil last?

Motul 15w 50 5100 engine oil lasts around 4000 Kms in the RE Himalayan.

Which engine oil is used in Royal Enfield?

15W 50 Semi synthetic engine oils are recommended for most of the Royal Enfield motorcycles including the Himalayan.

Can we use 20w50 instead of 15w50?

Yes you can use 20w 50 instead of 15w50 but it’s better to follow the company recommended grade for better life of the engine.

Can I use 15w40 instead of 15w50?

It’s ideal not to use 15W 40 in place of 15W 50 as the former is not good for high performance or high heat generating engines as it is less viscous than the latter.

July 16, 2022September 2, 2022

5 Motorcycle Accessories That Failed

Not all advertised fancy motorcycle accessories or mods in the market make life easier on two wheels. Along with a collection of really good motorcycle accessories I’ve used, I’ve had a few ones that failed and didn’t serve the purpose.

1. Pro spec EZ clutch cable

EZ clutch by Pros spec is advertised as a means to reduce the clutch lever action by more than 50%. Yes it reduces the clutch action but it comes at a great cost of not completely engaging / disengaging the clutch. It makes gear shifts harder, revs up the engine too much and a bit of power is lost. This is not just me but many Himalayan owners have testified the same and went back to the stock cable.

Pro spec makes high quality products and I myself use their EZ cruz, EZ ride and EZ tag products and they serve their purpose very well. Somehow the EZ clutch seems to miss the mark at what it promises.

2. Throttle rest

The throttle rest has never worked for me. I’ve tried 3 different company’s and all of them failed. The plastic is very brittle and breaks with very little force. It’s difficult to install on the handle without the risk of breaking it. The grip isn’t great to hold your palm’s weight too.

3. Formula X puncture sealant

I fell for all the advertisements and demo videos on youtube for Formula X tyre puncture sealant. To my amusement, I found a note with a long list of ‘ideal conditions’ for it to work. Nevertheless I installed and it failed on me at Pang where there was no puncture repair shop, no network coverage and little oxygen at 15000 feet above sea level!

All the sealant leaked through a very small nail puncture and it failed to seal the puncture. It made fixing the puncture difficult as we had to wash the entire tyre and tube off the sealant. I’ve come across many folks who had similar experiences with such sealants.

4. Stock crash guard of RE Himalayan

Stock crash guard of RE Himalayan is in my opinion the softest piece of metal after the handle bar. It bends on the softest impacts and on the strong ones, it doesn’t do anything to protect your motorcycle.

Get a 3 point mounting after market crash guard. The one I use can be found here along with all the accessories that I use on my RE Himalayan.

5. ResQ tec air pump

The air pumps that operate on battery power seem to give up after one or two times of use for many people. My ResQ tec air pump gave up on the second use in Ladakh!. I had to resort to a trusty old foot pump that did the job. In my opinion, it’s better to carry a foot pump rather than trusting these cheap battery operated pumps.

You can know more about all the accessories that made my life with the RE Himalayan easier here – https://bulletstrings.com/must-have-accessories-on-the-royal-enfield-himalayan/

Check out the summarised video of motorcycle accessories that failed, below

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you repair a puncture after using tyre sealant?

Puncture sealants work by sealing the puncture hole almost immediately. You cannot repair a non sealed hole with the tyre sealant.

What is the disadvantage of tire sealant?

Puncture sealants only seals small puncture holes in most depended areas of tire in ideal conditions mentioned by the manufacturer. Most of the time, it doesn’t work.

What’s the best alternative to stock crash guard in RE Himalayan?

HDT customs crash guard is the best alternative. It’s a lot sturdier than the stock crash guard of Himalayan and has a 3 point attachment.

July 9, 2022September 2, 2022

5 Basic motorcycle repairs you must know before your Ladakh trip

5 basic motorcycle repairs you should know before your trip to Ladakh

Majority of the motorcycle owners never refer the user manual. It remains untouched in some cupboard in most of the households.

I’ve realised in a very hard way that user manuals are great help in learning basic motorcycle repairs and solving a majority of issues you come across in day to day life and during your long distance journeys.

I’ll suggest 5 basic motorcycle repairs that you must know before you venture out for any long distance highway touring or off-road sessions for those of you who don’t have the time and patience to go through the entire manual of the motorcycle.

1. Wheel removal and puncture repair

One small puncture can bring your trip to a standstill especially for those with tube tyres. I suffered a great deal in Pang at an altitude of 15000 feet and it took me 3 hours with the help of a local to fix it. I wish I knew prior.

You must go through the manual and practice removing and attaching your front and rear wheels at least once to get an idea in case of an emergency. Always carry a puncture kit with you and an inflator if possible.

2. Chain cleaning and lubrication

Drive chain will require cleaning and lubrication every 500 kms if not earlier when you are riding on off road terrain. Refer to the manual for a detailed explanation.

If you’d like to know more about the products I’ve found to be helpful, click here – https://bulletstrings.com/7-essential-motorcycle-care-products/

3. Clutch and brake lever free play adjustment & clutch wire and brake pad replacement

Clutch lever free play tends to become tight or loose as you drive more kms. So is the case with brake pads. You need to replace the break pads frequently when you are in for a long haul.

In case the clutch wire snaps, you’ll need to learn to replace and route the wire properly, all of which are explained in the manual.

4. Headlamp, fuse and spark plug replacement

You should carry a spare and you need to know how to replace them in case your headlight or any of the fuse blows off or if there’s something wrong with the spark plug. All these skills can come in handy not only in trips but also in saving a trip to the service centre.

5. Engine oil change

Knowing how to replace the engine oil is not a must as modern motorcycles don’t have oil leakage and require oil change less frequently. Knowing how to change the engine oil can help you skip periodic service centre visits. This skill will come in handy during trips that exceed the distance before the oil change.

To know what you should carry on your bike trip to Ladakh, read here – https://bulletstrings.com/what-to-carry-for-a-ladakh-trip-on-a-motorcycle/

To know how to change the engine oil of RE Himalayan, watch this video –

Watch the entire 5 Basic motorcycle repairs you must know before your Ladakh trip summed up in a video here –

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most important maintenance on a motorcycle?

Periodically checking the tyre pressure, oil levels and chain lubrication are the most important maintenance on a motorcycle.

How often should you change oil on motorcycle?

Engine oil changing interval varies from motorcycle to motorcycle. On average, it’s better to change engine oil every 7000 – 10000 Kms. Refer to your service manual for details.

Is WD 40 good for motorcycle?

WD 40 is an excellent product which can be used on a motorcycle for a wide variety of purposes like chain cleaning, lubing pivoting parts and keeping off rust from exposed metal parts and cables.

How often should you change air filter on motorcycle?

If the air filter is periodically cleaned and maintained well, it’ll need replacement every 20000 kms only. Refer your service manual for your bike’s specific intervals.

What all items should be included in a tube puncture kit?

Rubber patches, rubber glue, sand paper, tube valves and a tyre wrench should be present in a tube puncture kit.

July 2, 2022September 2, 2022

My itinerary for a bike trip to Ladakh and Kashmir

my 21 day itinerary of my bike trip to ladakh and kashmir

There isn’t a perfect itinerary for a bike trip to Ladakh and Kashmir that fits everyone’s need. Here’s the itinerary that worked out for me and hopefully you find a point or two to help you in shaping a perfect itinerary for yourself.

Itinerary can change at any point of the trip as the whole trip depends on your health, vehicle’s condition and weather. Even then it’s always better to have a plan in mind beforehand. This is the itinerary I followed on my bike trip to Ladakh and Kashmir in August 2021.

Check out the entire trip here

When to go to Ladakh & Kashmir?

The ideal time to visit Ladakh would be from end of May to mid September. Anytime later or before would be too cold for comfort and many places would be inaccessible due to heavy snowfall.

How to go to Ladakh & Kashmir?

There are many ways in which you could visit Ladakh. Flights to Ladakh followed by renting a motorcycle or car is the most common way of doing it.

Since I don’t have first hand information on such methods, this post would be directed towards motorcyclists / riders looking to travel to Ladakh on their motorcycles.

Where all to go in Ladakh & Kashmir?

Fitting all the tourist spots in a short period of time is a near to impossible task. There are a few places that you must include to have a good trip to Ladakh. I have included it in the following itinerary.

Itinerary of my bike trip to Ladakh & Kashmir

Day 1 – Bangalore to Hyderabad
Day 2 – Hyderabad to Nagpur
Day 3 – Nagpur to Jhansi
Day 4 – Jhansi to Delhi
Day 5 – Delhi to Manali
Day 6 – Rest day in Manali. Serviced my bike too.
Day 7 – Manali to Pang
Day 8 – Pang to Leh
Day 9 & 10 – Rest days in Leh to acclimatise. Got my bike serviced too.
Day 11 – Leh to Hunder via Khardung La
Day 12 – Visit to Turtuk (highly recommended)
Day 13 – Hunder to Pangong Tso
Day 14 – Pangong Tso to Leh
Day 15 – Leh to Drass
Day 16 – Drass to Srinagar (highly recommended to camp a day at Sonmarg)
Day 17 – Srinagar to Amristar
Day 18 – Amristar to Delhi
Day 19, 20 & 21- Delhi to Bangalore by train along with bike

Places I wish I could visit

Tso Moriri
Hanle
Umling La
Puga valley
Zanskar valley

To see what all to pack for your motorcycle trip to Ladakh, see here – https://bulletstrings.com/what-to-carry-for-a-ladakh-trip-on-a-motorcycle/

To see how much would it cost you a motorcycle trip to Ladakh, see here – https://bulletstrings.com/how-expensive-is-a-ladakh-trip-on-a-motorcycle-budget-for-ladakh-bike-trip/

Worried about Acute Mountain Sickness? Know everything about AMS before your trip to Ladakh – https://bulletstrings.com/acute-mountain-sickness/

To see this post in a detailed video format and to know the story behind my itinerary, see below

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does Ladakh bike trip cost?

For a beginner rider without any gear looking to travel to Ladakh on their motorcycle, it’d cost around 110000 INR. For a seasoned rider with most of the riding gears, it’d cost around 80000 INR. Check out a detailed budget of a bike trip to Ladakh, here – https://bulletstrings.com/how-expensive-is-a-ladakh-trip-on-a-motorcycle-budget-for-ladakh-bike-trip/

How many days will it take to Ladakh by bike?

7-10 days is sufficient to cover all the major tourist spots in Ladakh region. For a detailed itinerary of a bike trip to Ladakh, check this article – https://bulletstrings.com/itinerary-for-a-bike-trip-to-ladakh-and-kashmir/

How can I plan my Ladakh by bike?

First, make a list of all the tourists destinations in Ladakh you would like to visit. Make a detailed itinerary which includes enough rest days and buffer days. Follow the page above for a detailed itinerary of a bike trip to Ladakh.

Which month is best for Ladakh by bike?

The ideal time to visit Ladakh would be from end of May to mid September. Anytime later or before would be too cold for comfort and many places would be inaccessible due to heavy snowfall.

How can I prepare my body for Leh?

Spend 24-48 hours at the lowest point of your planned ascend to acclimatise. Do not ascend more than 4000 ft per day. Drink lots of water, eat healthy and sleep well. To know more about AMS, go here – https://bulletstrings.com/acute-mountain-sickness/