Practical guides for riders: when to go, where to ride and what to expect.
Quick answer: Riding in India carries real risks, mostly from traffic, speed, missing helmets, weather and remote mountain roads. You can reduce them by riding with a guided group, wearing a BIS-certified helmet and proper gear, following Indian road rules and telling your tour leader about any problem immediately. No ride is risk-free.
Quick answer: To plan a motorcycle trip to India from abroad, get an e-Tourist Visa online at least four days before you arrive, complete the free e-Arrival Card within 72 hours of landing, and bring your home licence and International Driving Permit. Arrange travel insurance, carry some cash, and pack waterproof riding gear.
Quick answer: The best motorcycle tour in India for a foreign rider depends on the season and the challenge you want. Ride the Himalayas from June to September, Rajasthan from November to February, the Western Ghats from October to March, and Arunachal Pradesh in April to June or October to November. India Loves To Ride (ILTR) guided tours run 11 to 14 days and start from about US$1,400.
Quick answer: India Loves To Ride (ILTR) runs multi-day motorcycle tours to Spiti, Ladakh, Mustang and the North East, and arranges customised tours on request. Motorcycles are usually included on customised tours. You can also bring your own, if you can reach the starting city a day before the ride.
Quick answer: India Loves To Ride (ILTR) weekend getaways are group motorcycle rides of usually 3 to 4 days, covering about 500 to 800 km in total. Most riders bring their own motorcycles, and ILTR can arrange a rental on request, at an extra charge that depends on the motorcycle type.
Quick answer: India Loves To Ride (ILTR) organises Sunday breakfast rides and events, usually in Delhi, for riders who bring their own motorcycles. There is a small fee of up to ₹300 to ₹500, depending on the event. Arrive on time with a full tank, wear a BIS-certified helmet, carry your documents, and follow Indian road rules: keep left, signal early and overtake only on the right.
Quick answer: To find a motorcycle club in India, decide how you like to ride, then look at city clubs, brand clubs, touring groups and event listings near you. Go on one open ride before you commit, and ask who leads, how fast the group rides and how it handles safety. India Loves To Ride (ILTR) lists more than 100 riding groups and dozens of upcoming rides, and browsing them is free.
Quick answer: The classic Spiti Valley motorcycle trip is a circuit. You ride in from Shimla through Kinnaur and out over Kunzum La to Manali, in about 10 days, between mid-June and early October. Indian riders need no permit, while foreign riders need a Protected Area Permit. Plan your fuel carefully, because the long stretch after Kaza has no pump.
Quick answer: The best time to ride a motorcycle in India depends on the region. October to March suits most of the plains and the south, the high Himalayas (Ladakh and Spiti) open only from about June to September, and the July to September monsoon is best avoided in most places.
Quick answer: The best time for an Arunachal Pradesh motorcycle trip is April to June or October to November, and the July to September monsoon is best avoided. Indian riders need an e-ILP from arunachalilp.com, and foreign riders need a Protected Area Permit. The classic route runs from Guwahati to Tawang over Sela Pass (13,700 ft), and it takes about eight nights.
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