Feelthevibe : When I first started to ride the Enfield (and I was still using MY Pulsar, it was so frustrating swapping between the two..It was sort of like rubbing your belly and patting you head feeling when swapping bikes... I have sort of got used to the whole change over thing now so it's not so bad.

Fritz : The Enfield isn't so bad as it's a low center of gravity, so it tilts quite a long way over before being unmanagable, but if it got too far, I guess it would take a bit to keep up, just trying to move it back when you're sat on it takes a lot of effort. It doesn't help that the seat on ours is pretty high so it's tiptoes some of the time....

Theres an interesting article in the local paper, the Herald , this morning on the carnage taking place daily on Goas roads, I dont know if they will put it on their web page but if they do, it should be required reading for all who are contemplating hiring out here It was also reported out here earlier in the week that India is now up to third in the road deaths table Some of the things I,ve seen recently on the newly surfaced racetrack between Candolim and Calangute Five + one mountain bike on a scooter, A local exercising his Alsatian by scooter, Two people, one carrying a 5ft pane of glass over their knee speeding along and about to drive into this crazyness a young u.k. couple with two rented scooters, Dad on one with a three year old standing in front holding the handlebars and Mum with a new arrival about three month old in a papoose carrier in front of her where it would get the full force of any crash So please pleae Rob, dont encourage people to even think of going down this road, you obviously have to with your work but people new to the roads here should'nt be allowed even to think of it Alan

Gramps : I see lots of accidents.. In the last two days... two.. neither of which were serious this time, both were Indians, one was driving too quickly (well he overtook me and someone just pulled out in front of him, in my opinion he could have braked safely, but knee jerk reaction I think the back wheeled started to swerve and he skidded down the road about 15ft.. Luckily I don't think he hurt more than his pride, then today a bike glanced a car, again didn't see much wrong with anyone... I think everyone should make their own minds up, it is dangerous, but it's a lovely place to ride... (bad emoreies of riding in the UK and getting to my destination lookng like a wet limp snowman....) Sleet and Rain... Brrr....

Sounds about right

hilarious

thats excellant..made me chuckle loads..

Lez you need to be on the NHS, I've just come home after a S**T day at work, poured myself a pint of Gin & Tonic , switched on the lap dog and read your Indian Highway code; the stresses of the day just ended in hysterics of laughter, god bless this forum and god bless Goa only 41 weeks and 4 days to go until i'm in Nirvana.

Jayne

Spot on mate!

I wish I could say that I was the author but I plaj pelag pinched it.

i'm just happy it brought a smile.

pints of G & T a girl after my own pint glass

2 weeks to go then lez

loved the highway code!!!
but as an intensive care nurse i have seen over the years loads of mainly young men being shipped into the various icus ive worked in ( here & australia) after suffering some horrendous head injury usually non recoverable!!!whilst on motorbikes on holiday! so hate to sound like a bore but please be careful guys & girls!!!!

Anyone coming here for a few weeks holiday would be well advised to stay away from self drive, car or bike, and use the services of one of the numerous taxi drivers who await you at every turn. I have driven here for over 20 years, and watched the traffic along with the hazards increase annually. More than needing eyes in the back of your head you need to be aware of two sets of traffic rules, here and your home country, and remember the frequent use of the horn. This is not the place to learn to ride a bike or for anyone who only gets on a two wheeler during their holidays.

Its really interesting to read all the differing points of view here and having read most of them before we went we were a bit cautious about hiring a bike. However, on the first day, couldn't resist having a look at one or two and suddenly found ourselves heading out on the roads seated upon the Pulsar that we hired for the two weeks. I have to say it was one of the highlights of our holiday having that bike and despite all the warnings found it exhilarating to ride along with all the other seemingly mad riders. Most importantly though it gave us great independence. I know the taxis are good, but for us to be able to go whither we wanted (and often whither we didn't want as we got lost a good few times) whenever we wanted was great. We are experienced bikers and we did get our International Permit beforehand. We also had a helmet but only used it on the highways. However, when you see how the locals travel four on a bike and how many young female tourists and local women ride them I'm not sure why there are so many cautionary tales about using them. We did see three accidents over the two weeks, none of them serious and all involving locals. I have to admit though that it is a wonder there aren't more with the crazy sytem of driving that exists - but isn't it fun ! We loved our bike and don't think we would have enjoyed the holiday half as much without it. As many people have pointed out you just have to be sensible, very careful and drive slowly.

I wonder if the people who write in here about the joys of hiring bikes and scooters in Goa have proper insurance cover for doing so, especially if they happen to injure anyone, particularly a local person, who may have no access , or funds, to pay for treatment in a country without the benefit of a N.H.S. If the answer is no, mabey they should think again, or mabey they dont bother with insurance in the U.K. either And no Robb, I do'nt mean you, as I know you have cover from your previous posts on this subject Alan

A sobering point gramps and very much acknowledged. There is a posting on this site that gives a web address for holiday insurance for driving in India. Unfortunately we only saw this two nights before we left and having read so many warnings on HT we were almost of a mind not to bother hiring anyway. Once we got there it was different and we couldn't resist. Nevertheless we were mindful of the responsibility and it was all the more reason to be very careful, particularly in built up and busy areas. If we go again we will definitely be exploring any insurance possibilities. We were surprised that there hasn't been an enterprising Brit who would set up a brokerage there. I'm sure lots would be interested in purchasing insurance as not having it always lurks in the back of your mind.

I have read this thread with interest. There is no doubt motorcycling is dangerous. But this applies at home as well. As an ex-traffic cop I have "cleaned up" after numerous accidents in the UK. I have ridden bikes in the UK for over 30 years and luckily for me have suffered no serious injury, beyond damaged pride. I have also hired Enfields on previous trips to Goa. Due to my police training I consider myself a safe riedr but I still try and avoid the main highways in Goa, sticking to the back roads.

I agree completely with the comments made earlier in this thread about the freedom hiring a bike gives and the ability to really get off the beaten track. I am off to Goa in 2 weeks and will once again hire an Enfield.

In case it is helpful I would give the following pieces of advice.

If you do not have a motorbike licence and think you may hire a bike in in Goa go to a school in the UK and do Compulsory Basic Training. This is a one day course which wil give you the legal right to ride bikes in the UK up to 125cc. It costs about £125 which is good value if it saves your life. This coupled with an international driving permit for a car ( £5 from post offices) will mean you can drive legally a machine up to that size in India. More importantly it willl mean you have a least a basic understanding of how to use the machine.

If you have a licence but have not ridden for years do a days refresher course with a school in the UK before going to Goa.

Some but not all Holiday Insurances cover motorcycling. Check yours. However I have never found a company that covers you if you are not wearing a helmet. Is there one? Crash helmets are not comfortable in the heat so an alternative may be to wear a cycle helmet. Clearly these do not offer as much protection but given you will be doing very well to get much above 40kmh on Indian roads this idea is not as ridiculous as it sounds. They certainly offer some protection without being stifling. They may also mean you can try and persuade the insurance company you were wearing a helmet. Clearly however a proper helmet is better. If your insurance does cover you then as I understand it you will have liability cover if you hit anyone.

Finally you may want to use a reputable company rather than an individual. I use a company in Assagao in Northern Goa. If you would like details let me know and I will email you. They rent late model Enfields, with disc brakes that are well maintained, insured and with good mechanical back up. They also offer training in the "Indian Traffic syatem".

Sorry this has been a long post. In closing I am not convinced that Motorcycling in Goa is hugely more risky than in the UK as long as you follow the same rules. You would not jump on a bike here with no previous riding experience and without a helmet and expect to be safe. This applies even more so to Goa.

That was a good post, I totally agree... Megian.... You'll only be covered by insurance if you have a vaild drivering licence that covers you for a bike.. (just so you're aware).

Thanks Rob. We do have a valid licence for a bike but its worth posting for the benefit of others. Thanks to this site, we made sure that we had the right licences before we went.
Megs

Coudnt agree more , Iv'e posted similar comments here before, Iv'e had a m/c at home but woudnt risk it here for the reasons mentioned. Those that do must have a death wish, I think the majority think it,s a fun thing to do while on holiday and have no real insight into the dreadfull risks they are taking especially with their travel insurance null and void and a long long way from home Alan

I hired a scooter agian for the 5th year running and had no problems. I drive a scooter in scotland and the drievrs are no worse than here. Go at a steady pace and you'll be fine, rarely did I get above 30kms/hr as I like to see where i'm driving too. I would never go to goa and not hire a scooter.

a different point of view perhaps. Not too worried about anyone who chooses to ride a bike/ scooter injuring him/her self, but what about me?

dodging all the inexperienced two wheeler converts who are conviced that they can do "wheelies" with absolute safety as long as there are only pedestrians about and not buses or trucks.
Trying to walk down Candolim Beach Rd on an evening with scooters using whichever bit of road they feel siuts them best without any regard whatsoever for anyone who is limited to his two legs for propulsion.

OK , rant over ( has anyone guessed that i don't like bikes?)

does my new avator take loads of space up on your monitor or is it just on mine?

del949