‘Bike rent in Manali- Read before you go’

Manali- is a tourist town nestled in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India. One of the most spellbinding hill stations in India. Besides natural charm and unparalleled beauty, Manali is known for its unlimited adventure opportunities like – Rafting, Camping, Trekking, Paragliding, River crossing, Ziplining, Rock Climbing and my favourite Motorcycle riding.If you are a Motorcycle rider, you can’t deny riding in Manali like riding to one day trip Rohtang pass or Atal Tunnel in winters or trip to Leh- Ladakh. You will get a sense of adventure and soul southing experience riding on these roads. while writing these lines, I just lost in the curves of mountains when I was riding in Manali, that was a wonderful experience.

Riding a Motorcycle is Like an Art: Something You Do Because You Feel Something Inside.

For riding, some carry their own motorcycle from different parts of India. Some ride from their hometown, some ship their motorcycle to New Delhi or Chandigarh. It’s always better to carry your own vehicle if you have plenty of time & money, as it’s always in better condition and you are known to your machine very well. But for a short trip and for tourists it’s not possible so they plan to rent a motorcycle. With time I have experienced that many confused about renting a bike. Is it safe? Is it worth what we are paying? Which one is best to rent? ….. There are many options out there, online, offline, travel package, etc. Some experienced riders carry their own Motorcycle & some rent it locally from Delhi, Chandigarh and Manali. Today we’ll talk about- “Rent a Motorcycle in Manali”.

Manali is a tourist place, there are many tour operators/ mechanic workshops that offer services of renting a motorcycle. Instead of booking online, I suggest you book it offline with a physical checkup. Before a day try to explore all local shops and ask for the rates and check the condition of the bike if available there, mostly try to visit it in the late evening time.

Physical things to check:

1. Rider’s valid driving license.

2. Check the rental motorcycle condition.

3. Avoid renting an old motorcycle.

4. Verify all rental motorcycle documents.

5. Discuss and beware of terms & conditions.

6. Inspect and call out any scratches or dents.

7. Beware of mileage and carry spare fuel.

8. Confirm terms in case of breakdown.

9. Go for a test ride.

10. Ask for proper helmet & safety guards.

Technical things to check:

1. Check the proper level of engine oil.

2. Check the Spark plug condition.

3. Check whether tyres are worn-out or not.

4. Check if there is any oil leakage.

5. Check whether Air filter & carburettor are clean or not.

6. Check Battery and all connections by switching on/off all the switches.

7. Check un-natural sound coming from the engine or not.

8. Check whether white smoke is coming or not.

9. Check whether the chain set and sprockets are noisy or not.

10. Ride in 2nd gear and notice any occurrence of false neutrals to detect troublesome gear tooth.

11. Ride on a steep climb and notice if the rental bike is running smoothly or not. It shows clutch plate issues.

The budget is the main thing in trip and for renting you will have different options: Scooter, Bullet, Himalayan, Limited sports bike, etc. which will cost you from 500- 2000 per day according to the ride you are choosing and the shop from where you are renting it and especially don’t forgot about the deposit, yes you need to a specific amount to rent a ride, it goes from 2k to 15k depending you taking the vehicle local or non-local ride. So, consider it in your budget before planning to rent. I suggest it’s better to take a backup vehicle while the trip for safety if some miss happens. Moreover, follow all the traffic rules and ride in the safe zone within speed limits. Use proper safety gears and ride responsible, As your life is more important than anything. In the end I would like to say “Enjoy your Ride”.

Chenab river near Atul tunnel

Have you ever rented a bike? If yes, then kindly share your own experiences with other fellow traveller here. I will be looking forward to your responses and questions in comment box.