Buying a new bike in Nepal

[ggemelos]

I was planning a trip to Nepal, India, and the stans. I am planning on starting out in Nepal and wanted to pick up a new bike like an XR250 Tornado or DR200SE. Does anyone one if these are easy bikes to find and where I could pick one up? I am open to other bikes if anyone has a suggestion. I realize that the import tax is high in Nepal and I will end up paying for the bike, but it is still easier than shipping one from the states. I will also try to get the carnet de passage once I pick up the bike, any advice there would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help.

By the way, I was originally going to go with an RX135 from Hearts and Tears in Pokhara, but I think they are closed for a while.

[Duffman]

Hearts and Tears are closed. I believe the business is being sold (personal reasons, which have been discussed on the forums before). So they're out of the question.

XR's...i'll be honest, off roaders are very few and far between. Those i have seen are generally pretty ancient and tatty. 99% of bikes here are either Bajaj Pulsar's (150/180/220cc's) or Hero Honda Unicorns (mainly 125cc's i think). There are a few Royal Enfields of course, but you really want something reliable, so forget them :)

I think if you were really keen on an XR or similar, you'd have to just get over here and spend days/weeks searching through every motorcycle dealership you can find. Another big issue would probably be parts. The Hero Hondas are good because there are lots of aftermarket parts available, therefore cheap. The bajaj are great because there are service centres literally everywhere BUT you can't get aftermarket parts, so perhaps a little more expensive for servicing etc than the Hero's. The word on the street here is the Bajaj are better, but who knows.

You might have more luck getting your hands on an offroader by speaking to the various tour companies who may well sell one of their bikes (for a price of course). Again, difficult to do from afar, you really need to be here.

Failing that, i've taken my Bajaj Pulsar to some pretty out of the way places. You'd be surprised how far you can take them if you have the love :)

[goathead]

Royal Enfilds are every where in Nepal there is a dealer in Pokara.

[mikenepal]

Get a Indian plate bike for under half the cost and shipped to Nepal use it here the pay oad tax is about 1 dollar a day ride to India and sell it again and you will lose a lot less than buying a Nepali plate.

The import tax is 220% so a Enfield can be bought in India for about 60,000/- NRS as apposed to a minimum of 2,00,000/- for the same bike. (Good condition Old School) Pay a Nepali to pick it up from the border and do the paperwork have it waiting for you in KTM off in India you will have 3 months tax paid and Indian plates and save a hell of a lot, More money for beer

Mike