Buying And Renting An Enfield In India

The Royal Enfield is the classic British motorbike that was produced in Britain until the Enfield Factory in the Indian city of Chennai took over production in 1970's. Many foreigners come to India wanting to buy an Enfield, but most come without knowing much of what is involved in the process of buying a motorbike in India, and end up having problems when trying to sell it on after their trip.

Costs Of Buying And Renting

The prices for 350 CC Enfields start at INR 25 000 (under US$600), and you can get a 500 CC Enfield from INR35 000 - 40 000 (US$ 800-950). Renting a bike costs from INR500/day (just under US$12) although for better bikes, be prepared to pay up to INR1000/day. For a shorter trip, renting makes more sense, but if your bike trip is going be longer than 3 months, buying a bike becomes more economical.

Buying An Enfield In India

Even though foreigners can buy a motorbike in India, you cannot legally register your bike in your name (unless you are a resident in India). If you want to sell your bike again after your trip, it is essential that you have the following documents:

• sales receipt
• registration book
• insurance certificate
• forms no. 29 and 30
• insurance transfer receipt

Additionally, if you want to re-sell your bike in another state, you will need a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The person you are buying your bike from should be able to provide all these papers.

Renting An Enfield In India

For shorter trips, renting a bike is an easier option. The documents you will need to keep with you(meaning the papers that will be checked in case you get stopped by the police, which is very likely) include the registration book and the insurance certificate. Insist on original papers. Fitness test must be up to date, and this will be recorded in the registration book. An emission test is required for entering some Indian states, such as Goa. Whether you buy or rent your Enfield, you will need an international driving license to ride it in India.

Riding Your Enfield In India

The Enfield's engine is based on the model that was designed in 1948 and has been updated very little since, so you will be driving an old British motorbike. In most Enfields, gearshift is on the right side and rear brake is on the left side - opposite to modern bikes.

Enfields need a lot of maintenance and a lot of care, and you will have to spend hours at the mechanic. Indian traffic is not for the faint-hearted either. Read more about riding your Enfield in India here.

Royal Enfield

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