Riding in

Ladakh
This land of high passes and formidable valleys is the setting for
motorcycling at its purest. Riding through, on some of the world’s highest
motorable roads, you will encounter more than a few Enfields. For the
army - since the 50’s and for riders ever since, Ladakh has meant a Royal
Enfield motorcycle. Mid-October through May is the best time to enjoy its
uniqueness. Come prepared. Enjoy the ride. Come again.
 We recommend you fit your motorcycle with a new set of tyres
and tubes and carry spares as well. Have your rims balanced.
Wheel spokes must not protrude from inside the rim, for they
may puncture the tube. The rubber strip around the inside of
the rim must be in good condition. When you disassemble the
wheels, check the bearings as well. It is important that your
motorcycle is fitted with original equipment, especially hubs,
spokes, rims and engine parts.

Preparing >
>
Inspect your shock absorbers before the trip.
Ditto for oil seals on the front forks. Check for
cracks on the fork bottom tube, if your springs
> Check all cables and if any are bent or frayed,
replace them. Do not use oil in friction free
cables.

your
have sagged or your main tube has > Tighten all the nuts and bolts. If any are found
worn out, get them replaced. to be slipping or with damaged grooves,
> Check the rear swing-arm bush for wear and replace the relevant parts.
replace it, if necessary. > Your engine, as ever, is of paramount
> Check your chain and rear sprocket for wear. If importance. It would be a good idea to do a

Enfield
you find that there are less than four notch weekend trip to see how it behaves. If yours is
adjustments to go on your chain adjuster cam, a new machine, ride it around for a longer
replace your chain and both your sprockets. distance and make sure it is up to taking on
> Your bike’s clutch is really crucial for this trip, so Ladakh. Visit the Royal Enfield showroom or
make sure that your clutch is in good service station nearest you for thorough
order and adjusted properly without trace of technical aside.
any drag, slip etc. When you open your clutch > It is critical that you know your machine’s fuel
cover, also check the primary chain and the consumption.
adjuster. Do not use any kind of > You should be able to remove the front/rear
additional insert under the chain adjuster. If wheel of your motorcycle and open its spark
the adjuster has reached its limit, do replace plug. Carrying an original equipment-certified
the primary chain. tool kit is recommended.
> Check your battery and earthing connections. > Do not leave repairs to the last minute and do
If you have any history of electrical not ride an untested Enfield to Ladakh.
trouble, be sure that the problem has been
resolved. The water, vibrations, dust and
maybe snow that riders are likely to encounter
on the route could further accentuate existing
problems.
> Check for play in the steering column and
replace the ball race bearing if necessary.
> Check all the rubber components like
carburettor hose, fuel lines, air filter rubber etc.
for cracks and tears and replace if in doubt.
 What not to carry
Anything that takes a beating on
the roads in Ladakh, shouldn’t be
on your motorcycle. This
includes:
> Extra lights
> Extra mirrors
> Heavy after-market horns- more
so for fuel injected bikes
> Arc or gas welding on the chassis
> Side boxes
> Any other unnecessary add-ons
> Non-standard high rise or low
handlebars
> Alloy wheels
> Some number plates fitted on the
front mudguard are likely to
break the headlamp at full travel
> Smaller wheels - if they
drastically reduce your ground
clearance
> Imported street tyres, as these
could puncture and suffer for grip
on dirt surfaces
> Extended front forks
> Modified swing arms
> Shortened or extended chassis
and chain
> Remove non-standard items as
most available service stations
won’t have either the resources or
knowledge to repair them
What to carry
Spares & Tools
> Carry a basic set of What to Pack
spares, cables, spark
plugs, tube, a puncture The following is a basic
repair kit and a set of checklist that must
all possible spanners always be at hand in
and Allen keys. They Ladakh:
will come in handy for
your motorcycle and > Basic repair tools
for others, stranded on > Torch
the road. In Ladakh, > Pocket knife
the simplest tools are
very hard to come by. > Matches, lighter
> A basic First Aid kit
How to Pack with essential
medicines and
> Evaluate weight vs.
utility with every item prescribed medication
you carry. > Light, high energy
> The best combination snacks
is a small haversack > A spare pair of socks
that goes on the bike
and a larger bag that > A piece of rope, wire
can travel on our > Spare bike key
luggage trucks, in the > Spare spectacles, lens
event that you are on cleaning and carrying
one of our marquee solution, if you wear
rides or events.
glasses or contact
> Your on-motorcycle lenses.
luggage must be > Camera/phone and
rain-proof. spare power supply,
chargers, memory
storage device
> Sneakers or floaters
> A towel, soap strips,
toothbrush and
toothpaste, hand
sanitizer
> You must have at least one other rider in your
line of sight at all times.
> Keep a safe and comfortable distance between
the rider in front and you.
> Do not come between riders who are riding
together. Maintain a constant distance
between groups or pairs of riders.
> Be prepared to ride when the group is. Don’t let
your gear or anything else slow you down
when the group is ready.
> Indicate before overtaking; make your intent
known well in advance to the ride ahead of
your path.
Group riding
> Signalling by hand is not an advisable means of
communication on the road. Your hands are for
riding your motorcycle.
> Riding with a disfunctional or non-working
brake light can be dangerous to you and your
fellow riders.
> Being over-confident and aggressive on a
motorcycle is almost always dangerous, both
for you and for others on the road.
> If there is a difficult stretch (like a steep climb,
descent or a water crossing), wait for the rider
ahead of you to clear it before taking it on
yourself.
> Try to ensure that you can see more of the road
i.e. get yourself slightly offset from the rider in
front to get a better view. This will also ensure
that you are visible in his rear-view mirror
rather than being in his or her blind spot.
> Do not park uncomfortably close to another
motorcycle. You make it uncomfortable for
both you and the rider beside you to get back
on your motorcycle and start easily. Parking
considerately is especially important in high
altitudes where even the smallest of activities
become more difficult.
> Each rider must avoid confusing others on the
road. You must be aware of your headlight and
blinkers; do not ride with them on and be
unaware of them.
> In case you notice something unusual or
dangerous in your riding group, notify your
leader immediately.
> Do not overtake when the rider ahead is
braking. He/she could be braking for a hazard
and you could rush right into it.
 High altitudes, a lack of

Dos and
oxygen, extreme heat and
cold and an array of other

Donts
factors can take a toll on
your body, when you’re in

in Ladakh
Ladakh. Whether or not
you’re on a motorcycle,
take the tips below
seriously.

Do Don’t
> Drink lots of water. Colas and > Expend energy uselessly –
aerated drinks and alcohol keep movements to a
work adversely on you. minimum.
> Eat moderately but regularly. > Set out without a concerted
High-energy foods that are stamina and
easy to carry are best. strength-building physical
> Breathe evenly and take more regimen.
measured, deeper breaths than
you normally would.
Royal Enfield Himalayan riders at the Gata Loops, a series of 21 hairpin bends at
13,750 feet, leading up to Nakee La pass( 15,547 ft) and Lachlung La pass (16,616
ft).
The Himalayan combines Royal Enfield’s historic riding experience in the Himalayas
with an all-new engine and terrain-tested suspension. The result? A machine which
lets you complete a 30-minute ride and a 3-week tour with equal ease.
 ROYALENFIELD.COM

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