{"id":13943,"date":"2018-11-26T18:46:36","date_gmt":"2018-11-26T18:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vargiskhan.com\/log\/?p=13943"},"modified":"2018-11-26T19:34:17","modified_gmt":"2018-11-26T19:34:17","slug":"spiti-valley-bike-trip-with-pillion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vargiskhan.com\/log\/spiti-valley-bike-trip-with-pillion\/","title":{"rendered":"Spiti Valley Bike Trip with Pillion or Solo ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I get asked about whether it will be better to go to Spiti solo or with a pillion rider; my answer \u00a0always is solo. When I say solo here I do not mean that you ride all alone on your own; but just one person per motorcycle, irrespective of whether riding in a group or alone. The reason for saying that however is really from a convenience point of view; because riding alone on a motorcycle will definitely be more comfortable. With that being said, it does not mean that you cannot plan a Spiti valley bike trip with pillion.<\/p>\n

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Spiti Valley – Complete Travel Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

A lot of people do so each year for their own respective reasons, especially couples. If you too were wondering to travel to Spiti valley with a pillion rider, the answer is that yes you definitely can keeping in mind a few things which I will discuss in this article.<\/p>\n

\"Spiti<\/a><\/p>\n

The first thing to know is that riding on Spiti circuit is not really that difficult in terms of height. If you travel from Shimla to Kaza and return the same way, then you do not cross over even a single high altitude pass. If you however have Manali \u2013 Kaza route on your itinerary, then this is the stretch when you cross the only two passes in the journey; Kunzum La and Rohtang La. Taking a look of the overall altitude on the circuit; Shimla is at a height of 2,276 meters; Sarahan at 2,100, Kalpa at 2,960, Nako at 3,662, and Kaza at 3,880 meters. The only time you cross over 4,000 meters is at Chitkul at 4,550 meters and Kunzum Pass at 4,590 meters.<\/p>\n

Spiti Valley Bike Trip with Pillion<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

What really makes Spiti valley notorious however is not the steep climbs and high altitude but the badly broken condition of its roads; which remains the same no matter when you travel here. Keeping all this in mind, mentioned below are a few tips that you need to consider when planning on riding to Spiti valley with pillion.<\/p>\n

Also Read: Clothes for Spiti Trip –\u00a0 What to Pack?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Weight and Duration<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

This is the most important thing to take into consideration. It is not just 2 people out on the trip but also their luggage. And then a trip to Spiti valley is not really a weekend affair; it will easily last for about 8 to 9 days. Hence both these factors are inter-related. Longer the duration means that more the luggage will be; and more the luggage for longer the duration will be a problem for both the riders and the machine. Your entire trip needs to be planned based on this.<\/p>\n

Bigger the Better<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Without doubt, the best motorcycle for the trip would be a Royal Enfield; either 350CC or a 500 one. The bigger engine would definitely be an added advantage carrying the two riders and all their luggage in the hills. If you were on an 500CC Bullet, then you would not really have to worry much about luggage. But it is not only the engine that is of benefit. The overall sitting position of the motorcycle too is comfortable for long rides. Then there is also the fact that roping all that luggage would be easier on an Enfield than on other bikes. Mounting a luggage carrier too is easier on an Enfield.<\/p>\n

Travel Light<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

However, not everyone owns a Bullet and not everyone likes a Bullet. If you were riding to Spiti on a smaller engine bike; say 150CC or smaller for example; then you need to make sure that you are traveling light. Dumping all the unnecessary weight of things that you can do the trip without just means stress on the motorcycle; due to which it may start to under-perform. Also the fact that there is not really much space available on these motorcycles to put luggage; and if there is too much of it, then it will become highly uncomfortable for the pillion rider.<\/p>\n

Also Read: What to See in Spiti Valley?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Age & Condition of the Motorcycle<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

This will be the deciding factor whether or not you can ride to Spiti valley with a pillion on your motorcycle. If you own a Bike that is 6-7 years old, has already clocked 60-70,000 kilometers and has an engine size of 125CC then it is best to give up the idea entirely. You will just torture the poor thing for 6-7 days unnecessarily. It will just refuse to climb at steep ascents and you will end up pushing it forward.<\/p>\n

Seat of the Bike<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

This is extremely important. Seats of some of the bikes like Pulsar or RE Himalayan are a bit too thin for a comfortable long ride. If same is the case with your bike too, then you may want to visit a mechanic or someone who does seat work to get a bit of cushion added. Or else your pillion rider will just keep complaining about their butt throughout the ride.<\/p>\n

Itinerary<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

If you think your bike will not make it up the steep climbs with a pillion, then you may want to keep places like Sarahan, Chitkul, Chandratal, Kunzum Pass and Manali route out of your itinerary. Better to just reach Kaza via Shimla and return the same way. You can plan to cover rest of these in another ride at another time.<\/p>\n

Make a reasonable Judgement<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Think about why do you want to ride with a Pillion and then decide whether or not you should do it. A few reasons could be,<\/p>\n