Which Is Best Bike For Leh-Ladakh Trip?

Choosing a suitable bike for Leh-Ladakh trip will depend on various factors such as your budget, your height and frequency of outdoor trips

The stunning, one-of-a-kind landscapes of Leh-Ladakh attract thousands of visitors every year. One of the best ways to enjoy the scenic views is to visit Leh-Ladakh on a motorcycle. You will need a versatile bike that can tackle city streets as well as off-road tracks. Mileage is also important, as fuel stations are not easily available in the mountainous region. Here are some of the best bikes you can choose for Leh-Ladakh trip.

Hero XPulse 200 4V

Priced at Rs 1.46 lakh, Hero XPulse 200 4V is one of the most affordable options one can consider for Leh-Ladakh trip. The bike has won various awards in rally championships. It is especially designed for off-road tracks, making it a suitable choice for some exciting adventures across the challenging terrains of Leh-Ladakh.

Hero XPulse 200 4V is equipped with a 199.6cc oil cooled engine that delivers 18.9 BHP and 17.35 Nm. It is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Suspension setup comprises telescopic forks at front and a 10-step preload adjustable monoshock unit at rear. Hero XPulse 200 4V has mileage of around 40 km/L, which will be beneficial for Leh-Ladakh trip.

Bajaj Dominar 400

One of the most affordable 400cc, 40 hp bikes in India, Bajaj Dominar 400 is available at a starting price of Rs 2.31 lakh. The powerful 373.3 cc, liquid cooled engine churns out 40 PS and 35 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and has assist and slipper clutch. The bike has a mileage of 27 km/L.

With 43mm USD forks at front, Dominar 400 can tackle a wide variety of off-road tracks. Touring capabilities of Dominar 400 can be further enhanced with a wide range of accessories such as hand guard, tall visor, engine bash plate, saddle stay, etc.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

As the name suggests, this one is especially designed for the great Himalayas. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is available at a starting price of Rs 2.85 lakh. Some of the key highlights include LED headlamp, large 17-litre fuel tank, switchable ABS and 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels. With seat height starting at 805 mm, Himalayan 450 can accommodate a broad segment of users.

The bike has 43 mm USD forks at front and a monoshock unit at rear. Powering the Himalayan 450 is a 452 cc, liquid cooled engine that makes 40 PS and 40 Nm. It is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and comes with slip and assist clutch. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has mileage of 30 km/L.

KTM 390 Adventure

Equipped with a comprehensive range of premium features, KTM 390 Adventure can be a good option for Leh-Ladakh trip. However, the bike commands premium pricing, starting at Rs 3.41 lakh. Powering the bike is a 373-cc single-cylinder engine that delivers 43.5 PS and 37 Nm. KTM 390 Adventure has 43mm WP Apex USD forks at front and WP Apex monoshock suspension at rear.

KTM 390 Adventure comes with various riding aids such as MTC, riding modes, cornering ABS, offroad ABS, ride-by-wire tech, quickshifter+ and slipper clutch. With these features, tackling the challenging mountainous terrain becomes a lot easier. KTM 390 Adventure has real-world mileage of around 28 km/L.

Honda Africa Twin

For complete dominance, one of the best options is Honda Africa Twin. The bike has won the grueling Dakar rally for four consecutive times. With a massive 24.5-litre fuel tank, the bike needs fewer stops at fuel stations. Some of the key features include inverted Showa suspension, cruise control, throttle by wire, selectable cornering and ABS, riding modes and wheelie control, all-LED lights and cornering lights, adjustable windscreen and full-color TFT touchscreen display.

Honda Africa Twin has a 1082.96 cc liquid cooled engine that generates 99 PS and 103 Nm. It is mated to an automatic dual clutch transmission. Mileage is around 20 km/L. Honda Africa Twin is available at a starting price of Rs 16.02 lakh.