Best Bikes for Leh Ladakh Trip

Leh Ladakh is a bucket list destination for any travel enthusiast, especially those who love their trips to include adventure. When seeking both those things, taking the trip to Leh Ladakh on bike is the way to go. Now, which bike should you bring to the mountaintop? This is crucial to ensure the best possible journey on the off-road terrains. Many don’t think about this, but the rider and bike make up the perfect joyride together. It is not an easy terrain to journey on.

Having a reliable bike with a good balance between ergonomics and power while being comfortable for a long journey can considerably improve your trip. Now, which is the best bike for Leh Ladakh trip, one might ask? We have got you covered!

A number of factors affect a bike’s suitability for such a route, and we have curated this list keeping all of those in mind.

Factors That Affect The Choice Of Bike

Off-Road Capabilities:

The Leh Ladakh route has little to no good road conditions, but hilly terrain, water streams, and poor tracks. The better ground clearance a bike has, the better choice it is to take on such a trail.

Engine Power + Efficiency:

Taking a trip to Leh Ladakh on bike is a demanding journey, and it requires a powerful  engine to perform at the most efficient fuel churn rates.

Handling and Maneuverability:

When riding continuously for hours on end, we want the bike to have good handling capability, a shorter turning radius, and easier controls to make the journey as smooth as possible.

Reliability:

Your one true companion on the journey, bikes for Ladakh trip, should be reliable; otherwise, your adventure will become more pain than gain. A bike’s reliability is judged on its general breakdown frequency over time, its ability to perform post-recommended service intervals, and the ease of minor DIY procedures that the riders themselves can perform.

Fuel Tank Capacity:

This is an essential factor to remember since Tandi is the last filling station when taking the Ladakh trip by bike from Manali. Most bikes don’t have sufficient capacity to travel to Leh (the next filling station), but your bike should at least be able to cover 70% of the journey, as you carry two cans for refuelling on the way.

Also Read: Ladakh by Road

Best Bikes For Leh Ladakh Trip

1. Royal Enfield Himalayan- Best Bike for Ladakh Trip

This is hands down one of the best bikes for Leh Ladakh trip, as it is specially designed for off-road terrain. Its 411 CC engine comes with electronic fuel injection, a 15-litre capacity, and 25-27 kmpl mileage on the Ladakh terrain. The many bottom grunts make climbing easy, and you can attach saddlebags and auxiliary fuel canisters on the front mounts.

• Price: ₹2,85,000 to ₹2,98,000
• Mileage: 25-27 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 15 litres

2. Royal Enfield Bullet 500/350 CC- Ladakh Trip Best Bike

The single-cylinder air-cooled 499 CC engine, which produces 26.5 bhp power at 5100 rpm, makes it a perfect Ladakh trip bike. It has 280 mm front and rear disk brakes and a top speed of 110 kmph. This bike is also easy to perform quick DIY fixes on.

• Price: ₹1,73,562 to ₹2,15,801
• Mileage: 27-30 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 13.5 litres

3. KTM Duke- Best Bike For Ladakh

 

This lightweight bike comes in 200 CC, 250 CC, and 390 CC variations. Its dual sport tires and long travel shocks make it enjoyable to ride on dirt tracks. The bike is fitted with LED lamps for night riding and good handling that helps in riding over water. The ByBre braking system and a level of comfort make it a sure answer when you ask the question, which bike is best for a Ladakh trip? 

• Price: ₹2,28,000 to ₹2,97,000
• Mileage: 30-32 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 13.4 -15 litres (depending on variant)

4. Hero X Pulse 200- Ladakh Trip By Bike

The bike has a 200 CC fuel-injected motor engine that generates sufficient power to carry you through this journey. It allows you to connect your smartphone for easy navigation. This lightweight bike is a great off-road companion with 220 mm ground clearance and long front suspension.

• Price: ‎₹1,45,776 to ₹1,58,015
• Mileage: 28-30 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 13 litres

5. KTM 390 Adventure- Bike Leh Ladakh

This bike has a 373.2 CC liquid-cooled engine, a 14.5 litre fuel tank capacity, and about 32-35 kmpl mileage in Ladakh. It is fitted with LED headlamps to make night riding easier, and its smooth handling makes for a comfortable ride.

• Price: ‎₹3,38,746 to ₹3,60,880
• Mileage: 32-35 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 14.5 litres

6. Bajaj Dominar 400-

This cruiser sports bike is designed for long rides while maintaining sports functionalities. It has a 373 CC engine with 40 ps power at 8650 rpm, making it a perfect Ladakh trip bike. The fuel tank has a 13-litre capacity and 20-22 kmpl mileage on Ladakh roads. The bike also has a 157 mm ground clearance and is fitted with a horde of LED lamps for riding in the dark.

• Price: ‎₹2,29,781 onwards
• Mileage: 20-22 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 13 litres

7. Royal Enfield Classic 500/350 CC:

Another great choice for Royal Enfield enthusiasts is the Classic 500/350 has a 13.5 litre fuel tank capacity and 20-25 kmpl mileage.

• Price: ‎₹1,93,080 to ₹2,24,755
• Mileage: 22-25 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 13.5 litres

8. Bajaj Pulsar 220:

Taking a Ladakh trip on bike is not an easy feat, and this bike’s 220 CC, oil-cooled, 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine is your perfect choice for a companion. The engine gives a 20.64 bhp at 8500 rpm and an 18.55 nm torque at 7000 rpm.

• Price: ‎₹1,37,709 onwards
• Mileage: 30-35 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 15 litres

9. Bajaj Avenger 220:

The best part of this bike is its riding posture, which will make for a comfortable ride on this long journey. The 220 CC, oil-cooled carbureted engine gives 18.76 bhp power at 8400 rpm. The fuel tank capacity is 13 litres, and the mileage output is 35 kmpl.

• Price: ‎₹1,43,373 onwards
• Mileage: 30-35 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 13 litres

10. Honda Hness 350:

The bike features selectable torque control, a slipper clutch, an LED setup, smartphone voice control, and a powerful 350 CC engine. It is another good choice for your Ladakh trip.

• Price: ‎₹2,09,857 to ₹2,16,356
• Mileage: 30-35 kmpl
• Fuel Capacity: 15 litres

Conclusion

This concludes our list, and hopefully, it helps make your hunt for the best bike for Leh Ladakh easier. While choosing your ride, find the combination of off-road ability, engine power, manoeuvrability, reliability, and fuel 9+tank capacity that works for you! Leh Ladakh is a tricky terrain, so make sure you have a bike that can make it as easy as possible. Consider all the factors, combined with your budget, for your perfect ride. And remember, as important as the ride is, so are the rider’s skills.