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Mumbai to Goa NH 4

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  • Mumbai to Goa NH 4

    Hello Everyone,

    This is Allan Ferreira, I have been riding motorcycles for a very longtime but recently developed a high in travelling long distances on motorcycle. I am planning a trip to goa in march to be precise on 17th march with my wife and this will be the longest road travel for me and my wife on bike, we have travelled pune, igatpuri, lonavala, khopoli, karjat many times on bike but they all are under 200 kms. Route I have selected to reach goa is NH4 via pune, kolhapur, nipani, gadhilganj, ajara, amboli and then on sawantwadi (NH17) to mapusa goa and then further to arapora.

    Equipment for the trip. I use Vega Off-road helmet and my wife a Vega Eclipse, we both will be wearing normal jackets with pro rider hand gloves and knee/elbow guard for us.

    I have some questions about the ride and I hope I will get some help.

    1) I will be leaving by 5 am from Vikhroli and try to reach goa maximum by 6pm with stops at pune for breakfast, kolhapur for lunch and amboli ghat for sometime pass, will it be safe to travel on bike with wife ?

    2) Bike that will be used Hero Impulse, I just got it 3 months back. I wont be having much luggage just a backpack and a small bag for bike papers, credit card, some cash and some munchies, small bag will be tied on tank with cargo net and bungee cords. I have done this before and it works for me. The backpack will be again tied with cargo net and bungee cords to the saree guard, will it be okay or do I need anything else, also I am a traveller and some what hippie who finds happiness in even the tiniest moments.

    3) I know the road till pune but after that I'm all on Sygic India GPS on Samsung S4 which will be mounted on handle bar with waterproof usb charger/cigarette lighter already mounted on the handle bar. People I done research on Google maps and mapmyindia and some what know the directions but still confused and would appreciate a help in this matter. I mean about the road conditions and what if a puncture as impulse can get tough in a flat tyre scenario due to lack of centre stand.

    4) Should I consider the legendary nh 17, thou my wife doesn't want to enter ghats but again if the route is safe then surely I can convenience my wife, later its her choice, however any suggestion will be highly appreciated

  • #2
    Re: Mumbai to Goa NH 4

    Thread Approved and Moved

    Welcome aboard. Have fun!

    Cheers!
    VJ
    Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?'
    The girl said, 'NO!'


    And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and watched sport on a big screen TV, went fishing and surfing, and played golf a lot, and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.


    THE END

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Mumbai to Goa NH 4

      I cannot comment on the safety of the roads, in general it should be reasonably safe during daylight hours.

      The ~165km stretch between Nipani and Goa will take you a fairly long time, what could take 3 hours on a regular highway will take significantly longer, say 5 hours on this stretch with relaxed riding. You should ideally plan to reach the Goa border by sunset at the latest.

      I'm not sure how you both plan to manage with a limited amount of luggage though, you should plan to buy saddlebags. I would avoid tying a backpack on one side of the bike, this could lead to an unbalanced bike that can turn hazardous in certain situations beyond your control and expectations. Another option is to get a Givi box installed at the rear. Putting backpacks on the back can be tiresome and lead to fatigue/aches over a long ride, keep your arms, necks and backs free from load (for the both of you). Good luck!

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      • #4
        Re: Mumbai to Goa NH 4

        Thank you Nirwan for your valuable suggestion, Actually me and my wife travel and lot on bike together, hence saddle bags wont be a good choice for me as there wont be place for the pillion if attatched a saddle bag, also Goa is not that far to carry lot of stuff as everything we need can be easily found. The backpack that I mentioned is not that big and will be very light weight just carrying clothes. I am planning to attatch it on the tail of impulse, that might work for me. If I am doing a bigger trip then surely I understand tank/saddle bags will be necessary.

        Once again thank you for your time and efforts.

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        • #5
          Re: Mumbai to Goa NH 4

          Allan,

          I am with nirvan regarding the saddle bags.
          If the bags are of the correct size( and properly installed), there is sufficient space for the pillion.
          You have mentioned that you like to travel often, so you might find them useful later on as well.
          Also, if you are tying a bag on the tail of the bike, make sure it doesn't cover the tail lamps.

          I have travelled from Pune to Goa once on my bike, and multiple times in a car.
          It takes around 10 hours to reach Goa from Pune.

          The most important tip that I can give you is, do not take a right turn at Nipani.
          The road ahead is pathetic, and it will give you, your wife and your bike a beating.
          Instead, stay on the highway for around 10 more kms, and take a right at Sankeshwar. The road from there is much better.
          Between Sankeshwar and Goa, there are petrol pumps only before the amboli ghat and at Ajara. Plan your fuel stops accordingly.
          The road from Sankeshwar to Sawantwadi can get a little deserted at night.
          Since you will be travelling with a female, plan your trip so that you cover this section during the daylight.
          Also, this section is beautiful, and will be best enjoyed during the day.
          Pune to Sankeshwar takes around 5 hours. Sankeshwar to Goa another 5.

          Ride safe and happy journey!

          Aradhya
          If you don't look back when you park and walk away, you bought the wrong bike.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Mumbai to Goa NH 4

            Am riding down to south this weekend via NH4 till Bangalore. So will try and get some 'fresh' updates. I think if with wife, NH4 should be good, relaxing & safe.! They like good smooth roads :P

            EDIT: Saddle bags are quite comfortable for pillions. Meant for that purpose.
            Last edited by rachitkohli; 02-18-2014, 05:09 PM.


            Blog : Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai : 21 Days, 6500kms. Journey to Heaven..June'09
            GreatIndianRide - West India on a 110cc for over a month
            Mumbai-Leh-Mumbai - A Sequel : July'11 (Blog coming soon)

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            • #7
              Re: Mumbai to Goa NH 4

              Instead of a such a long stretch, I will suggest you to take a halt at Kolhapur and leave Kolhapur early in the morning next day. Same for return trip as well. Kolhapur to Goa will not be that much tiring.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Mumbai to Goa NH 4

                Back from a trip to south.
                About NH4 condition :
                from pune to satara, there are bunch of diversion due to the ongoing construction work. So need to be little careful.
                after kolhapur its a bliss, but you may have to take a right to go towards Amboli


                Blog : Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai : 21 Days, 6500kms. Journey to Heaven..June'09
                GreatIndianRide - West India on a 110cc for over a month
                Mumbai-Leh-Mumbai - A Sequel : July'11 (Blog coming soon)

                Comment

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