2 min read • Updated
Which motorcycle is best for Mustang?
Mustang is the trip most riders ask us about, and the bike matters more here than anywhere else in the region. There is no single right answer — it depends on your experience and how far you plan to go.
Suspension travel over engine size
Surfaces change with little warning. A bike that soaks up a rough section at moderate speed is worth more than power you cannot use.
Weight you can pick up
If you drop a bike on loose ground far from help, you need to be able to lift it. Be honest about this when choosing.
How our bikes compare for Mustang
- KTM 250 Adventure — our most capable bike for long, rough routes. It sits tall, so it suits experienced riders.
- Royal Enfield Scram 411 — torquey and comfortable over long days, with long-travel suspension.
- Hero Xpulse 210 — light, with more power than the 200; one rider rode it to Muktinath with no issues.
- Hero Xpulse 200 4V — the lightest and most forgiving; a good choice if you are newer to gravel and ride at a steady pace.
- Royal Enfield Classic 350 — riders do take it to Mustang, but it is heavier with less suspension travel, so go steady on rough sections.
- Scooters are not suitable for Mustang.
Ride it locally first
Take the bike out around the valley for a day before committing to the long route. It is the cheapest way to find out whether it fits you.
Ask us
Tell us your experience and your plan, and we will tell you honestly which bike we would take.
Written by Utsab Adhikari of RideUp Rentals, Hallanchowk, Pokhara.