r/indianbikes • u/bonnybamofficial-123 • Mar 25 '26
#Offroad 🌳 I rode a 110cc scooter from Manali to Leh. It struggled at 17,000 ft. AMA.
Most people told me I was crazy. They said if you don't have a Himalayan or a 350cc bike, you should not even try going to Ladakh. But I wanted to see if a regular city scooter could actually handle the high passes, so I took my 110cc TVS Jupiter from Manali to Leh.
The ride was about 450 km through the Atal Tunnel and Sarchu, and it took me 3 days to finish. Even though it is 2026 and many roads are better now, about 20-30% of the route is still broken or very rough, especially near the high mountain passes.
The technical side of riding a small engine at that altitude was a huge challenge. The biggest problem wasn't the steep climbs; it was the thin air. At 18,124 feet near Taglang La, the scooter was literally gasping for oxygen. This pass is maintained by the BRO (Border Roads Organization) under Project Himank, and seeing those famous yellow signs made me realize how extreme the environment really is.
Honestly, when I finally reached the top, I felt completely overwhelmed. Standing there with my small city scooter at such a massive height was an emotional moment. I took a photo with the BRO board to prove I made it, and it's easily the best picture of the trip.
I had to be extremely patient because if I pushed the throttle too hard, the engine would just sputter and lose all its power. My mileage also took a massive hit. Usually, I get around 45–50 kmpl, but at high altitudes, it drops to only 28-30 kmpl.
The petrol situation was the most stressful part of the whole trip. The stretch from Tandi to Karu is about 340 km with no petrol pumps at all. Since the scooter has a tiny 5L tank, I had to carry two 5L jerry cans on the back. It was the only way to finish that stretch without running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere.
I also had to learn how to manage a CVT transmission in the mountains. On long climbs, the rubber belt gets incredibly hot, so I had to stop for 10 minutes every hour just to let it cool down.
Coming down the steep passes was also scary because scooters don't have gears to help you slow down. I had to use my brakes constantly and was always worried they would overheat and stop working, which is called brake fade.
Finally, you have to be very careful about where you ride. Because the wheels are small and the scooter sits very low to the ground, hitting even a medium-sized rock could easily smash the main stand or the exhaust pipe.
You have to be very precise and pick your path perfectly to avoid damage. I have documented the full route, my fuel planning, and the total budget. If anyone wants the specific details or the itinerary to plan their own budget trip, I am happy to share them.
AMA.
