People ask us this a lot. Can I take the TVS NTorq 150 to Tawang?
Short answer: yes. We allow it, and the scooter can physically make it. Whether it's a good idea depends on you, and mostly on how patient you are on the way down.
What happens on the climb
The air gets thin as you go up. Sela Pass is around 13,700 ft. Your engine needs oxygen to burn fuel, and up there there's less of it, so you get less power.
On the steepest stretches you'll probably have the throttle wide open just to hold 25 to 30 kmph, with a rider and luggage. It will feel slow. That's the altitude, not a fault with the scooter. Don't panic, and don't keep revving it harder.
Keep left, let the trucks go past, and take your time. A scooter that's slow and steady gets there. A rushed one runs hot.
Take the Sela Tunnel. It bypasses the 13,700 ft top of the old pass and saves about an hour, and it spares your engine the worst of the climb. The road still climbs past 13,000 ft to reach the tunnel, so the thin air is still there. Don't take the old pass road on a scooter.
The descent is the real problem
The climb isn't what gets people in trouble. The way down is. Even after the tunnel, the descent towards Jang and Tawang is steep and long.
On a geared bike like the Royal Enfield Scram 440 or the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, you drop a gear and let the engine hold your speed. A scooter has no gears. It just rolls. Every bit of your stopping power comes from the brakes.
Hold the brakes down all the way from Sela and they overheat. The pads glaze over first, and the brakes fade. If you ignore that and keep squeezing, the brake fluid can boil. Then the lever goes soft, comes back to the bar, and there's almost nothing behind it. You don't want to find that out on a hairpin.
The fix is boring: stop
Ride for 15 or 20 minutes, then pull over.
Take a photo. Drink some water. Let the brake discs cool down, then carry on.
That's the whole trick. It costs you a little time and it saves your brakes.
If you know you won't stop every few bends, because you're in a hurry or the group is waiting, don't take the scooter. Rent a geared bike instead. No hard feelings.
Who the NTorq suits for Tawang
- One rider, or a light pillion.
- Someone who rides calmly and doesn't mind stopping.
- Someone who's happy with a slower trip, with days built in.
- A smaller budget: the NTorq is ₹899 a day, against ₹1,999 for the Scram.
Who should take a geared bike
- Two people with a lot of luggage.
- Anyone who wants to ride fast, or keep up with a group of bikes.
- Winter trips. With snow or ice on the road (see Tawang in snow), small wheels and no engine braking are the wrong tool.
- Anyone new to mountain roads. A geared bike gives you more control on the way down. Our Scram 440 vs Himalayan 450 post helps you pick one, and the adventure bikes page has the whole range.
Pack light
The engine and the brakes both have to deal with weight, so every kilo you leave behind helps on the climb and on the way down.
Take what you need: warm layers, a rain layer, gloves, water, a power bank. Leave the rest in Guwahati. The wind at Sela is cold even on a clear day, so don't skip the layers to save space.
Before you go
- Check the weather and the road on the morning you leave.
- Sort out your Inner Line Permit early. Our permit guide covers it, and we can help.
- Give yourself at least 5 to 6 days. Don't try to rush Tawang on a scooter.
- The Guwahati to Tawang route guide has the stops, the road and the best months.
Our scooters
Helmet included, no vehicle deposit
FAQs
Can the NTorq 150 really reach Tawang? Yes. It will be slow on the climbs, which is normal at that altitude.
Is it safe? It's as safe as you ride it. The risk is the descent. Stop every 15 to 20 minutes and let the brakes cool.
Scooter or bike for Tawang? If you're patient and travelling light, the scooter works. If you're not, or you have luggage or a pillion, take a bike.
How many days do I need? At least 5 to 6 for the round trip from Guwahati. On a scooter, 6 is much better.
What does it cost? See the TVS NTorq 150 page for the current price.
Do you allow scooters in Arunachal Pradesh? Yes. Our rentals can go to Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
The information in this post is indicative. Final terms and policies are discussed and confirmed when you take the vehicle on rent.
