I thought about the situation Mehmet told about and drove to Erzurum where I had to decide the route. I asked the local police and he said it's OK to drive to the border to Gümrük. He said, if it's needed there will be police escort and that there are already many policemen around. So was by the way also in Erzurum, the city was full of police. I asked also a couple of other people whether they thought it would be risky to take that route but they said that tourists have no problems going there.

Anyway, I realised that EU citizens do not need visa to enter Georgia or Armenia and I thought why not go and see those countries. So tomorrow I'll be going to Georgia and Armenia. I know Armenia is a corrupt country but hope that I manage somehow.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay:

Tbilisi, Georgia

The Green House Hostel

Central - easy walking distance to the Old Town. Clean and friendly. You can park your bike off-road inside the premises on their secure forecourt. If you stay there please give my best regards to the owner, Maia.

There is an terrific mechanic in Tbilisi if you need any work done on your moto: Awesome Mechanic in Tbilisi.

------------------------

Kapan, Armenia

The Darist Hotel

Cheap and clean. Good food .. cold beer. Will allow you to park your bike in their lock-up garage (rear of hotel) overnight.

All the best

Keith

__________________
Right Way Round ...

****Kars,Ağrı,Van,diyarbakır,tunceli are currently the most dangerous cities for travellers..no power and most road bridges are bombed and mines placed under the roads by terrorists.military operations continue in all these cities and roads heading there..Erzurum is safe..Blacksea coastline is never a problem..local people dont rent their flats to foreigners or sell them anything..

4-5 weeks ago I called back my children from cappadocia too while they were on a turkey tour for 1 month on the new bike..

@Dave
Spirit of adventure travellers..you will never walk alone!!

@Lonely
Isil inside turkey now because turkey started bombing their bases together with usa.. terrorists keep hiding in ararat and tendürek mountains..they are being bombed everyday...Fake checkpoints on the roads by them are valid generally for several hours till military forces are there..so I guess escort ride will be on as usual as this main road E 80 is very important for turkey to connect to midasia..(Erzurum,agrı,doğubeyazıt.)..Also when security forces are informed about a road block,the closest team to the problem area closes the road on both directions till the end of the operations..Trains to kars and tehran turn back at erzurum...

armenia, great countryside,nice people..dont speed on the road not to be welcomed! by the traffic police....

@motoreiter
USA and TR. war planes started bombing isil bases whereever they are..We have no government now.as somebody didnt like the result of the ex elections in june,it will be renewed on Nov.1..so its expected to calm down till the end of the year..Hopefully you will meet peaceful roads and friendly people on your trip in spring as all will be over till that date...

@Keith
any programs for turkey again? Hope it will cover a bikers festival next time...Big selams from istanbul.

Let me clear out 1 point even ı dont like to talk about politics..

1-UK is the only european country helping the refugee camps inside turkey.
If others dont help to keep them inside camps, seems more syrian refugees will be on the european roads soon...currently increasing to 3 millions inside turkey and getting harder to keep them under control...

We are also very sad to see all these problems inside our country..I Hope will be normal within a few months after these refugee camps are transported inside syria on secure areas next to the borderlines which is planned to be realised by USA and Turkey and operations started 3 days ago for this purpose...

Wish you all the best and safe,happy trips...

__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn

Hi!,
I entered Turkey from Iran at the Dogubayazet check point on 13 Nov 2015. From there I rode to Agri, Erzurum, Bingol, Elazig and now in Malatya. The road was open and no problem. I stayed in hotel at Dogubayazet, Erzurum and Malatya. Camping in Bingol. There were military posts along Dogubayazet, Agri and Erzurum but no check points.
Traffic speed traps are common especially near build up areas and cities.
Safe Ride

Amzah

Armenian police will attempt to fine you whether you are speeding or not. Do not agree any figure they give you. I was ripped off, friends in Yerevan subsequently told me to demand photographic evidence when none is offered say you will go with them to the Police Station to submit a complaint. They take the shine off an otherwise great country.

Hello there, great thread so far, I'm looking to pass into Iran around April from turkey.. what are your takes on the situation? is it likely to kick of there? (east turkey) do you guys think its reasonably safe taking the Agri E80 route or would it be more recommendable taking the road through Georgia and Azerbaijan?
we are traveling by 4x4 but my girlfriend is not to keen on the situation.

safe ride