Hello!

I am Kostas and I am from Greece.

I am planning to make a solo moto trip in Turkey. In specific, I am planning to visit Cesme, Izmir & nearby towns and villages. I am planning to do this with a moto with engine capacity 125cc and horsepower 8.5 HP (Daytona Sprinter) and as it is not a fast moto I would like some advice regarding the route I will choose.

I intend to take the ferry from Pireaus to Chios and another ferry from Chios to Cesme. I intend to spend my first night in Cesme. Apart from exploring Cesme I plan to do the following road trip.
https://goo.gl/maps/RH7Gw82ZzXRncS7w7

Next day I plan to head for Urla, where I intend to spend 4 days. I will make two road trips
https://goo.gl/maps/91QCmNPyqCHZHTxf7
https://goo.gl/maps/wsf2ewL1SSEL6oeE8
The next 2 days I will visit Izmir by bus (I suppose there is good transportation).

I have some hesitation for my trip due to my moto, as I can ride with up to 80-90 km/h and I have to make stops every hour, so the engine cools. My first question is do you think it is safe to ride such a small moto along the aforementioned routes. Moreover, taking into account my low cruise speed should I use the Izmir Cesme Yolu without tolls or the Izmir Cesme Otoyolu to go to Urla. Another question is if any of the roads included at my road trips are too steep mountain roads that would be too much for my moto. Finally, I would also like to ask if there is a danger along these routes to be attacked by dogs or other animals as it would be difficult to avoid them with such a small moto and they can be dangerous if it is a pack of them.

I have to mention that I am not a newbie rider and I have made even longer trips but with faster moto within Greece and it will be my first time abroad. Feel free to make any suggestion for modifications.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Hi Kostas & welcome!
Three years ago I started my first Turkey trip also via Chios and Cesme, travelling more or less on your route, but continuing to Ephesos and further east, right to the Iranian border.
I found the western region very similar to the Greek back-country. Quite civilised compared to the far east - at least concerning the roads and herd dogs. I travelled on an old Beemer, usually going between 60 - 90 kph and never felt too slow for the traffic around. Istanbul is a different story....
So IMHO your 125cc bike should be ok. On the motorways the speed limit for bikes (even big bikes) is restricted to 80 anyway.

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Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

Thanks a lot for the warm welcome and the information! Your post is really helpful. Although I was always intrigued by the idea of a moto trip abroad, I postponed till I get a better moto or have more money etc. I am decided to make my dream come true even though I do not have the moto neither the money I expected in the past. Ride safe

Your bike will be fine, I have ridden through Turkey on a 125 before and it was fast enough on most roads, I avoided the toll roads simply becuase I did not want to pay but with an 80kp/h limit they should not be a problem.

You will have lots of help from locals and riders when you are in need of help. No worries.. Enjoy your time in Turkiye

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

Hi Samy! Thanks for your answer. I was thinking of buying such a device, but according to reviews I have read it is not always effective against an aggressive big dog. It is more useful as training tool for your own dog. As I have grown in countryside I frequently encountered dogs when cycling or riding, so it is not a problem to face one or two dogs even if they are aggressive (if is kangal even one would be a problem ). I would like to avoid though any routes where many herds of sheeps are kept. It is a rule I have followed also in Greece as herd dogs are kept in packs and are really wild and aggressive especially at mountain areas, where they fight wolves frequently.

I ran into quite a few dogs in Turkey, some single and some packs. The city & town dogs on the whole were not too much of an issue during daylight, but some packs were wicked after dark! they don't like motos much? Several times I had dogs heads bouncing of the panniers as I sped away standing on the pegs! Not my favorite moment but no harm done. I don't usually ride in dark, but got caught out a few times.



The small farm dogs are not too bad, they will come after you but not completely "engage" they are just doing the job they are there for, just don't try making friends, waste of time!


The wild pack dogs out far east side of Lake Van are bastards! If you have a pillion get them to chuck meat or something off the back


I did live to return home after my dog experiances in Turkey, never been keen on dogs, but they don't seem so scary at home now. But seriously if you don't like dogs.........good luck. If you do like dogs ........good luck

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Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway

In this case Kostas, just keep the throttle on and better to ride away...

I have been riding all over Turkiye and haven't met any serious problems with dogs. Especialy kangals are very clever dogs and they don't attack you unless they think you are dangereous to sheeps or to them.

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "