Cheap backpackers place Istanbul. Sinbads in Sultanahmet. You chain your bike to the window bars of the reception there - manned 24 hours.

Take a ferry across to the Asian side for a few pennies. Have a mackerel baguette on the European shore near the ferry point.

Hi Michael thanks so much for all that info, very useful stuff especially about the navigation.We are starting & ending our trip in Istanbul & do not plan any riding there apart from departure & arrival, will make sure we do it early in the day.Have booked accommodation already so will think about canceling & doing it on the fly.Thanks once again Clive

Will the maps you buy in the device cover all of Turkey or only major cities & towns? When I look at maps supplied here in Oz they say major towns only.
Can you get english directions etc when buying in Turkey?
Thanks Clive

Hello,
Just send me a message while you are in Turkey, I will bring your hotel English editions of a Turkey highway map,istanbul city map,istanbul catalog..These are free here and also available in different languages..
Also available by information office at Sultanahmet,white building near the metrostop..
Roadsigns on mainroads and historical areas are in Turkish and English.

Wish you all the best.
mehmet zeki avar

You are most generous, will give you a call ,thank you . Clive

Hello
I went three times in Turkey without provide hotel or guesthouse, I never had no problem finding a sleep.
the bikes are to be kept or retracted in the hotel.
for the map GPS Garmin NT Turkey is quite precise.
To the East the landscape are beautiful
The Turks are very nice.
You can see my trip to Turkey on my site in the travel tab.
good preparation
houps, www.lesroutesdailleurs.com

__________________
www.lesroutesdailleurs.com

Hi Clive

We leave the UK on the 21st April and plan to be in Turkey early May. Our route is pretty much the same as yours although we will stop at Marmuris and catch the ferry to Rhodes and then mainland Greece for the return journey. Nothing is booked room wise as we are hoping at that time of the year they will be readily available, plus we will be taking a tent for when the temp picks up!!

My dilema is whether to stop off at Istanbul for a few days or pass through and take it in as a seperate holiday another time (by plane). It looks a fantastic place and I am not sure a couple of days would do it justice. We only have 15/17 days in Turkey and I would like to get as far as Trabzon before turning south to Nemrut then Cappadocia.

Will you have some sort of travel blog as it would be good to know of any great places to stay you come across as looking at the timings we will be following you around?

Bikewise we will be on a 955 Sprint ST , so only the black stuff for us!!

Kev

Hi Kev we may do a blog ,hadn't really given much thought to it as yet.Hate spending time in a new place on the key board when I could be eating or drinking or both! Maybe we will just so people& family can keep up to date.
We are having 5 days in Istanbul at the end of the trip, not enough I know but it never is. Better to have a dedicated visit but that may not happen so 5 days it is.
Lots too much to see in the World.
Hope you have a great trip, will send you a line if we blog it.
Just hope we don't spend the whole time lost!

Well gradually getting sorted for the trip. GPS ,done. Most of the gear ready to go.
Just a bit concerned. When I read anything about riding in Turkey there are nothing but horror stories regarding the horrendous drivers. Seems it's the most dangerous country in the world. Well I hope not. Have ridden in South America with the fantastic Ferris Wheels Tours, that was no problem. Have ridden in Cambodia, a bit scary but they understand motorcycles. Seems in Turkey they don't.
What I would like to hear is peoples strategy for dealing with this type of driving. Is it worth wearing high visibility jackets ? Does it annoy other drivers if you ride lights on all the time? Quite used to defensive riding tactics but always worth knowing how others deal with the problem.
Drop us a line if you have the time. Can't wait to get on the road in Turkey.

Having lived here for 8 years and travelled extensively throughout the country I would offer the following;

1. The country is vast and sparsely populated away from the coast and big towns/cities. Riding in these areas is a pleasure. Turkey is spending huge amounts on the road infrastructure and the main trunk roads have been, or are in the process of being upgraded, to wide dual carriageways. I've often wondered why as the light traffic doesn't seem to justify the expense. Main dangers here are stray dogs, melting tarmac in high summer and dozy drivers, through tiredness and heat.

2. In big cities there does tend to be a bit of a free for all attitude. A two lane road will turn into a four lane highway as drivers vie to be the first away from traffic lights whilst nattering with other occupants and answering their mobile phones. Indicators are a fashion statement rather than a means to signal one intentions. Vehicle horns are used to let you know you are being overtaken or you have dawdled too long at traffic lights.I always drive defensively in towns/cities.

3. Speed limits for motorcycles are lower than those for cars and speed traps are very common. Make sure you know the speed limit for the type of road that you are on. The traffic police are always friendly and polite when issuing fines/checking docs.

4. Modern bikes run with headlights permanently on so no problem there. Wear a high-vis vest if it gives you peace of mind.

5. I seldom ride in the dark here. Too many stray dogs/cats/kids wandering around. Additionally, in rural areas, cars and tractors often run without rear lights though they will have headlights so that they can see where they are going!

6. Petrol stations are modern, clean, plentiful and rarely self-service.

In summary, if you drive defensively and within the speed limits you should have no problem with the odd pothole, loose gravel on a bend or farmer on his way to market.

Have a good trip, it's a beautiful country.

Cheers,

Dicky

Hi Dicky Once again many thanks for your confidence inspiring reply.

I thought it would be the case with country riding I know we will love it. In the city the biggest problem is trying to navigate aswell as avoiding trouble. Luckily I have my wife on board so will let her tell me when to turn & I will concentrate my efforts on avoiding trouble. Hope the GPS does its job & all will be well.
Not sure about high viz clothing from what I have read it makes little difference, but you never know, if it works just once in your favour you are a winner.
Should I get a tag for the Toll Ways or just use them as some reccomend & see what happens ? How do they work on a bike, they don't work here in Autralia for bikes.
Thanks again Clive.

Never used a tag for tolls. I always buy a card from a petrol station BEFORE I get on a toll road. Here's a linky;

Turkish Toll Highways & Bridges

Let me know if you are coming to Kas on the Turkish Med and maybe we can meet up.

Cheers,

Dicky

Since end of Jan.-2013., system is HGS.for all toll roads and bridges.Thats available in all Turkish Post Offices PTT..Deposit is 5 TL. and minimum credit to be uploaded is 30 TL.(Turkish Lira)

Photo of the HGS toll pass card is here.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Wish you all the best...

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