Hi folks,

Ok I've been scouring the threads and it just seems to be a wealth of conflicting info regarding the road between Chita and Vladivostok. I've been riding across from the Uk so have experienced some 'interesting roads' across Russia so far, especially as I'm doing it on a super bike (it's for charity).

I met a Russian biker who rode from Vladivostok to Irkutsk last week and he said the road in parts is terrible, in fact he said there is no road, only earth. Now I know from the roads so far, that this is probably just sections of road works so it'll be sand/gravel/rock etc. My main worry is fuel. He told me there is still a section of 400km with no fuel, but I couldn't understand where, anyone have any ideas?

I've been told about lack of fuel throughout Russia, but even in the sections folk said there was no fuel, I found gas stations fairly regularly?

Does anyone know if this is the case on the Chita to Vladivostok road, is there still a section of 400km without fuel stops?

Appreciate any recent info on this, ie this year - 2013, from people who've ridden it.

Cheers,

Bruce

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Bruce,,
Vladivostok to Khabarovsk , when I went thru last year was terrible ,, we had three seperate Korean bikers go thru in June 2013,, also reports construction and bad roads ,, Khaba to Chita much better roads ,,
After Chita,,intermitten sections of gravel and road works.

There is no 400 KM section with no fuel ,, Only between Mogocha and Chita,, the distance is 292KM exactly ,, I know because I've measured it. It also is the most dangerous section where bikers get murdered every year.
As you leave or enter Mogocha ,, just off the main highway ,, a benzine station,, NO SIGN ,,, just a wooden wall with pump hose sticking out. Make sure you load up at each pump.
As soon as you enter or leave Mogocha ,, keep asking every one Gde Benzine ! Gde Benzine !
And watch out for the frigging dogs ,,
;(

Thanks Joe,

Ha Ha, I'd read your posts, loved them about the dogs!

Thanks very much for your info mate, I leave Chita in the morning so hopefully get through past Never by tomorrow night, we'll see.

Cheers

Bruce


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By the way Joe,

I'm heading to South Korea after Russia, my dad works in Ulsan so I'll be there for a bit at least. I plan to see a bit of the country before heading over to Japan, so if you're around end of July/early August and fancy meeting up, just drop me a line anytime bud. Email is info@teapotone.com

Cheers,

Bruce

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In Chita , stay at hotel Panama City ,, Great Chinese restaurant and a Russian restaurant in the compound,, tittty bar next door ,, hookers arranged by the front desk ,, best hotel in Chita for 50 bucks a night. Just off the first major round about as you enter the city. Chita town roads suck.

I did this section the other way round, about 2-3 weeks ago. Roads are fine and gas stations every 100km or more frequently. The only "hard" bits are the potholes, drunk drivers and dusty stretches of maintenance, some of those involve some offroading too. Maybe 10-30kms worth for the long ones.

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Cheers guys,

I made it to Vladivostok, roads weren't too bad at all really as long as I took the offroading bits slow on the gixxer!

Now waiting to get the ferry to Korea but going to leave the bike and get it on the next ferry to Japan. Not worth spending $1,200 for a weeks riding in Korea, then another almost. $1,500 to get it to Japan!

So after maybe 1 week in Korea and 2 weeks riding around Japan, I'll air freight to Thailand from Japan. Just trying to source that now, would appreciate any pointers if you have any.

I found 2 sections on the road from Chita to the Yakutz turn off where there were no fuel stops for between 190-210 miles. Well there was one on each section but the first was out of fuel, and the second looked like bad fuel so I didn't bother. Apart from that, no probs. Camped wild, met amazing people, but glad to have done it.

Now, bring on Asia :-)


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As a general rule, and I have said it many many times on here, never believe what Russians tell you about how hard the next part of your journey is, or how dangerous the next town or next province is.

Its a cultural thing. They all do that. Ignore them.

I dont want anyone to be scared off by stories they may hear, or to think you need any kind of off road capability at all to ride across Russia on the highway.

Riding across the trans-siberian highway is easy, its vanilla, its like riding route 66 across the western US. Anyone can do it, anytime, on any bike.

The reality (for anyone reading this in months and years to come with the same question) is the main highway across Russia has been paved since 2010. The new sections are as sweet as airport runways. There are no abnormal fuel ranges required. Some older paved sections are still being improved, so there will be roadworks from time to time. But the highway has been rideable by 400 kg Goldwings since 2004 and has been paved since 2010. The federal govt is spending a lot of money on it and the road continues to be improved and updated with new bridges, new flyovers, new clover leaf intersections. At present they are trying to build a motorway between Vladivostok and Khabarovsk, so there is some disruption there.

The very reason I spend so much time encouraging others to get off the main route, is that the main route has become so boring, for the very fact that it is so easy. Its like riding up the M1/A1 to Scotland, as a tour of England - lots of trucks, fuel stations, asphalt and road works and not a lot else.

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