Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Apr 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 28
All recent info on Europe-Stans

Hi guys,
I know a lot of you are planning your trip for this summer so let me give you some info on the latest development as I there right now. Check-out my blog (which I check more regularly and ask questions in the comments) at:
www.eurasianmotorcylceadventure.blogspot.com

Border crossings:
for all EU countries make sure you have a valid insurance greencard with you, if not they will make you pay for third party insurance in Serbia and Turkey.

Azerbaijan only gave us a 3 day transit visa for the bikes while we had 1 month tourist visas.

Turkmenistan: it took us 5 bloody hours at the entry and 2hrs at the exit. A lot of paperwork and you go from one desk to the next one. 5hrs later and usd125 less at the entry, you are free to go (we had 5 day transit visas).

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: a walk in the park with only 20-30mins at the border. They ask you fill a custom form at the exit...weird.

Ferry crossing: the guy has a monopoly and tried to negotiate for 3hrs before we bent over and paid: usd50 per m per bike (a bike c.2m, so usd100) + usd75 per person for 1 cabin. We negotiated the cabin down to usd61.

Police checkpoints:
Azerbaijan, they try to get you sometimes for speeding which is wrong, they just want some money. Don't speak English and Russian, pretend German or French and after a while they let you go

Turkmenistan: approx. every 50-100km and they just look at the passport, the Turkmen transport docs, fill-in a notebook and let you go. Easy but often

Uzbekistan: they stop you all the time to have a chat with you and ask the same dumm questions, where are you from (Ascuda), where you are heading (cuda), how much the bike is worth, how many liters in the tank. We couldn't bare this anymore and just didn't stop anymore even when they were making big signs...they can't (don't have cars) and don't follow you.

Kyrgyzstan: no police checkpoints.

Road tolls: Most bridges, tunnels etc have road tolls but not for bikes so they usually let you through without hassle.

Petrol: Damm cheap in Turkmenistan usd0.15/L and good quality 91 and 95 oktan. When you arrive in Turkmenbashi, please fill-up as the next petrol station is only in a few hundred kms.

Uzbekistan: mostly 80 Oktan but also 91-92-93 oktan in bigger cities (when they have some). In Tashkent they even have 95 and 98. Cost approx. usd0.7/L

Kyrgyzstan: mostly 80 in remote areas. 93 on major roads and towns. 96 available in bigger cities.

We never had any issues with finding petrol apart when crossing the desert in Turkmenistan and unless you drive a GS Adventure like me, take a 10L Jerrycan.

Roads are good everywhere apart on the northern road in the desert in Turkmenistan (coming from Darvaza) and smaller roads in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia where they are tracks.

Tyres: Our favourite subject
I had a set of Michelin Anakee on my GSA and they lasted for 12,500km with 8,500km fully loaded. I now drive on TKC80 but will change to the Michelin for another 1000km until I arrive in Mongolia.
You can get tyres in Almaty from Leonid from Mytownmoto. I've got his nbr somewhere so if needed, let me know and I will post. He speaks only Russian though so get a friend to speak to him. He has the tyres for a Honda Transalp in stock but for my bmer, he would have ordered them (whatever brand and size you want). He needs a usd200 deposit if he orders (Western Union). This is the better option than carrying them along with you.

Bear in mind that the Stans have had the harshest winter in the last 50 years and it is now still only 0 degrees celcius on the shore of Issyk Kul, so a lot of passes are still snowed in (we had to abandon the pamir because of snow conditions).

Good luck guys and let me know what else I can help you with on the ground.

Oh I forgot, FAST internet is a scarce resource, so I can't guarantee a speedy answer.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Apr 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Estonia
Posts: 351
So you had all visas pre-arraged, so you could just quickly pass through?

P.S. There is a typo in your blog link, it should be

On the path of Genghis Khan

Last edited by Rebaseonu; 18 Apr 2008 at 17:12.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Egypt carnet recent info Grom sub-Saharan Africa 4 2 Oct 2009 11:04
info about turky-stans-mongolia-russia. rider228 Route Planning 1 9 Sep 2007 00:32
Recent info on Marlboro route Redhouse North Africa 19 30 Mar 2005 22:37
recent Central America border info sohrakoff Central America and Mexico 2 8 Jan 2005 01:06
recent Central America border info sohrakoff Trip Paperwork 0 25 Dec 2004 02:37

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:45.