Buying a Bike in Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan
 

In June my friend and I are doing a 6 week trip from Bishkek, over to Issy Kol, cut cross country to Osh, down the Pamir Highway, into the Wakhan valley, then across to Dushnabe. We are thinking about buying a bike in Bishkek, how difficult is this? I was thinking about just getting a Ural. Also, I have an IDL, will this be enough? Thanks, Jack

Bike options in Bishkek are extremely limited. There are some Urals available, but they are generally 1960s through 1990s and are in dubious condition. There are some Jap bikes available but it's really hit and miss. There is very little infrastructure for bikes here. For instance there are about 3 KLRs, 2 NX650s, and maybe about 4 Africa twins in the whole country. There's a guy named Patrik down in Osh that rents out some bikes (his website is Muztoo.com...I think). He's on the forum here as well. He's probably your best resource for this.

I've been riding for about 8 or 9 months on an IDL in Kyrgyzstan, not sure about the other countries, but it works here. Some traffic cops will be puzzled, but show them the Russian page and it usually fixes the problem. Try and make sure that you get the Russian language page stamped and that the stamps stick to your picture...rubber stamps are really important here.

bikes for sale
 

Here is a link that should open up to the bikes for sale here in Kyrgyzstan.
Diesel Forum -> Мотоциклы
If this don't work and you can read Russian just go to diesel.elcat.kg

Mac

Hi Arindia. Still doing your trip? Did you find bikes? CHeers. Patrik

Hey Patrik I am interested in purchasing a bike this spring in Kyrgyzstan, are there any options?

Selling a motorbike in Tadjikistan possible?
 

Hi dear forum members
I read in a travel blog that it is possible to sell cars in Tadjikistan.
Does anybody know if selling a motorbike is possible and if there is a proper market for it?
Any hints much appreciated, thanks!
Mark

Hi Mark.
There is a Market, but it depends on the bike and price. Travel bikes are not high valued as most bikers are russians and they are in to sports bikes…
The older the bike and the lower price the easier to sell.
Hope this helps.

Hi BMG.
There are some options. Do you want to tell me your idea and i can tell you my thoughts?

CHeers

I'll let Muztoo comment on selling in Tajikistan. But as far as buying and selling goes in Kyrgyzstan, here are the new tariffs. Should apply to both cars and motorcycles.

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/...ortTariffs.jpg

May be I can help you? I'm Farkhad, local from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, I'm the head of the motobikers in Dushanbe, and the focal point person for help all bike travelers here,

Hi, I've got similar ideas for this spring/summer and would like to buy a bike in Kyrgyzstan or any other country in the area. I was thinking of getting an Ural. How hard is it to get one and what would be a normal price?

Thanks
Dan

Fairly easy to do. You just need to get a full power of attorney on the bike and you can keep the local tags. Typical cost is around $1000. Such as this one. Probably better check about the Soviet era tags, but it's a decent examble.

Maybe it's easy to rent a bike? I can help you on this in Tajikistan, Dushanbe.

Thanks for the replies, it sounds promising. I do kinda prefer having my own ride rather than a rental... Already quite excited about this trip

Hi Dan.

I just got a offer from a local of a URAL, has all documents, needs big service and new tires, no sidecar. Interested?

Hi Muztoo

Yeah still wanna get a bike but of course won't buy one without seeing it first. If everything goes to plan, I'll be in Kyrgyzstan in the beginning of May...

I'm thinking of buying an enturo type bike in Tajikistan this September. Assuming I could find something, would it be possible to drive the bike all the way to Europe? How difficult is it to get into China without a Chinese bike or drivers license?

Motorcycle registration
 

So guys - did you manage it to get back on the motorcycle you bought in Kazakh/Kyrgyz to Europe?

So I was wondering if the paperworks actually doable? What is the best way how to do it?

Should I buy that (or some local will buy for me in Kazakh or Kyrgyz´ and I will get power of attorney) - get transit plates - ride through kazakh borders - russian border - ukraine or latvian border to EU.

So what are the costs of the paperwork and is it doable - getting transit plate (how much does it cost?) and should I expect that I will have to bribe on the borders/pay high fees?

Or is there any other better option there?

Cheers,
Jan

hey guys, OP here. Long time follow up. I ended up riding the route I had planned on a push bike. While I was there I can't remember seeing any motorcycles. Just nobody rode them. Didn't see any markets either, but I wasn't looking.

Double follow up. I have some friends in KZ who are going to help us buy the bikes, they will register them, then transfer them to us on Power of Attorney. Then we will ride to RU then to MO. We tried going the other way, but Cheke tours told us that foreigners can register bikes in MO, but can't cross any borders with them. But our KZ friends said this would work. There are a ton of decent dual sport bikes on the market over there. Check this out:

Купить Peda в Казахстане — Колёса. Объявления о покупке и продаже Peda

Peda seems to have a ton on the market, these are the results for Peda bikes capped between $500-$2000.

Eg. Продажа мотоциклов Peda ENDURA B5 200 2014 года в Алматы - №11427218: цена 1500$. Купить новые Peda ENDURA B5 200 — Колёса
Продажа мотоциклов Peda ENDURO B7 2014 года в Алматы - №18569212: цена 1700$. Купить новые Peda ENDURO B7 — Колёса

Here is a relevant message I sent another user: "I'm here right now, actually dealing with registration right now. It's nearly impossible, you need to have some patient friends in KZ. Or a lot of money haha. We bought the bikes and we had to return the next day to get the registration documents. Virtually no one registers bikes over here, so you have to ask around about the documents before you get the bikes. Once we got those we went to the dmv. Our friend then had to go to some govt office to get an address check for the registration. We return to the dmv and they tell us we need a "certificate" for the bikes. We have the Russian certificate and even though KZ and RU are in a customs free zone, he says we need a Kazakh one. We drive to Karaganda where there is a bigger dmv and they tell us no one will issue the certificate. What complicated things is we were trying to avoid driving the bikes to the DMV, it was just easier that way, and you're supposed to bring the bikes. I think we would have been able to register them if we brought the bikes. My friend called his friend who works at the DMV but was on vacation. He says we don't need the Kazakh document, the other DMV guy is wrong. Hopefully, today the friend will register the bikes for us. So idk what to say, we have to get the power of attorney but honestly that will be easy, I think. You also need insurance and there is a registration fee of 10 or so USD. The insurance is easy and is issues, in our case, at the DMV. The good thing is the bikes were easy to buy, and if you don't plan on leaving KZ you really don't need to register them.

One idea is you could try and purchase a used, registered bike. That may be easier."

We got two Racer RC250GY-C2's. 1200 each at the motorcycle market in Karaganda. N 49 Degrees 48.376' E 073 Degrees 08.437' New bikes every day of the week, greater selection and used bikes on the weekend. Racer is most popular and most parts available. They are ok. Suspension isn't great, main problem is assembly. Chain was way too tight, engine revved at 4000, and the idiots arranged the clutch cables wrong and they pinched and tore on both bikes after 100 km. At the market they also had some other unidentified Chinese 250 dual sports, Peda B7's and B5's, and a lot of 150's. Almaty seems to have the best market

Hello travelers. I can still offer a hassle free trip from Osh to Switzerland.

We have Yamaha XT 600 E's on Swiss plates. With a power of attorney you can cross in to Kazakh, Russia, Europe.

Drop the bike in Switzerland.

The bikes will come with new chain kit, tires, brake pads, oil change, 12v socket.

Price differs. Time and route….

CHeers

Hi guys,
i'am John from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
I used to be a mountain guide interpreter and now a mamber of smal moto club in Kyrgyzstan.
We are engaged in the restoration of old Soviet motorcycles.
Today we have 2 Urals, Jawa-350, Ish Planeta and Ish Jupiter are ready for tours.
For mor information please contact by email: adventure@mail.ru

I will buy your bike...
 

If you will be in Central Asia and will have problem with your moto please contact me. I am in Bishkek during the summer and I will make an offer for your bike. It will be fully legal.

Hi Sambor,

Are you still interested in purchasing bikes? We have a KLR600 and DR650 for sale at the end of september.

Muztoo, if you see this, are you interested at all?

Hi Patrik,

I'm looking to buy two bikes in Bishkek. Do you know where I can find some or who to contact?

Diesel.elcat.kg
Or ping Ryan at Iron Horse Nomads
Or contact local MC club at Peppers Moto Bar maybe through fbook
I know a couple of guys selling GS’s

Paul

Bikes for sale/prices
 

Hi Muztoo,considering a trip this summer? What bikes are available and prices?
I am an enduro oriented rider(midweight!)
Thanks

I want to purchase a bike in tajikistan
 

Is there any one who can help in purchasing bike my contact number is +919685833286

Just thinking ... you may want to put more information down ... where is the bike? what bike is it? what condition is it in?

to buy a Motorbike in Kyrgyzstan
 

I am getting asked quite repeatedly in these times about if there is a Motorbike to buy in Kyrgyzstan and then ride to Europe or elsewhere.

Let me give you a quick feedback here in public about the situation in Kyrgyzstan and probably across Central Asia.

General saying, there is no credible motorbike market here in Central Asia and there are no feasible motorbikes for overland travels available here. Mostly proper Enduros are required for overland and especially for the rugged roads here in Kyrgyzstan (and gears). Although there is a few Chinese bikes available but I highly don't recommend those for overland travels (mostly racing bikes) and no parts for those either.
There is a few rental bike rental companies around but not all with good conditioned reliable bikes...
We at Zorro Moto have no Motorbikes for sale. There might be occasionally a Motorbike rider who wants to get rid of his toy prior to departure. Those vehicles are evaporating quite quickly into local hand across borders here. But since 1 1/2 years there is hardly a rider around here, even more rare a dude who wants to get rid of his mate.

I have randomly customers asking about this particular opportunity for buying a motorbike - eventually riding for a decent budget. This strategy is feasible and may work in lots of corners around the globe.

My opinion is, there is no cheap solution here possible. Gravel roads even brake the best and newest bikes here... There is always high maintenance and cost required and about those few rugged bikes around I wouldn't ride those overland to other continents... (if you want an Ural-Experience you should a hire a mechanic for your trip and tow him in the side wagon :-)

But you can ship your own bike here and ride it back. That is possible. If you consider to ride more than a month, that is the cheaper way. A one-way shipment costs about a 1000 Euro's, exclusive side cost like domestic transportation or monitored parking.

I would like to encourage others for a feedback about the market and situation here & its opportunities. This post only shows my opinion with a 5 1/2 years experience in Central Asia.

Having been stuck in Bishkek for a few months in the past with a wonky XT660Z, I will speak from first hand experience to totally back up what's been said here.

Do not underestimate just how few motorbikes and related mechanic and parts/services there are in this part of the world. In fact, that's the case for most of the former Soviet Union in my experience, from Georgia onwards.

And totally agree on how the country can eat up your bike, though that is changing with Chinese-built better quality roads.

Do, however, be ready to see a lot of Mercedes Sprinter minibuses/vans bought second-hand from Europe - I even recall seeing one with the name stickers still on it from some English school!

That all said - that's why I love that part of the world and CAN'T WAIT to get back there once this COVID cr@p allows!

Ed

hello all
i read your previous threads, very interesting, thanx
well, i'm looking for a motorbike or side-car to rent in KIRGHIZISTAN from july 15 until august 15, if you have any ideas or contacts :-)
Thanx. Vincent

Motorbike for Sale
 

Hi Volks

One of my long therm parking clients wants to sell his
KTM Super Adventure 1290 for 7000 Euros.

Further specs and details please see here:
https://www.facebook.com/ZorroMoto

Greetings from southern Kyrgyzstan