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.

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9000 miles 'round the US riding two up on a ratted out 1985 Shadow 500 and now exploring Central Asia on a 1994 Honda Dominator...ride what you own where you are!

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

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Every day with the Lord is an ADVENTURE

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

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

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

CHeers

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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.

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9000 miles 'round the US riding two up on a ratted out 1985 Shadow 500 and now exploring Central Asia on a 1994 Honda Dominator...ride what you own where you are!

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.

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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?

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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.

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www.zorromoto.com|Motorbikerentals, tires, oils
Osh / Kyrgyzstan / 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

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Where Next Barney? / Trans Morocco Trail

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

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Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.