Maria, thank you

I'll contact them both! I've exchanged a few emails with Patrick about rentals, but will ask him again about buying/buy-back.

Note that Vladimir does not speak English, but Google translate is pretty good in Russian. I use it a lot. He can get translators if needed though, so no worries.


Good luck

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Oops I already sent an email in English! Let's see what he replies.

I'm also asking some friends in Moscow, but these girls have no idea about cars or motorbikes... it ain't easy

Ah no te preocupes, yo me comunico mucho con el ahora porque estoy preparando mi proximo viaje en Russia, y hablo poco ruso! El también usa Google

Cuando pensais estar alli? A lo mejor nos encontramos por allá este verano.

Pienso cruzar Russia, despues Kazakhstan y Kyrgyzstan. Si podemos y tenemos tiempo, visitar un poco Tajikistan.

Pienso salir de Londres a final de Mayo o principe de Junio y acabar en Bishkek a medio de setiembre!

Suerte

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Keep an eye open on this forum as bikes tend to come up for sale from time to time from other travelers. There was and probably still is a WR250R for sale here by an Australian who rode it from Japan a couple of months ago. I met another rider who bought his older Yamaha Tenere in Armenia and will be selling it in Georgia. I am leaving my Suzuki DRZ in Tbilisi for the winter while I go home to have my shoulder repaired, if it doesn't work out for the better that bike might end up on the 4 sale blocks as well.
There is a good mechanic here in Tbilisi (reasonably good English speaker) who would be a good contact, he is minding my bike and doing some maintenance for me. Email me if you want contact details and with his permission I will pass them on.
Georgia is a great place to visit and ride and it would be a pity to skip this area.

robtho, thanks! I guess it's this page: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...r-sale-wanted/

Couldn't find the WR250R or otherwise in the Caucasus region but will keep checking! we'd need two of 'em. I'd appreciate that email – will contact you privately.

Is it true that Georgians are not very fond of motorbikes? Or that you rarely see them riding a bike?

Fly to Almaty in Kazakhstan buy a bike there

Massive selection on bikes compared to other nearby areas, its on par with European city. Maybe better

I was browsing as i am looking to buy a used CRF250L for my Central Asia bike to leave there when not using next summer.

CRF250L used around $3000-$3500 dollars and ideal as FI which is better to have in some high up areas in Central Asia.

As Kazak is part of custom union then no import papers needed for all custom union papers.

I have a Kazak friend who informed me all papers regarding border crossing can be complete in 1 day.

Look here (change city setting to Almaty and use google translate)
http://kolesa.kz/

Also Kawasaki sherpa good choice but stay away from the Chinese bikes

Hola Maria Sería genial cruzarnos en el camino! Pero lo cierto es que todavía no sabemos exactamente cuándo ni dónde empezar...

Vladimir answered, he definitely uses Google Translate

Quoting him:

- To buy a motorbike and to prepare them in Moscow for the trip, there will be problems, as there are many companies involved in the sale of motorcycles [...]

- You will need to put them on record in the state traffic police. Here it may be the first task, as it will be temporary or account or you are required to have registration in Russia (need to work on this issue)


Today we went to the Russian consulate here in Buenos Aires. Basically, they don't know shit. We got in touch with the Georgian consulate, they also don't have idea. We went to the Turkish consulate, too. Same thing. Iran, the same. No friggin clue about anything that has to do with driving, permits, registration. Moreover, no-one could even point us in the right direction (apart from the Iranian dude telling us to "search for the ministry on Google")

Searching on other forums about buying & registering a bike in Russia I found this:

"Forget it! You have no idea what vehicle registration procedure is in Russia. It is impossible for foreigner to do it. If you are such a biker, then the best way for you will be, if someone Russian (who can be trusted), with permanent address, with appropriate driving license will register it for him self and provide you (watch it) DOVERENNOST. It is piece of paper on which a registered owner is allowing you to drive a vehicle. But in this case legally bike is not yours.
Go only to well established and official dealer. Do not buy from small dealerships/garages. There is a big chance that you will buy stolen, or not cleared by customs bike. In both cases it will be impounded.
But, if I was you, I would not do it."

(From buying a motorbike in russia )

DOVERENNOST = Power of Attorney


So this is proving difficult. We have no info whatsoever. Russian friends & consulate can't help. Forums discourage it or don't know well.

QUESTION: Has anyone traveled on someone else's bike with a Power of Attorney crossing borders? Are there risks of doing this, or is it standard as with rentals?

Info on this really appreciated! Thanks!

Zeko & Fran