Um the bike kinda died in Russia was left there. But this is man you need.

Melnikov Yuri
General Manager
Links, Ltd.
89 Svetlanskaya str., office 312,
690001, Vladivostok, Russia.
Tel/fax: (423)222-15-78
Tel: (423)222-08-87
Mobile: +7 902 5243447
mail to: ymelnik (at) links-ltd.com

We opted for the business visa. It took 2 weeks to get the invitation which was a form, we used an online service - fairly easy. That way we did not have to provide proof of hotel booking to apply for the visa. No hassles in & out other than the vladikavkaz border takes forever for foreigners - including Armenians & Azeris. Hotel did the registration,every place will stamp tons of forms, just hang on to them in case some official wants them. Volgograd was very fun. We went through saratov & Engels ...not the sexiest places but interesting & fantastic for the people we met, especially the crazy awesome bikers in Engels. They are a trip. Exited straight east to Kazakhstan. The road is lumpy. Watch out for psycho bus drivers, our friend ran into one...

Hi Tom

How extended is extended? 10 days was enough for us - we got a transit visa in Bishkek as we only wanted to get across the country as quickly as possible! Good luck, take a picture dictionary......

Cheers

Hi,
Are you guys in Wollongong? I'm in bulli.
Pm if you are able to chat and share some info, if you don't mind.
Thanks a mill
Tom

a 1 year business visa allows you to be in the country up to 3 months per stay.

And up to 90 days in the previous 180.

Worth adding here ... since I recently put in for a new business visa. The visa applications are (as of November) requiring a short autobiography, in Russian, and computer printed, to go with the business visa applications.

The big KTM didnt survive mate?

PM sent

Cheers

Yeah - burnt out the clutch, which was a symptom of some wider issues in the lubrication system. Ultimately repairable (engine was still running ok, but the hydraulic tensioners weren't working properly etc) made the decision by the time I shipped and repaired it the price of a replacement was just going to be about $2k difference. Basically it all came down to prep - eventhing that wasn't replaced in the rebuild failed.

Left it with the russian guy who also a mechanic, really nice and looked after us for a couple weeks and eventually drove us to Vlad and took us to a bikerfest in Nakhodka, lots of fun.

So I have to go back one day, I loved Russia and miss being there, magical place. I have an idea for a really huge trip.

BTW loving your RR on ADV.

Mmm that is a pain in the butt and looks to be one of those things that happened because the Australian Government required it first, bet they don't even read it. Do you think that they would accept one that is run through Google translate or translate.ru?

Wollongong!
I'm in Mittagong, small world eh?

Sure is mate! I ride around there a bit, just sold a Triumph and bought a Dominator coz I was scared of dropping my thruxton whilst bashing around Penrose forest.

If I simply want to ride my bike from West to East and then ship it to USA, can I make that my "business"? Such as journalist or travel writer or "Global Travel reconnaissance"

Brilliant feelback Neill08 If you have a blog or a way to hear more then let me know. I intend to follow in your footsteps 2013

Visa Regristration
 

I was near Tver last year at a friend's house. I read about registering the Visa with the local post office. Somehow my GF convinced/had the post office guy stamp the paper and everything was good to go. I am not sure how this worked, but it was pretty easy and no cost.

FWIW, I had a document from a US state that was "Apostle". This is over and above a standard Notary. I made a copy of it and had it "stamped" by notary at my US bank. The russian officials did not like the "Apostle" doc with embossed color foil deal etc, instead took the Notary doc with the blue circle stamp and scribbled handwritten signatures. Since then I have made some of my "own documents", had them "notarized" and everything works fine.
YMMV

TY:) excellent! we are too lazy to blog but you are welcome on FB, niello8(at)hotmail ...