Hi,

I went to Russia from UK via Denmark Norway and Finland last year. When your in Russia i think you are supposed to register yourself as an alien (visitor) within 24hrs of entering the country, or you risk a fine (it is not a big fine)

You should buy your bike insurance at the border when you cross it, and you have to have an invitation into Russia when you apply for you russian visa, this is usually obtained from the hotel or hostal you have booked with.

Buy law you are supposed to carry a fire extingusher, first aid kit and warning triangle on your vehicle. I did carry these with me and i did get stopped for speeding by the cops, they never checked if i had any these items. I think he looked at the amount of stuff i was carrying on my bike and could not be bothered to unstrap everything, in the end i gave him a ten dollar bribe which i was told was the accepted amount there, though he did ask for twenty! Make sure you have all your bike documents and copies in case you lose the originals, and you need an international driving license.

I was i bit worried before i went to russia because i was riding alone. Everybody had horror stories to tell me about the country, but i loved it there, and can't wait to go back one day. Just take the usual precautions you would take anywhere else.

I found not a lot of English was spoken so a Russian translation book may help you,I am fortunate as my first spoken languge was Greek so i could read the cyrilic alphabet.

The motorbike, cigerettes and knowledge of european football helped break the ice when talking to people. Take Roubles and US dollars there, they like them to be new notes and take them in small denominations, for bribes and when you make small purchases.

There are not a lot of road signs in Russia so make sure you have a map.

I hope this helps


Maverick bubble

Hi Scott & Maverick bubble

Thanks for your reply and good message for me.

Excause me where is" Geoff's post "

Jeff

LKK - and others - Get used to using the search facility above, it works really well -

in: HUBB only

match: all

geoff russia

gets 8 hits - one of them this thread - the others won't take long to sift through.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Scott, me and two buddies are heading up in Aug/Sep, from Vietnam. We're keen to drive those Planetas becaue they seem just like the Ischs that are still here in Vietnam. Any way we can get into touch?



[This message has been edited by Digby Vietnam (edited 27 April 2005).]

Digby: Be glad to help if I can. My email address is weinholds at state dot gov. I lived in Saigon from 1999-2001. Had an old Lambretta scooter for getting around there, though I did have a Minsk for a while also.

Regards,

Scott