Dear friends

I am Taiwanese, My wife and I are planing a trip to cross Russia start from Vladivostok to Germany in 2006 or 2007, through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Poland, If possible We wouId like to visit ScootW in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia from Ulan Ude

Here in Taiwan, NO ONE ship their bike out of country, not mention to motorcycle adventure, so we lack of information, but we would like to done this trip to highlight our life.

We really need international friends to give us comments even just one word. I have read The Kingsmill's Overland Adventures
But still confuse about many things

My question as follow :

1. To buy a bike or bring our own or rent a bike ??

A- Choice
If Buy a bike in Vladivostok in Eastern Russia

A-1. What available in Vladivostok market
Like XT660R , V-Strom, DR650, F650 GS¡Ketc.
A-2. Could I buy a bike there? Or buy one in Japan then ship to Vladivostok
A-3. Which one is the best to buy ?
A-4. How long will it takes to complete the License plate for us?
A-5. Is there possible to install saddlebags or Alloy case?
A-6. Can I get spare parts and tires ?
A-7. Could I sell the bike after the trip in Germany ?
What else ?

B-choice ship my BMW F650 DK to Vladivostok

Most headache thing for us is can I bring my bike with Taiwan license plate to Russia and above countries
If so
1.
What documents should I bring , most of the documents are in Chinese except original ¡¨ BMW Certificate of Origin ¡§ (with engine #and frame # year model) and imported document that¡¦s all.

2.
How to declare my bike from custom in Vladivostok , I heard it is very hassle to get the bike out from custom

3.Do we need any insurance for bike and us

4. Could some ones can give us the routes suggestions with details towns road # to pass (I have map on my hand)

5. How far (From Vladivostok to Moscow) and how long the journey would take , what average kilometers should we ride every day

6. Will I get any problems from POLICE on the road to MOSCOW with Taiwan license plate

7. What else should I pay attentions like safety, gas, food , cloth, camping, hotel, money, mosquito, rain..¡Ketc

Any comments are welcome
We appreciate you to help us to reach our dream
Thank you to pay attention to my questions

Kind Regards

Jeff

Hello Jeff,
Many questions, and some only you can answer. One good thing: You have plenty of time to plan your trip, and to make the necessary arrangements. Money: Travelling with your own bike will cost you plenty in unavoidable expenses, such as shipping, licensing, customs, fuel, maintenance. It would be much cheaper to do this trip by plane, bus, or train. But if money is no problem, I suggest you go to (or contact) the nearest Japanese Embassy and find out if foreigners can buy and license a bike in Japan. This would be my first choice because you have many models to choose from. There is a regular ferry between Japan and Russia. If the bike is licensed in Japan, you will have no problem to take it into Russia and to Germany. Russia does not require a carnet de passage, and neither does the rest of Europe. Get an international driver's licence from an automobile club, which also has a page in Chinese and Russian. So no problem with police. So far you have your work cut out. Let us know what is happening. Perhaps there will be alternate ideas floating around out there. I would advice against taking your own bike from Taiwan, simply because of the peculiar political situation of your country in the world. But I stand corrected. Good luck!

Buying a bike in Japan is covered here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000214.html

Don't buy a bike in Russia. They are all imported from Japan anyways! And the procedures are hell.

If you bring your bike from Taiwan, the Russians will *probably* treat it the same as a Chinese bike (I am not sure, though). East Russia does a lot of trade with China, and I assume there are special rules for Chineses vehicles.
Maybe someone in the Vladivostok community knows.

__________________
Japan touring information

I think it should be possible to export your own bike. Don't know do the Taiwan licence plates contribute with European standards, if they do, then no prob with them as well.

With Russian police - they often want to bribe some money out of foreigeners - very friendly chat, maybe sharing some vodka ("davai druzja!") will do, they're ex-communists you know, intimate friendshipness is very helpful.

Feel free to contact me or any info needed if coming to Estonia, up for a and some chat.

You'll find my contact details in my profile.

Cheers, Margus

[This message has been edited by Margus (edited 06 April 2005).]

Hello Werner,

Thanks for your suggestion, I thinak I would try to get the answer how to buy a bike in Japan then take ferry to Russia. this would be practical idea

Hi Chris,

Really appreciate you tell me " procedures are hell in Russia". I give up this solution. I would like to ask my two Japanese friends help me to buy a bike with international license plate,


Hi Margus,

Hope to meet you someday in Estonia.

Really appreciate international friends help me and answer my questions.

If you have opportunity come to Taiwan, please contact me,I will help you have a bike tour here.

Chris is right.
Well, in last summer one australian couple bought secondhand bike (Suzuki GSX750F) and travelled by bike to S.Peterburg.
But they bought bike without all procedures, only by "trust solutions" (may be incorrect word, sorry for my english). And now, as far as I know, they have some problem (low, documents procedures) with sale of bike. Anyway, all procedures takes very many time (2-8 weeks), therefore don't buy bike in Russia.