We Koreans are one of the worst drivers in the world, I am shamed to say ,,
Our drivers test system is a farce.
For those, who are already in the country or arriving soon ,, please read following ,,,
1) At four way stop lights ,, always count 1,2,3 then take a good look left and right before taking off,, even though the light is green in your favor ,,,
2) If you are in the center lane always be aware of some schmuck making a U-Turn in front of you,,
3) Seoul or Busan ,, our streets are a nation of U-Turns ,, due to bad city planning,, Many times you have to make a U-Turn to go where you want to go ,, and it is clearly marked,,,
I have seen this in Poland,Spain and Croatia ,, sucks ,,
4) YOU can not ride on the national free ways , so call autobahn or motorway,,, there also are numerous car only local express ways ,, this you can ride with heart's content ,, cops will not bother ,, especially with foreign license...
5) Right after lunch hour and after 8PM, on rural roads,,, look for drunks ,, people drink and drive,, although it is getting better,, I too am guilty of this
6) Lock your bikes tight ,, young school kids think it is funny to rip off bikes, for a joy ride,, and all they get is a slap on the wrist by police,,,, 14 year old son of my friend, who is a famous doctor stoled a scooter last year,, funny wealthier neighborhood ,, more frequent.
7) Always be aware of other bikes ,, making deliveries and couriers sneaking up right behind you ,,
8) Frigging taxis will cut right in front of you to rush for the passenger on the curb,, they are bike killers ,,
9) Bus ,, stay away from buses ,, they are under heavy time schedule and no idea, what they will do ,,
10) White lining is allowed in Korea for bikes ,, I also use bus lanes a lot, when there is a heavy traffic.
11) During rainy season ,, on the hills ,, gravel gets washed down and many of curves are covered with this ,, be careful ,,
12) On winding road ,, look for cars that cross the center lane ,, Recently riding in Croatia along the coast ,, I had many frightening experience ,,

Having met riders coming over from Vlad, recently,,, and others, who told me that they will be arriving soon,,, few pointers about Korea.
Times have changed,,,
1) 60% of age group 14 to 30 speaks English. 30% of age 30 - 60 speaks English. Even in the remotest villages, you will find native English speakers working as teachers. Usual compensation is USD 2,500 a month plus housing and once a year paid vacation to their home. Learning English is a government sponsored necessity for good colleges and jobs.
You can find them in any elementary, jr or high school.
2) Almost 10% of Korean population are foreigners now. Gaining citizenship for Korea is very easy compare to EEC, USA and especially Japan. This is due to the shortage of labor force and fewer female populace in the country side. Imported brides.
3) Korea is 11th largest economy in the world,, cities are expensive. Seoul is 3 - 4Th most expensive city according to Forbes,, due to recent FTA with EEC,,, European goods have come down 15% in prices, but still almost double the price of Europe,, country side is much cheaper and a decent Korean meal can be had for USD 5-10. But if you miss food from back home,, we have Italian,French, Mexican, German, US and many other chefs from different countries, with own restaurants in Seoul and Bu-San.
4) Motels are every where but depending on the area, many of these are love motels and you have to check out at 11AM and check in after 7PM for USD 30 - 60 a night,, since they rent the rooms out by the hour. The 5 star hotels in Seoul can be had between USD 180 - 260 a night ,,
Life in Korea: Korea hotels, travel, tours | culture, language, information, shopping, and communities in South Korea
5) High octane gas,,only in big cities, in the country side,, expect 91 all the way. But never had a problem with my EFI engine.
BMW or Harley parts and labor are expensive, others much cheaper and can be fixed any where.
BMW Motorrad Seoul. The petrol is USD 1.6 - 2 a liter.
6) Cities I like the most,,, Seoul, Bu-San, Gyung-Ju and Jun-Ju. The most beautiful riding by mention is at Gang Won province, Junra Nam Do province, Gyung Sang Buk Do province. Try to stay away from Inchon,, go only when you have to ship your bike out by sea ,, the most polluted and most ugly city in Korea. The air port is great,, been voted best airport in the world for the last 4 years and you by-pass the city,,out to the sea, some 40KM.
7) Do not have accidents,, New law, many of the times the accident becomes a criminal/police matter not a civil matter. In case of personal injury, you have to compensate other party, even if you have insurance. Only insurance you can get is third party liability and your personal injury. No damage clause for your bikes.

Lastly, I will add more to this list as time goes on,, meanwhile, I have been an officer of Korean HOG group and currently member of other biker's group and we have bikers in every corner of Korea,, if any of you have an emergency, any where in Korea ,, let us know ,, we can send our members to assist you..

Notable Historical Attractions
Visitkorea | Official Korea Tourism Organization

Google Map of Korea
korean map in english - Google Maps

Temple Stays ,, a Buddhist Experience
Korea Temple Stay | Official Korea Tourism Organization

Insa Dong, in Seoul
Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: Insa-dong

Sam Chung Dong Old Town
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/...out&cid=995817

Palaces of Seoul
Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: Korean Palaces, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace

Guest Houses
Google

Famous Mountains
http://www.korea.net/detail.do?guid=28306

This writer's recommendation of must see
Bulguksa Temple near Gyung-Ju, famous temple with grotto
Gyung Ju city proper with many cultural relics
Junju Traditional Village with great cuisine
Seorak Mountain on the way to Dong Hae
Secret Garden Palace in Seoul
O Dae San mountain with temple
Nam Hae region (Southern Coastal Road)
Dong Hae to Seoul via Yang Pyung ( Dae Gwan Ryung Pass or Jin Bu Ryung Pass)

Great information, Thank you!

__________________
Thomas

"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"

So far this year,, that I know of ,,
Clyde and Robert came from Vlad, in June ,, An Aussie flew in and got on the DBS Ferry straight away, in July,,, A Yank came also from Vlad, with a BMW ,,,, did not meet him ,,just sent some info along ,, a Yank got on DBS in July, for Vlad,, Two German and an Austrian rider is due here soon but only by flight, since they are not allowed to drive German registered bike ,,
Eight Koreans left for Vlad in June and July ,,and are doing Siberia to Moscow and some to Kazak and Turkey ,, Two are in northern India on separate ride,, Six did Laos,, Another 7 did Tibet ,,, most of them bought or rented bikes from local shops or guide company. I understand that our Korean riders have met some of the HUBB riders, in Mongolia, India and Kazik. Five rode their Harleys to Ulan Ude and the lake and back, with a support truck,,,
I did the USA and Europe leaving from the Port of Inchon and returning by air freight from Frankfurt to ICN via DHL.
Most of the anglo riders are or were in contact with Wendy Choi.

Be safe and have a great ride ,, as we unwind 2011 ,,transiting through Korea, to where ever you may be heading.

Hey Joe
thanks for the info. I have ridden across Korea twice, in 06 on an Indian & in 09 on an old Harley chopper.
Had a great time both trips, altho finding my way from Busan to Seoul on the chopper with no gps & not able to ride on the hiways took longer than planned (ok, I did cheat a couple times....
It seems alot of people opt to ship their bike by truck to/from the port to Seoul, what a shame. Its a great country to ride in, many nice people, and great scenery. I will look forward to visiting again one day

this summer, I saw the group from KR when I was in Siberia, but they were going the other way, & didnt stop, so I didnt get to talk to them

Doug

__________________
www.motosapiens.org

My Motorcycle Hotel/Cafe in Bulgaria

Hello
Can anyone supply any information re bike hire for a week in South Korea
I appreciate your advise
richard wolters

__________________
Richard Wolters
Brisbane, Australia

No major rental companies will rent to foreign riders ,, due to recovery loss and no insurance exists that will cover the bike it self ,, only the third party and medical.
I did arrange a rental from a bike shop I use for a Brit last year ,, but he had to leave a credit card deposit for the amount of the bike cost. Insurance is USD 40 for a month. If you are willing to put a deposit,, I can arrange it for you.
The rental cost for a 250CC is around 40 USD a day ,,
This is possible, only because my mech has over 200 bikes in his shop.

Those,, who are transiting Korea ,,
Who needs emergency assistance or plain friendship. We have prepared a list of volunteers in strategic locations of Korea. They all speak ENGLISH + other languages and ready to help.
Just let us know.
seouljoe(at)seouljoe.com
Mobile +82 10 4765 4984

Nice thing about RO-RO ,, no box needed ,,
What is cool ,, they also go to Singapore ( Where you can hitch to Australasia) Malaysia ,, Middle East ,,
Mediterranean and North Europe, including Southhampton.

Lee Dong Shin <dslee(at)eukor.com> is your man for the rates.
Transit to USA takes about 12 days ,, to Europe is twice longer,, the distance plus ,, the more number of calling ports,, then the pirates .. gee

Looks ,, USD 650 for the lines ,, USD 150 for export documentation ,, USD 150 for Liverno CC ,, USD 1,000 in total ,, considering ,, DBS Dong Hae to Vladivostok is almost USD 1,000 ,, this is cheap.
Flight from Seoul to Milano on Gulf air via Dubai ,, got a quote of USD 980.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Harley Davidson to Liverno
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:44 +0000
From: dslee(x)eukor.com
To: 'Sir Yun-Soo PARK'
CC: Noh Yoong Ho >, Choi Sung Won , Yun In Sik


안녕하세요,

견적 문의 감사드리며, 하기 운임 및 서비스 안 참조 부탁 드립니다.
아직 선명이 확정되지 않아, 선적 여부 알려주시면 추후에 통보 드리겠습니다.

대상선 Vessel: TBN (To Be Named - shipping term for vessel designation)
선적항 Port of Loading: 평택 (4월말 ~ 5월초 경) Pyung Taek end of April-Early May
양하항 Port of Dest:inat ion Livorno, Italy
Transit Time : 30~35 days Transit (Long way to Europe,,)
화물 Cargo : Used Motorbike 1대 ( CBM)
운임 Fare : USD 150 w/m + BAF 41.25% (Validity until May 2012) Per ton or 1 cubic meter
– FLT at both ramp ends
* Subject to space and schedule availability

감사합니다.


유코 유럽팀 / 이동신 드림
Tel : 02)3468-5223
메일 : dslee(x)eukor.com

When contacting ,, try to use following format ,, to make it easier for them to understand your requirement.

Shipper / Consignee ( Your Name or Your Forwarder)
COMM/ commodity ,, 2006 Harley Road King ( For tariff by lines and customs)
ETD / Estimated Time of Departure
ETA / Estimated Time of Arrival
POL/ Port of Loading
POD/ Port of Destination
W/M / Weight and Measure , give the bike weight ,, length x height x width. Per one ton or one cubic meter.
Shipping lines will use, whichever is greater for freight.
BAF/ Bunker Added Fuel charge.

Then you can add TOS = terms of shipping ,, FOB, CNF or CIF ,,
Freight to be prepaid etc ,, including insurance ,,

I miss Korea, I was there 1966 through 1968. Coming back for a vacation is on my bucket list

Flyred,

Seouljoe was such a help to me and my travel buddy last year! He's right on
Enjoy Sok Cho for a few nights. Good sea food and sights for sure! It's such a lovely little place.
Please will you give Wendy a hug from me when you meet up with her? Wonderful lady.
Seouljoe, when are you coming to Canada? i have a bottle of good scotch to share with you!

Safe and wonderful travels to you all.

Nevil

Round the World 2013 on motorbikes
MotoExped - Home
Nevil | Nevil Stow | Travel Blog

Good old days,, 5 star hotel was 8 dollars a night ,, girls were natural (plastic surgery capital of the world) ,,people much more humane. Government sucked big time though.
Come back any time!

Hey Joe. I'm landing in ICN on the 16th. I may have to meet a friend in Seoul so I need a hotel in the financial distict near one of those Korean Bath houses you talk about. Any recommendations? Someplace with safe parking.