Jane and I have just shipped into korea. We've got a couple of M/C crates available at the Sokcho ferry terminal (the Dong Chun terminus) if you want them (e.g. if you are coming from Vladivostok, Russia to South Korea). They are Suzuki DR650 crates, but would fit any 250-650 cc single with minimal modification.

They are at N38 12.678 E128 35.951 in an insulated wharehouse. Ask ferry terminal staff.Which brings me to the next point.

The Dong Chun Ferry are excellent. They have been highly accomadating and helpful. We even had noodles in the boss's office while we were on our lunch break unpacking the bikes (which came to Sokcho via Busan from Auckland, New Zealand). The let us use an insulated bottled water storage wharehouse for unpacking the bikes and reasembling them, which considering the 30 degree heat mixed with rain downpours, was very nice.

Moreover the cargo guys at the ferry terminal were fantastic and friendly and really went out of the way to help us. They even offered the use of their tools.

Transport for two bikes from Sokcho to Vladivostok worked out at about $500 US. The ferry ride for us was about $200 per person for a room with a bed. Cheaper options are available.The Dong Chun is Ride on Ride off, so you don't need crates in Vlad if you decide to go that way.

Visas not required for most visitors to Korea.We leave Korea on the Dong Chun tomorrow. More details to follow.

Highly recommend Korea as entry point to Russia. Locals very helpful. Cheap busses to Seoul airports, and cheap accomadation in Sokcho (N38 12.680 E128 35.435 $15 per night - decent room too).

Other bits and pieces are also available in Sockcho, eg rope, gasket material etc. There are also a couple of high-tech clothing stores, eg K2, North Face etc. for those last minute purchases, and a couple of engineering shops (it's a port town after all) for welding repairs etc.

Cheers.

Jane and Mark - Russian Traverse 2007

Hi.
Hope you enjoy your stay in Korea. I worked there for a few years and am planning to take my bike there as soon as I get everything worked out. This leads me on to my questions.


What duties and fees did you get charged to clear customs and get on the road.
( Including registration for the bike)

Are any of the duties paid back when you leave the country?

How did you arrange insurance for the bike and at what cost.

I'm quite well aquainted with most of the other stuff including the ferries, visas etc. I have read other people accounts and asked many questions but everyone has stopped short of telling me exactly how many Korean Won did it set them back to get the bike in.

Hope you can help, I don't quite know yet how much to put in my piggy bank for the trip and the above is the only remaining 'unknown'.

Regards.
Ian

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