Hi everyone
In late April 2010 5 of us will be heading from Vladivostok to London on Suzuki DRs. I'm interested to get peoples thoughts on how long the first Russian leg of our journey may take us.

Ideally, we will get a Russian business visa, in which case we can take as long as we like with the first leg. If, however, we can only get a 1 month tourist visa, I want to make sure we will have enough time to travel through Russia.

We will have our bikes shipped to Vladivostok before we arrive. We also have friends in Vladivostok (both Russian and New Zealanders) who could potentially begin the customs process for us before we arrive.

Once in Vladivostok, we are setting aside a week to complete the customs process and get our bikes sorted out.

That leaves 3 weeks to travel Vlad-Kharbarovsk-Chita-Ulan Ude-Irkutsk-Mongolian border.

Does this sound do-able to you guys? It will be the first time all 5 of us will have ridden together (we will have done week-long trips with 4 of us), first time all fully kitted up on our bikes, first time driving in Russia, etc.

I'd be interested, if possible, in getting a sense of realistic timeframes between each of the major cities/towns on this leg of our route, so we can start properly guaging our timing too.

Mint, cheers!

Have a great New Years.

Rob

which DR are you using for your trip?

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UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350

These guys made it in 5 days.
http://www.thebigbiketrip.com/
Three weeks is more than enough time including breakdowns and sightseeing.
But where are you going from Mongolia?
I hear it is difficult to get Russian visas in Mongolia. So if you need another visa for onwards, you may be stuck in Mongolia...

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Japan touring information

Make sure you get a double ,or multiple entry visa if thats what you need, before you enter russia.
And buy enough bike insurance in vlad. to cover your whole trip in russia including returning from mongolia, its easier and cheaper.

Well - in 2008, I did something quite similar to what you are planning. I arrived in Vladivostok on the start day of a 1 month tourist visa and, through no fault of my own, ended up spending 2 weeks in Vlad waiting first for the car to actually arrive (it was delivered late) and then for the customs clearance. Thus I was left with 2 weeks to make my way across Russia to the Kazakh border.

It was tight.

overlandcruiser.net

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www.overlandcruiser.wordpress.com

Considering the amount of money it takes to equip then do such a trip, it always amazes me that people piss about trying to save a few pounds on short visas.

The additional cost of a longer one is insignificant in the scheme of things and allows flexibility for delays, forced or self induced if you wish to stay a little longer and explore somewhere more.

Russia is Russia - and things seldom go to plan.

Remaining and exiting after a visa has expired can bring you problems, more delays, fines and possible denial of future visas.

If things go wrong and involve delays you must still leave within visa validity dates even if just to get a new one.
You cannot extend a Russian visa and you can only apply for a new one from outside of Russia.

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Vitim Bridge Clubwww.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442
www.sibirskyextreme.com

Stoked, thanks for the detailed info on Russia and Mongolia, Mark/Nath. That sort of stuff is real useful. Awesome. I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions over the next couple of months too...
Hey we also have a website up and running, with a fair bit of background info etc. Check it out at 51st Traverse if you have a spare minute.
Cheers
Rob

JUST A SUGGESTION, When heading north from Vladivostok try the east coast, you are out on quiet roads immediately you leave town and away from the highway. You will have enough of highway travel heading west.

Here is our blog from 2009:

My Blog - Member - Chris D (Newcastle) @ ExplorOz

Make time, say 2-3 days for Olkon Island on Lake Baikal.

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Chris

Hi,
if you have an any Garmin GPS device give me its serial number and i email you Russia road map with FArEast region.
not extra difficult to reach Irkutsk. about 5-6 days with POI

Hi,
You have plenty of time. You will be fine. Just take it easy. I did this route back in 2007 with my daughter in small Suzuki car.
You can read the blog and may give you some idea.
Custom in Vladivostok gave us really hard time.
Be careful with police. they will fine for any reason, even crossing a white line. From Vladivostok to Chita not too many cops.
Western Part of Russia is really bad with corrupted police. However, we got away with total $100 fine, everybody I met paid of $1000 +.
Best of the luck.
arun

www.drivearoundtheworld.net

$1000?! Guys, some very simple advice--if you don't want to pay any fines, don't speed or pass in a no-passing zone. If you get caught speeding or passing illegally, in my experience it usually costs 1000-1500 rubles ($33-$50). Or bring along some extra international licenses and just let them keep them (although the smart ones will ask for your home-country license as well).

PS-Don't drive after drinking anything alcoholic in Russia--this is a very serious offense and from what I have heard, very very expensive.

In Moscow at the moment, the going rate is 100,000 rubles to "be let off" a drink driving charge. That's over $3000. If you are a foreigner, the police will certainly be aiming higher than that if you are caught.

Speeding is a relatively minor infringement in Russia. Slip 1000 rubles (35 bux) into your documents when you get caught and it will be "thank you, all is in order, have a good day sir".

Try not to pay too much, as it will only encourage them to target foreigners.

As Motoreiter says, crossing an unbroken white line (or double white line) is something they take very seriously in Russia. You might get away with 1000 rubles, but probably more. Put it this way, they can take away your licence in Russia for doing that!.

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I drove all the way from Vladivostok to Latvia via Kazakhstan in 2008 and didn't pay a penny in baksheesh despite being stopped (legitimately) 6 times.

Suggestion - don't speak any Russian!

overlandcruiser.net

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www.overlandcruiser.wordpress.com

And this is not for being intoxicated--it is for having ANY alcohol in your system.

One time sometime in Siberia we were pulled over about 10 am, and the cop wanted to give our riding group breathalyzer tests...given the time of day, I laughed and asked why, and he when he found out we were riding to Europe he said not to bother...later that day I found out that one of my riding companions drank a with breakfast (?!), so he was very very lucky that we were not tested.