Getting a bike in Kyrgyzstan

[TonUp]

Ok, things are closer to me being able to travel to Kyrgyzstan. I plan to live there for a few years at least, in Bishkek. I have never bought a motor vehicle in a country other than the US so I'm not sure what I have to do.

First off, I will have an international driver's license, is this enough?

Secondly, do I need to register it? How does all that work?

Thirdly, where do I go to find a bike? I am making some kind pf assumption that there will be a "market" somewhere...better in Bishkek or Osh or?

Finally, how much should I expect to spend, and how does the purchasing go? Is bargaining customary? Thanks!

BTW, looking like I might put boots on the ground in May.

[glasswave]

Planning to get there in June. Will be looking as well. Let me know how you get on.

[petefromberkeley]

I'm sure there is a market in Bishkek. David at STANTOURS - Central Asia Travel Resources will probably know where it is. If not, he might know of one in Almaty which isn't that far away, but is a different country which might cause paperwork problems. There is a motorcyle rental outfit in Almaty called Silk Offroad. They spend a lot of time guiding people around Kyrgyzstan and might be a good resource.

Then there is Valentine in Karakol. If you have a bike in KZ, you will end up going to Lake Issyk Kul eventually anyway, so check him out at Yak tours in Karakol. In fact stay at his guest house- it's the best place to stay anyway. The guy is very cool. He used to teach off road motorcycle side car riding for the Soviet Army and is very into bikes and anything else with a motor. You can e-mail Yak tours for advice (a Google search should yield the address). He also leads extreme mountain climing expeditions. He is 70 years old and he can kick your ass! Ask to meet his Yak too.

[petefromberkeley]

As for cost, I saw Urals with side car in good condition at the motorcycle market in Tashkent for $US 400

[TonUp]

Thanks for the leads, fellas.

Glasswave, you going there to work? We should stay in touch.

[glasswave]

Originally Posted by TonUp

Thanks for the leads, fellas.

Glasswave, you going there to work? We should stay in touch.

I will be on sabbatical year from my college. I guess that means I'm working. ;-)

Right now, I hope to arrive in Moscow around 5/15, head straight to Mongohl, then down to Kazak where I would hope to procure a bike, I want to spend July & August heading down the mountains to Tajik then cross into XingJang & over to Tibet. This itinerary seems ambitious even w/o a bike. I figure I'll ditch the bike if it comes down to it. I hope to spend most of aug & sept in Tibet then cross to Nepal in OCT......

I'd be happy to hook up on my way:

glasswave.......:::::at at at at at at at>>>>>"""""""yahoo............com

typo's inserted to thwart bots.

[TonUp]

One more post so I can PM...

So you're saying you are paying and extra 2k over the US price? in US dollars? ouch!