Europe to Australia - Engine size
 

Hi folks,

I’m planning a trip from France to Australia starting in April this year.
The plan is to go via Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Thailand and then Indonesia.

I can’t afford a cpd, so will be using temporary import permits along the way instead.

My question comes down to which bike to choose, especially regarding engine size.

I’ve heard engines over 500cc are more scrutinised at some of the borders, and more difficult to import than smaller less valuable bikes, (According to Chatgpt).
Does anyone have any experience with this?

I don’t know if I would be ok with a Dr600 djebel, or a if I should get KLR250 just in case.

:funmeteryes:

Thanks!
Jasper.

I think you need to consider your plans and your budget very carefully once more.

1) Myanmar is closed to overland travel now and for the foreseeable future - they are still having a civil war and the government is not interested in overland tourists.

2) I suspect Iran in particular is not very viable without a CDP.

3) How do you plan to get the bike from Indonesia to Australia and how much have you budgeted for this?

4) How much have you budgeted for shipping the bike back out from Australia to Europe? Or do you intend to break the terms of your TVIP and just abandon it in Australia? Or pay import taxes to permanently import it into Australia and sell it there?

5) How much gear do you expect to carry with you? What would the luggage solution look like on a KLR250?

I think the preference of border guards for bigger or smaller engine sizes will be by far the smallest of your challenges.

(Anyway, if I needed to stick under 500cc for a trip like this, I'd get a CFMoto 450MT.)

Thanks for your insight !

1. I was considering either going through Myanmar if it became possible closer to the time, or otherwise shipping the bike from India to Thailand or Malaysia for about 1000$ and continuing on from there.

2. I found this website that seems to offer a cdp just for Iran as a cheaper alternative to getting one in Europe: https://irantourismcenter.com/drive-...r%20motorbikes.

3. For shipping from Indonesia to Australia I’ve accounted for about 1000$ by sea.

4. Once I get to Australia the plan is to settle out there and work for at least a year on a working holiday visa. The plan would be to import the bike permanently.

5. Travelling light with soft luggage will be my objective, a bit like Nathan Millward on his postie bike. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lYWbKOxrPV4

The CF Moto is definitely a good choice, but I’m relying on a 1500$ bike that I could abandon if things went wrong ;)

AnTyx's advice is good in my book. Size of bike is very much a personal preference. Big bikes are better on road tours, small bikes better on dirt. There's no reason you shouldn't ride to Aus on a small bike as long as you don't thrash it all the way and plan your luggage carefully.

Be wary of cheap bikes. As much as you may feel it would allow you to walk away, the authorities take a dim view of people who leave bikes in their country (permanent import), it also negates the CDP (and I think you'll struggle to do the journey without one). Lastly old cheap bikes may let you down on the road, and the trip is enough of a challenge without throwing a PITA heap of junk that you can't get spares for into the mix.

Cheers for your reply, I’m definitely onboard with what you’re saying.
The cdp is at least 4k€ in France.. so it’s something I’ve just got to try and get around I suppose..

There’s a ‘new’ youtuber called Lost and Savage currently touring Afghanistan on a Kawa W650. He replied to one of my comments saying he only uses temporary import permits for his bike, which is why I’m kind of hopeful it could work out.

https://youtube.com/@lostandsavage?si=OJR4RzxA8c7RkdiK


Regarding bikes, I’m looking at 2nd hand reliable models like the dr650 which should survive the trip and be relatively easy to repair if needed.

Leaving the bike somewhere would really be a last resort option :nuke:

Taking my time though before pulling the trigger ;)

Jasper

That is about twice as expensive as the issuing fee of a CDP from ADAC. (There is also a deposit, but you get that back when you complete the trip and close out the carnet.) https://www.adac.de/reise-freizeit/r...sages-english/

A CdP is mandatory for Iran, Pakistan, India and China. Myanmar is closed. Might be worth looking at the map again.

Hello

What kind of bike do you ride or have you ridden in the past?

Have you ever taken a motorvehicule across an international border and dealt with custom and local liability insurance?

If the CDP ist too expensive, what budget do you have in mind for the trip?

Have you contacted australian custom about the import fees and process to import your bike?

cheers sushi

The one thing YouTube has shown us is that engine size doesn’t matter, or the category of bike.

Get what suits your riding style and budget.

Hi
May I offer an alternative?
Take the Turkey, Stans, Mongolia, Siberia, South Korea route. You can then use Australia as a base and take fly ride trips around SE Asia.
Having spent some time in Oz (many years ago), I think 1 year is not enough time to work, save and travel around Australasia and SE Asia.

If I had my time again I would have got a residency before I went and lived there for 3/5 years doing exactly this. I don’t particularly like Australia but have been there a few times (family). it is, however, a very handy place to make some money to travel around the other side of the world - this is what the Ozzies and Kiwis do in the UK (well London mostly) in order to travel around Europe.

Good luck with your plans
bier

I think flip flop nailed it.

Heaps of work here in Oz atm.

Flights are cheap to SE Asia.

Not every country requires a CDP, many issue a FOC TIP at the border. But if you rock up to a CDP country without one, you won't get in. You're right to do your homework, the trip is enough adventure without adding in PITA events. Work out your route, look at the CDP and visa policies of every country you expect to pass through, make sure they're open to visitors and go from there.

Cdp mandatory for China? Is that something new?

I'm not even going to consider legality, paperwork etc.

But from the viewpoint of "What bike would I enjoy riding on that trip".

I think I'd take the new Suzuki 800DE. Or the new Transalp 750

"...shipping from Indonesia to Australia I’ve accounted for about 1000$ by sea..."

I doubt this will be enough. We already paid more in 2019 with 3 motorcycles from East Timor to Darwin. Better count with 2000$ and you might be fine.