Well, topic titles says it all. Our plan is to fly to Delhi, where we would have brand new Royal Enfields waiting for us, so we could "drive back to Finland". This trip would be done in 2008 end-summer in 4-5 weeks.

Tricky part is that we would have to across Pakistan and Afganistan. Or we could find out is it possible to drive trough Karakoram highway (which would be great), if the Chinese law about international motorcycling (license etc.) would change enough in that time. We have to wait for that. Still we are not thrilled about the idea to go to Pakistan (read few journals from this site and read few foreign ministry security reports). But that way we wouldnt have to go to Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgystan. Last two countries we are not worried about.

Third possibility would be travel to Indian coast and go with ship to Iran (-> north to Turkmenistan etc). We have no idea is there any ship routes going like that.

Our group would have 3-4 guys with plenty of experiences of foreign/Asian countries and generally about motorcycling. But we dont know nothing about Pakistan and I think we will have exciting trip enough even if we wont go to Afganistan. We would like that only dangers would come from traffic and food/drinks. Handgrenades, AK's, mines, muhajedins and hostile attitude against foreigners are not what we want to experience. Maybe you know that finnish troops are not in Iraq, but maybe they dont care. This may sound too cautious, but after all we think that we have challenge enough on other things.

So I have million and one question and if you could give us even some information, it would be great.

1. Is it safe to drive trough Pakistan? Most propably we will have to spend night in there.

2. What about Afganistan? On the map you could drive very quick over the Badakhshan province, but it is still Afganistan.

3. Drive trough Karakoram highway would be great, but what about chinese byrocrazy? What you know about Karakoram?

4. Ship route to Iran from India, is there any?

5. General thoughts about Royal Enfield for driving in shitty roads allmost 8000km?

6. Do you guys know anything about Bajaj Indian bike? Bajaj Avenger


Thanks!