Hello world!
I'm an italian guy of 18 years old and i'm planning a trip from Italy to Japan through Russia by a scooter (Vespa).
The trip should be like this:
-Italy
-Swiss
-Germany
-Danemark
-Sweden
-Finland
-Russia
-Japan

I'll ride the vespa untill Moscow than i woult take the Transiberian Train untill Vladivostock( the fastest one with no stops, i think it takes 7 days) and finally take the ferry to Japan.

I should do Europe in 20 days, Russia in 15 and than pass one month riding the vespa in Japan... The trip will start around july 2010.


BUT i have some problems in planning...So i'm going to make to you some QUESTIONS...

1. Does anyone know how can i put the Vespa(motorbike) on a train to Vladivostock??And the costs?
2. Does the Transiberian train carry motorbikes?Or at least can i take the same train where the Vespa is?(I would take just one train, so that i don't have to change it during the trip Moscow-Vladivostock)
3. Where should i do the train tikets for me and the bike? Is better going to the station or to an travel agency in Moscow?
4. Is Russia and the transiberian safe for a young guy by his own?(I mean; there have been eppisode of violence or theft?)

That's all for now!

I hope to recive good answer becouse i have to plan the trip before the end of november...

Tanks world!
Peace!

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La preparazione di un viaggio è una delle parti più eccitanti insieme alla partenza e al ritorno...

I see a little problem though. Most countries do not allow to drive a 50cc motorbike on highways... and most of your transit has to be done in highways. Plan that carefully.

Ehm....I don't see anywhere in the post where it says that his Vespa is a 50cc model...

There are plenty of problems but all in all Cesare's plan seems more or less doable. He certainly has plenty of reading to do, but the info is all here on this site.

Just a couple of things that come to mind: Make sure you have understood exactly how long the russian visa is valid for, as the import permit for your Vespa may have a different (much shorter, validity.

Be prepared also to face very corrupt police, especially around Moscow,although there is plenty of exaggeration on this point. If you're not able to deal with such people then it can turn out to be very expensive. (my experience is only with kazakhstan, so I prefer not to comment on something I don't know about from direct experience)

Only other thing I can think of for now....I'd suggest that you learn as much russian as you can!

You do know that japan requires a Carnet right? (apparently it's avoidable, check this out)

A Cesare: in bocca al lupo per il tuo viaggio, come ho detto qui sopra le info rilevanti le trovi tutte su questo sito, altre informazioni utili le potresti chiedere anche sul forum viaggi di vespaonline.com,(naturalmente ammesso che tu non l'abbia già fatto.)
Solo una parola riguardo alla Russia, dovrai essere pronto a dimostrare una estrema pazienza riguardo a tutto quello che può riguardare l'apparato statale. (polizia sopratutto). Comprare un biglietto di treno non è così semplice come da noi, e per la Vespa si può passare per i canali ufficiali (costosi), oppure semplicemente "fare un regalino" agli addetti sul vagone merci e convincerli a caricare la Vespa (e volendo, anche te stesso) sullo stesso treno..Purtroppo non ti so dire niente riguardo ai prezzi.

La domanda però mi sorge spontanea....invece del treno perche non ti prendi un po di tempo in più e vai in Vespa...? Tanto, le strade per esserci ci sono.

Fammi sapere se ti servono info varie, ho dei contatti a Mosca nel caso.

• The vespa is( will be,i'm still buyng it...) a 150cc so there shuldn't be any problem

• About the corrupt police, how does it work? They stop you and they ask you directly the money or u have to figure it out and give to them something,how mutch?.

• Yeh i know about the carnet the passage, i'm going to do it in 2010 now is still to early to spend money on it!

• In case i "corrupt" somebody to charge the Vespa on the train wich guarantees do i have? I imagine no guarantees... And if i want to do it in the right way where i have to go? In an turistic agency or just to the station?

• New question! Do you know if is it possible to pay a local or a cheap guide to translate for you and halp you to buy the train tikets?

Thanks

__________________
La preparazione di un viaggio è una delle parti più eccitanti insieme alla partenza e al ritorno...

up!

p.s.
(Am i allowed do do ups like this? Sorry if not!)

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La preparazione di un viaggio è una delle parti più eccitanti insieme alla partenza e al ritorno...

Cesare,

guess there is not too much I can help you with at this time concerning the Russia part.

If, however, you come to Japan and have any questions about this, please get with me!

The offer always exists to RTW biker friends: a place to sleep, a hot shower, something to eat and drink is the least I can do.

Looking forward to hearing from you again

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Welcome to the HUBB,

this is the right place for you to find out all you need to know before leaving on your trip.

First thing I want to tell you: YOU can do it !!

I have done my first long motorcycle journey when I was 23 and internet was not available, so you can do it with 18 and the internet.

Here is what you should do, you dont have to but it will make your trip much easier:

1. Believe only in people that have done a journey like this. Dont let others scare you.

2. Set yourself a date for leaving home, this will be the most difficult day of your journey.

3. Get to know your Vespa. Talk to the mechanic, read and post in forums for your model. Learn how to service it and what spare parts to take.

4. Learn all you need to know about visas, carnets, money, etc. One advise here: keep your paperwork in order, dont overstay visas or permits (if you can ;-)).

5. Take a light tent and a sleeping bag. You dont need a stove. One advise here: eat well and dont drink wodka (Tell them that your father was alcoholic, most Russians understand that)

6. Never hurry, never ride at night, contact people in Russia over the internet, contact vespa clubs on your way, contact the Iron Tigers in Vladivostok, contact the HU Communities on your route.

7. The train ride and the ferry you book when you get to Moscow/Vladivostok. But try to find out the departure times on the internet. Dont forget you will have to ship your Vespa back from Japan, this will cost you a lot of money.

8. Learn as much Russian as you can.

9. Enjoy

So, there is a lot for you to do. If you have a further questions, feel free to send me an email.

Keep the people here on the HUBB up to date about your journey and send trip reports to Grant for the ezine.

Greetings
Mika

Thanks for the reply!
I already setted a date for the departure, that will be the 15th july.
I'll study abouth the mechanic of the Vespa, bot now i still have to buy it! Yeh and i also have to take the licence...Anyway i would buy the vespa before jennuary and i should take the licence around march...
I made a list with all the paper that i have to have, but of course ill' begin to take them after having bought the Vespa...

I sitll have some questions to do!

-How does it work with the corrupt police? Do dey ask u money directy? How often i'll find these kind of cops?

-Where should i buy the train tikets for the transiberian train? To the station or to a turistic agency in Moscow?

-Do you think i'll find somebody of HUBB in Moscow how is able to help me in case of problem? ( you know, just for caution... there is an italian saying that says "prevention is better than cure"...And i'm planning this trip keeping in mind this saying...)

-How can i contact the HU community on my road, and what is the Iron Tigers of Vladivostock?

Please answer to all the question and you'll make me quieter!XD

Thanks!

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La preparazione di un viaggio è una delle parti più eccitanti insieme alla partenza e al ritorno...

Hello Cesare,

I will answer to all of your questions, but dont be quiet after this, because you still have a lot to learn and ask - just ask me by email ... mikakuhn (at) web (dot) de

1. Corrupt traffic police. On your route you will find them only in Russia. If the police wants to stop you, stop! They will ask first for your documents and you will give them copies. They will ask for originials, so just give your passport. Maybe other documents if they insist. Than they will tell you that you have broken the law (speeding, not stoping in the right place, scooter dirty, no headlight, red traffic light etc.) and they will ask for 100 Euros. You start acting very stupid, because you dont understand Russian. It will take some time also for you to learn the game, but dont forget they have got your documents. If you pay any money you have lost the paper game, but never pay more than 10 per cent of what they started with. Enjoy, there is a lot for you to learn, dont be affraid.

2. Buy your train ticket in the station. But first organise the Vespa to be put on the train (maybe it is not the same train), you do this also in the station, or somewhere near, ask your way around. There are people in Moscow that speak English, and Russians are very helpful.

3. Yes, contact the HU Communities, there should be one in Moscow. Look at your left on the HU website, there you find everything about HU Communities and their locations. The Iron Tigers are a motorcycle club in Vladivostok, and they help travellers.

Any further questions? Dont be affraid of Russia, the Russians are fantastic people and they will help you with everything you need.

Dont forget in Japan you ride on the left hand side, and dont forget to google or look at the HU shipping database for shipping your scooter back to Italy.

Greetings from Berne Switzerland

Mika

hey man, hows it going? I too am young (21) and had a Vespa when I was 18. You guys got some kind of pre-training down there? in the UK with have to do a CBT, which to cut a long story short is a load of crap, but is a good way of getting experience. Your getting the bike in january and doing the test in march I see. You ridden a vespa before dude? there quite difficult to master, but if you pull it off 150cc is a good size, and dont let anyone tell you you cant off road on one, trust me!

Corrupt cops is all part of the journey my friend I sure there'l be some hubbers knocking about somewhere that can help you out if you get into *bother*. Riding into Tokyo on a vespa will be sweet if you end up there!

sounds like a sweet rip, start the paperwork now though, mite be a saving grace down the line. like mika says lay your burdens down now man, youl get all you need to know on here

take it easy mate

Hi There,

Its possible to put the bike on freight trains. However I have never heard of it being possible on the trains people travel on/commuter trains. There are companies which specialise in this type of transport to Vladivostok.. Here are ones I've used to ship stuff around Russia
Fesco (Far East Shipping Co) - Òðàíñïîðòíàÿ ãðóïïà FESCO – êîíòåéíåðíûå ïåðåâîçêè è ëîãèñòèêà, ìîðñêèå ïåðåâîçêè êîíòåéíåðîâ
Global 1 Logistics - no idea of their URL we only did business face to face to get a broken bike to the next major town.

Some things to note.. you can haggle on price and if you have a fair bit of time the prices can be very cost effective. If you want it there "immediately" its going to be expensive. Additionally being a vespa you maybe able to air freight it at fairly cost effective rates.. worth checking out.

These guys are some people who will be able to give you invaluable advice on modifications they had or wish that they had for ther vespa doing Milan to Ulaanbaatar this year (we met them on our trip several times). TheItalianWheels they have contact information on their web page.

Anyway I wish you the best of luck.

Regards,
Jimmy.

Hi Cesare I'm very happy to see somebody so young from our coutry is planning to make such a trip.

regarding corruption a simple advise: do not keep the "real" money in your wallet, the best and most polite excuse is always "I give you / I show you, what I have", be patient .
Bring as little baggage as possible: is always easy to buy extra clothes on the way, not the same for petrol, you need an efficient and safe system as Vespa fuel tank is small.
Vibration makes Vespa driving very tyring on long range , do not underhestimate this.
In July you will be tempted to leave in shorts and croks, don't do that, you don't want to spend your time in a hospital far from home for a stupid traffic accident, you want to get to Japan!!
Buy a Vespa maintenance manual (Haynes - Practical Manuals, Books and DVDs it will be helpfull to choose your Vespa as well

I can't tell you much on Russia as I have never been there, but I am from milan and I have some travel experience if you need

all the best
ciao
At

Ciao Cesare, It's nice to see that other italians write on HU
You have lots of questions, I try to answer to some of them:
- I took the transiberian train from Irtkusk to Moscow last year, bikes were not allowed on this train, but it was possible with other trains that take 5 days instead of 3 (we shipped them by plane), I think it's better to book through a travel agency, very few people speak english and russian bureaucracy is well known, so ...
- you don't have problems if you respect rules (vespa doesnt't go too fast..), have patience at customs, don't travel at night and always look for a safe place to sleep and park the vespa, and yes, I also suggest you to learn some words in russian, otherwise even ordering food in a restaurant can be difficult.. if the menu is in cyrillic...
- last but not least, how do you think to go back from Japan to Italy ? If you think to ride all the way back, remember the double visa for Russia, in San Petersburg or Helsinki you can take a ferry boat to Rostock in Germany (to save some road)
- I also think it doesn't make too much sense to cross all Russia on a train, you should make some part of it by road, i.e. from Baikal Lake to Vladivostock... very nice area

Let me know if you need some more info

ciao e .... in bocca al lupo!

H.R.

1) I'll not ride all the way back, i don't heva enough time. After beeing for a month in Japan i'll leave by plane. And the Vespa? Well i still don't know what i'll do with it...but i was working on two solutions...
-Shipping: I already contacted some shipping agency and they told me the costs will be around 900 euros...But i'm still looking for something cheaper...
-Deposit: I'm also thinking about let the vespa in Japan for 6 month or more and than going back to take it, but i don't know if it's possible nor if there are parking or deposit where i could let it.

2)The trip is focused on riding in europe, japan, and the transiberian train.
I know that i'll not ride very much in Russia but that's not my wish. Anyway i'll arrive in Russia from Finland, so i'll ride the vespa to S. Pietroburg and than to Moscow. I'll take the transiberian train becouse i really like it and it's more chilling and safe than russian streets.Than i'll pass almost one week in Vladivostock probably, so i'll ride the pacific area for few days...
Do you think it make sanse or do i should change program?

Anyway...i'm still confused one one point becouse everybody gives a different interpretation, so let's try to make it clear...
Is it possible to charge the vespa on a transiberian train?No right? Bot i heard that is possible and cheap, but how? In a agency? Giving cash to some trainworkers? Hiring a wagon?
What's the best, fastest and cheapest way to teke the vespa with me from Moscow to Vladivostock?

Thanks!

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La preparazione di un viaggio è una delle parti più eccitanti insieme alla partenza e al ritorno...

I wouldn't worry about corruption. There's a lot more talk about corrupt Russian police than first hand stories. Riding in Russia this year I didn't get stopped once by the police at all, and other interaction (stopping to ask directions) got proffessional helpful response that you'd expect from any European police force. Riding from Helsinki to Moscow I'd be amazed if you got any aggro off the Police.

Taking a long distance train through Russia will show a part of Russian culture and give you an idea how vast and empty the country is. But even if you stop off at cities on the way you won't really get an idea of what Russia "is".


I put my bike on the train between Krasnoyarsk and Moscow, with a small rail freight company that only operated between those two cities. I won't tell you how much it cost, but someone who knew the company in someway did the talking and the bike got sent as "auto-parts" and as less weight than it actually was. The same amount of money spent on petrol would not have got me very far at all. A passenger train on that route is 3days, the bike took 5, and for even less money it would have took 10. There was a few days wait before the train it went on left though (which we knew about).

Other freight options would be putting it on a post wagon - Never found exactly who we needed to speak to about that. Or getting your own container - Would take forever to send something this way, well over a month I would have thought from Moscow to Vlad. So basically a private rail freight company is your best bet.

Even if you could take the same train as the bike, why would you want to? Better to take a normal (fast) passenger train and spend the time seeing Moscow, Vladivostok, and maybe a couple of cities on route if you don't mind paying more in train fares.


You need to find a rail freight company that operates this route and get someone to translate for you, or even better find a Moscow biker who can help you. Don't expect to turn up in Moscow speaking minimal Russian with no contacts, and get your bike going anywhere fast or cheap.

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UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350