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!

__________________
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