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  #1  
Old 19 Apr 2012
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Petrol in Kazakhstan
Hey all - I'm heading down through Kazakhstan next year - here's the route

Kazakhstan 2013 - Google Maps

I have my wonderful trusty XT660 with it's wonderfully trusty, but small, 15lt tank. I have a 3lt back up tank, but what's the deal on petrol out there? Will I struggle with a 150mile range?

Thanks,

m

(P.S. This is me trying to justify the purchase of a Tenerre - little one - before the trip - but I'd still like a serious answer to the question).
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Old 19 Apr 2012
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Stage 3 should not be an issue, as long as you fill up sooner than later.

State 4 might have some issues. Have not been myself on that route, but have read plenty of stories that people with small tanks have found themselves in trouble.
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Old 19 Apr 2012
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Nothing to do with petrol Matt but neither of your RU - KZ border crossings will work. Neither are open to foreigners
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Old 19 Apr 2012
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which ones are open? I'm looking at Orsk..or Uralsk?
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Old 20 Apr 2012
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Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
Nothing to do with petrol Matt but neither of your RU - KZ border crossings will work. Neither are open to foreigners
Thanks for that Walter - I've not got that far into the planning yet - the routes on the map are automatically generated by google maps - which is helpful to start with I suppose!

But as we've got to that point... any pointers on Russia / Kazakhstan borders that are open? I'm going to spend this weekend with the maps so that would be really helpful.

@ilpo - thanks dude - I suppose I'll need to sit down and measure between major towns to see where any danger areas may be.

@niello8 - when I find out I'll repost here - but I'm sure Walter can point us in the right direction.
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Old 20 Apr 2012
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@Matt, interesting route, for sure.


@all: Is there a ferry going from Baki/Azerbeidjan to Türkmenbashi?
I would imagine, the route further south might be very interesting as well when going east.
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Old 23 Apr 2012
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Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
Nothing to do with petrol Matt but neither of your RU - KZ border crossings will work. Neither are open to foreigners
After some research this weekend I think the border crossings will actually be:

IN: Troitsk (M36)
OUT: Ozinki (E38, A29)

As far as my maps suggest, these are both international crossings open to foreigners - but I can't find confirmation of this anywhere. Even the trusty Thorntree is pulling up a blank as it appears most people cross on the train or on a tour bus rather than under their own steam.

Walter do you have any further information on these crossings?

P.S. I think I've talked myself into a new Tenere.

m
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Old 23 Apr 2012
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Troitsk is open for everyone, I have used that one.
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Old 23 Apr 2012
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Thats cool
Yes Matt those border crossings are both International ones.
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Old 24 Apr 2012
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Originally Posted by mattcbf600 View Post
IN: Troitsk (M36)
Troitsk was definitely open to Brits riding XT660Rs in September 2011!

I was particularly worried about Colebatch's warning regarding the RUS-KAZ-BEL trading-zone and the requirement that you re-use the Customs paperwork you pick up at the border of the first of those countries you enter. But they weren't interested (that day) and just said "No Customs!" and sent me on my way.

I came northbound on your route from Shymkent and I don't remember any issues with petrol though I always had a 5 litre jerry for emergencies to supplement the 15 litre tank.

All was good. Enjoy the kebabs. Watch out for the speed traps. Remember the only place you'll get your bike fixed beyond Europe out there is in Almaty.

Cheers,

Ian
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Old 29 Apr 2012
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Troitsk border (at N53 59 54.7 E61 38 32.7) was open to European citizen in 2010.

However I spent more than 3 hrs at the KAZ side; after having scanned my RT with x-ray machine, they try to convince me that I was carrying some illegal stuff.

I suspect that it was a awkward attempt to bribe me.

Worth to mention that they are still waiting for my money!
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Old 3 May 2012
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XT660R. Wonderful choice of overland bike. I'm thinking of getting one. Any problems with yours? Nick...
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Old 13 May 2012
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Originally Posted by Algarve Nick View Post
XT660R. Wonderful choice of overland bike. I'm thinking of getting one. Any problems with yours? Nick...
I had one of the two wires into the back of the starter switch de-solder itself. That required I be towed 17km into the next town to find a man with a soldering iron. The act of being towed, I think, damaged the fork's oil seal which finally went a week or two later in Kyrgyzstan (which required an extra visa and three day side trip to Almaty).

Other than that, I swapped the stock exhaust (which rather stupidly go under the engine) for a 2-into-1 round the side like the Tenere and stuck a big old bash plate on. In fact, then entire replacement exhaust at 2.75kg was less than each original can (5.5kg)! Oh, and put some handguards on with metal in them (eg. Acerbis Rally Pro) for when you drop it .

As noted above, pick up a used 5ltr plastic oil can as your fuel can. The XT660R stock tank at 15ltr is small and the engine isn't the most fuel efficient (I got 25km/ltr).

Other than that, the bike worked a treat including being hammered by some awful Indian roads and never missing a beat up to 5375m (the road went back downhill after that).

Cheers,

Ian
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