Turkey Tour
 

I'm renting an Africa Twin and travelling around Turkey for a month in October. I wondered if other travellers have suggestions about motorcycling in Turkey. I have heard Turkish drivers are insane - are they really as bad as that?! I will be travelling around the western half of the country, from Istanbul, Ankara, Amasaya, Cappadocia, then along the southern and western coast back to Istanbul. Any advice on must-see places? I've never ridden (or even seen!) an Africa Twin. Any quirks I should know about? Any special tools required? How competent of a dual-sport touring bike is the Africa Twin?

Thanks for any advice you may have. See you on the road!

Story

Hi S.
If you like to meet lots of tourists go to west turkey, central and east is much better to meet locals and the scenery is more spectacular. Don't worrie about the drivers, (I hope you DROVE a bike before!), just be carefull and don't be surprised by anything (animals, etc.) you will encounter.
I would def. take tools to repair a flat tire! Sometimes these are not on a rental bike....
have fun,
Peter

Turkish drivers are not too bad (except during Ramadan, about February when they get up at 4am to eat and fall asleep at the wheel at 1pm! - this applies to all Moslem countries). The ancient Biblical town of Ephesus near Selcuk in the greatest of all ancient sites. Allow plenty of time to take it all in (buy the excellent book on sale as you arrive) then visit the museum to see all the bits that used to be in the city. It will be very hot. Troy is worth a quick look if you are interested in history.

I have found the drivers no worse than Greece or Italy. They do like to 'make progress' though.
Stick to the right of the lane: let the maniacs overtake on blind corners. But they rarely pose too many direct dangers. Once you get used to people overtaking in your lane in your direction driving here is okay.
I am in Ýstanbul at present (Oct 2000). Drop me a line and we can meet maybe.

------------------
Simon Kennedy
London-India on a 1993 Transalp

I concur, turkish drivers are not the worst, they are just equally bad to many around the world.

I recommend riding the coast. We did and had a great time. THere are many cheap places to stay that are of a higher quality then you would expect.

We loved capodoccia too......

Enjoy it.
Harvey

Where to rent?
 

I'm doing a similar trip (around Turkey) very soon and am wondering where I can rent a motorcycle. An Africa Twin would be perfect!! Any guidance would be appreciated!

hi,

go to ..:: OMM - One More Mile Riders ::.. and contact one of the admins. i am sure they will help you.

have fun in Turkiye

hi. drivers are what they are. like someone said before..not worst then somewhere else...but still worst there somewhere else. this is what happened to me last year during my journey from edinburgh to kathmandu.
so far so nepal

good luck

I back from my trip on middle east before ten days. Turkey drivers aresolid, you must be carefull in Istanbul, and between Mersin and Alanya, becayse way is hard for driving. Turkey is wonderfull country and I enjoy there. Have nice trip.

North can be a little bit rainy and East can be cooler in October but definitely it is better when compared with the hot months of summer.

Regarding the "insane" drivers in Turkey, because fines are high and there are a lot of check points everywhere people are more likely to drive carefully for the last few years (It is a strange country where traffic fines are a part of the yearly state budget plan).

Don't miss out Cappadocia (inland), Mount Nemrut near Adiyaman(south near east), even Ishakpasa Palace (northeast of lake Van) if you are in Turkey and riding an African Twin. As the others say, inland and east can be more worth traveling on a motorcycle.

Send me a PM if you need detailed info and if you happen to be around izmir

can