Hi,

I am planning a mammoth motorbike trip from the uk to China this summer in about 100 days. I have some plans but I am aware I need to get going sorting out documents and other stuff ASAP. What I would like is some help / advice upon Visas, insurance, cost, currency, route and sites to see.

So here goes for the route (this is the longest route i am considering, i may shorten it considerably but i thought selling the 'worst case' scenario would be best)

Uk to Netherlands (by ferry)

Germany
Aachen
Wurzberg residence
Down romantic road
Neuschwanstein castle
Kehlsteinhaus

Austria
Salzburg
Halstatt
Semmering railway
Graz

Hungary
Lake Balaton & keszthely
Budapest
Eger
Aggtelek caves

Romania
Transylvania
Sibiu
Transfaragas highway
Bucharest
Constanta

Bulgaria
Varna
Nessebar

From here til East Asia I haven't really planned a great deal

Turkey
Istanbul

Georgia

Azerbaijan
Ferry across the caspian sea

Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan

Tajikstan
Pamir Highway

China
Just a dip in to get to pakistan

Pakistan
Karakoum Highway
Islamabad
Lahore

India
Agra - Taj Mahal
May tour alot or not much around the country, depends on time

Nepal
Kathmandu

China
Lhasa - Tibet

Laos

Thailand
Bangkok

Cambodia
Angkor wat

Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Hoi An
Hue
Phong Nha caves?
Hanoi
Ha Long Bay
Sapa

China
Work my way to probably Shanghai, get the bike shipped back and fly home.

I believe that this route is possible ie all of these borders are open, although the tajik/chinese border seems a little dodgy (no-one seems to know if it is open to foreigners).

I know I will need a vignette for austria, hungary and romania, but i don't know about the others yet, however I know its just a matter of buying on the border.

The bike I was planning on getting for the trip is a Honda deauville (storage and security, reliable, comfortable, not too highly powered). However I am not so sure now having heard bad things about the amount of room in the panniers. What would anyone recommend?

I have done a rough break down of cost as well, I have tried to overestimate to leave contingency but let me know if any aren't realistic.

bike training and license 1000
bike 1500
bike service and accesories such as top box 500
full international bike insurance 1000
Carnet ????
Visas 1500
full internation travel insurance 500
jabs innoculations 1000
new camera 200
ferry out 100
ferry across caspian sea 100
plane back 500
bike shipping back 1000
vignettes 100

+ 100 days at
accom 15 1500
petrol 15 1500
food sightseeing 25 2500
presents 10 1000

=15500

I also need to get an internation driving permit.

What I am really worried about is visas, ie organising them, on my count i will need 13 visas with china's being multiple entry(for the longest route). Is this feasible to organise my self should I use an agent. I know some are valid for only 3 months from issue, which might cause me problems as i won't get to vietnam until about 2 and a half months in. Also I am aware that some regions within countries need permits enter.
I know a region of uzbekistan, tajikstan,india and china (tibet) all need these, is this just a formality. Also does anyone have experience of borders, ie how diffcult/corrupt can they be.

I understand it is possible to get some visas at the border or certain border crossings, how easy is this? what borders can you do this for? Is having a bike going to make it alot more difficult?

Also anything people can tell me about a carnet and innoculations would be brill.

I am aware this is alot to do in 100 days and i may shorten the trip. I have also heard all the warnings about my complete lack of experience, but it won't change my mind. I may be proved stupid etc but thats part of the adventure.

Sorry it is such a long post but it is a rather complicated journey.

Thanks for your help!!