Hello Hubbers.

My partner and I have a mammoth trip planned for next year...we've taken a year off starting in March to go from London - Moscow (by air unfortunately) then on the Trans Mongolian - Beijing, round China (originally by bike but that's not going to happen) then once we get into Vietnam we're going to buy a bike.

Something that will take the two of us and luggage - I was thinking of a Bonus but if anyone has a better option I'd appreciate it.

From there it's all the way down VN, Cambodia, maybe into Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and to India.

We may try poking about the border to Burma and see if we can scoot across. I've read on here about some people doing it but it might just be worth selling the bike in KL, flying to Kolkata and getting another bike there??

What I would like some assistance with is a route. We're going to enter VN up north, I believe there's a border entrance near Sapa. But from there we've got no set schedule.

Here are some questions:

What route would people recommend?

Are there any places not listed in guide books that you've found to be unmissable?

What bike is best for 2 up? We are going to buy in VN which, I believe is fine to take out of the country and tour SEA.

Would anyone recommend gps? I'm pretty good at reading maps but not sure if gps is worth the money.

Does anyone have a rough guide on budget for the VN to KL part? we're going to be staying with families, friends etc as much as possible with the odd hostel/budget hotel. A rough daily rate would be helpful.

Also, weather...we're going to be hitting Mongolia in March which rocks down to a nut clanging -30degrees apparently but what are things like:
1. Around China March - June
2. SE Asia June - October

I've been to India before (Kolkata & Orissa) and would like to be around that way in Oct/Nov time.

India is a whole other leg which I've yet to plan. Answers to these would be fantastic.

Maybe some of you know about the site already but couchsurfing is an amazing site, the idea is great and I've found some really helpful people who we're going to stay with. That's the extent of my usefulness for the time being.

We're going to put all our tips and experiences onto a blog soon so your help will be passed on!

ta & safe riding

Phil

Sorry I´m unable to answer all questions, but I´ll at least try a few!

Burma: might be possible to make a short distance from the northernmost Thai border. But to ride all the way to India - better just forget it.

You´re right that VN plated bikes seem to be able to cross into other countries, and return to Vietnam, and it´s known to be very tough to get any other bikes there. The problem will probably be the selection of newer and bigger bikes in VN, not so good especially if you plan to ride 2-up (Thailand or Cambodia probably have better options for that). But of course smaller and older bikes might be just fine for your trip, it really depends on how you like to travel (and how much of a mechanic you are!!)

Money: most of SE Asia used to be dirt cheap, if you came from the Euro zone, but because I havent been there for a couple of years, I don´t know how Euro´s crisis might have affected things, that´s why I don´t dare to guess a budget. But it´ll still be a lot cheaper than Europe I think!

Weather in China in March - you´ve got to be kidding, the freaking country´s almost the same size as the US, and it´ll probably have almost every imaginable kind of weather somewhere at any given time. So really depends on where you are! Areas close to VN & Laos should probably be among the warmest. SE Asia June to October is mostly the rainy season, not the very best time for riding bikes (if you compare how lovely it is over there around Christmas!) and especially some unpaved side roads could get interesting sometimes. But I´m not saying you could not do a nice trip around that time.

Hi,

How many of you, on which dates, what of India and with what budget are planning to tour India??


Cheers....

__________________
Cheers
Rohan - Loving Indian Enfields

Hi, for the India part of the tour

How many of you, on which dates, what of India and with what budget are planning to tour India??


Cheers....

__________________
Cheers
Rohan - Loving Indian Enfields

To elaborate further re Chinese weather, I've ridden through China in April/May.

Late April in the most southern part of China was cool enough to need a heater on in my room on an evening whilst I got snowed on in Northern China in late May, so be prepared to wear your winter woolies in March.

__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

Hi Gary,

You said you've ridden through China? Would it be possible to email you please as I'm trying to figure out how get through China on my RTW trip www.teapotone.com. Essentially I'm riding a sportsbike from London 100,000 miles around the world.

I plan on entering China from Mongolia, riding down to Shanghai, ferry to Japan, then South Korea, back to China, ride across to Nepal and around India, then back through Nepal into China. I planned on then riding through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and down. Obviously there are many issues with this route but I'm hoping to sort these out over the next year.

Could I contact you regarding China please?

Regards,

Bruce

__________________
http://www.teapotone.com