Hey

I'm working on an unpaid leave for next year. Most probably I will get Feb. - July 2010 off.

So my idea is to start in middle of March 2010 from Switzerland over Italy, ferry to greece and then go on to Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India.
I'm thinking to buy a Yamaha XT660Z. BMW F800GS and KTM LC8 adventure are also in my mind. But I think for a solo ride an XT would be the most easy and reliable.

• Anybody in same direction at that time?
• Any comments/experience about the weather in March, April in Turkey and Iran?
• Any experience how long it takes to get a VISA in Switzerland for Iran, Pakistan, India?

Looking forward to get some advice.

Cheers Roland

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Roland Schlegel

Hi Roland

I took my F800GS this summer from the UK to Turkey via Greece. Have a read of my blog it might help you in some small way.

Round the Bloc tour 2009 - ::. UKGSer.com .::

Good luck

Grimbo99

I can recommend the XT, i did 12k miles with no problems mainly during a Black Sea tour last year. Engine crash bars and centre stand are must have extras (wheel removal / installing is quite difficult without stand).
i recommend ferry to Albania from Italy, Macedonia, Bulgaria and then Turkey.
Andy B

Hi Schlegel,

We're doing a similar trip (London-Oz) leaving end of April and will be doing a similar route. Can't speak of your visa question (i'm not swiss!) but having begun the planning process, i hear turkey can be bloody cold depending on your route.

I wanted to add one more thing (which wasn't in your list of questions but..), assuming you haven't looked into the carnet situation yet I'd choose your bike with your carnet in mind. I currently ride a KTM 990 Adv but will be selling it before the trip for several reasons. You're going through some expensive countries for carnets - India, Pakistan & Iran - i think they're abut 500% of the value of your bike. As you can imagine a big KTM becomes an expensive proposition. Also, it's a big and complicated bike and if something goes wrong with the bike or you drop it the nearest dealer is a long way away! Plus it's pretty thirsty!....

Can't speak for the BMW but would recommend the XT - light, simple, easier to find spare parts and cheaper! I would like to add a bike to your list though, we've settled on taking Yamaha XT660R's - which are pretty much the same as the XT660Z, other than a ever so slightly lower seat height and smaller tank. But when you can solve the tank problem by carrying a v cheap fuel can you have to ask whether it's worth the extra £2000.

Anyway, just my thoughts, good luck!...

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www.motoventurers.com

Hi Bobduro
I do agree with your thoughts about the bike. I'm looking forward to buy a XT660Z - for the reason of easiness and also availability of spare parts.
Regarding Turkey I try to take the "warmest" route, which means most south. I'm aware that in middle of april in the east up to the Iranian boarder there could be some snow - but I don't have a big choice about the leaving date. So better have a few cold kilometers than loosing 1 months of traveling time.

Keep in touch,
Roland

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Roland Schlegel

Hi Schlegel,
I was crossing Turkey to Syria, Jordan and Lebanon in April 2009 after Easter and it was still very cold in the mid of the country, but the coast was ok. (9100 km in 14 days).
In 2010, I want to visit Iran in about the same time like you but I prefer to travel (due weather) via Syria, Jordan, SAE, UAE and take ferry to cross Persian Gulf and back around Ararat.
Anyway even your plan is not bad...
I drive Honda Deauville and you can find some of my trips at
http://picasaweb.google.com/peter.p.moto
Hope we can discuss a bit about common trip... m but I can not take more than 4 weeks vacation