Hi Guys,
There seem to be heaps of posts contradicting each other about getting from Sth East Asia to India. i arrive in Thailand January 20th.... so need to get cracking with a "plan"...lol.

Can anyone tell me for sure...
a) Is Bhurma unable to be eneterred from Sth East Asia on a bike or has someone achieved this?

b) China $3,000 USD, has anyone got into China on a bike for any less? Can I do this by landing at the border?

c) Vietnam... I ahve previously done Viet on a local Bonus125, but has anyne succeeded anterring their owm bike from Cambodia or Laos? What was teh procedure/cost?

Thnaks in advance guyz,
Chris

Ahhh help wow you need more than a little.

China last I have seen its like $10,000 months in getting papers, visas, mountins of red tap, and a guide. Running up to the border for a quick pass not going to happen.

Myanmar (Burma) looks to be a pain as well some places they seem to demand to truck your bike around. So a ride from Thailand to Bhutan can be done but not going to be fun or cheap. look at this Dr. Greg Rides Through Burma - MotorcycleUSA.com

The Kingdom of Bhutan on the other hand seems far more open. you can try Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours - Bhutan for some info. looks ease from India

Vietnam to Cambodia to Laos to Thailand been done and then some try the "travellers stories" in the blogs and then the "Ezine current issue" the tabs are probably on the left side of your screen.

Then you can try the search on the top of the home page then you can try google.com.

Sory I cant help more but looks a no go.
Or gust can the plan and see where the road take you.

no personal experiences except for c), but heres my view...

a) Is Bhurma unable to be eneterred from Sth East Asia on a bike or has someone achieved this?

Burma is practically closed for foreign motorbikes. Have heard of one Indian person doing this (from India to Thailand) some years ago, but he spoke the local languages, knew the right persons etc, etc, etc, and he spent months to get the paperwork. Even then he wasnt allowed to cross but small parts of the country. Regarding a western tourist, its not going to happen during this regime.

b) China $3,000 USD, has anyone got into China on a bike for any less? Can I do this by landing at the border?

Somebody did it from Laos, just sneaked in, BUT he had a chinese-registered 200cc bike. Showing up at the border with your own foreign-reg bike, you highly likely have to do it the "official" way (read: reach deep down into your pockets, and be prepared to spend months to arrange everything). Definitely not easy, but it seems it could be possible, though. Getting into the country from one of its borders, or riding through the whole China might yet be two wholly different things. If you plan to go from Laos to India, I believe you'll need to go through the Karakoram Highway into Pakistan first. And theres also the high plateau of Tibet and the Himalayas on your way, so definitely not a year-round option.

c) Vietnam... I ahve previously done Viet on a local Bonus125, but has anyne succeeded anterring their owm bike from Cambodia or Laos? What was teh procedure/cost?

From Vietnam into Cambodia or Laos, on a Viet-registered bike could be possible, but other way round, I dont believe they'll let you into Vietnam. A friend of mine, who lives in Thailand, has been trying several times with a 115cc scooter, I once joined his group, and we did all 3 intl borders Camb/Viet, and one border Lao/Viet, did not get in. There was a rumour that under 175cc bikes would be allowed, apparently this rule is no more, and bikes of any size arent allowed to enter. You could try (and may be offered) to smuggle it in, but remember its illegal and your taking big risks if you decide to do so.

Hate to sound pessimistic, but if your bringing your own bike, and want to go from Thailand to India, freighting the vehicle seems like the only realistic option.

You wont have any problems driving abound Laos or Cambodia. I have done it and I didnt even have to bribe anyone or anything. But Vietnam is not an option with a bike larger than 125 (150)CC. Wont happen without a shitload of trouble, and once you are inside the country you are a sitting duck for every policeman wanting to make a penny. Forget vietnam, but do Laos for sure (very nice) and Cambodia (something).

__________________
Peter Kongsbak
South East Asia, USA, Central and South America and Scandinavia.

Agree that Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are fully do-able on your own bike long as you have the same name on your passport & bike papers.

But Vietnam sadly is not possible with a bike of any size, unless it has Vietnamese plates. This "under 175cc", or whatever cc, rumour either was never true, or at least its not true anymore.

Theres also been a rumour about Vietnam lifting the ban on bikes.... will only believe it when I see it.

Thanks everyone for helping... it seems as though it isn't possible. on a budget. Damn.

Part II Question... boating bike form Thailand to India. Can I rock up and sort out the paperwork when i get there?

Once again, thanks guys... it's all this geberous advice that makes this site great (I wish I'd known about the site when I did Mexico to Chile).

Hey Capt!
you should check the threads on Myanmar/Burma/Thailand & etc... loads of infos &
btw why not shipping the bike from Penang to Bangladesh (Dhaka) or India(Cennai) Should be nearer/closer/quicker & maybe cheaper too....

just a thought

Good Luck Capt!

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"man without beard is like porridge without salt": Ned Kelly

Actually Im in the process of doing it right now (the other way round, though)... just visited a freight agent in Chennai less than an hour ago.

Cant tell you how it went just now because the bike's still standing at the hotel garage, but what Ive found out so far is that it should be possible, many people have shipped from India to Thailand or Malaysia and vice versa, and you have the choice of sea or airfreight.

At the moment it looks like Im taking an airfreight to Bangkok, which is not the cheapest, and it'll be routed via Kuala Lumpur, but Im willing to pay extra to get the whole thing done quickly.

Also heard theres been some delays with cargo going from Chennai port, some strikes, etc.

Malaysian Airlines has a daily flight to Kuala Lumpur, and from there several daily to BKK, so even if it turns out the bike cannot fit into one airplane, or one flight is delayed for whatever reason, its highly likely the delay at Bangkok end is only 1-2 days. When its going to a seaport, theres a much higher possibility that the delays could mean several days, or even weeks.

Oh, and several people have warned me not to ship anything to Bangkok harbour (dont remember its name) so for me, seafreight to/from Thailand would not be an option.

If you happened to be in Kl just gimme a shout mate!

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"man without beard is like porridge without salt": Ned Kelly

OK... winging it ain't gonna work. The amended plan is this...
1: Commencing 21st Jan: MiniMeet in Chiang Mai....
2: hightail it to Cambodia to buy a bike from Lucky Luckyand see Cambodia

3: 'ave a shot at the Viet border (likely no) fly up into Laos,

4: back to Cambodia, lock up the bike and go into Vietnam where I'll buy a $500 175 to do South Vietnam, sell the Viet bike half price,

5: Pick up the bike Cambodia, over to Thailand where I'll get my visas and shiite under way for India while I spin around Northern thailand,

6 -10+: ... and ferry to India, Sri Lanka, Bang, Mongolia and Bhutan if they'll let me in. That should cover a cruisy six months with a fair spattering of enduro trail riding....

After that who knows .

(shiite all this planning is making the Americas look like a breeze, I just rocked up into Mexico and landed at border after border til I hit the southern ocean...)

PS: THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL UR HELP UR GUYS>>> YEZ R ALL LEGENDS!!!
Anyone that is any of these zones let us know where u are if u'd like to hook up for a or several. Osama and Radzi..., when I get over that side o' town I'll try and duck down south to catch up with you. Stay in touch guys

Chiang Mai mini meet are as follows:

MOTORCYCLE TRAVELLER'S MINI MEETING

What:

Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Traveller's Meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Who:

Thailand travellers, local riders, friends and guests

Where:

Khaomao Khaofang Restaurant - South of Chiang Mai, near the Night Safari.

Go east from the Night Safari entrance, restaurant is between the Canal Road (Route 121) and Hang Dong Road (Route 108). Phone number - 053-838444

When:

January 19, 2008 - 18:00 hrs. until closing 22:00 hrs.

How To Arrive:

Motorcycle, car, tuk-tuk, taxi (for taxis, call -053 279291)

Cost:

No fees involved - just pay for your food and drink

Why:

"This will be a get-together of motorcyclists and friends. Many will be travellers that have the same dreams - to ride on another continent or even around the world. Share your experiences and get advice from others. Talk to local riders about Thailand roads and attractions, or make new friends that you might meet again on the other side of the globe." Robert Sensale, event organizer.

BTW, we will be discussing plans for a 2009 Horizons Unlimited Southeast Asia Traveller's Meeting. Ideas and volunteers will be needed.

t details are as follows:

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"man without beard is like porridge without salt": Ned Kelly

Damn.... I booked my flight to arrive on the 21st... lol See if I can change it.
(Maybe a minimum of planning would be a good thing, )

Anyone wanna give odds on my survival given this less then auspicious start??? for my own safety???

Anyone interested in getting a second meeting organised (just for my sake ) I am seeking organise, well planned person/s to tale role as marketer, chairperson and secretary. And up to 100 other volunteers to party with.

Cheers guyz,
See yez on the road!

"Of course I'm lost! How else can I find somewhere noone has ever been?" (Cpt Barbossa, Pirates Of The Caribbean 3)

Success... see yez @ minimeet!

Wont be able to attend the meet!!

My conference in BKK has been change to the 2,3,4 of February. The HU meeting is on 19th of January. If I attend both meet, I will have to take a real long leave which I dont have

Looks like Im gonna have to skip the Hu meet!

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"man without beard is like porridge without salt": Ned Kelly

Seems like u get 'round plenty tho...lol. If I'm down KL way I'll drop ya a line.