Hey everyone,
I live/work in Antibes, France as an engineer on a Yacht and am very new to this site.
I am currently planning a trip from France to Aus and was hoping on some advice about the best bike preperation and availability of spares for a xr400? I know it is defiantly not the best bike out there to do the trip but I am in love with them and have experience of their reliability. The trip is not until next year but I want to get the bike, prep it and test it out for a while before I go.

I will be taking a basic route which includes:
Italy
Croatia
Serbia
Bulgaria
Turkey
Iran (safe?)
Pakistan (safe?)
India (Nepal?)
Burma (safe?) or China (I would rather Burma if i can find a way. I hear its opening up a bit)
Laos
Thailand
Malaysia
Indonesia
Australia (home)


All info on the bike and these countries would be greatly appreciated. Also an estimated amount for trip ( not including bike) I had a guess at 15-17k. can it be done cheaper? I will be camping when I can and living on the cheap in regards to food and hostels.
Cheers

PS.
If anyone is interested in joining me that would be awesome!

Hi dear biker

just you mentioned on your post about iran i guess is it safe?

Iran is really safe dont worry about it every year many bikers entering into iran and going in east direction also you are going to be one of them

any question is welcome about Iran and area

greetings

Hossein

Overlanders,Meeting Mr.Hossein

Hey there Where in Australia is home? Sounds like it's been a lovely work opportunity for you in France. I'm also planning a similar trip but only in 2014.

Burma is still a no-go zone for overlanders but it might open up a bit by the itme you get there I guess. China is VERY expensive for overlanders as you need guides, tour group etc.... it varies a lot but $2000-$4000 per person depending on the size of your group, and that's just for a few days (a week maybe)... Most people opt to ship their bike and themselves over Burma by air.

At this stage it seems that Iran is pretty safe and trouble free. People do cross Pakistan solo but I think I'd only do it with at least one other person.

Your budget is almost exactly the same as what I estimated for myself, which included travel insurance, the bike and gear, visas, and camping (no hotels). People have definitely done it cheaper but I honestly don't know how.

17k AUD or EUR?

__________________
Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com

I strongly recommend you to buy a copy of Adventure Motorcycling Handbook (6th ed. just published) by Chris Scoot -who happens to be a moderator here-, since you'll have a great joy reading it and will find many answers to your questions.

As said, going beyond India will be the biggest issue, as most fly over Burma. You still have time, but start with this plan B, as it is unsure any chance to cross Burma yet.

Happy travels,

Esteban

PD: Iran is very safe and beautiful. People are awesome.

Hello,

I have been with a guy riding with an Xr400 when I was in Mongolia. It is a really nice bike for such trip, As I remember that was his modifications:
- You should try to fit an acerbis 22l tank for extra range.
- Front sprokets with different number of tooth so you can change them depending on the kind of road.
- A nice bash plate.


Now concerning your budget, It depend on how much time you are planing to do the trip (stoping a lot?). But, I think 3 to 4 month, If you are really serious about camping and eating cheap food, 15 000 euro is definitely enough (hell I could do a rtw trip with that budget... well 3/4).

In regards to the road you have chosen. Keep in mind that the "carnet" will be costly for Iran and India. Furthermore, I see 2 big problems:
-Pakistan: The east and Karachi are really dangerous, I have relation with peoples working in NGOs in that country and some history are... disturbing, let just say that westerner avoid to go out in the region of Quetta and Karachi. The west is "less dangerous" (you should keep a low profile).
Now I know an other rider who went in Pakistan last year (from west to north) and at some point he had police escort, same for a couple in 4x4 (north to west). The french government give some nice advice on all the countries, you should read it (if you speak french): Pakistan - France-Diplomatie-Ministère des Affaires étrangères
-Burma and China are a no go by motorcycle in my book... well you can try China if you are very rich and are willing to be followed by a "guide" all the time... Maybe you should considering shipping your bike at one point? Other rider have taken the "stan road".

French friends are just doing it and in India currently..I guess will be best to get in touch with them,with a big hello from us..I believe they have collected a lot of current experiences...(excluding Pakistan)
https://www.facebook.com/vanetro?fref=ts

Last year so many bikes have done this route happily and safe.One of the main popular routes on the globe.

All questions about entering Turkey on bike and biking through are welcome..

Wish you all the best..
mehmet avar

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If the bike is French registered, the carnet is not so expensive.
I went to India on a BMW R100GS and I valued the bike at €1000
You could probably get away with a €500 valuation.
The thing that was hassle was the bank refused to word the letter guaranteeing the funds as the French Auto Club required. In the end I sent the money to the FR Auto club for them to hold. It was 2.3 to 3k Euros.
You only get that back when the carnet is returned with all the out stamps to cover the "in" stamps.

John

__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

Cheers for all the replies and advice.
my bike is french registered. normal insurance in France for the bike is costing me 1400 euro per year! almost as much as my bike. I've done a few mods to the bike and saving for some extras like big tank and gps now.
My funds aren't going great at the moment so the trip has been postponed for a while. maybe mid 2014. what time of year do people usually start this route?
my route is going to include Romania now since I've made a good friend through work who would like to do turkey with me and i have a few friends who live in the south of turkey. i'll keep an eye on Pakistan and Burma for any improvements.
my home in Aus is Yeppoon (near Rockhampton) which is about 700k's north of Brisbane.
I've heard from a few people now who have been to Iran and they all say how amazing Iran is and i cant wait to go and explore. A lot of my friends think I'm crazy for wanting to go there but most of them have not even left Australia yet so their view is what there told from Mr. TV.
I really hope Burma starts letting people ride through as I am a bamboo enthusiast to the max! and want to see the big stuff that grows there.
Also I've been told i should try and get to Bhutan and Nepal if i can afford it and if i take a northern route through India it should be do-able.
As for the estimated cost it has come down to about 12k in euros. 15-16k aus dollars

PS. Im still looking for someone to join me for the trip

PPS. does anyone know of a good place to find a proper seat for my bike? the motox style seat will not be coming on the long run to aus.

Hi whoknows,

If you travel in 2014 then I will be doing the same trip at the same time.
I have discovered a good handful of people planning on doing the same.

I will be taking Iran/Pakistan/India/Nepal route if I can find someone to cross Pakistan with (at least).
I plan to be in France about May and then head east in July, spending a lot of time in Eastern Europe.
Entering Turkey in August... Pakistan for September (KKH)... India and Nepal by October.

I grew up in Brisbane but now live in Melbourne.

Take care and good luck with your plans.

Since you are in France, hand made seats: SELLES CONFORT MOTO et SELLES CONFORT SCOOTER sur mesure personnalisées Yves Moillo pour tous modèles de motos I phone, mobile, smartphone, Honda, BMW, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Buell, Can am, Harley Davidson, KTM, Triumph, Vox

The first thing that any one who try my bike say : "I cannot believe how comfortable your seat is"...

.
For safety, or because you don't want to spend money?

vette

For the price... last year I tried to see what was the fee to go in China from Mongolia, just by curiosity. The quote, with 2 other riders, was the following:
1) 2300 euro Just for paperwork (licence/chinese plate/permission to pass between provinces).
2) To this you have to add the price of a "guide", which is mandatory. He will follow you EVERY WHERE. 100 usd/day... and you have to pay for his food and accommodation... and you have to hire also a car and a driver for him...

Of course, you can divide the 2) part between the riders but still... it is not cheap. For the same amount of money you will spend just on Chinese administrative BS, you can probably tour South East Asia for 3Month... Just saying...

Feel free to contact me for situation in Pakistan. Generally it is safe and doable with a bit of care.

Cheers
Omar

2nd that about pakistan, and its amazing! sikkim in northeast india has some massive bamboo.