Bhurma...Vietnam....China, from Sth East Asia...HEEEELLLLP!!

[Cpt Barbarossa]

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

[DLbiten]

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.

[pecha72]

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.

[peter-denmark]

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).

[pecha72]

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.

[Cpt Barbarossa]

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).

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by DLbiten

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

The link shown in the quote is from a travel company who do touring in Vietnam, among other places:-

Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours - Vietnam

This bit of their webpage is very open and honest about how they get their hire bikes including some information about owning bikes in that country - worth a read.

[juddadredd]

Go to Lucky Lucky in PP Cambodia, as he has the best bikes all stolen from Japan, either google it or search these forums for the address.

He will also supply you with any paperwork you might need, to get the bike in and out of the country.

Lee

[Cpt Barbarossa]

Maybe though, mate, it might not be the best thing to make Lucky's source of cheap Motos too public, the officials might kill the golden goose.... I can assure you, based on ur advice he is my first stop after the Minimeet.
Thnaks dude

OS... Feb for BKK will be difficult, although you seem like a fella I'd love to ctach up with for a . I won't have a bike until I get to Cambodia, back to BKK when I've finished Laos, Cam and Viet, so Feb would be a battle. More likely I'll catch ya in KL later on.

Curiosity... how do ya make a living riding? That would be nirvana

[Osama Radzi]

Maybe im not riding to BKK. Probably 4WD or Train/Bus...
Yeah, meet u KL would be nice, maybe go camping or something....

as the question : Ride & Get Paid!
cant reveal it here in the open, It wont be a mystery anymore

Cheer Mate