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West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 4 Nov 2007
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 30
SE Asia Tour
I am planning to tour Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam on my F650 Dakar. Is it wise to have my motorbike shipped over from the US? I have been told it is smarter to buy or rent in Phnom Penh. If I was to ship, what is the best shipping point, Singapore, Bangkok? Is it possible to enter Burma with a motorbike? Do any of these countries require a carnet? I'm assuming they all reqire a visa. I am told that leaving the motorbike in Thailand would require a license which is very expensive. Is this true? I thought it would be nice to leave it in Thailand in order to travel India and Nepal another time.
If there is other info you think is important, please advise.

Thank you in advance.

Sounds like Vietnam is not possible. Not too interested in losing my motorbike.
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  #2  
Old 5 Nov 2007
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Location: kuala lumpur
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compare the prices...
Hi Jon!

I can check for you the prices of bikes in Malaysia, Singapore & maybe even Thailand. In Malaysia the price of a 2nd hand GS650 is around $8000USD! Im pretty sure in Singapore its a lot cheaper, Thailand too. As for keeping the bike in I would reccomend Singapore & Malaysia. Other Hubbers would surely have answers for you. (You can also keep it at my place )
Burma... is a NO (check threads) If u plan to start your tour from Singapore, Then, I would suggest shipping it to Singapore or Malaysia. So you dont have to turn back! Anyway If youre interested just gimme a yell!

Carnet , I have no idea(ask around) but...
Visa's for American? You are like a King here!! Most of South East Asian country provide visas upon entry for Americans!


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  #3  
Old 17 Nov 2007
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You sure do need a carnet for entering S'pore or Malaysia. Thailand does not recongise carnet and issue their own doc at the Malay/Thai border and you have to purchase insurance there at the same time. Entering Laos and Cambodia is more tricky. You have to be street smart about it. No bikes for Miyanmar I am afraid. Vietnam do requires special permit for bike entry and you can try to get it when you are in BKK Thailand.

Good luck.
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  #4  
Old 17 Nov 2007
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Hi,

Go to Lucky Lucky in PP and buy a bike from him and all the paper work, if you import your own bike you will get raped by the Customs/Dock people, END OF DISCUSSION that's the way SE/Asain countrys work. If you can't/wont pay or they like your bike then it will disappear. (do you want to take that chance)

If you still want another opinion then go to GT Rider website and read the forums, you will see people getting ripped off by trying to buy in Thailand as you HAVE to be a RESIDENT to be legal and remeber you WILL want to be taking the bike out of the country, people getting ripped off by customs/dockers etc read the stories on there.

The one thing you WILL read time and time again is LUCKY LUCKY is the BEST person for getting a bike off to tour about on, he will supply tools spares paperwork ANYTHING you want for a price.

but forget Vietnam on a bike, rent a minsk while your there.

hope that helps.
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  #5  
Old 19 Nov 2007
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welcome to South East Asia
juddadredd quote that
"if you import your own bike you will get raped by the Customs/Dock people, END OF DISCUSSION that's the way SE/Asain countrys work."

CORRECTION! Judgedredd,
Not all SE/Asian countries..... Malaysia & Probably Singapore should be okay!
Check the threads on Clearing Malaysian Customs & check with Belgianbikers, Kevok etc who made it into Malaysia "peacefully".

Like Grant always said "Seek & ye shall find"


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  #6  
Old 19 Nov 2007
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Laos is no problem with your own bike. We just entered from China. Zero paperwork.

According to gt-rider.com the friendship bridge is only open to bikes leaving Lao, you can't enter there.
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  #7  
Old 19 Nov 2007
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OK I will take my slaps perhaps people don't write the good stories but seriously go look at GT Rider and read the forums then total up the percentages. After doing MY research and balancing things up I bought a bike from Lucky Lucky, I didn't want to take the import risks, but as you do when you’re on the road and talk to other riders you hear HORROR stories all the time mostly Thai horror stories about storing the bike or having to pay to clear customs.

So in my Informed opinion and I'm not wrong often (if you read these forums) I gave the advise that I thought fitted the tone of the question. Looking at importing he will boat the bike in (air freight $2,000-$3,000 ouch), and the destination from the US will be Thailand as it's the main stopping off point (go do your research), and having dealt with the Thais (after 24 months total in S/E Asia) I would guess 60/40% of him loosing the bike 60/40% of getting ripped off by customs playing the % game I'd say don't import.

I've said on other posts that I liked Malaysian customs they were very speedy and had all my paper work done in 30 minutes, so don’t take it personally AS I SEE WHERE YOU LIVE. But then again 5 different lots of police in Malaysia tried to rip me off so how does that differ from the other S/e Asian countries I visited not by much I can tell you?


http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...le-clean-30801

Go look at this thread DR Greg. even says 'lots of TEA money may be need to grease the way'.... This is exactly what I was refering to, and Dr Greg has been EVERYWHERE and I value his views (the guy worte the 101 on motorcycle touring) as he knows a thing or two about customs.
Last edited by juddadredd; 19 Nov 2007 at 20:35. Reason: added link
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  #8  
Old 20 Nov 2007
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Location: kuala lumpur
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police
unfortunely yes!
youre right about coppers (shame)
you have a point....& experience!

Sorry mate!



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  #9  
Old 20 Nov 2007
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LMAO too True.

My favorite Police this trip have been the French, I got lost and asked directions the nice chap let my go over some curbs to get back on track, and two orthers stopped me just to have their pictures taken on my little bike.

And in Rome I was waiting in traffic and this cop pulls up along side me see's me sweating my butt of gives me a bottle of water and a chewing gum, waits until I've drank some and says follow me 2 minutes later we were out of traffic and I was on my way again.

Worst one was in Spain didn't try to shake me down but gave me a b*llocking for having my panniers on the wrong way, the GB stickers was at the front.

Best Border ALL of them as I've not had to stop once AT ALL not even to show my passport.

Ride safe
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