Way to Russia Community and Forum

Jimbosidecar · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 4:44 pm Post subject: motorcycling across Russia

Hi, I'm new to this forum. Right now I'm planning to cross Russia by motorcycle this summer 2005. Leaving from Irleland on or about June 5th and hope to enter Russia by June 25th. Any tips would be appreciated.
I've ridden across China and the U.S. but this is my first time crossing Europe and Russia.
Thanks.
regards,
Jim

Camrade · Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject:

alone???

you must be really crazy)

Jimbosidecar · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 2:40 am Post subject: motorcycling across Russia

Well, maybe. But that's what everyone said when I did it in China about 5 years ago. I personally know one guy who did it 6 years ago (across Russia on a bike) and last year another guy did it and posted an internet diary of his trip. He's called Striking Viking and his story is located on the adv.riders web site. Both guys had nothing but positive things to say about the experience and the people they met.
So, any advice for me????
Regds,
Jim

DITTRICH · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:27 pm Post subject:

Better to ask on H.U.B.B bulletin board where lots more and better information specific to motorcycle trips.
Les

blaked · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 12:29 pm Post subject:

Go with a few of your friends. Russian roads are very poor quality and there are not any interstate highways between cities. Despite this, there is a lot of truck traffic and drivers go 100 km or more per hour.

Jimbosidecar · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:41 pm Post subject: Russia by motorcycle

Hi, thanks for the advice but unfortunately all my friends have backed out. The road situation and crazy drivers don't bother me. After all I live in Beijing where bad driving was invented.
But thanks for the advice.
Regds,
Jim

Jimbosidecar · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:43 pm Post subject: motorcycling across Russia

Thanks, but what and where is the H.U.B.B. site?

Camrade · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:38 pm Post subject:

2Jimbosidecar

so, good luck in your trip, it should be really interesting
but anyway I advice you to cross the country with at least one russian and to learn cyrillic alphabet because there are absolutely no (almost absolutely Wink

) road signs in English

UsualSuspect

Hi,
A couple of guys on this board have done this trip, so it is possible. Got an R65? Not knowing your bikes set-up I'll make some stupid recommendations. 1. Big Capacity tank for fuel. It's a long way between fuel stops, although at an average of 50cents US a litre petrol is $#@% cheap. 2. Fit some hard wearing tyres. Real hard wearing... 3. Carry some basic spares (bored yet?). 4. If it is an R65 I'd make damn sure those CV carbs have pristine rubber diaphragms in 'em.

Given you've pulled some miles already in your travels I'll think you'll be OK. Just remember it's 13,000 klms roughly from one end to the other.
And the paperwork...bike carnet/Visa/etc....summer 2005? You've got one month to get your act together!!!!

Time to move it or lose it.....

Seething with envy
Usualsuspect

DITTRICH · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 11:19 am Post subject: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com

Sorry Jimbosidecar for fdelay in response. I only log on infrequently. The travel section on this site is very good but the above url is by far and away the best resource. Just search the bulletin board for key words. I used the site to research the trans siberian highway. Good Luck
Les

Jimbosidecar

My bike is actually a 1969 R69S but powered by an R100S motor. It's a pretty reliable unit. My visa is due any day now. My bike is enroute to Germany. I've been advised to get the insurance in germany as it's much cheaper. I've got all my spares together. I have just a 6 gallon tank but I'll be carrying 2 plastic gas tanks in the sidecar. I also plan to buy Ural tires once I'm in Russia. It's got almost new Metzler tires on it now.
I have a question- It looks like I'll pass through Belarus between Poland and Russia. Do I need a seperate visa for Belarus?
Thanks for all the advice. I do appreciate it.
Oh, I won't be traversing the entire country of Russia. Just to the border of Mongolia.
Regds,
Jim
bike carnet/Visa/etc....summer 2005? You've got one month to get your act together!!!!

Time to move it or lose it.....

Jimbosidecar

Hi Thanks. Yes, I've been on that site. Didn't find much but masybe I looked in the wrong area. it's a BIG site. I'll try a search. I also don't log on as much as I'd like. I just rode down to Shanghai for the first MotoGP race in China. 7 days to cover just 3,000 kms so you see the roads in China can be quite terrible too.
Regds,
Jim

UsualSuspect · Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject: Belarus

Jimbo,
Belarus requires a seperate visa. You may be able to sweet talk your way into a transit visa, but how about looking at bypassing Belarus and going through the Baltics?

Is your chariot a solo affair or someone going with you? You could always carry a tire carcass or two..unless you know for sure you can get Ural tires and they'll fit. Sounds like you'll be OK for petrol capacity..

Enjoy
Usualsuspect

vorteks · Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 6:51 pm Post subject:

I did the way from Honk Kong to Moscow last summer. Compared to China, you ll find it way easier to ride in Russia, especially in Siberia.

The main nuisance might be milicia looking for bribes, but if you know how to deal with police in China, it s about the same in Russia : stay relaxed, smile, say the few words you know in the local language and be patient. As a motorcyclist, you will benefit from a positive adventurous image. Try to respect traffic rules as much as possible. Many russian drivers have speed radars, so just follow cars and control your urge to pass them if they slow down too much, they might have a reason to do so. If the milicia wants to stop you, S.T.O.P! Wink

The second problem you ll have to solve daily is to find a safe place to park your bike. Locals can help here, but you never know who you can trust. The truck stops are convenient and inexpensive along your way eastwards, but you ll have to bargain to keep the bike in a safe, preferably locked area out of oportunist sight. Bring some ear plugs, if you are unlucky enough to have the room near the "working lady", the night might be ... short.

The road conditions are not that a concern, much better than in China, even tho i ruined my front wheel on a pothole (fortunalty it was a steel one). As you can guess, the more eastward you head, the worse but the funnier it gets. Some portions of the road after Novosibirsk are unsealed, but I guess you ll ride a trail bike.

You need to pay before filling up, so you must find out how much you need. Learn to count up to 20 or at least ask for a paper to write it down to the cashier hidden behind its taintless window.

You ll certainly hit some few storms on the way and the surroundings of Lake Baikal can be chilly, so get your rainsuit and some warm clothes ready. Keep your loads of papers in a waterproof bag to avoid administrative harassement at the border with Mongolia.

If you head to Altai mountains, don t venture too far into small tracks that could lead to nowhere....it s not the most populated area on earth, finding help could be tough.

But the most dangerous hazard is .... young siberian girls in short dresses...at least try to keep your attention on the road, especially in downtown where they tend to gather(shopping areas). Wink

PS : I thought riding in Beijing was prohibited (under the 5th circle)...

Jimbosidecar · Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 3:03 am Post subject: Re: Belarus

Hi- Someone else e-mailed me an itinerary going through Lithuania and Latvia and that looks like a good plan. My ride is a BMW R69S with a sidecar and I'll be riding solo.
Thanks.
Regds,
Jim

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