Beyond Istanbul
 

I am hoping to venture further east in Turkey to Cappadocia later this year and would appreciate advice on the following; the roads, other than major routes, what is their condition? For example, Canakkale across country to Konya. The reason for asking is I use a rather heavy road 'bike and my off road skills are nil therefore if they are not suited to my machine and skills I shall plan to visit other areas of the country.

I copied the following from myself that I did write in another thread in HU

Either start with Istanbul via Greece border and TEM highway or first take a ferry to Cesme-Izmir from Italy (Brindisi) or from Aegean Islands and start from Western Anatolia.

A few suggestions:

1- Istanbul

2- All the way down from Istanbul down to Antalya either via Troy, Assos, Pergamon to Izmir or via Bursa, Bandirma, Gonen, Balya, Ivrindi, Allianoi, Pergamon, to Izmir and regions.

3- Two options from Izmir:
Ephesus - Priene - Denizli (Hierapolis) - Konya - Cappadocia

or

4- Ephesus - Priene - Heracleia (Bafa lake) - Bodrum (via ferry) Datca - Marmaris - Elmali - Antalya

5- Antalya - Mersin by the seashore (for motorcycling fun with curves and curves)

6- Mount Nemrut - Adapazari

7- Antakya (Antioch) - and even a daily trip to Halep (Aleppo) in Syria

8- Van lake and regions

9- Dogubeyazit / Ishakpasa palace

10- Black sea and inland Turkey: see Ride to Blacksea Coast of Turkey - Report - ADVrider for a detailed report

11- Safranbolu (near Kastamonu)

12- Places like Goynuk (near Bilecik city for being far from the madding touristic crowd and hot weather in june/july.)

... and cold beer in Izmir if you happen to pass by. Send PM for possible routes and details.

It mostly depends on the season and region. Main roads are good, side roads are not bad. Most of the side roads are 2 lane tarmac roads. Biggest problem in the side roads are potholes. If you want to visit really rural parts, then in those parts road might be gravel.

Ozgur

Well if you give some information about your travel style and preferences the answers could be more adequate.
Türkiye is fairly big and offers different sites.
1- What time of the year will you be on? (Summer winter Spring?)
2- What type of bike you have? (Can you take some gravel roads?)
3- How much time will you have over here?

Have a good trip.

Can be more of help if I know
1. your bike!
2. How long are you going to stay in TR?

Burak Cedatas / Samy

The machine is a Yamaha FJR1300, it will be July and I have approximately 9 - 10 riding days in Turkey. I have to be in Kalkan, on or about the 10 July, for a few days to meet up with my family.

Hello
Well here are some ideas,
- From Istanbul come and visit us on the morocyle festival of EMOK which will be held in first weekend of July. It will be in Bilecik. Camping is the main accomodation with concerts and lot of activities. It should be short 4 hour or less ride. Last year there were 1200 people and it should be fun.

- If you are going to Kalkan try to visit the Egean region at least. Ephesus, Aprodisias, Bergama would have been on my list, next to Troy. Kaş Kemer are also nice.

- If some time is left at least a side trip Cappadocia shoud be considered.

Note that July is the hottest month. Drink lots of water, try to get up early and travel before the heat starts. This is not like desert riding but still. I would not advise night riding much although some friends are for it.

For FJR you can find tires, oil and service since the bike is sold in Turkey. Actually couple of our EMOK members has them.

Best of lucks