Caucasus & Stans: where to buy the bike?

[zefrastan]

We're two Argentine friends wanting to travel the Caucasus (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran) & the Stans (up to Kazakhstan) by motorcycle.

HU is a fantastic resource! I've read countless valuable threads, but I'm a bit overwhelmed with so much information - and didn't find an answer to the following...

Our current plan is: Buy and register/patent two motorbikes in Russia (just north of the border with Georgia/Azerbaijan), drive all the way through Iran, and reach Kazakhstan. And finally back to Russia again. Selling them there would be bonus points!

Has anyone BOUGHT and REGISTERED a motorcycle in Russia, and then left the country? Is this even possible?

Alternatively, any suggestion as WHERE to buy & register, in those countries? I read stories about buying and shipping from Europe but that makes it much more expensive.

ANY tips regarding initial motorbike paperwork in Russia really welcome! will definitely share all the info we gather along the way!

[maria41]

I have not done so but you could check few leads.


It may be possible to buy motorbikes in Kyrgyzstan as a foreigner. But it might be expensive and choice may be limited.


You could check with Patrick at www.muztoo.com. He rents bikes from Osh (Kyrgyzstan) and also do guided tours. He may be able to advise you.


In Russia, again I am not sure, but you could get in touch with Vladimir at www.altai-moto.ru. He has a company doing motorcycle tours, but he also imports and sells motorbikes occasionally to locals (import from Japan).


He is located in the Russian Altai. He may be able to advise you on possibility of either buying bikes as foreigners or doing some buy-back scheme with bikes still staying in the name of his company.
Vladimir and Patrick are both very good trustable guys.


Cheers,

[zefrastan]

Maria, thank you

I'll contact them both! I've exchanged a few emails with Patrick about rentals, but will ask him again about buying/buy-back.

[maria41]

Originally Posted by zefrastan

Maria, thank you

I'll contact them both! I've exchanged a few emails with Patrick about rentals, but will ask him again about buying/buy-back.

Note that Vladimir does not speak English, but Google translate is pretty good in Russian. I use it a lot. He can get translators if needed though, so no worries.


Good luck

[zefrastan]

Originally Posted by maria41

Note that Vladimir does not speak English, but Google translate is pretty good in Russian. I use it a lot. He can get translators if needed though, so no worries.

Oops I already sent an email in English! Let's see what he replies.

I'm also asking some friends in Moscow, but these girls have no idea about cars or motorbikes... it ain't easy

[maria41]

Ah no te preocupes, yo me comunico mucho con el ahora porque estoy preparando mi proximo viaje en Russia, y hablo poco ruso! El también usa Google

Cuando pensais estar alli? A lo mejor nos encontramos por allá este verano.

Pienso cruzar Russia, despues Kazakhstan y Kyrgyzstan. Si podemos y tenemos tiempo, visitar un poco Tajikistan.

Pienso salir de Londres a final de Mayo o principe de Junio y acabar en Bishkek a medio de setiembre!

Suerte

[robtho]

Keep an eye open on this forum as bikes tend to come up for sale from time to time from other travelers. There was and probably still is a WR250R for sale here by an Australian who rode it from Japan a couple of months ago. I met another rider who bought his older Yamaha Tenere in Armenia and will be selling it in Georgia. I am leaving my Suzuki DRZ in Tbilisi for the winter while I go home to have my shoulder repaired, if it doesn't work out for the better that bike might end up on the 4 sale blocks as well.
There is a good mechanic here in Tbilisi (reasonably good English speaker) who would be a good contact, he is minding my bike and doing some maintenance for me. Email me if you want contact details and with his permission I will pass them on.
Georgia is a great place to visit and ride and it would be a pity to skip this area.

[zefrastan]

Originally Posted by maria41

Pienso salir de Londres a final de Mayo o principe de Junio y acabar en Bishkek a medio de setiembre!

Hola Maria Sería genial cruzarnos en el camino! Pero lo cierto es que todavía no sabemos exactamente cuándo ni dónde empezar...

Vladimir answered, he definitely uses Google Translate

Quoting him:

- To buy a motorbike and to prepare them in Moscow for the trip, there will be problems, as there are many companies involved in the sale of motorcycles [...]

- You will need to put them on record in the state traffic police. Here it may be the first task, as it will be temporary or account or you are required to have registration in Russia (need to work on this issue)


Today we went to the Russian consulate here in Buenos Aires. Basically, they don't know shit. We got in touch with the Georgian consulate, they also don't have idea. We went to the Turkish consulate, too. Same thing. Iran, the same. No friggin clue about anything that has to do with driving, permits, registration. Moreover, no-one could even point us in the right direction (apart from the Iranian dude telling us to "search for the ministry on Google")

Searching on other forums about buying & registering a bike in Russia I found this:

"Forget it! You have no idea what vehicle registration procedure is in Russia. It is impossible for foreigner to do it. If you are such a biker, then the best way for you will be, if someone Russian (who can be trusted), with permanent address, with appropriate driving license will register it for him self and provide you (watch it) DOVERENNOST. It is piece of paper on which a registered owner is allowing you to drive a vehicle. But in this case legally bike is not yours.
Go only to well established and official dealer. Do not buy from small dealerships/garages. There is a big chance that you will buy stolen, or not cleared by customs bike. In both cases it will be impounded.
But, if I was you, I would not do it."

(From buying a motorbike in russia )

DOVERENNOST = Power of Attorney


So this is proving difficult. We have no info whatsoever. Russian friends & consulate can't help. Forums discourage it or don't know well.

QUESTION: Has anyone traveled on someone else's bike with a Power of Attorney crossing borders? Are there risks of doing this, or is it standard as with rentals?

Info on this really appreciated! Thanks!

Zeko & Fran

[zefrastan]

Originally Posted by robtho

Keep an eye open on this forum as bikes tend to come up for sale from time to time from other travelers. There was and probably still is a WR250R for sale here by an Australian who rode it from Japan a couple of months ago. I met another rider who bought his older Yamaha Tenere in Armenia and will be selling it in Georgia. I am leaving my Suzuki DRZ in Tbilisi for the winter while I go home to have my shoulder repaired, if it doesn't work out for the better that bike might end up on the 4 sale blocks as well.
There is a good mechanic here in Tbilisi (reasonably good English speaker) who would be a good contact, he is minding my bike and doing some maintenance for me. Email me if you want contact details and with his permission I will pass them on.
Georgia is a great place to visit and ride and it would be a pity to skip this area.

robtho, thanks! I guess it's this page: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...r-sale-wanted/

Couldn't find the WR250R or otherwise in the Caucasus region but will keep checking! we'd need two of 'em. I'd appreciate that email – will contact you privately.

Is it true that Georgians are not very fond of motorbikes? Or that you rarely see them riding a bike?

[WesleyDRZ400]

Fly to Almaty in Kazakhstan buy a bike there

Massive selection on bikes compared to other nearby areas, its on par with European city. Maybe better

I was browsing as i am looking to buy a used CRF250L for my Central Asia bike to leave there when not using next summer.

CRF250L used around $3000-$3500 dollars and ideal as FI which is better to have in some high up areas in Central Asia.

As Kazak is part of custom union then no import papers needed for all custom union papers.

I have a Kazak friend who informed me all papers regarding border crossing can be complete in 1 day.

Look here (change city setting to Almaty and use google translate)
http://kolesa.kz/

Also Kawasaki sherpa good choice but stay away from the Chinese bikes

[maria41]

Hi Zefrastan,

Few suggestions and info.

1 – selling bikes in Mongolia.

I will refer to this thread: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-seeking-travellers/uk-to-mongolia-2014-a-70639-5

Fritz, there (aka Patrick S) is an American rider who flew to Ireland, bought a motorbike there and crashed in Mongolia. He has a blog and all seems explained in details how he did all that in here: http://www.fritztomongolia.blogspot.com/

In the thread I mentioned above, you can find details (emails) of everyone on the spreadsheet. That includes Patrick S (Fritz).

2 – I think in the group riding with Noel and Patrick there was also an Australian rider who flew to Europe and bought his bike in Germany or Belgium. Not sure … I think it was Tom Bosman (? again check the spreadsheet). Or check with Noel (his email is also in the spreadsheet).

Maybe you should consider buying in Europe as it seems to be much easier. I believe but not 100% sure that they went through Iran, so it might be possible to get a carnet (The Carnet is required for Iran only, in that region).

So, first, if you have enough time, maybe buying in Europe could be easier and also to get the Carnet for Iran. Then check with the lads (Tom, Fritz and Noel) and check Fritz blog.

Cheers,

[zefrastan]

Originally Posted by WesleyDRZ400

Fly to Almaty in Kazakhstan buy a bike there

Massive selection on bikes compared to other nearby areas, its on par with European city. Maybe better

Hey Wesley, great advice, thank you!

We initially considered buying a bike in KZ (and we checked kolesa.kz) but we found it a bit expensive. (Well, we were looking for new bikes.)

I've been in contact with Marat from Almaty who rents bikes. That was also expensive for our budget.

We are not EXPERTS, so buying a second-hand motorbike with zero referals in a country we don't speak the language sounds like... risky.

Perhaps someone here has a contact of a good mechanic over there? I like the idea of a $3000-$3500 250 bike in good shape for riding at least 6000 km

[zefrastan]

Hey Maria, again so much good info from you!

We considered buying the bikes in Europe, too. In that case, we should add shipping costs to fly them to the Caucasus. And say we finish in KZ, selling them in Mongolia would involve another shipment. It adds up...

We're pondering all options... If buying/shipping costs vastly exceed those of renting one, we'll probably just rent...

It seems waiting til last minute with this sort of affairs is a good thing?!

[WesleyDRZ400]

Originally Posted by zefrastan

Hey Wesley, great advice, thank you!

We initially considered buying a bike in KZ (and we checked kolesa.kz) but we found it a bit expensive. (Well, we were looking for new bikes.)

I've been in contact with Marat from Almaty who rents bikes. That was also expensive for our budget.

We are not EXPERTS, so buying a second-hand motorbike with zero referals in a country we don't speak the language sounds like... risky.

Perhaps someone here has a contact of a good mechanic over there? I like the idea of a $3000-$3500 250 bike in good shape for riding at least 6000 km

A lot of good bikes from around $2000 to $3000, here is a quick browse I just did of good basic lightweight bikes for such a trip in Almaty.

kolesa.kz/a/show/25549320

kolesa.kz/a/show/22692886

kolesa.kz/a/show/25552291

kolesa.kz/a/show/24460977

kolesa.kz/a/show/25308640

I would say Almaty is geographically in the best location to start such a trip with the best selection of used bikes along with good workshops/parts ect ect

I brought a cheap dodgy chinese bike this year and no issue’s crossing border and never had any papers registered just showed receipt at border. However i suggest you will need to get papers for border crossings as you plan to cross a few, basically what happens is a local gets the bike put in their name and then you get a document which states you have full use and permission to ride it for all border crossings from an official office. It takes one day to short all this. Any local biker would help you out i am sure

Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan is another place you can buy a bike and do the same however selection is not as good as in Almaty but there are still good bikes for sale if you contact the right people, I know a guy there who will sort all the paper work out and help sourcing a bike or bikes in which he charges a small fee, he has helped a few people out on this site. Bishkek also has great bike mechanics and workshops to prep a bike you buy ready for a trip.

As you are aware for what bikes cost to rent it is probably better to buy a bike outright for the prices mentioned if you plan to ride for more than 30 days and also you can sell/leave it where you stop as you are going one way and not returning.

[MuzToo]

Hi Zefrastan.

We have sold bikes to travelers last summer. John rode from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbajan, Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Europe.
He wanted to avoid Iran because of the Carnet de passage. We give the original document and a power of attorney in russian and english. This way you can cross in to Europe.
I do have for sale: Yamaha XT 600 E. Comes with new tires, new chain kit, new brake pads, oil and filter changed, just serviced. Has a pannier and hand guards. Costs: USD 3000.-
I do have for sale: Yamaha XT 600 Z Tenere. Comes with new tires, new chain kit, new brake pads, oil and filter changed, just serviced. Has a rack. Costs: USD 2500.-

CHeers. Patrik