Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: uk
Posts: 40
Japan back to the UK 2013

I’ve been invited to visit a friend in Iwaki, Fukushima in August 2013. I was looking into flight costs and wondering whether or not to go, when a friend of mine said to me “why don’t you ride a bike back”.
So I’ve been scanning HU posts of information. Chris of Japan, if you read this it would be nice to hear from you, but that doesn’t exclude anyone else or any helpful advice.
So I wondered what would be the possibility of buying a Honda Africa Twin or xr650l within a few weeks and heading home. Sat here in England I imagine that
(Because they are manufactured there) Japan is full of good quality second hand Hondas’ weighting to be snapped up for a little money? Naive perhaps?

I have done several long distance bike trips, the biggest was a 4 month solo trip to Mongolia two years ago. I have read that it is not so difficult to go from Japan to Russia but I have already ridden in Russia. I only got as far east as Novosibirsk so I wouldn’t be disappointed by the challenge of riding home through far eastern Russia. However. The real gem for me would be to try and come home Vietnam Laos, Burma, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey into Europe. Has anyone done this route before?

This post is to kick-start my brain and get an overview of possibilities and problems.

So my questions go something like this:-

If I buy a bike in Japan I will be exporting it a few weeks later as I head home in either direction. Is this possible to do and keep the bikes Japanese registration?
I will need paperwork for the bike to cross boarders. Perhaps I can ride it home and send the registration back to Japan for my friend to record as destroyed?

The Russian route would not require a carnets for a Brit on a British registered bike, is that also true for a Brit on a Japanese registered bike?

I have heard that some countries do not allow bikes over a certain size, does anyone know if that includes the countries above?

I know that I will need some form of carnets for the second route. As I haven’t used one before I’m still unsure of how they will work for me as I am buying the bike in a foreign country. Do I buy the carnets in Japan or England and am I destined to loose whatever money it costs me, as the bike will not return to Japan?

Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read and reply.

Rich.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 31 Mar 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
The Russian route is probably cheaper - due to shipping costs and carnet.

Shipping
Japan - Vietnam
Laos - India (think Burma may be out)

=====================
Keep the Jap rego.
Once you are home then Import and rerego... check the cost of that now while you are home. If it is too expensive then check wrecking it for parts only - cheaper import fees? and no rego.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 31 Mar 2013
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
Rich,

The biggest problem with buying a bike in Japan is that you will require residence here to register it in your name. And you will need a visa in excess of 3 months to get residence documents. It used to be possible to to do "alien registration" with a short-term visa in the past, but Japan revised immigration laws last year. Foreigners are on the same system as Japanese now, and to get on that you require a visa longer than 3 months.
Maybe your friend can keep it in his name and give you permission to use it, but I don't know how that will work internationally. Getting a longer visa may be an option, but they may make you enter Japan's national health insurance scheme if you are an official resident. This will just add up costs for you.
Regarding the Carnet, this assumes that you will return the bike to the country of origin. You won't get your deposit back unless you prove that it is back in Japan or that you have paid all customs duties in the final country. The later involves more paperwork, and the automobile club may not issue the Carnet if you tell them in advance you don't plan to bring it back to Japan. Note that you don't need a carnet for Russia, Mongolia and the Stans.
As for what is available in Japan, see here. Many bikes available in Europe were never sold in Japan.
Japanese Motorcycles GooBike Exchange | Best Place to Find used Japanese and Foreign Motorcycles

Oh, regarding a bike registered in a country other than your nationality: THAT is no problem. I rode my Japanese registered bike with a US passport.
__________________
Japan touring information
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Mar 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: uk
Posts: 40
OK thanks Warin and Chris, I have a short memory because I remember looking into this possibility 3years ago, before my trip to Mongolia. It was easier then to ride in both directions than it was to buy a bike in Asia and I think that still applies. I am very surprised to find out how expensive bikes are in Japan, at a glance almost double the UK second hand price, for those models anyway.
Once again thanks for you replies and happy travels Rich.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Central Asia 2013 : London - China along the silk road back via India/Pakistan & Iran BigO Travellers Seeking Travellers 28 1 Sep 2013 08:13
To Central America Tom Udulutch Ride Tales 1 5 Feb 2013 18:34
Ride back from Central America Tom Udulutch Ride Tales 0 5 Feb 2013 15:16
HondaVsTheWorld Alaska to Argentina on HOnda C90 SPDilley North America 3 9 Dec 2012 18:04
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 02:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:34.