Hi,
I am new to this forum and new to motorcycles as well but I have spent enough time on the road as a regular backpacker to call myself an intrepid traveler. As I have acquired a liking for mountaineering, which requires quite some equipment to haul around, I thought it a good idea to plan my next journey on a motorcycle. That would give me an opportunity to carry some gear.
But how good an idea is it really?
My plan is to spend around two years in Asia, not only in the mountains, but all over the continent but as I brows this bulletin board I see a wall of obstacles piling up. Insurances, visas, licenses, countries off limits for bikes, impossible boarder crossings, etc.

I am still on a general planning stage and don’t need the details yet but my question is: Can you really spend two years on a bike in Asia without drowning in paperwork and bureaucracy? Or rather, is it worth it?
Are there areas that will not accept you with your bike (China?), only accept you for a too short time (Russia?). Can you get through the “-Stans”? Can visas and other paperwork be arranged at the borders or does everything have to be pre-planned (which is virtually impossible on a longer trip)?
I’m not the one who get put off by hardship or stubborn border officers but I start to wonder if I should leave the bike (and the climbing gear) at home. Any constructive answer is highly appreciated.

/Voodoochile

Welcome to the HUBB.

Whether or not it is feasable at all depends where you want to go. As you have already discovered, China is almost impossible, as is Myanmar. Vietnam apparently only allows bikes up to 175cc.

Insurance for bike - not needed.
Visas - makes no difference whether you are on foot or on bike, except in a few rare cases.
Licence - get an IDP from your AA.

You will need a carnet and you will need to get it renewed after 1 year on the road. Again, see your AA for this one.

So, yo can see, the paperwork isn't that bad.

Only you can decide whether or not it is possible or even worth it taking a bike, depending on where you want to go. It will be a lot more expensive than public transport, but you can easily get to places no bus will ever reach.

Perhaps renting a bike in a country might be an alternative. When you leave the country you hand the bike back and fly to your next destination.

As for your climbing gear: I don't know how heavy or big this is, but if climbing is your hobby then you probably want to take it. Perhaps some of it could be rented locally?

In case you haven't gotten the idea yet, here is where you can ride a bike:

Overland from Europe through Iran to Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia to East Timor.

Most countries north of China seem possible, from what I have read here.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

The "Stans" on motorcycle are doable, as you can read in the following report:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/cou...stan-italy.php
But, unfortunately, it is not an easy task...