Almaty - Accomodation and parts recommendations??
 

Hi. We're a group of 3 Australians on DR650s about to head down through the Stans on our way to Europe. We will be spending a biut of time (a few weeks) in Almaty organising visas and doing a bit of maintainence on the bikes.

So I was wondering if anyone had recommendations of cheap and/or bike friendly accomodation in town? My searches haven't revealed anything.

And also, I've read of MyTownMoto for bike stuff, but does anyone else have further recommendations. Parts we are chasing are 17" knobby rear tyres and possibly chains.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Ben

I don't know if they still do it, but a few years ago you could find guys renting out apartments to tourists. They hang out in front of hotels which charge too much, waiting for you to come back out after you find out the price is above your acceptable range.
We had a decent place within a few minutes walk of a guarded parking lot. No hot water, but it is pretty hot in Almaty in the summer anyways.

Ditto, don't look for a hotel, look for a Gastinsta (Guest House) - normally empty rooms in apartment blocks, the one I ended up in was also a few mins from a guarded locked stayanka (parking) and found it at 2 am, so not bad! Water was not hot, but not too bad.

There is no real alternative to My Town. There are a couple of places that rent scooters or similar and will say they can do work/get parts etc but they always end up at MyTown. Leonid at MyTown is very honest and not out for overcharging overlanders. This went as far as me not getting charged a penny and getting a night on the pop thrown in to boot.

I can't remember the name of the place, but there is a big motorbike service shop (as of last year) next to a car wash and a garage. Whilst I know this is mildly useless information for finding it, be confident that there is one:
http://www.pzorb.com/albums/album03/IMG_0119.sized.jpg

We bought knobblies there, did the whole service, and they sell chains too.

Hi,

KTMMartin's photo is of MyTownMotors!

Co-ords on my website here: Bike Servicing

There's also a place nearer to the centre of town called Stoppy Stars that deals with new bikes. Not sure how much use they'll be for servicing, but it is another name. Don't bank on MyTownMotors having stock in. Email them and order.

FYI, Almaty is not a cheap place to stay!

Charles

Thanks for all the info gents. And it's gold to have those GPS co-ordinates Charles.

We're looking into short term rental while we're in Almaty, but it sounds as if just walking the streets is the best way to find a place. I'm not picky at all, and even my girlfriend isn't too set on hot water.

Ben

OK, just an update on the Almaty front. We've been here three bloody weeks now (visas) and have been to a few bike places.

Firstly a city map, searchable by street names.

My Town Moto - The coordinates given on dotcaf's bike servicing page didn't quite get us there. But it is on Zharakov st, near the Al-Farabi end (E11 on the above map). It's on the east side of the street behind the Chinese looking place. Friendly and good for mechanical work I'd guess, but seemed a bit shambolic.

Stoppy Stars - On Rozybakiyev st, 300m north of Al-Farabi (only 1km or so from MTM). West side of the street (probably in the top left of E12). A slick shop with good stock. Also can order parts in from the US at good prices ($100 for a 17" rear tyre, $5 a generic mirror, $180 an X-ring chain) within a week.

Motoboard - North-east of town on the corner of Rayimbek and Zhangheldin (right at the bottom of G6, or their map here but note that south is up on their map). On the north-west corner. Seemed like a normal motorbike shop, lots of clothing and accessories.

As for acomodation, talking to the people hanging on the street with "Kvarti" signs is the way to go. 6000-8000 tenge a night seemed normal for a basic two room apartment.

Hen