Hello Cysne,

when I entered Russia the first time in 1992 I was also a bit like you ...

but I found the people so welcoming and friendly that I lost all my fear within a few days.

Then I returned in 1997/1999/2000/2003 and traveled to remote corners of the biggest country on the planet. I had very little problems, but two things I want to tell you .... stay away from drunk strangers - dont drink with strangers .... park your car at night in an autostolyanca (paid parking) as the locals do.

enjoy Russia

mika

Following up on what Craig Iedema said ...

Mongolia is a different country. People are less smiley and less overtly friendly than in Russia. And UB is the petty crime and pickpocket capital of the WORLD. So be more cautious in Mongolia, especially in ULAANBAATAR. In Mongolia, keep your valuables in zipped pockets.

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Thanks for the words, just what I wanted to here from people who have been there.

Sorry examples of the horror storys as you say;

Bandits, Armed muggings, mafia, etc from people who are never been. Gets a little wearing constantly having to tell people otherwise (for the last 6 months!) makes you start to wonder...

Really appreciate your honesty, thanks.

Ho hum...as others have said, read any number of ride reports about trips in Russia and you won't see many (any?) horror stories.

And sad to say, many Russians are the worst at spreading this kind of story. Many of my Russian colleagues apparently never expected me to return from my trip to Magadan a couple of years ago, because in their view everyone in the Far East is some kind of horrible criminal.

But of course this is not a license to shut your brain off while travelling in Russia--use common sense. For example, if you wild camp, don't do it right on the side of the road where every ne'er-do-well that drives by will see you.

Just to add my tupp'orth from 1996.
We were given a document that was being handed out to staff of a big UK financial consultant (big name but don't remember which), that was piling into Moscow for post-Soviet glasnost. This paper said, in black and white, avoid being in a non-company car in Moscow because the police would stop all foreign-looking people and threaten an injection with AIDS virus if substantial bribes weren't paid.
Well, luckily all 4 of us were of like mind to see this was rubbish, but one took a few Zippo lighters "just in case."

In those days (maybe it's still the same), 3 foreign motorbikes parked in a town would immediately attract a big crowd, and big crowds quickly attracted the police, who were always helpful.
In Ukraine and in Russia.

We were staying in homestays and had the addresses with us written in Cyrillic.
We'd show that to the police when they arrived and they'd escort us right to the front door.
The first time, in Kiev, after following the Landcruiser through the city, one of our number offered the copper one of the Zippo lighters.
He waved his hands in some consternation saying "No no no!"

There was a burdgeoning bikers' scene in those days that always took us under their wing, specially in St. Pete. Maybe it's still the same.

The St.Petersburg family who arranged our homestays insisted there was no way to travel by road from Kiev to Moscow. The road was controlled by mafia - they rob everyone - there's nowhere to stay overnight - no petrol - no water, no tarmac.....
Well, when we successfully arrived in Moscow and phoned them, they were gracious enough to agree "things must be changing for the better."
At the police checkpoints along the road in Ukraine approaching the Russian border, the police would say "impossible to travel beyond the border, Mafia control everything, rob everyone, turn back now."

Yep, I'd agree with that, but it depends a bit on your own outlook.
One of our number was a serious Scottish drinker - a real Scot. (In his 50s like me).
He handled the Russian drunks no problem, it was often very entertaining.
But I think without a doubt, if he hadn't been with us we would not have had the skills to connect socially with the heavy drinkers that we met. And we would have steered clear of them.

It was a great trip - 3 weeks.

-Someone above mentioned other countries. It always seems it's the people living in the country that mostly tell you it's dangerous. Including the U.S.
While I was cycling around small-town America people would say "On your own? Isn't that dangerous? You'll get robbed!!"
And yet, a child's football, 'stolen' overnight from a front garden, was the front-page news in the local paper.....

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town

This video will dispel any worries:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhayUVsS6VA
(But don't watch any other Russian dash cam videos. It will not help your nerves.)

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Japan touring information

I know there are a million Mika's.But I was wondering if this is my friend Mika from Buenos Aires.

I am new to Russia also. I've been here 2 1/2 weeks on a motorcycle. I thought the people in South America were great. But the Russian people are the best. You can't understand until you are here and meet them. People invite you to stay at their house, come home for dinner, change tires for free. I've been at a mechanics house for 5 nights now. I never met him before. They have fed me, done my laundry, is replacing the crankshaft in my motor, and taken me on tours. He says he won't take any money. He will find money after I leave though. And I have had similar experiences in other cities. Russia is magic.

Priviet Doug (Doogle),

yes there is more than one Mika, but you are lucky this is your friend from BsAs.

What? You are replacing your crankshaft on the KLR? Where are you?
Are you drunk? Why do you post the same answer twice?

But even with a broken/worn crankshaft somewhere in Russia and real drunk, it can only be better than driving around in circles in Switzerland, half drunk ...

Did you meet my friend Andrey from the Iron Tigers in Vladivostok?

Hope you can get a new crankshaft from the US, because this should be difficult to get in Russia. But than, the Russian mechanics are the best, believe me, and I have seen a few.

Sure your hosts and maybe also your mechanic wont take any money, to give/take money can be big insult in Russia.

Yes, Russia is magic.

Nashdarovje

Paca

mika

Same post twice because this tiny tablet is too small for me.I'm in Ulan Ude for a week now. I stayed at the Iron Angels club. I thought I had the name mixed up.Didn't know they were 2 different clubs.

A crankshaft has been shipped from USA. But I'm worried there will be problems in customs. I've read too many bad stories.

Doug

bump for this thread...cysne, klausmong, jc_bromley, I guess you're all here or have been and gone by now, would be interested in your impressions?