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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 3 Feb 2014
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Thanks for the responses.

Sounds like we are in good hands with Yuri in Vladivostok, and maybe the toughest part will be from Vladivostok to Ulan Ude. My experience is that so much is luck of the draw on the weather; understand we should expect hights in 60s/lows in 40s (15/5 Celsius) and some light rain maybe half the days. Does that sound right?

Any comments on camping in eastern Russia? (Seouljoe, I will be contacting you directly on camping in Korea-you paint a good picture of it) On the Goldwing, wouldn't be able to stray too far from the road. Presume there aren't established camp grounds.
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  #2  
Old 3 Feb 2014
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Motorcycle size limits for insurance

Read somewhere about m/c insurance that there might be a limit on size of the bike-1500cc was what I saw. Any thoughts on that? How do we get insurance in Korea, and then in Vladivostok? Presume it is only liability?

I see some 2009 entries on the HUBB about Green Card insurance being extended to Russia, but skepticism about whether it would actually be accepted 'on the ground' ie at a border crossing.
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  #3  
Old 3 Feb 2014
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The road from Never to Ulan Ude is brand new, and as of 2011, was essentially perfect. The only problem is that the stretch of road from Never to Chita in particular and less so from Chita to Ulan Ude, is pretty sparsely populated and in a few areas fuel can be sparse. I've not been east of Never so can't speak to the road out there. Be sure to get Colebatch's waypoints for fuel, hotels, etc.

Siberia can get warmish, certainly warmer than the 60s, but you never know, so you should be ready for almost anything (although in July you can probably rule out snow).

Be careful with camping out there, stay away from villages and try to stay out of sight of the road. Not to put you off, but two motorcyclists have been murdered between Chita and Never over the last few years while camping. Just sayin', you gotta camp smart. Note my point above about staying in cities instead of camping...

There is a good (OK, decent) hotel along the main highway about two kilometers east of the intersection with the Lena Highway (the road to Yakutsk). From there is is a long days' ride (on a good road) to Chita, then an easy ride to Ulan Ude, etc.

Green card insurance should be accepted as long as it lists Russia on the card; I understand that some Green Cards include Russia, and some don't, so you need to get a green card that does. That might have changed in the last couple of years, not sure.
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Old 3 Feb 2014
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Join Date: Oct 2010
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Insurance and others

Quote:
Originally Posted by Garywegener View Post
Sounds like we are in good hands with Yuri in Vladivostok, and maybe the toughest part will be from Vladivostok to Ulan Ude. My experience is that so much is luck of the draw on the weather; understand we should expect hights in 60s/lows in 40s (15/5 Celsius) and some light rain maybe half the days. Does that sound right?

Any comments on camping in eastern Russia? (Seouljoe, I will be contacting you directly on camping in Korea-you paint a good picture of it) On the Goldwing, wouldn't be able to stray too far from the road. Presume there aren't established camp grounds.
1) Insurance in Korea,, as soon as you claim the bike, from the carrier ,, a temporary ,, 10 days,, 20 days 30 days etc. Expect to pay USD 30 - 50 - 100 etc.
2) Camping Korea ,, whole country is a camping ground,, you can camp almost any where ,, and tons of official camp grounds as well.
3) Russia insurance,, you start asking for it as soon as you land in Zarubino. It costs about USD 110 for 30 days. European green card WILL NOT cover Russia, Albania, Turkey etc (Non EEC) ,,You must hit each insurance kiosk , when entering non union countries, or cops will ask for bribes, when caught, without one. Also BRING some sort of SAFETY certificate, for your bike. Translate it into Russian,, some cases they will not issue an insurance. (New Law)
For European green card write to
rental@mototouring.com
Mototouring s.r.l. – tour operator & motorcycle rental
Via del Ricordo 31 - 20128 - Milano - Italy
Tel. +39.0227201556 - Fax +39.0293660584
P.I./C.F. 11303890153
Mototouring - motorcycle / bike rental, motorcycle tours and riding tours throughout the world
Only company, that will sell you via credit card. Others you have to show up.
Make sure to stipulate and figure out your start and end date. For Scandinavian countries, always make sure to carry the original Green Card,, cops will not recognise copies, unless they are both sides in colour and hard to tell. Otherwise,,, they will make you buy a new one at the border. Several hours hold up and extra cost.

"Hello,
thanks for the message.

Here you have all details regarding Green Card Insurance for a Motorcycle:

15 days: 90,00 Euro
30 days: 113,00 Euro
45 days: 143,00 Euro
90 days: 218,00 Euro
180 days: 360,00 Euro

In order to issue the policy, we need a copy of the document of registration (title, ecc..) of the vehicle via fax or via email, the request form you find in attached and 3/4 working days.

As soon as the policy will be ready, we will send you a copy via email end the original to the address indicated.

The policy is renewable as many times as you need.
Please note, between one period and the next there must be at least one day without coverage.

If you need more information do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards

Mariaelena
Skype: mototouring2"

4) Camping in Russia ,,
Not worth it ,, full of mosquito, bees and flies , size of my thumb. Garbage every where, under each entrance to the village. 90% of the off road to the village is dirt and gravel. Middle of the highway, perhaps by the gas stations or Kafes,, but then you are exposed to drunks and glue sniffers.

5) NEVER go to Dong Hae - Vladivostok,, you will be stuck for three days minimum for clearing the bike, at the Vladvostok,, and you have to hire Yuri. (Sheer cargo traffic)
Take the :::::StenaDaeaLine::::: Sok Cho to Zarubino.. you clear you bike in three hours ,, no broker needed and be in Vladivostok in less than 4 hours.

Lastly ,, brand new road ,, Mogocha - Chita - Ulan Ude,,,still lips of 2 cm to 5 cm in places (Winter-Summer contraction at the joints),, that will make your bike fly off. Go slow ,, I never did over 80KM,, 60KM most of the way. Seen a skeleton of a biker off the bank ,, that was discovered in two years. Also Ruskie drivers ,, will pass in your lane ,, and pass you 2 meters front of your popping eye balls ,, From Vladivostok to Poland,, it's a national sport to see how close you can pass, to oncoming cars. Always be ready. I've seen bastards come 30 cms to my bike rear before passig me.
Coming off Baikal ,, you will see scams,, cars with hood up ,, asking for help. You just pass,, you will see several.
Good luck.
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