Will do ! Thanks ! :)

EDIT: I checked the database and could only find one from Singapore to Chile for 4'000$ (!). Expensive as hell... That's my fear. Nothing from Indo but I'll continue to research in the coming months.

Of course, Australia has lots of cheap and easy options... So that might be the easiest and cheapest way to do it, even considering the price of getting to Aus etc.

I guess I'll see when I get there.

Oh for sure, I know a lot of people love riding Australia... I'm just not sure yet I'm someone who will enjoy days of emptiness in flat deserts. Also, shipping the bike from East Timor to Aus, the price and admisnistration hassles of importing the bike, cleaning it etc seems like a too much work to go to a first world country which doesn't excite me for the moment.

I'm sure I might have a different outlook after 1 year of travel and maybe I'll be looking forward to Aus but as of now, I think switching to South America beforehand will suit me better.

Still a long way off anyhoo :)

Maybe I missed it, but have you budgeted for health care? Travel insurance can be costly - I know, I'm looking into it right now.

Its just something to think about and plan for.

I did, planning around 1'500$ to insure myself and my bike abroad.

I think you'll have to do a fresh look at this. First, you generally can't insure the BIKE at all against theft etc, and Liability is generally available for a few in advance, the rest at the border, and price varies widely.

Medical insurance is another issue entirely, and depends on your age, where you're from, how long you're going etc. I'm SURE it will be more than 1500 for all insurance. Search for medical insurance threads here - there's lots.

Regarding the bike, I'll be looking to have some talk with my current insurance company in Switzerland as they do provide international coverage for theft etc. But for sure I'll need to look into this with more details.

For the rest, I was looking at the World Nomad plan, which is around 1'500$ per year.

Hello

In generell theft insurance from Switzerland covers the area of the green card. Maybe you can find a personalized insurance, but that will cost.
Also make sure to check your legal status about where you are registered, if you officially "check out" from Switzerland, that may have influence on your insurances.

My advise, don't bother about theft insurance, IF the bike gets stolen, the loss in value of the bike is the least of your problems, just do everything you can to prevent a theft of the bike.


Liability insurance will sum up, little in 3.world countries but if you cross northamerica and you want more than the legal minimum it's expencive.


Medical insurance, I'd say calculate more, but I have not used World nomad.

sushi

In the spring of 2019 we left Paris (2 pax, 2 WR250R s) on a RTW. We got as far as Japan before winter closed us down. We found a guy who would store the bikes for us for the winter and we went home to work with the idea to return in early spring for the cherry flowers and continue Jap>SK>Can>Eur.

Voila COVID and we are on standby.

For 2 people and 2 motorcycles we averaged 73 euros per day.

Includes shipping 2 motos on the TransSib train and 2 motos shipping to Japan.


Attachment 25223

Your biggest expenses will be visas, fuel and shipping given your route and speed.

You'll need a 1year multiple entry Russia visa and that is expensive
and takes a long time and needs to be done before you go. Almost all the other 'stan visas are electronic now so can be done en route. So much easier than when we passed in 2016. Turkmen visa is likely impossible, you should check this.

You also need to calculate the costs of a tour through Myanmar (current security not withstanding) with AND without finding a group to hook up to.

Myanmar may not actually be possible because Thailand.

And beware of Thailand and the 'new' 2016 rules ...its the reason we didn't go that route. Check out the FB
"Thailand - New regulation affecting overland travellers on foreign vehicle"

Best cheapest bike shipping between North America and Europe is through Canada using Air Canada 'fly your bike' program.

Motorcycle Insurance can be attained on the border of each country. Russia at the first gas station. Kazakhstan at the kiosk (i mean the minivan)...i don't remember actually having insurance in Tajikistan or Uzbekistan... And had none for Mongolia.

However the biggest frustration (you'll find mant discussions on the HU) is finding insurance in North America for European motorcycles. This is my current PITA.

As a final thought: given the effect of COVID and now currently at hostage to my bike and equipment (over a year and a half now imposing my stuff to a stranger and having constant negotiation with the Japanese Customs, I've effectively lost my bike and ride here at home unless i buy another bike), AND shipping costs and hassles I would do future travel differently.

I would fly and buy...

Hey thanks for the reply, extremely helpful! And I’m sorry to read about your bikes, such a shame. COVID really did throw a side ball into most of our life, that’s for sure.

Your price breakdown has me reassured a bit, it would somewhat confirm my initial budget although we all know it really depends on so many factors (way of life, itinerary, luck etc). But you seem to have managed yours extremely well.
As you saw in my initial post, I’m not really planning to go through Russia at the moment. My itinerary would take me through the southern route, via Turkey/Iran/Turkmenistan etc; and indeed the questions of Visas is always a tough one, especially Turkmenistan. I’ve done some research as well and it seems like the transit visa situation was getting better since 2018, with less and less rejections.

Source: https://caravanistan.com/visa/turkmenistan/#rejections

Still, it’s a risk. But hey, at some point, I’ll have to take some and trust my guts. Part of the adventure of a RTW trip I guess : )

I’ve watch and read so many trip reports and I still think 3 to 5 days is more than enough to cross the country. I still got some time in front of me (2023) to do some more research and decide.

Myanmar/Thailand is another issue. Hopefully Myanmar will be more stable in 2 years from now and I’ll be able to find a group to cross. It will still cost me an arm and a leg, but it should be doable. As for Thailand, again, we’ll have to look at the report in in early 2023.

I am hoping they’ll still let bikers enter without guide from the Myanmar border. Although there’s some new rules in place like you mentioned, it’s really a coin toss should it be enforced or not and more often than not, it was still possible to go through without issues in 2018/19.

If worse comes to worse, I’ll fly the bike from Nepal to Malaysia.
And thank you a TON for all the info on bike insurance! USA is the last leg which I could skip entirely and fly home from South America should the money run dry by then.

Anyhoo… At the end of it, nobody really knows how the world’s borders will look like after COVID in 2 years. Let’s hope for the best.

There is a certain advantage to having a Russian visa. It provides you a level security and get out of jail card free if things go bad in the 'Stans. Russian roads are ok, not bad at all (it's the drivers in black Mercs and Audis!! so drive slow and let them pass) and Russian biker clubs are the most welcoming people and are willing to move mountains to help foreign bikers. Check the ADVRider tentspace forum. Access to parts and tires are possible when not necessarily possibly in the 'Stans, similarly trucking/train a broken bike is also possible. Google translation app is your friend here, and so is your ability they drink vodka.

In 2015 we had a family emergency so we had to leave Mongolia and get home as fast as possible. The 13 day drive with easy as there are no borders until Lithuania, roads were good, fuel cheap, truck stops had good food and hotels were cheap and tent bivouac opportunities are everywhere.

In fact of all the countries we visited we really enjoyed Russia. Our best memories.

Georgia too.

FWIW

Hi Rainville,

It seems our RTW plans, trip duration and leaving dates match, I have sent you a pm, I think it would be good to organise a call!

Frenchy