So after the health issues last year with my sight that delayed my departure, I reset and aiming for April 2015 - which in the end has been something of blessing as it allowed me to be slightly better prepared and more confident in my plans..

Due to recent world events I will stay away from middle eastern routes and head north...

Now heading from the UK at the end of April
<edit>

> Germany / Austria / Italy - Until the end of May
> Greece / Turkey - Until first week of July
> Georgia / Azerbaijan / - middle of July
> Baku to Aktau ferry ... Another Ferry link / - middle of July Kazakhstan until middle of August - 3+ weeks?
> Russian Border - Mongolia? - > back into Russia
> Russia - to Vladivostok by end of first week in September
> South Korea Until early October
- Ship the bike direct to Australia - to be delivered by late November - Korea shipping link
- Travel Philippines / Malaysia / Indonesia without the bike - October to end of 3rd week of November

> Australia end of November - Melbourne by Christmas
> New Zealand - January
- Ship Bike to USA west coast by mid February
- bikes abroad link
- GetRouted link
- Cruise People link
- motorcycleexpress.com

> USA west coast / USA East coast by early April
- Ship bike back to UK Dynamic freight link
> UK by mid April


I hope to be able to arrange most Visa's en route so that I'm not stuck to being at certain borders by certain dates, but will look more into that over the next couple of weeks.
Would definitely like to sort out the Visas up to Russia as that shouldn't be too difficult I hope.

My brother is moving to South Korea so will spend a little time mooching around there while I sort out shipping the bike directly to Aus.. Lots of shipping agency links that seem to suggest that is entirely feasible.. It frees me up for a little bit of R&R off the bike to travel through the south china sea / pacific islands before getting myself to Aus.

I then plan to travel down the east coast of Australia - despite advice from a friends who emigrated to Aus a couple of years back that December isn't the best time to be in northern territory.. To visit him on Melbourne by Christmas

Then I want to get to NZ before shipping to the USA to cross west to east and head back to the UK

easy !

anyway -

The bike is prepped - apart from fitting a set of new tyres before I depart - I have all the kit I need (and probably more - but that will sort itself out as I travel)
<edit> and fitting a sump guard

Money situation is good - I don't envisage many issues

Still got to sort out renting the house out for 12 months.. Will look at that early January 2015 - hopefully renting shouldn't be too difficult to sort out - available from beginning of May.

Carnet - should be little bit cheaper by missing out Indonesia

Can't think of anything else off the top of my head right now.. will add more as I think of it

__________________
Mark
http://chasingdreams2014.blogspot.co.uk/