To Armenia and back (Retirement Trip)
 

Hi all,

I have been lurking around here for sometime trying to soak up the amazing information and story's on here.

I'm planning if possible to retire early next year and take off from the UK for 3 months. My plan is to snake my way through France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania (I've missed some out) visiting lots of WWII sites and other areas on interest. I then plan to get into Turkey and work my way through to Georgia and Armenia before heading back to Turkey. From Turkey I'll head into Greece and meander my way back up through Europe and end in Spain.

I've managed to get a route together and worked out some sort of price (staying mostly hotels but with some camping), include tyres and servicing.

What I'm not sure off is the following:-

1. What Jabs and medical stuff I might need to do and how far out do i need to plan this

2. What about travel insurance, do I need a specialist insurance instead of my normal one i usually have?

3. I have a R1250gs but I don't want to take it as its (a) heavy if dropped assuming I'm miles away from help on a dirt road (b) because of the bike its very nickable? or a I being over cautious? I am thinking of Honda CB500x instead or maybe Vstrom or RE Himmy. Thoughts please

I'm sure I have more questions nearer the time. Any helpful comments will be gratefully received. :helpsmilie:

Regards

Waffey

Hi Waffey and welcome,
I presume by travel insurance you mean medical and it really is a case of read the small print especially relating to motorcycling before taking any out. It seems to change from one year to the next who does and does not cover for motorcycle touring, the post office travel insurance used to but stopped a few years ago, I believe Carole Nash offer specialist cover which includes motorcycles but also keep an eye on how long you are covered for and the return ticket requirement, just make sure you book a Calais to Dover ferry around your return date for that one.
Your UK motorcycle insurance should cover you for up to 90 days in Europe and Turkish can be bought at the border as I expect Georgia and Armenia can be as well.

1. None other than whatever your normal health stuff is. Getting flu vaccinations and such would make sense to reduce the chance of getting sick on the road. Neither Turkey nor the South Caucasus have any special risk of malaria or any other diseases that you wouldn't normally see in Sheffield.

2. There are different insurances to speak of. Traffic insurance? British Green Card should last you at least until the Balkans and perhaps all the way to Armenia (UK insurers apparently exclude some Balkan etc countries?). Comprehensive theft and own-fault bike insurance? Probably not valid for the whole way, but worth discussing with an independent insurance broker. Health insurance? Looks like you can get an equivalent of a European Health Insurance Card from the NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/hea...nce-card-ghic/). Specialist repatriation/medevac insurance is available through ads on HUBB. Travel insurance in the classic sense of missing your flight/ferry or having your wallet stolen usually covers ~90 days in a year max, so again worth discussing with an insurance broker.

3. Unless you specifically seek them out, you will not be forced onto significant stretches of unpaved roads anywhere during this trip. Even the roads up to Svaneti and the Kazbegi foothill monastery in Georgia are paved now. Also, an R1250GS with crash bars around the cylinder heads is significantly easier to pick up than a conventional travel bike since it won't really go far past 45 degrees. ;) A CB500X or V-Strom will be better on gas, but unless you'll be at the point of wanting to sell the GS anyway, it probably won't make much sense to buy a different bike for the trip.

1. At my GP surgery you can get assessed for travel requirements, yours may offer the service too. Some jabs will be free under NHS, others you'll need to visit a travel clinic who can do the rest. Google for a local one (mine was in Exeter). A good resource to work out what you need is this: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/

Make a start on it now.

2. You'll definitely want medical insurance as bills can run into very big numbers. Most companies don't cover older riders or long trips, and some including Navigator and Voyager are underwritten by TIF Group who have a poor reputation in paying claims. Check the small print as some only cover up to 125cc. I checked around and Big Cat seem to offer a decent product, though they don't cover riding off tarmaced roads. I took the risk as I reckon the main risk is crazy forrin drivers on the road. CSM seem to cover a wider range of risks, but at a cost: https://csmltd.com/medical/motorcycl...cal-insurance/

For 3rd party cover your UK insurance should cover you for all EU countries for 90 days in 180, but check the exclusions. You may need to buy insurance at the border. This isn't uncommon.

3. If Ewan and Charley hadn't done LWR on BMWs nobody would be using them as travel bikes today. They're fine for autobahn bashing but not well suited to tougher going, not to mention damned heavy to pick up. The choice of travel bikes is a huge subject. In general the smaller the bike the better it is off road and vice versa. CRF300 Rally is a great small bike. CB500X is a good mid size one. I wouldn't personally want anything over 900cc and then look carefully at the weight and how high the CG is.

Re theft, only really a problem in "rich" cities. Out in the sticks your bike is safe because anyone riding it would stick out like a sore thumb and there is no market for parts. Just look after your luggage.

So as far as the Bmw goes there are service centres in and around Istanbul . Any bike is knickable , just take precautions when u park up for the night . The Cb500 will do roughly 50% more mpg wise compared to the Gsa . Yes it's lighter but how Off road are u actually going to go ? The Gsa is easy to pick up......watch the vids on how to do it properly using the handlebars . If you are nervous about taking it do the Bmw basic off road course . I own a Gsa and have done most of the Balkans and will be doing Georgia and Armenia In the future i have no problem taking it what so ever , other then the very low speed limits for bikes in Turkey . Doesn't matter what u end up taking if it goes seriously wrong then its a local , his pick up and lots of cash.......enjoy what ever u end up taking .

Almost forgot , you will want excellent travel insurance with a six figure repatriation amount .
Your bike will prob be third party only as that's what tends to get sold at the border . Until u crosd the Bosphorus u r still on Europe so a decent insurer eg Bemoto will cover u fully comp until then..........I use them they are excellent .
Nationwide do a credit card with no foreign fees......I use it all the time . Take two credit cards one being non visa just in case .
If it was me.....I'd ride the Gs to Istanbul service it finish the trip then look for tyres on my return if needed . I use Bstone A31 easily will do 8k......other makes available.

Tyres really aren't a problem in Europe and adjacent areas. You might not be able to get your preferred brand but you'll get something.

Hi Waffey. Unbelievable. I am planning to retire next year and planning a similar trip with an end-goal of Armenia! I have an Africa Twin and have exactly the same questions as you are asking. I will be watching your thread with great interest!

My experience is that tyres are difficult to get in eastern Turkey - and unfortunately VERY expensive. I needed a new rear (17") tyre in Trabzon and paid more than double the price of western Europe...

Many Thanks
 

Hi All,

really appreciate the comments back and will take onboard.

I'm still doing some planning and waiting for some quote on the old pension fund to see if I can go next year. Fingers crossed.

Regards

Waffey

The main kick in the wallet will be the price of fuel in Western Europe. Best hope u don't run dry on the German autobahn.....2.33 euro a litre of 95 at the mo . Best I've found so far is 1.83 for 95 splosh . At least the fuel in Turkey and further east will balance it out .

Hehe :mchappy: I suppose only foreigners fill up on the Autobahn... If you see a town nearby, turn off and buy your petrol there. Much cheaper.

Petrol stations are few and far between on the autobahns from my observation. Definitely a case of "don't run low" and exit to fill up in plenty of time ;) In other countries there are more in evidence, and although fuel is of course more expensive, it isn't crazy expensive.

Second this. There are apps to find prices / best price near your location. I use "Benzinpreis-Blitz" which should be easy to handle even if you don't speak German. But then again, I'm sure there are apps in English as well.

Yes, it's annoying to get off the highway, open the app, ride again and stop again... but 20 cent less per liter is worth it.

Anyway, it's best to avoid highways if time isn't pressing.

Still blinking expensive in Germany....Best I saw was 1.73 . Fortunately the tom tom saved the day and I found an autohof.
That said France is def not cheap either.......we diverted to martalange and paid 1.60 .

Try Ireland, 1.86 EUR is normal.

Hi AnTyx...seems this trip is a popular retirement thing...im planning similar for next year hence found this thread...do you mind if I ask what maps I should be using for Georgia Mkinvartsveri Kazbegi?, I have included it on my trip and see reviews with photo of motorbikes there but Lord Google says I have to walk almost from the Military Highway

EDIT..to everyone who doesnt understand my question..please dont reply then..to anyone else..iv had some clear answers so thank you and good night..

Not sure what you’re asking here. The military highway runs through Kazbegi up to the border, and the main problem following it is that you never quite get to enjoy all its splendid curviness due to the solid stream of transport trucks headed to and from Russia.

Yes, I was expecting to meet the trucks either one way or the other and the crazy overtaking.
My question was what maps show the road off the military road leading to Kasbek mountains / Mkinvartsveri.(About 10km East of Military road, near border)..AnTyx has said the road to the Monestry is paved so im asking where this paved section is (I dont know where the monestry is so im hoping its at the mountain view...someone has apparently ridden there according to review photos but people often get mistaken about where there are when making reviews so obviously thats not reliable. I was just going to ride up and see how far I can get but as I say / said, if the road is paved then can someone please advise what maps this is shown on as its not on my version of Google Maps or my Garmin XT...thanks

Still not totally sure what you’re asking. The “new” road to the monastery is a good one, although I don’t remember whether paved or not. After that there was a good trail, but for foot use only—it’s possible this has changed in the 5 years or so since I was there, but I doubt it. The trail is incredibly scenic, with at least one overnight hut several hours in.

This corresponds to what your map shows—new road, old road, trail—so again I’m not sure what you’re asking (but hope my response was helpful). There are other roads in the area, paved and unpaved. Just watch out for those giant dogs kept by shepherds to protect against wolves; they seem to think motorbikes greatly resemble wolves, and may take offense at your presence.

Mark

Hi,

My guess is there is no road. It seems Kazbek mountain is a very popular hiking destination. It is a mountain with a glacier and there are companies offering hiking tours. When you look at online maps and watch the satelite map you can see there is a road from Stepantsminde for about 7 km to the west and it ends in a parking lot. I guess hikers park there and hike all the way up.

Rögnvaldur

The Monastery in the photos is Gergeti Trinity Church. It is located where your Google Maps screenshot shows it is. The road up there used to be unpaved and in bad condition. Locals would transport visitors up there in 4x4s and Delica buses. That road has since been completely paved.

Anything beyond is hiking trails.

Looking good for 2025
 

Hi Folks,

Circumstances have changed this year. I'm looking to retire mid next year. Have spoken to my partner and she's happy......ish that I can go. Infact we might do a trip to Germany, run her back to the coast so she can get the ferry back with her bike and then I carry on.

No decision on bike yet.

Watch this space

Its getting closer
 

Hi all,

just an update. Just renewed my MC insurance. Telling them about the mileage has added about £250 to this years insurance cost but seems fair. One company did say they couldn't insure me unless i dropped the mileage to 5000. I asked them that I would be lying to them and if thats your suggestion to get the business how would I fair if I had an accident around the 15000 mile mark. They couldn't answer that and decline to offer me the insurance. And here sme thinkinbg that you have to be honest for your insurance quotes! All insured now with BIKESURE.

My jabs start next week, I have most of my gear now but intend to do a trial camping night fully loaded up to see what comforts i can do without or need.

Just saving the money up now.

lastest update 16/07/2025

all paperwork in order, all items needed for the trip aquired. All jabs done. Ready to go


Got to say TEMU has been a god send. Buying protection for the bike has been cheap as chips compared to big companies out there. You know the ones.

will keep you posted.:thumbup1: