Uk to SE Asia
 

Dear all

I`m currentlly planning a trip from London through to SE Asia via Turkey, Iran and Pakistan.

I will be going two up on a BMW R1150GS adventure. Whilst I`m a very experienced traveler and motorcyclist, this sort of travel is very new to me, as is the ownership of a BMW.

I`m looking for any advise that people can give me for this adventure - borders, maintenance,spare parts to carry, best routes best accomodation.

Really any advise will be greatlly appriciated.

Many thanks for your help

Stuart

Stuart,

It is a great route you're planning. The best IMO.

Aside from read, read, read, (this site), there is not a lot a lot of general advise that isn't obvious and you have probably thought of already. Maybe a question about specifics would be easier to respond to.

One thing: overlanding is a lot more straighgtforward than you think. The hard bit is leaving. After that, just find ways of enjoying yourself. :)

Simon

Hi Stuart,

My wife and I are planning the exact same route to get to Singapore to then go on to Australia.

It may be beneficial for all of us to get our heads together to plan this route whether we plan ride together or not.

PM me if you are interested and we'll talk face to face or by phone.

Steve and Liz

When roughly are you all planning to leave?
We are leaving Jul-Aug 07 in a Land Rover the same route then up through the americas

Liz and I haven't settled on a date yet, but will be within the next two years. We are only at the very early planning stage at the moment. Once we have a firm date planned, we'll let you know if it is around the time you will be doing it.:thumbup1:

I'm planning on doing a similar route in 2007 too. Still pondering over going via Russia and then down to India or through the middle east.
Would be happy to join up with anyone looking at doing the same.

An alternative route to look at is Northern Africa then through to Iran from there.

PM me if you'd be interested to meet or chat...

Charles

a good forum to try is the 'iran now' one in this catergory, if your on a british passport you may wanna check it out regards getting an iran visa

Fortunately Liz and I have dual citizenship, British and Australian, so obtaining a visa shouldn't be a problem as long as we use the Aussie one....:thumbup1:

Same trip same bike
 

Hi Stuart,

I have the same bike and am riding it to Thailand, 2 up at the moment, so far just the battery is letting me down (something draining it and it may be the alarm or autocom) have a peek at my site from time to time - www.trailsunexpected.com it might give an idea what to expect. Lurking around others people sites is a great way to pick up tips and advice. Sam Manicom has written a great article on "how to" ride to India in www.mslmagazine.co.uk

As my girlfriend is Danish (mohammend cartoons!!!!) we are flying the bike over Iran and Pakistan, big desicion that for me as I want to ride through them, but dont want to risk it and also want to be in good favour with her family.... The thing is this, people will always put you off going to places, but 9 times out of 10 these people have never been to the places they are talking about and 99% of the time the people in these countries will welcome you with open arms...really they will.

Good luck with the trip planning, its going to be the best thing you have ever done.

Brian

Sam has also supplied us with a much longer and more detailed version :clap: of that article - it's in progress now with more pictures to come, but it's here to read: How to do India

Hi Steve

I`m planning on leaving in March 2007. I located in central London , would be good the meet if your in the same location?

Let me know where you are, if not we can talk on the phone. Off tommorow for a week camping so out of contact with the computer world will check site on my return . Couldn`t send a PM as if too new , aparently!

Thanks Stuart

Planning on leaving March 2007, have you set your dates?

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

I've sent you an e-mail.

Call me whan you get back.

Steve

Overland to OZ
 

Hi Guys

I am in the procees of planning a similar trip leaving around April/May 2007.

I am a fair way down the road into my planning and am now just actually obtaining approval to import the bike to Oz followed by the carnet.

I would be keen to meet up over a pint to swap some ideas etc etc or even meet up along the road. I would preferably like to ride in a small group through eastern Turkey/Iran/Pakistan.

Let me know if any of you are keen?

We are planning on leaving around May 07 to avoid the monsoons. Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romainia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thai, Malaysia, Australia then the Americas ect.

Carnet from ADAC collect on route from Munich the trouble is trying to stay flexable with Visas.

will arange Pakistan and Indian in uk as they last longer have had introduction in Iranian embasy then will use the contact to get the visa in Ankora as it lasts the shortest. Myanmar is the most complicated but soldiering on.

Australia is the easiest as its all internet based.

But trying not to tie us down to dead lines.

It's heartening to know that there are quite a few of us planning to do the same route around the same time. It would provide us all with a communication network along the way if needed (border crossing info etc.), and an extra security blanket should we all need it.

It may be a good idea for all of us to meet at a convenient location in the UK so that we can put a face to the name, and exchange travel plans and contact details and some ideas etc.

I have sent an e-mail message via this site to Stuart and bmbiker, but should you guys not get it, and for anyone else travelling the same route at around the same time, call me on - oh seven seven four eight three six seven nine seven six. or e-mail me at - steveATrosshyphenbrdotgotadsldotcodotuk (hope this makes sense...)

Steve and Liz

Andy,

I'm interested on your progress with Myanmar. Please keep us posted.

Ciao,
Peter.

Hi all,

Stuart and I are meeting up in Orpington (SE London) on Thursday 27th Jul to chat about routes, plans, and other travel details for this trip. If any of you that have posted in this thread that you are leaving around the same time wish to join us for a beer call me on 'oh double seven four eight three six seven nine seven six'.

Steve

Sorry its taken so long getting back to you I have been away camping in Cumbria. Keen to share any ideas and information , where are you located, I`m in central London.

Regards Stuart

Hi Brian

Thanks for you links I will read them at some leisure. BMW`s are new to me did you do any special mods to your Adventure and how are you getting on with the limited packing for the two of you

Your site says your in Rome, when do you expect to get to Turkey. I think with the flare up in the middle east , you choose to fly over Iran/Pakistan could be a wize one!

Regards Stuart Ringer