Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SE Asia
SE Asia Includes Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, plus Indonesia
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!



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



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Dawing

 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #2  
Old 11 Jun 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 16
Hey there, I'm on a similar journey right now. Started in Hanoi some months ago, am in Bangladesh now. Few things to consider, off the top:

- 250cc is a double edged sword. Yeah, it's nicer/stronger, but good luck finding any parts or a mechanic for a 250cc bike, especially somewhere in the countryside. In many places this will be next to impossible. Also - many countries will refuse entry with a 250cc bike. Logistically - 125cc is your best bet.

- China is pretty much no go by bike. You won't get a foreign bike in. Unless you go to China, buy a Chinese registered bike and drive it from there. And yeah - of course if you want to go with a guided/scheduled to the hour tour, then you could do that, but i figure it's not what you're after.

- Myanmar is no go with a foreign bike. You gotta book an extra expensive tour, pre-scheduled to the hour, with a guide. It's your only way to get in. I tried every possible way - no go. Your options would be: ride across the river from Thailand to Myanmar, leave your bike in the bushes, then cross to Myanmar bike less and hope your bike will wait for you where you left it. This is far from a perfect solution but if i could have a second go, i may actually have just tried it. The river was so shallow, and i could literally throw rocks into Myanmar. Highly doubt anybody would discover me but then again who knows. And - you'd have to do the same amount of sneaking around on the other side later - which again is far from ideal. (West of Myanmar, the police are no longer 'charmed' by white faces as they are in SE Asia). Your other option is to ship the bike from Bangkok to Kolkotta and meet it there. Do NOT ship to Bangladesh. I made the mistake of doing that and spent the last month fighting with customs. It was a nightmare which involved the foreign minister, my embassy, the minister of finanze and a whole chain of other politicians. Paid more im bribes than my bike is worth, it was a nightmare.

- India you cannot get your bike into unless you have a Carnet De Passage. Vietnam does not honor nor issue the Carnet. Closest place that would do it for you is Kuala Lumpur. But they demanded a list of ridiculous things from me such as "proof of property ownership in malaysia" to give me a carnet - i've never even been there so it was obviously not possible, and i'll find out within 2 weeks if the docs i have will be sufficient for India...

Anyways - It's an epic, amazing journey so far for me, but the bureaucracy all along the way is a MAJOR struggle. So surely brace yourself for that! Good luck!
Reply With Quote
 


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Guide to Buying & Driving a Minsk in Vietnam Kailasgurung TRAVEL Hints and Tips 4 8 Nov 2016 06:01
2015 - Heading east from Europe, add your itinerary / plans kim Travellers Seeking Travellers 190 5 Mar 2016 07:38
Vietnam 2012: “Ten toi la Momi »...made in Italy ! momi20 Ride Tales 37 22 Jan 2015 14:00
vietnam trip report vietzay West and South Asia 0 1 Aug 2014 09:06
Vietnam Nov 2013 Citsym Ride Tales 18 21 May 2014 23:38

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:53.