I didn't think about the CdP issue yet. Seems you only need it for Iran. I know about the CdP hassle all to well from Africa too. Iran however seems to be an extraordinary country with extra ordinary people, in a very positive way. And places like Isfahan are of world class level. I don't know if I want to miss out on that because of the CdP hassle. I believe you can apply relatively easy via internet now with ADAC in Germany. Don't know how it is in the UK though. Also don't know the details about the bond yet for Iran.

I'm also considering riding to UB or Mag/Vlad now in stead of making the loop back, then take the Trans Siberia/Mongolia to Moscou, provided they can take the bike as cargo.

As for the Wolf Pack...yes definitely preferred over riding solo!



Cheers,
Noel

Iran does look fantastic. I'd love to travel there.. I'm trying to find out carnet costs for it.

However, It would be hard for me to justify spending hundreds of pounds on a carnet that I just need for one country.

Read this thread at the end... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...4-3#post434310

It seems the carnet for Iran is VERY expensive. I don't think I can afford it on my budget..

There is a cost calculator on the Canadian Automobile Assosiation. It does seem quite high but Iran is one of the most expensive carnet countries it seems

http://www.caa.ca/travel-documents/c...st-calculator/

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted,

You probably know this as you have been in Africa as well but if I summarize what i remember from Africa is the actual CdP costs about Euro 200/250,- for a 25 page CdP. Maybe a 10 pager (or less if available) may be cheaper. That is out of pocket money you wont get back.
What we did for Africa is actually transfer the bond ($6000,- or so for Egypt) into the acount of the automobile club, which we received back without ado after sending in the completed CdP upon our return. That was all straigh forward.

The cash bond however that you have to put up for Iran is very high. To avoid transferring cash money into the automibile clubs acount you can provide a guarantee or letter of credit from an insurer or bank. From the link you referred to, I make out that the bond for Iran is some 250% of the bike + gear vallue. Your Honda should be valued no more than $1000,- albeit a 'as good as new' bike due to the rebuilt but the age works in your favor, plus (max) $1000,- worth of gear. The bank/insurers bond/guarantee typically costs 1.5 to 2% of the bond! If the bond is set at 2.5 x $2000,- for your bike you would be looking at total cost of some Euro 300,- for CdP + bond cost!

Then again, you would save that money again in Iran because everybody seems to wanna invite you for diner over there

The amount stated at the CAA site seems a bit over the top to me! If that is what it is then I agree, $ 750,- carnet cost for a $1000,- bike is not acceptable!


Anyway, i think it's worth investigating possibilities to combine at least part of the trip and possibly join up after Iran again, or indeed skip Iran altogether. I'm waiting for a reply from Leonardo.

Cheers,
Noel

Yeah.. The Canadian one seems very excessive. My Africa carnet cost me 800 in total. I got a bank guarantee that time. However, my finances were a lot better then :/

More research required...

www.touringted.com

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

800 for the Africa CdP is very high as well compared to what I paid. Because we didn't do the guarantee thing, we only spent the purchase value of the CdP with the Dutch automobile club which was Euro 225,- in 2005! The cash bond was returned 100%. Unfortunately they don't issue them anymore so we have to turn to the ADAC in Germany now but they are not much more expensive! Will do some research too with ADAC.
Cheers.

ADAC charges Euro 295,- for the CdP (195,- for members) and requires a
Deposit or Bank guarantee value of Euro 3000,-for Motorbikes upto a value of Euro 15.000,- for Iran. Should work out a lot less than the CAA site specifies.

Don't know if Brits can apply at ADAC as well but the T&C's don't say you can't. For Dutch it's the only option as far as I know.