>>Does buying a "cheap" bike and tossing the carnet mean that I essentially lose 300% of the value of the bike (since I will be riding through India)? >>

Yes.

>>Could I sell/abandon the bike in a country which doesn't use the carnet and still get my carnet money back? If so, where would I find a list of such countries?

You MIGHT be able to do this, but as I noted above, you're supposed to ride the bike home. Go to:
http://www.caa.ca/CAAInternet/travel...s/frames14.htm

and see what you can find, and also contact Suzanne Danis at the CAA, she is responsible for all carnets in Canada and the US, and is extremely helpful.

Suzanne Danis - International Documentation - Technical & Travel Services
Canadian Automobile Association
1145 Hunt Club Road, Suite 200
Ottawa Ontario K1V 0Y3
Canada
Tel. 1-613-247-0117 ext. 2025
Fax. 1-613-247-0118

>>Greek resident to buy a bike?

This isn't an uncommon requirement - basically you usually need a local address - so convince the dealer that in order to make a sale he needs to let you put down his address.

This may or may not be possible, it depends on the country, it's regs and "style" of business, and your powers of persuasion. Australia for instance only requires a local address, and dealers are usually happy to let you use theirs.

Try Turkey, you may have more success there, and there is a Horizons Community in Istanbul that may be able to tell you what the story is there on buying a bike for foreigners.

Good luck,

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com