Thankyou all for your replies.

As suggested in an earlier post, I contacted the AAA here in Aus and a very helpful lady by name Peppina sent me some information which I will include a few parts here. The document I was sent is part of something Turkey has supplied to the AIT and contains other useful information about licences and what you must do in event of accidentbreakdown of temporary imported vehicle. I will e-mail this to Grant as he may be able to link it somewhere on this site.

I don't need a carnet for any european coutries, even with a non-european registered bike (you all told me that already!)

Turkey is listed under "Europe" on the Carnet-Form list (not "Asia & Middle East"). I needed to know this because some web info lists a carnet required for Middle East. Turkey recognises the carnet, but only require one for certain categories of vehicles.

Visitors may import a vehicle without Carnet document for up to three months; in the case of visitors entering Turkey more than once a year, the total period of stay must not exceed six months per year: (mopeds & motorcycles are included). Particulars of the vehicle are mentioned on the importer's passport or identity card and the vehicle must be exported by the same person.

Vehicle Insurance - Third party insurance covering personal injury and damage to property is compulsory (minimum amounts of cover are listed). Visiting motorists driving vehicles registered in the following countries may use a valid Green Card when driving in Turkey: (note: most European coutries seem to be listed). The Green Card must cover the whole of Turkey, i.e. both the European part and the Asian part (Anatolia).

Visiting motorists not covered by the paragraph above and not in possession of a foreign insurance policy validated for the whole of Turkey must take out short-term insurance. This may be obtained from the TTOK head office in Istanbul, or the frontier offices at Kapikule, Ipsala and Dereköy, or at the TTOK offices in Ankara and Antalya, or at the ports of Izmir, Mersin or Iskenderun.

Hope this helps some travellers out, but it doesn't explain the problem at the Iran border crossing.

Skillo