Motorcycle Storage in Istanbul
 

Folks,
I am planning to be in Istanbul in Mid-June 2015. I will need to store my motorcycle somewhere (indoors) that is safe and reliable. Previous storage experience was an Knopf and am looking for something that is hopefully as reliable. Willing to pay of course. Storage duration might go up to a year.

Options, Suggestions??

All help appreciated.
Thanks

You may experience some bureaucratic problems trying to legally arrange long-term storage for your motorcycle in Turkey. It is, apparently, not a straightforward exercise. For definitive advice I suggest you contact Istanbul-based veteran HUBBer Mehmet Zeki Avar, who is an expert in these matters.

In my opinion, you can make life soooo much simpler for yourself and sidestep all, and probably very expensive, Turkish 'officialdom', by considering alternative storage for your bike in neighbouring Bulgaria.

For instance, you could ride up to MotoCamp in northern central Bulgaria - LINK - who specialise in providing this sort of service. MotoCamp Bulgaria is just a day’s ride (510 km or 317 miles) from Istanbul, with good sealed roads all the way.

best :)

Keith

thanks for getting me started... i think i have read elsewhere as well that long term storage in turkey could be an issue more so due to the customs regulations.

motokamp is a good option, but do u guys have other options in mind as well?
maybe some place in greece?

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SUBJECT FOR TOURISTIC ENTRIES...

1-You can get your personal visa online.
https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/apply/

2--Your vehicle will be stamped on your passport page at the gate with a permission of staying period for 180 days but must be together with the owner as long as it stays inside the country.
(360 days for retired owners against a document given by the TR-consulate in your country.) No carnet needed, no international licence needed..

3-You have to buy Trafik Sigortası,Turkish Road İnsurance at the gate before entering for the period it will stay inside the country.Thats about 22 USD/ 50 TL. for 3 months and covers only damages and losses for the other side in case of an accident if you are the guilty side.

4-Only you can ride/drive the vehicle inside the country.

5-If you want to leave the country without your vehicle:
Thats a very long story and just for 30 days permission.
You must fill a form to keep it staying inside the country for the permitted 30 days,apply to a customs management,do the paperworks,leave it at customs parking area and get the written permission..you must extend this formality before the time expires each time.If still!! interested, can send you the application forms online..Also available somewhere on hubb.

As far as I know, the fee is 8 usd. per day in istanbul, 5 usd. in trabzon and dog biscuit customs but no space available in big cities as all are full of vehicles with unextended permissions..After 5 staying years,government sells them in an auction.

6-SO WHAT TO DO FOR A SAFE AND CHEAP SOLUTION.

A-Doug s camp in Bulgaria is the best solution since many years,also a good meeting place before heading to east...Ivo is a great guy..I know 2 transalps are currently in winter sleep there!!!

B-Friendships and road angels..
During HUBB meetings or while on the road, or if you visit a local bikers club in a country, you will meet many great local friends, road angels to share the spirit of adventure travelling,exchange experiences and even to get some recommendations...This is a great world and most are also on HUBB..
Several Turkish friends also did so even in asian countries last year.

Hope you will meet them very soon for a solution outside Bulgaria.

All questions about Turkey welcome.
All the best.

yowzaa.. thanks for all the useful info.. seems like motocamp is a good option then.. i have bought green card insurance from them many times. whats the best way to get from there to istanbul (my return flight is from IST as i am attending a function there)..


while bulgaria is a good option, i also want to consider greece (haven't visited yet) so let me know if u know any facility there as well..

thanks

Public Transport?:

(a) I'm sure it can be done by a series of buses, which is bound to be long-winded, and (b) I have read there's an overnight train from Sofia to Istanbul, taking approx 12 hours. You will encounter delays at the border with both of these options.

Your best bet, however, is to hop on a direct (1hr 25mins) flight from Sofia Airport to Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines operate around three daily flights from SOF to IST. The one-way flight fare will cost circa 100-125 USD.

Easiest way from Motocamp to SOF is to get 'Peaches' (nickname), a British ex-pat who works around Motocamp, to taxi you across to SOF in his 8-seater cab. Peaches will charge you about 150 Lev (90 USD) for the 2¼-hour journey.

When you return to the region, fly into SOF; beforehand arrange for Peaches to meet you at the airport to taxi you back to Motocamp.

Simples! :)

Incidentally, I know nothing about Greece (yet), let alone storing a bike there long-term.

Best of luck

Keith
.

May be a helpful different solution..
twice a week, passenger busses run to veliko tırnova which is 35 km. east of the camp.Ticket price 70 TL. start times 7,45 pm. arrival time 04.00 am.

Here is the link for checking available dates.
http://www.hunturturizm.com/tr/sefer-sorgula/

Link to sofia bus com.
Has Turizm :: www.hasturizm.com.tr


Start point is the main istanbul bus terminal at esenler part of the city.
You can easily get there by the airport metro from yenikapı or aksaray.

Hope helps.

thanks for the info folks!

I see this thread is old, but I was thinking of leaving my bike at the Airport in Athens for 4 weeks on a future trip and flying home from there. Parking is free for motorcycles there and I have done that at other airports. Is that a crazy idea in Greece? My bike is old so not a huge attraction, I always put a bike cover on it.