Thanks, EurasiaOverland! You're right. It probably does seem like an odd question, especially for this forum of international riders. It's coming from someone who's preparing for his own RTW trip and wants to make sure he does it right.

I've viewed the HU video set, attended an HU Meeting in Ontario, trolled the HUBB site (though not for a while), and exchanged personal emails with some RTW riders.

I was ready to start my RTW ride last year when my boss offered me the opportunity to work while traveling. I got to ride across the US/Canada, spend a couple months in Alaska, before selling my DR650 and flying to Chiang Mai where I spent 6 months as a digital nomad, renting bikes there, and visiting neighboring countries along the way. I also lived/worked in Europe for 5 years. So I'm not going in completely blind.

When I reached out to Boomerang Carnets to obtain a CPD, I was told the deposit could range from the value of my bike to 8 times that amount for Egypt, and I'd get about 80% of that amount back if the bike left the country with me. For a new $25k fully equipped R1200GS that seems like a $200k deposit with $40k not getting returned to me. Hopefully I've got these numbers wrong. Because $40k could cover my first year of RTW travel and the $200k could cover the rest of my multi-year RTW trip.

Hope you now know what's got me reconsidering my bike for this trip. Thanks for any advice you can provide!

If you start your trip travelling in North and South America you will not need a CDP and by the time you need one your bike will of lost at least some of that value bringing the price down. It is possible to travel up through West Africa where a lower value carnet is enough, I am not sure but 400% springs to mind. If you have your heart set on doing it on a 1200GS then that is the bike for you but something smaller such as a DR or KLR650 is perfectly capable and if you are buying new require nothing more than some luggage and perhaps a bigger tank, that will bring the price of a carnet right down.

Mark Manley,

Re: bike selection. Yeah - it's the R1200GS for me. I originally bought a DR650 for this trip. I had a buddy from Touratech strip the bike and rebuild it from scratch for the trip. But after riding the bike from Seattle to Boston and then up to Alaska, I missed my R1200GS and bought another.

No doubt you're right about the bike losing value with wear. It should have 30k miles by the time I get to Tierra del Fuego. Not much by RTW standards but perhaps enough to reduce its value for the carnet. Wonder if I can wait 'til then to get the carnet? Thought I might need to take care of the CDP paperwork while still in the States?

A carnet is only valid for a year, you can specify a start date for its validity but on a long trip like that plans can change and departure/arrival dates can vary by months, I would suggest keeping the money in your bank account and getting one when you know you will need it.

Hello

If you like travelling by bike, go for it.

RTW, where do you want to go, how long can you manage to get off the grid?
RTW, that's from 3-4 month the "Ewan and Charley Way" up to 3-5 years if you want every continent in the right season.
Has it to be a RTW in one trip or can you manage to go every year on 3-4 month trips?

For the US/CND roads, I understand the upgrade.
Did it on a XT660Z and whished I had bought the 1200.
BUT, once I crossed the border to Mexico, I was glad I didn't.

The CDP is a pain in the ass, only get one when you have to.
(The only accurate info if you need it or not, you'll find here on the HUBB, gouverment and automobile club info is often outdated)
For the actual value at time, get a quote from the dealer/insurace based on miles/age, not craigslist.


have fun planning
sushi

__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

Thanks, Sushi!

This is to be a multi-year trip. Retirement. I sold my home last July to start my RTW trip. It changed at the 11th hour to a digital nomad stint. Figured it would be easier to sustain a traveling lifestyle with a steady income. After a year, I'm ready to get back to the original RTW concept.

Expect I'll take my bike from Boston to Tierra del Fuego and then decide what to do from there. I went on a trip w/Motodiscovery to Copper Canyon and Baja California on a DR650. There was a mix of 650cc and 1200cc bikes on the trip. On pavement the big bikes ruled. On dirt it was the opposite.

Thanks for the advice on the CDP! I'd much prefer to keep the money in my investment accounts where it can grow as long as possible. Figure I'll deal with it on my way to Africa or back to Asia. Thanks for your suggestion about getting the appraisal from a dealer. That should drop the original price down by half.

Cheers!