Bikes over 250cc in Iran
 

Has anyone been turned back from the Iranian border for riding a bike over 250cc? Or has anyone managed to get through on a big bike? Is the rumour true that the Iranians are banning bikes over 250cc

Right now it is definitely true, since a week no one can get in, I am in contact with some people who have tried it and they all got rejected.

I also wrote an Iranian friend and he told me the same, but he said that it might change because it is creating rumours inside Iran Government too.

And i got in hold of a paper, that in Iran the automotive club tries with the vice president of Iran and the Minister of culture to get rid of this rule

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/C4mqQx.jpg

Just last week I was reading through all the threads on here stating that although a law was in place, people were allowed to pass through without issue.

This is a huge spanner in the works considering I was intending to cross TM with a transit visa (if successful) in September

Is there any Facebook group or the like to stay updated on this situation more closely?

Yes, check out 'Overland in Iran'

Thank you, have joined and am following

Iran was my Plan B after a Pakistani visa rejection (with a refusal to give reason)

Although the chances are slim, going to try are-applying to Pakistan now and if that doesn't work, hope the situation either changes or look into the truck or transit options being discussed to get across Iran

I will be crossing some time in September/October ish too but will be on WR250R so should not be an issue but would be happy to post up the real oil at that time.

Cheers Andi

There is another post here going on in this forum in a regional group.

Some got rejected, and also some entered.

There are definitely some bikers who got in to Iran the last days.

I am in contact with some.

And yesterday there was a message that an Iranian told that the restriction for cars with bigger engines than 2500cc is abandoned.
This person just asked for cars and not bikes.

So lets see if it chances too.

Thankfull for announcement
 

Thanks to this post. If there is any update I would be very thankful if you guys post it here. I am willing to warn and inform all my clients running through Osh in these times.

All the best for your road trips,
Dave

Here is an update from MuzToo:
As a travel company, we have a partner in Iran with quite good connections to different departments in the government. This partner company prepared our trip through Iran and asked for special permission for our two groups who are currently on our Silk Road Tour ( https://muztoo.ch/seide2041/ ) to drive with bigger bikes through Iran. It looked all positive and every one involved in preparing the trip thought that it will work out to enter Iran on our bikes.
At the end it did not !! Two groups needed to put all the bikes in trucks . . .
The bikes will be driven to the Turkmenistan boarder and the groups will have a cultural travel experience on a bus. I hope they like it . . .
Big bummer on all levels.

However. Our partner in Iran knows that there is a debate in the governmental departments that deal with such matters about getting rid of the rule banning motorbikes with bigger engines. Which means that we all need to wait until there is a decision. Of course no one knows when the decision will be made and if it will be made at all.

In the mean time, MuzToo is thinking about other options for our tour from Switzerland to Osh Kyrgyzstan . . .

vremya pokazhet (time will tell) as the Russian saying says . . .

With hope for better news
Peter

Hi Peter

Thanks for your informations, that‘s really bad at the moment. I would like to go from Turkey to Iran in 2 weeks too - but it doesn‘t sound good. How did you organize the truck? Could you give me more informations about this option?

Dominic

Hi Dominic

As we work with a travel agend in Iran, the whole organisation of the trucks and buses was done by them.
My personal experience is, that there is a spot in the next town or near the boarder with different size trucks who are waiting for clients. You would need to go there and negotiate. But of course, I have no idea how it is organized at the Turkey - Iran boarder . . .

Peter

Current status is still the same, there is no way to enter with big bikes. Would love to hear where some of the people entered (which border crossing), and also if they gave any bribes to the officials.

Mr. Hossein Ravanyar can arrange trucks for anyone interested to get across that way:

Home - Iranoverland

Bribing of the officials usually lead to many other problems for the ones coming later, so has to be evaded as much as it can be.

Cheers
Dooby

Not sure if this is enforced across the board. She went through without issues:
https://youtu.be/VxX1EXZ69K8

She blagged her way through by lying about the CC's of her bike. As did a Belgian rider recently. It seems at some borders the officials don't know very well were in the paperwork to find the engine capacity of the bike. It isn't mentioned in the CdP.

That was BEFORE it got real tight . . .
But let us be patient and hope for a positive change.
I am sure we will all know when the ban is removed.

All the best
Greetings
Peter

If you mean the video she was in Iran in May this year.

I entered Iran with R1200GSA on 16 May 2019 with the assistance of a broker called Mr. Morteza Abbaszadeh / MORTEZA.ABASZADEH@gmail.com / 09129623005. It did cost me USD$100 plus EUR$50 for him. Apparently he only can deal with custom at Bandar Abas Port, it was quite impressive how he knew everyone there. It was my second time at this port.

I suggest do not use Hossein Sheykhlou as a broker, I was reluctant to write this because I do not want to disrupt any business of anyone, but I believe that this site serves to help overlander, so Hossein has exaggerated and charged very expensive fees for its services. The first time I entered Iran, he charged me $USD600 to organize my entry through Armenia into Iran. When I got on the border, another German overlander (motorcycle) went in for only USD $ 150.

I also suggest that the people of this forum write about experiences they have lived, not rumors from Automobil associations or friends of friends. "I will" does not help either, unless it's a question initiating a forum debate.

now goes a bad tip: I entered Djibouti, Ethiopia, Jordan, Iran and other countries with an expired Carnet Du Passage. It seems to me that very few people look at the date of Carnet Du Passage, perhaps the yellowish orange color dazzles the attention! ahha! please do not try to do this, it worked out many times for me and again I just want to help overlanders with some tips.

Safe travels

Rule is removed !!!!
 

GREAT NEWS !!

My local partner in Iran confirmed that the rule is completely removed. This is the official statement:

فوری
به اطلاع اعضای محترم جامعه تورگردانان ایران می رساند با پیگیری جامعه تورگردانان ایران ، همکاری کانون اتوموبیلرانی و معاونت گردشگری سازمان میراث فرهنگی و گردشگری کشور ممنوعیت ورود گردشگران خارجی با موتورسیکلت های با ظرفیت بیش از ۲۵۰ سی سی لغو گردید.

Also, I was in contact with a guy (not igorepof, a second guy), who entered Iran on his big bike not even knowing about the rule. When I asked him how he entered Iran, he replied that he did not know about the rule and that there was no sign at all about it.

So here is the question:
HOW IS TRYING NEXT in order to let the community know that it is 100% true ??? :D

As MuzToo, we will certainly ride through Iran agein in 2020.

Greetings
Peter

Another one postet this in facebook in an Iran overlander group:

Fantastic news for motorcyclists.
I got a call from the customs of Bazargan border.
The 250cc ban is lifted. They received an official mail from authorities yesterday.
I am not still sure if this is national, or only in Bazargan border.
Will update as soon as I know.

Nice.

The rider I was in contact with, did not enter at the Bazargan border. He went the other direction. So it seams that it is true !!!
Peter

Only problem is how to get Carnet in our car association? They told me until they get notofication from Iran they can't give it ...is there a chanse to buy one on a border?

I am so pleased to hear this news. I am heading into Iran at the end of August.

Sarah

Push them. It's not their decision to make. Tell them you're prepared to take the risk and won't be asking your money back if it doesn't turn out.

Or go the other way: they don't need to know you're using it in Iran. You just need a Carnet. You might travel to other countries that require it (e.g. Pakistan).

It will be a matter of time until the the ADAC in Germany or TCS in Switzerland or what ever it is called in your country will know about. It is not the first time our local contacts have the news before the officials in other countries.
I agree to what duibhceK wrote: Push tehm. They don't always know the latest news. Some time some one needs to be the first to tell them to get the latest news them self. It might be YOU ;-)

Peter

I tried but the lady told me, even I didn't mention Iran, that she will cross Iran with pen on a list in Carnet. I couldn't belive. Until Adac or some other car association doesn't remove Iran from forbitten list our association won't. That's why I'm asking for solution on a border

You can do it at the border, look for the older Hossein from Iranoverland.com


Home - Iranoverland


Also you can get your carnet from ADAC

I would motivate the lady to ask her self in Iran. It is kinda her responsibility to stay up to date.
But of course, if she is reluctant . . .
All the best
Peter

She don't care. Until they send it to her she won't do nothing. Problem is on adac.de, there is also notice of restriction for Iran.

The "younger" Hossein Sheykhlou was banned from the hubb a few years ago. This forum didn't want to be associated with him. Looks like the leopard hasn't changed his spots...

As with all forums and social media groups there are many more woulda/ coulda/ gonna types than people who have bought the Tshirt.

Many thanks for your useful input.

I paid 350,-- in 2017 with the old Hossein.

Including his Service at the border, solving other problems too and showing us some nice places around Jolfa.

We entered on a holiday ( End of Ramadan ) and had to wait 1 day to get the bike in.
He waited with us and solved everything the next day.
ANd it was not his fault that we arrived on the holiday.

So everything was ok for us

Does this price include Carnet on border or you had already one from your car association?

Iran over 250cc ban - ADAC claims it's still in effect
 

Hi, just a quick heads up for anyone heading towards Iran. I just got off the phone with the ADAC in Germany and they have told me that the 250cc+ ban is still (or again...???) being enforced. They have yesterday communicated with the authorities in Iran because the ADAC took notice of the reports claiming that it was lifted. Not sure what to believe, just passing it on...

They also said that in 2018 when everyone got in.

They claimed all the time it is not possible to get in when everyone entered Iran.

I also entered Iran and I called ADAC to tell them it is no problem and no one gets banned, but they did not care.

Gurbulak - Bazargan border August 2019
 

Hi All

I’m presently driving through Iran. I crossed into Iran from Turkey side and stayed overnight at Dogubeyazit and then drove 30 km to the Gurbulak - Bazargan border on 15th August with my New Zealand registered Toyota Landcruiser V8 Diesel with the help of Mr Hossein Ravanyar from Iran Overland (the old Hossein) He is mentioned in Iran Lonely Planet book and he was very good in arranging all the required paperwork carnet & Insurance to enter. Its strongly recommended to arrive early at the border gate 6am as there are lots of buses that start arriving full of passengers.
Iran is an amazing place to visit with lots to see and do and the people are so friendly towards tourists.
Only advice is to plan your fuel stops well if you have a Diesel engine as they have a crazy law that you have to have a fuel card to buy Diesel but the local truck drivers are helpful to use their fuel card so you need to give them a small tip. Not all fuel stations sell diesel but if you look on the iOverlander app it shows fuel stops that sell diesel.
Safe Travels
Ray Cook

We even got interviewed by The Tehran Times
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/439...-Iran-before-a

the ban was removed lately .check the FB page for the updated letter that confirm it.

As I said long time ago. The ban is gone. It is NOT there anymore.
Enjoy Iran guys !!!
Here is the official Letter in English:
Not sure if it did upload correctly . . .
Peter

Probably the wrong place to ask, but here I go... what's the likely weather issues going thru Turkey in to Iran - in early / mid Nov...only time I can get off :) - how cold & much snow ?

Cheers
Hvd1041

It's hard to say of course, but in general I would say it will be cold, single figures but above zero. If you want to minimise your chances of encountering snow / ice I would say use the main road from Tabriz to maku, as the other two border crossings go higher into the mountains.

The highlands of eastern Turkey will most likely already have snow and freezing nights, so (assuming you're on a motorcycle) I would try to get up to the Black Sea coast or down to the south along the iraq and Syrian borders where the climate is far milder.

EO

Alrighty, here's my account of the Bazargan border from turkey to Iran as of mid sept 2019 :

We arrived from Turkey on a Saturday morning at 6 am at the border (2 guys from Switzerland riding 2 tigers 800).

We had the Iranian visas, the carnets and had contacted the old Hossein before hand and agreed to meet him there (info : mr_hossein_ir@yahoo.com / 09144138096).

We did the Turkish side on our own, pretty easy... people will show you where to go, nothin special.

Than we got to the Iranian side and Hossein did it all for us, which is good because it's a bloody mess.

The whole thing took us one or two hours, we did not get searched, neither did our bikes.

We did not have to buy insurance for Iran, might seem stupid but I was wondering... No one told us anything about the guide things (then again, we're Swiss) and no one cared about the size of our engines (not talking about our privates).

We did not change any money at the border of course, Hossein did that for us at Bazargan city (what a nice place it is by the way). Had a good rate, fair play.

We even got escorted to a hotel in Tabriz by our new friend, who took us to the Sina hotel (25 USD by room, decent hotel close to the bazar). Oh and Hossein showed us a church on the way to Tabriz, scenery was amazing !

Hossein charged 100euros per person to do so. Would do it again.

Might be interesting for some other guys, Hossein can arrange a carnet for you for Iran only apparently. Didn't ask the price cause didn't need one.

Hossein if you're reading this you crazy artist, don't cut yourself with that knife ;)

Hi,
depending on the ADAC Website, the ban for bikes over 250ccm is over.
You´ll get a carnet at ADAC.

Iran on 1000cc bike
 

Hi there.
After the 3rd time emailing the Iranian consulate to try to get permission to ride through on my Honda Africa Twin, I received this email the other day.