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Thinking about taking a motorbike from the UK towards China (mid-life crisis)?

Anyone got any idea on safe(ish) routes (ie not through Iraq, Afgnstn). Currently got an MZ (don't lol) Baghira, but thinking about BMW xt. Has anyone else done it? Cheers

Public Comments

1. lol !! i have these mid life thoughts as well but i soon sober up in the morning just go for europe
2. Watch the ewan mcgregor documentary the long way round, and read the book, it will give you an idea of some of the problems you may encounter
3. This response is not as frivolous as it may sound, but I am going through a mid life crisis too. Can I ride pilllion?
4. Google it....but everyone I've heard or read about doing it has been on either a bmw gs1200 or 650-make sure it's a dual sport.
5. what if you get a flat ??
6. LOL at what? I'd love to have a Baghira and I would love to go with you. I've never done a ride like that and I'd be a little nervous to do it these days especially if you are American or British but heck, you only live once. Go for it and when you get back tell us about it. Good Luck
7. I had thought about doing that too. From Singapore (I live there) to China. I researched it a little bit. I am most concern about border crossings. Which countries requires VISA and how to get it. There are fightings are some borders and bandits on some passages. What can you do about those? And how would you handle blatant corruption and extortion? You need to know that system. If you have mid life crisis, I dont think you are in the right frame of mind to do a trip like this. You need every bit of wit and composure to overcome the conditions of such a journey. But if you do it, I wish you the best, that you return physical complete and mentally sound.
8. Before you do China, you might want to do a trial run - perhaps to southern Italy. This would fit into a normal holiday slot and let you try things out with respect to luggage, routine maintenance, getting a tyre changed, etc. It wouldn't deal with all the political stuff, but it would let you iron out some of the operational stuff before your epic started.
9. A route option: Germany Czech Republic Slovakia Ukraine Russia Kazakhstan China A few bike options (other than the BMW) 15 year old Yamaha XT600 Africa Twin 750 KTM Adventure Honda Transalp Cagiva GranCanyon Kawasaki KLE Triumph Tiger Suzuki XF Freewind
10. Safest way is across Russia. Keep plenty packets of marlboros and $10 bills for police checkpoints, my first motorcycle was MZ, but BMW may be better, but get good suspension Russian roads are very poorly maintained. Make sure you have good health insurance as well, and if you get injured ask to be taken to nearest American Medical Service hospital
11. I have a friend here in the Czech Republic who took a Kawasaki W650 and side car from Prague-Beijing -Paris-Prague a couple of years ago. I also have a couple of mates who are currently taking their bikes to Mogolia from here. If anyone even suggests Iraq or Afghanistan then they need a new map !! Basically the guys I know did it through Russia and then into China. If you really are serious then I can get you more information but I can't post it on here. The Russian authorities can be bueraucratic and you will need a lot of time to organise it but is very doable.
12. Whichever way your going to China,you may want to think about how your going to get repairs and spares for your bike. Modern bike.....rely on its reliability and plan ahead for any services/dealers on the way....or arrange stuff to be posted to you as needed ( airfreight )...i cannot see there being many Ktm/ccm/Bmw/Triumph dealers on the way. Older Bike.......go for something less sophisticated,but more robust,and more importantly easier to repair/service locally.Kawasaki KLR 650 ( great bike,no longer sold in Uk though )Older BMWs. Also depends on a lot of other stuff,are you camping...modifying the bike ( large fuel tanks )...have you got good discipline for carrying stuff ( not packing 30 sets of underpants ) Good Book to read is ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLING HANDBOOK.....written by Chris Scott....or visit some web sites such as Horizons Unlimited or UKGSER.......lots of good advice from people who have done it the wrong.hard way. Last Point....Good Luck.
13. I'd stick to Europe if i was you; certainly for your first big trip away (your butt will thank you in the long run). Try the France, Spain, Italy route; lots to see and lots to do. Some excellent roads and if you get off the tourist routes you'll see far more too. If you've never done a big run, try a trip to north Scotland first. if you get tired and grumpy by day two you'll be a lot closer to home and will have spent far less than if you were in the back of beyond. What's wrong with using the MZ, thats an Yam XTZ under all that trim; easily up for a bit of touring. BMW GS / Funduro are good, as are the Aprilia Pegaso, Africa Twin, Transalp ... you could even opt for a big Varadero (nice but a bit heavy). So many options... If you do go, try not to over pack. Take what you need and buy the rest as you go. Tent, bedroll, some clothes, waterproofs, map/gps small camera and your wallet. Most things you'll get on route. J.
14. If you are going to do it, good luck, I will be riding UK to Vladivostok next year on an old BMW R80. Visit Horizons Unlimited, you will find out everything you need to know there, including tech tips for bikes, routes and maps, equipment and personal accounts of people who already did it. (plus lots more) You can also post questions on the HUB. (lots of different forums) Don't travel ANYWHERE serious on a bike unless you been to Horizons Unlimited first! (Really) http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/