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  1. #1 Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
    C-Moto Not-so-Noob
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    I started a thread when we were looking for a motorbike in Kunming. Eventually after meeting up with andre555 we decided to go for the YBR250 at the yamaha dealer in Kunming. After all it was there in stock waiting for us to be driven back to the other side of the world. Because we were only on tourist visas we knew it was going to be 'a bit' trouble to get it registered. After a week of driving up and down in Kunming we were sick of all the bureaucratic running around and getting sent everywhere. Besides our visas were running out. We decided to start our trip, on a temporary license and only a international drivers license. We tried basicly every city on the way to get the bike registered, but got denied because of the same reason every time: we only had a tourist visa. Only in Shangri-La they said we couldnt get it because we already paid taxes in Kunming.
    When we arrived in Urumqi our temporary license for the bike ran out. We applied for a new temporary license and got it after another week of hassling around. In the end it was useless, because at the border of Jimenay it was never asked for or even looked at. Getting out of china was easy, but we got stopped by customs in Kazakhstan. We had to pay a deposit of 50% of the value of the bike. This cant be done at the border itself, we had to pay for an escort to the closest head office of cutsoms 500 km further into Kazakhstan. We were happy enough to be out of China so we whent along with support of our embassy. The deposit will take us through russia too, as they have a customs union since 2010.
    To cut the story short, it is possible to buy a motorbike in china and take it out of the country if you are willing to pay the deposit. We got stopped a few times by police but the language barrier or just for being white is enough for them to let you pass. Other option is to register it with a long visa, then you can just drive over the border easy(we were told).

    Now 8500 km on the clock and still going, only had a front fork seal leaking. Changed that at around 6500 at the Urumqi yamaha shop for free(we only had to supply the part from taobao).

    Pictures coming soon!
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  2. #2 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
    C-Moto Not-so-Noob
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    250412024129-thumbnail_IMG_3831.jpg
    there she is, waiting to be driven
    250412024131-thumbnail_IMG_3875.jpg
    250412024137-thumbnail_IMG_3928.jpg
    second service in dali new town. nowhere the right oil to be found...
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  3. #3 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
    Duct tape savant felix's Avatar
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    Wow! Thanks for the useful info! The only other report i'd read of an unregistered bike being taken across into Kazakhstan said he managed to do it by taking the bike as hand luggage!

    Good luck on your travels and please keep this report going!
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  4. #4 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
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    hey,
    so what's the formal customs formality at the border between china and Kazakh? i mean for a chinese regisitered bike.
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  5. #5 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
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    Quote Originally Posted by fons View Post
    hey,
    so what's the formal customs formality at the border between china and Kazakh? i mean for a chinese regisitered bike.
    We endid up paying a huge deposit for temporarily driving in kazakhstan, like how they do with the new trucks. Apparantly the law has recently changed a few years ago, so everyone is still unfamiliar with it. If it would have been registered and we would have said we would be going back to china everything would have been fine.
    So formally the law states (at june 2012) you need an escort through the country or pay a deposit.
    Informally tell them you will go back to china soon as a little trip/holiday or something.

    You thinking of going to kazakhstan, prepare for some bad roads. Any more questions let me know
    Good luck!
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  6. #6 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
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    thanks Bartez88
    just tried to figure out how to make a trip from Shanghai to Oostend Belgium. it will be a great trip pacific coast to Atlantic coast.
    it will be easy for travelling in China and in EU. so far no clue for the trip between those two. i have a JH600A. i'm thinking to take 4 weeks for this trip.
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  7. #7 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
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    Quote Originally Posted by fons View Post
    thanks Bartez88
    just tried to figure out how to make a trip from Shanghai to Oostend Belgium. it will be a great trip pacific coast to Atlantic coast.
    it will be easy for travelling in China and in EU. so far no clue for the trip between those two. i have a JH600A. i'm thinking to take 4 weeks for this trip.
    Just make sure its registered on your name and youll have alot less paperwork bullshit than we had. The common route is through kazakhstan, russia and then into europe. 4 weeks is short, dont forget youll be getting your russian visa in Astana, kazakhstan. Which is a hell. Also dont forget youll be paying alot of import taxes when you get into europe. There is however an exception to paying taxes and that is importing the bike under removal goods if you have lived more than 1 year outside the EU and owned the vehicle more than 6 months (need proof like house contract and insurance). My advice is not to rush the trip, do alot of research and then GO FOR IT. Many people get too scared before even starting, but for us it was definitely worth it. Not many people have done it.
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  8. #8 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
    foreign China moto dude bikerdoc's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fons View Post
    thanks Bartez88
    just tried to figure out how to make a trip from Shanghai to Oostend Belgium. it will be a great trip pacific coast to Atlantic coast.
    it will be easy for travelling in China and in EU. so far no clue for the trip between those two. i have a JH600A. i'm thinking to take 4 weeks for this trip.
    I'd think that 4 weeks is too short for such a journey. Even if no other reason like there were no unplanned delays, such as visa issues, or extended delays at border crossings, or perhaps unscheduled weather conditions forcing delays. Just the journey itself, the places you visit and sights you will see and the people you might meet along the way - all may very well bring about inevitable and perhaps welcome delays. There is in all likely-hood destinations along your chosen route that hadn't factored in that you may well wish you could and would want to explore longer if it were not for some self enforced time schedule. All of this doesn't allow for the unplanned and unwelcome forced pit-stops; mechanical, get-offs etc. 4 weeks, I'd say double that time frame would be more realistic, and if possible don't have a self enforced time limit at all if circumstances and funds allow, that way you will be more open to opportunities and options that will invariably come your way on such journey. After all it's not the destination, it is the journey we take to get there...
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  9. #9 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
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    Quote Originally Posted by bartez88 View Post
    Just make sure its registered on your name and youll have alot less paperwork bullshit than we had. The common route is through kazakhstan, russia and then into europe. 4 weeks is short, dont forget youll be getting your russian visa in Astana, kazakhstan. Which is a hell. Also dont forget youll be paying alot of import taxes when you get into europe. There is however an exception to paying taxes and that is importing the bike under removal goods if you have lived more than 1 year outside the EU and owned the vehicle more than 6 months (need proof like house contract and insurance). My advice is not to rush the trip, do alot of research and then GO FOR IT. Many people get too scared before even starting, but for us it was definitely worth it. Not many people have done it.
    Hi Bartez88,
    i think EU customs is very easy. i have past several EU external border post. They just check your ID card or passport. Then let you pass. Never bother to check your vehicle except they smell something suspicious. Also don't forget in EU, there is no license plate in front. They don't know which country you registered in.
    Russian visa is much more easier than before. There is a new agreement between EU and Russian to facilitate the visa. So you better get it @home before you hit the road.
    Only big problem is the time, can not leave too long. 4 weeks. maybe 1-2 weeks more for reserve.
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  10. #10 Re: Kunming to Amsterdam on a unregistered bike 
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    Quote Originally Posted by bikerdoc View Post
    I'd think that 4 weeks is too short for such a journey. Even if no other reason like there were no unplanned delays, such as visa issues, or extended delays at border crossings, or perhaps unscheduled weather conditions forcing delays. Just the journey itself, the places you visit and sights you will see and the people you might meet along the way - all may very well bring about inevitable and perhaps welcome delays. There is in all likely-hood destinations along your chosen route that hadn't factored in that you may well wish you could and would want to explore longer if it were not for some self enforced time schedule. All of this doesn't allow for the unplanned and unwelcome forced pit-stops; mechanical, get-offs etc. 4 weeks, I'd say double that time frame would be more realistic, and if possible don't have a self enforced time limit at all if circumstances and funds allow, that way you will be more open to opportunities and options that will invariably come your way on such journey. After all it's not the destination, it is the journey we take to get there...
    well, not much time i can spare on the road. that's damn big obstacle.
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