motorcycle ride from the UK to Cyprus

shippo


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 10:07

It is my intention in a couple of months time to ride a motorcycle over to Cyprus from the UK. I was wondering if anyone had already done this and had any advise to offer regarding routes, pit falls etc.



Also



Are there any other adventurous people out there planning to do the same trip that would be interested in joining up for the ride/drive.

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 11:01

Hi Shippo



Have done the trip from Girne to London by car via Istanbul, Budapest, Vienna, Germany ,France then Tunnel not the most direct but mainly motorway took me four days door to door.

Have a bike in UK was considering a ride over but want to sort duty costs ect before commiting to riding here.

What route were you considering? when are you hoping to do the trip? what bike are you traveling on? would you be considering camping on overnight stops or a motel camp mix?Whts your UK start point.



D.N

shippo


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 11:49

I have done the trip a couple of times by car. First by the France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, turkey route and the second France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovinia, Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, route. This took me 3 days in a Ford Ranger, but realistically i would expect it to take at least a few more days on the bike. I would be looking to do this route again. All the roads were great with the exception of Ankara to the coast in Turkey which were average. The scenery was breath taking and the satnav gave it as the most direct route.



Im looking at doing the trip around the end Sept / early Oct as it is a little cooler but the weather is still good. My starting point would be Derbyshire in the UK.



I would look at overnight motel stops as this would cut down on the luggage, they are inexpensive and there are plenty of them on the route.

shippo


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 11:53

My bike will be a Honda XL Varadero 1000. I have spoken to customs and for one of these valued at £5000 in the UK the import duty will be around £3000 + $500us. Expensive i know but i miss the bike.

laptarunner



Joined: 02/11/2009
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 11:57

We did it last year from Hastings to the TRNC , took 7 days went down to Germany Austria though Balkans Bulgeria, Turkey and ferry from Turkey.



Went back via Izmir to Italy.



Get breakdown cover, for route watch a lot only covers part of Turkey RAC was best, make sure your paperwork including bike doc's are right, we had problem as one letter was wrong on V5.



Serbia had problems with bad petrol, had to add octane boaster. Green Card only covers some EU countires, 3 months insurance min in Serbia and Turkey about 70 Euro's.



Hotels no problem, a basic, everyone helpful. Watch out in Turkey on long plains south of Ankara police with radar max speed limit for bikes 57mph, no lee way, if your caught is auto downloaded onto computer, got caught both ways £80 a time, you can't leave country until fine is paid.



Customs in port in South of turkey a bit of a nightmare, also customs in TRNC would only issue 30 days visa had to get it extended. We enjoyed it, but only the once.

cyprusjoker


Joined: 29/08/2009
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 12:04

Sounds great fun guys, i myself have done it four times and on the fourth time i got so much grief at the greek/turk border i said never again. Never done it on a bike, i have a 1998 1200cc bandit at home in england. Would love to go thou, watch the diesel guys and good luck.

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 12:14

Hi Shippo, Like the sound of the Bel, Hol Ger, route, would be starting from North East Eng, so not that far from you, riding 800GS Beemer, are you presently in NC or the UK? have to get together for a chat.



D.N

shippo


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 14:12

Im in NC at Karaagac. give me a call sometime 05338764598. I'd love to discuss it.

laptarunner



Joined: 02/11/2009
Posts: 217

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 15:32

I lot of the fun is taken out of it, while you are over here in the summer its really too hot for a bike. You cook at low speeds in traffic. I would not go without my helmet, even on my head not on my elbow the local way.



Watch out for locals, and even Brits in big 4 by 4's.



The mountain roads are nice, ie The Tank route.

MiketheBike


Joined: 01/04/2009
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 19:19

If you have already imported a car you may not be allowed to import a motorcycle, I imported a bike in 2003, (Yamaha 750) we drove down the year before last and had problems with TRNC customs as they would not initially allow us in, then they let us stay for one month and extended it to six months, which is what we intended to do, then drove back to the UK. We were told by customs in Lefkosia that we would not be able to drive our camper back into the country again, or any other vehicle, even for a short visit, as I had previously imported the bike. So our plans to drive down again have been thwarted.



Mike

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 20:40

Solid info Mike I'm in a similar pradicament as have previously brought a bike here via Turkey but shipped it back to the UK via the South due to it overstaying its welcome and incuring excessive fines, was bringing this one in in the sons name to hopfully get full year in TRNC before paying duty. Have experienced the run arround with customs, complete nest of vipers, with rules changing, and brown paper bags full of cash being handed about like confetee at a celebrity wedding, thanks for info.



D.N

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 21:40

As per usual lots of useless/untrue info.



The law/rules/regulations clearly states what is what.

If you had already imported a vehicle for you personal use,the next one you must pay the duties on arrival once you got the import license and the vehicle must NOT be over 3 years of age.



I guess,if any of the above does not look attractive enough,then perhups the other obtion is to buy one here.



I do not make these rules/regulations but have to follow them.

I did not like one single bit to pay £9500 for my car or £3000 for my bike import duties........however,there is a difference between facts and lies.Spend a day to find out what happens to that money WE pay there and you too might change your mind.....



If you still insist on bringing a vehicle over even though it is over 3 years of age and also not to pay the duties,the troble you'll get will be no more then you deserve.

shippo


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 21:49

I brought a car over 18 months ago which i have now paid the import duty on. I have just imported another vehicle for my wife. I have spoken to Customs and provided i pay the duty on my wifes car before i bring the bike over there is no problem.



If you are looking at not paying the duty for 12 months this is another matter. It will depend on how many days you have spent in TRNC over the last two years as to whether they will give you the 12 months grace, which usually means if you have your temporary residency you will struggle and will have to register it and pay the duty at the end of the initial month.

shippo


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 21:52

Customs did however tell me that i could bring a bike upto 5 years old over and not 3 years as with the cars.

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 21:54

I wish I could come with you shippo - it sounds like an amazing ride - but I've too many personal commitments this year. I hope you do the ride and let us know how it went.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 21:55

msg 13;

"It will depend on how many days you have spent in TRNC over the last two years as to whether they will give you the 12 months grace,"



NOT if you have already imported a vehicle!!! AND it must be less then 3 years of age!!!



I've made the mistake which is why I'm trying to give you guys the right info.

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
28/06/2010 21:59

The info you need to gain is NOT from customs BUT from "Ticaret Dairesi",which is where you get your import license.Once you've got that,the only thing left for customs is calculations.