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SILK ROAD

2 CYCLINDERS VENTURE FAR

Motorcycling the Silk Road

10 years exploring the Silk Road. Now you can use this site to share my experience travelling overland from UK to Kyrgyzstan & the China border.

SILK ROAD TO CHINA

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silk road mountains
great wall china

MotoExplorers Silk Road Network

Rider comments

  • Steve's flexible travel style works well, It's Great being able to take your time to wander off the main roads, go down some tracks, take photos and see the smaller villages" The support truck came in very handy as well!
    - Mike Ness 2011 GS1200A -
  • Thanks for a Great Adventure & support Steve, I learned a lot!  appreciated getting the Bike into the China support van at the end - Hope to do another big trip with you sometime
    - Andy Baxter BMW R850 2009 scouting -
  • Highlight for us was "just doing the whole trip" Laos was interesting and wished we had more time there, Great Journey"
    - John & Ger USA BMW 1200 gs -
  • Laos and Thailand were the real treat for road conditions after China, great windy tarmac, a motorcyclists dream! Some Hotels were a grab bag. Just like the riding, we love contrast. If they were all high end it would not have felt so adventurous but the high end ones were nice". "The southern mountain routes was probably both our high and our low at the same time". Bob Hemme
    - UK to Thailand - Bangkok -
  • I thoroughly enjoyed the experience overall, with the Tibetan regions and Kyrgyzstan being the high points for sure. Countless times I looked up (across really) and couldn't believe what I was looking at. Some of the roads were a challenge but if it was easy everyone would be doing it.  Tash Rabat was something I had read about for years.  Bruce Nordin, Canada, 2016 GS 1200 
    - Canada via London, China to Thailand -
  • What can i say the trip was an experience of a lifetime, The routes through China was some of the best riding i have ever done". Tony Marino China 2016
    - uk - China - Thailand 2016 -
  • Adventures all the way, having the support truck in China was a constant reassurance for us, all riders felt safe knowing help was never too far away if we got stuck" Ciprian Radovoi 2011
    - Ciprian Europe China 2011 -
  • Steve (Motoxplorers) has been great, he is a true professional in his field. I cant thank you enough Steve. I would recommend his company without hesitation" Peter Knight, Australia.
    - Motorcycling UK - China & home to Australia -
  • Awesome trip I made good friends who I continue to ride with after doing the trans China from arriving in UK and loaning a motoexplorers bike in 2011" Steve's a handy guy to have on tour, not much he couldn't fix! as hard as I rode that 660 it kept on thumping along, 'Great ride Guys" Craig Myers USA
    - NYC Craig from USA to China -
  • I had more adventures in Kazakhstan than the rest of my riding career" Rode Twice through China "When can I go again"! John Hughes scouting rider 2009
    - Riding through Kazakhstan to China -
Terracotta warriors motoexplorers HD China tour

12 Silk Road travel tips

July 5, 2018January 15, 2019 by motoexplorer11
5129
How to travel light & be prepared Post has moved to my business info page: travel business top tips from real…
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Oil advice for expedition motorcycles

July 12, 2017March 31, 2020 by motoexplorer11
7421
Advice for motorcycle oil specifications in hot riding climates Oil type advice, grades and types, comparing mineral oil, semi-synthetic and…
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Ride updates & New rides

February 11, 2017March 31, 2020 by motoexplorer11
7311
Motorcycle tours to China 2020: Expedition assistance is currently suspended due to the international travel restrictions. 2019:  The modern SILK…
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motoexplorer motorbike riders at great wall china

Hello Motorcycle Explorers

October 24, 2016January 18, 2019 by motoexplorer11
4830
Welcome to MotoExplorer UK My own experience and route scouting has mainly focused on the north Silk routes, through Kazakhstan &…
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FAQs

How can you help me travel the Silk Road?

Using my 11 years of Silk Road experience will save you time and money: why re-invent the wheel when I've already been rolling that way for over a decade!  Form your own ride group to link up with other travellers can substantially reduce your costs to travel through China.  You can use this site to make and plan your own ride expeditions. 

What are the road conditions & facilities like?

The European to Russia stages are all very westernised, great hotels and facilities - all GPS logged in our ride notes. Beyond Europe, Kazakhstan is a fabulous Country, and roughly the same size as western Europe! Big Skies, open spaces, a great place to clear your mind. Everything’s bigger in Kazakhstan; vast landscapes and distant horizons where you can virtually see the curvature of the earth! The modern Silk road has had a lot of development in recent years, meaning it's now very ridable on any type of bike, plus has good fuel and accommodation stops. General multi-purpose road tyres are fine, like Metzler Tourance or Heidenau also have a decent feedback from recent riders - if you prefer something with chunkier tread.  A few sections of Russia are quite rutted and potholed + southern China / edges of Tibet can get dusty, dirty, semi-off road like & loose surfaced on some of the smaller roads. (think like riding through road works at times) If you're planning your own ride expedition group - get in touch & see how I can help you plan, prepare, promote and help you form your own ride group to lower your costs through China.

How to ride to China, what are the routes & what's to do?

MotoExplorer UK can assist you organising all the correct formalities to travel the Silk Road.  We are experienced co-ordinating Motorcycle rides to China since 2009, preparing all of the required paperwork, permits and licenses for overland travel by motorcycle for foreign registered vehicles to travel overland through China.  Our recommended licensed and Chinese government approved motor guides will meet you at the border and handle the customs & traffic regulations. You can then travel freely, day-to-day, You choose how you like to travel at your own pace. Your guides and fixers will take care of all formalities, hotel accommodation, customs and all of the arrangements to support you throughout the expedition. What's it like riding to China? see Motoexplorers Silk Road journey: https://www.facebook.com/MotoExplorersUK/ If you're planning your own ride towards China - get in touch & see how I can help you plan, prepare, promote and help you form your own ride group to lower your costs through China.

Is there support - what happens if I break down?

No one likes getting stuck with a flat tyre! MotoExplorer helps you to co-ordinates small teams of riders who share knowledge and different skills to help everyone make their own adventure.   Our highly experienced and trusted local partners provide the day to day support through China. We can also recommend trusted local guides and travel partners in Kyrgyzstan to help you obtain the correct border documents to cross the restricted zone approaching the Chinese border and onwards through to China. The Europe-Russia-Kazakhstan stages are all asphalt highways, bumpy and potholed in places but generally good quality road conditions, with good fuel and facilities.   If you're planning your own ride towards China - get in touch & see how I can help you plan, prepare, promote and help you form your own ride group to lower your costs through China.

Do we ride in convoy through China?

You can spread out and ride your own pace, stop start when you want. you can choose when and where to stop during the days ride. Ride with 1 or 2 other bikes, or follow the supporting vehicle when-ever you prefer the extra assistance, or not! You just have to be on a filed route plan in China and all reach the same hotels each evening. Your supporting guide, fixer and vehicle give you the confidence to ride independently at your own pace & style, there's no need to ride in convoy. If you're planning your own ride towards China - get in touch & see how I can help you plan, prepare, promote and help you form your own ride group to lower your costs through China.

What's the ride route to China

My own rides have usually travelled through Germany, Czech, Slovakia Tatra mountains, Poland to Ukraine and Russia. Or alternatively, riders have Explored the Baltic states; Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, (far friendly & interesting than people imagine) Kazakhstan (bigger, quieter, true off-the beaten track vast open largely un-restricted), crossing the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan (just amazing!) to Tash Rabat & the Torugart Pass where you'll enter China riding into Kashgar.   Our specialised China ride partners will gladly custom build a route for you through China to your choice of exit port or border.  You can also now use our facilities and web site to link in with any other independent ride groups planning to cross China - reducing the travel costs for everyone. If you're planning your own ride towards China - get in touch & see how I can help you plan, prepare, promote and help you form your own ride group to lower your costs through China.

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  • Oil advice for expedition motorcycles
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