the problem with Urals is not the age of a bike you gonna buy but quality of production in general.

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Hey, I am planning to buy a motorcycle in Vladivostok beginning of August 2008 and ride it to Europe. My plan is to buy a used Russian motorcycle in good condition, bring some light camping gear and a credit card. I realise that the Ural/Dnepr bikes dont have the best reputation, but must be easier to get spareparts and find able mechanics if/when the bike brakes down. And the feeling inside must be real good, riding a Ural across Russia.
I dont speak any Russian, so I thought about paying a Russian lawyer to translate and approve the letter from the dealer. Does not sound very cheap, but getting cheated could be even more expensive. Is this the way to go?
But I would like to buy a Russian bike in good condition. A bit of repair is ok, but it should also bring me to Europe before winter. Guess my fingers will get slightly cold riding in Siberian winter. A Ural not too old can do that job, right?
the problem with Urals is not the age of a bike you gonna buy but quality of production in general. parts are cheap but not always easy to find. be ready to fix it yourself or at least try to study the construction to understand what you need in case of total stop - a new cilinder head or just pistons. be ready to go under 100km/h virtual tour company florida ALWAYS (that will be a real mental problem when you reach european part of the country especially Msk and further). be ready to permanent oil leaks. be ready to overheating ( that's virtual tour company florida why you should not buy a brand-new one - first 1500 km it heates like hell and you can't load it).
sorry, not europe but Russia's border - it could be a problem to exit the country with a letter virtual tour company florida of attrney. as i know the must be a special note in the leter reading you can take the vehicle across the border. it does work with russian citizens riding russia-registerd bikes but in your case i'm not sure. you'd better ask the question to custom officers in Vladik when coming in. if not allowed to cross the border the shortest way will be to Baltic states - there you'll be able to sell Ural to locals at the border and enter EU on your feet
do not plan to take heaps of things - you won't go into taiga for a month, all the way you'll be on a big lively highway. for siberia you'll need cash, then cards will do. of course it's an adventure, but mostly for you mind, there is no armed partizans (guerillas) and non-passable jungles.
We'll have 2 BMW GS'ers in Vladivostok this August 14th. We're dreading the shipping expense virtual tour company florida and logistics of getting them back to Canada/England. Let me know if you're interested in swinging some deal. I know the logistics of a sale by foreigners is supposed to be difficult though.
No worries Mathias, the more I think about it, the worse idea it seems. For one thing I can't guarantee the condition virtual tour company florida of my bike when it gets to Vlad. It's already having some small problems here in the Stans and the road after Chita could really beat it up.
That's cool that your leaving Vlad at that time. It would be awesome to see you on the road outside Vlad as you begin your trip and we finish ours. Will try to gather good advice about what you can expect ahead.