La route de la soie à moto (Kunming-Coutances)
by Tudou
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Salut,
Je fais un master à Kunming qui va s'enchaîner par un stage quelque part en Chine. Je voudrais réaliser un vieux rêve qui serait de retourner au pays (coutances, manche, basse normandie) en moto au terme de ces deux ans.
J'ai aucune expérience en moto, mais c'est un truc qui me traîne dans la tête depuis que m'a mère a refusé k j'achète une mob pour mes 14 ans.
Je voudrais donc commencer dès maintenant à m'initier un peu à la moto histoire d'être rôdé dans deux ans pour tenter de rallier la France de Chine. Je vais choper un permi chinois histoire d'être clean et je voudrais acheter mon engin en suivant. J'ai aucune idée de ce qui est le mieux pour apprendre, pour bouger en Chine et pour réaliser la route de la soie avec.
Y me faudrait un truc que je puisse un peu démonter, mécanique simple, histoire de pouvoir être autonome pour les réparations et assez puissant pour faire de longues distances.
Ch connais personne de vraiment calé dans le domaine, bref, j'ai besoin de toi qu'est en train de lire ce mail un peu chiant en détail, qu'a silloné les routes de chine et qui connait les engins chinois...
Qu'importe le flacon, pourvu qu'on ai l'ivresse.(CHAISPUDKI, ya lgtps)
A ton age, je dévorais. (TONTON, 1983)
Salut, voilà un beau projet, qui me donnerait bien envie de faire la route dans l'autre sens ;o)
Si tu n'as aucune expérience moto, effectivement c'est bien de s'y prendre à l'avance, et puis une fois que tu auras l'habitude des routes chinoises tu pourras surement rouler partout... même si ce ne sont pas les plus difficiles que j'ai rencontrées !
Après au niveau du choix de la moto, tu risques d'être un peu limité, il n'y a essentiellement que des 125 cc en Chine, tu trouves aussi quelques rares cylindrées un peu plus importantes, j'ai rencontré quelques européens à Pékin qui en possédaient mais cela semble être de la diffusion confidentielle. Certains Chinois arrivent à dégoter des suzuki 250 dr ou autre trail, mais je n'en ai vu que 2 durant mon voyage !!!
En grosse cylindrées, tu trouves aussi des sides, copies des ural et autres dniepr russe, eux mêmes copies de.... je n'ai aucune idée de la fiabilité de ces engins, mais si tu n'as rien contre les 3 roues, cela pourrait être un moyen intéressant pour réaliser ton voyage. Le side permettant de transporter quelques affaires et tu peux aussi embarquer quelques pièces de rechange, mais confort très sommaire sur la piste et surement aussi sur la route. Je pense que ce sont par contre des mécaniques simples que tu pourras réparer presque partout. j'ai quelques contacts sur pékin, d'expat qui roulent en moto, ou d'un gars qui fait partie d'un club de CJ750 riders, si cela t'intéresse...
Pour ma part, pour un tel voyage (compte environ 20000 km), j'essaierai de trouver de préférence une bécane japonaise pour la fiabilité, avec une cylindrée supérieure à 250, car même si on peut aller vachement loin sur un 125, il y a des jours ou c'est bien d'avoir une moto qui a un peu plus de coffre et qui permet de tracer un peu.
Bon, voilà ce que je peux te dire pour l'instant, n'hésite pas si tu as d'autres interrogations A+ Christophe
Si tu n'as aucune expérience moto, effectivement c'est bien de s'y prendre à l'avance, et puis une fois que tu auras l'habitude des routes chinoises tu pourras surement rouler partout... même si ce ne sont pas les plus difficiles que j'ai rencontrées !
Après au niveau du choix de la moto, tu risques d'être un peu limité, il n'y a essentiellement que des 125 cc en Chine, tu trouves aussi quelques rares cylindrées un peu plus importantes, j'ai rencontré quelques européens à Pékin qui en possédaient mais cela semble être de la diffusion confidentielle. Certains Chinois arrivent à dégoter des suzuki 250 dr ou autre trail, mais je n'en ai vu que 2 durant mon voyage !!!
En grosse cylindrées, tu trouves aussi des sides, copies des ural et autres dniepr russe, eux mêmes copies de.... je n'ai aucune idée de la fiabilité de ces engins, mais si tu n'as rien contre les 3 roues, cela pourrait être un moyen intéressant pour réaliser ton voyage. Le side permettant de transporter quelques affaires et tu peux aussi embarquer quelques pièces de rechange, mais confort très sommaire sur la piste et surement aussi sur la route. Je pense que ce sont par contre des mécaniques simples que tu pourras réparer presque partout. j'ai quelques contacts sur pékin, d'expat qui roulent en moto, ou d'un gars qui fait partie d'un club de CJ750 riders, si cela t'intéresse...
Pour ma part, pour un tel voyage (compte environ 20000 km), j'essaierai de trouver de préférence une bécane japonaise pour la fiabilité, avec une cylindrée supérieure à 250, car même si on peut aller vachement loin sur un 125, il y a des jours ou c'est bien d'avoir une moto qui a un peu plus de coffre et qui permet de tracer un peu.
Bon, voilà ce que je peux te dire pour l'instant, n'hésite pas si tu as d'autres interrogations A+ Christophe
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Bonjour nous partons avec ma fille à Malte ..je voudrais louer un scooter ..connaissez vous des adresses et budget pour une location D une semaine ?
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hi
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I’ll be riding with a buddy on a Royal Enfield that I’ll rent in Delhi.
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hi there
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Best regards
hi there
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I’m planning a motorcycle road trip to Armenia and Georgia in September 2026 or May 2027. I’m looking for one or more riders (male or female) who’d like to explore these countries with me.
Along the way, we’ll visit Cappadocia, the capitals Yerevan, Tbilisi, Sofia, Skopje, and other cities—we can finalize the route and roadbook later.
This trip requires experience with long motorcycle journeys, as we’ll cover around 7,000 km over 5 or 6 weeks (or more, depending on sightseeing and time spent).
I don’t expect dozens of applicants, since motorcycle riders are few and far between on this forum, but I’m putting this out there anyway.
See you soon
I’m planning a motorcycle road trip to Armenia and Georgia in September 2026 or May 2027. I’m looking for one or more riders (male or female) who’d like to explore these countries with me.
Along the way, we’ll visit Cappadocia, the capitals Yerevan, Tbilisi, Sofia, Skopje, and other cities—we can finalize the route and roadbook later.
This trip requires experience with long motorcycle journeys, as we’ll cover around 7,000 km over 5 or 6 weeks (or more, depending on sightseeing and time spent).
I don’t expect dozens of applicants, since motorcycle riders are few and far between on this forum, but I’m putting this out there anyway.
See you soon
Hi everyone,
I’m starting to think about a trip that’s really close to my heart: Algeria by motorcycle, specifically the southern part of the country. It’d be for January 2025, and I’ve got two main questions:
Is it possible for an individual on a motorcycle to travel freely, outside of any organized tour, or does the regulation require some kind of supervision in the Algerian Sahara region?
Is the Hoggar massif accessible by road or by (rideable) tracks?
Beyond the official recommendations, I’m really looking for your firsthand experiences. Thanks so much for your answers, and sorry if my questions are a bit newbie!
Ride safe! ✌️ Didier
I’m starting to think about a trip that’s really close to my heart: Algeria by motorcycle, specifically the southern part of the country. It’d be for January 2025, and I’ve got two main questions:
Is it possible for an individual on a motorcycle to travel freely, outside of any organized tour, or does the regulation require some kind of supervision in the Algerian Sahara region?
Is the Hoggar massif accessible by road or by (rideable) tracks?
Beyond the official recommendations, I’m really looking for your firsthand experiences. Thanks so much for your answers, and sorry if my questions are a bit newbie!
Ride safe! ✌️ Didier
Hi, I’d like to take a 15-day "break" to get away from the surrounding hustle and bustle.
Why not explore the Peloponnese!
I’m not particularly drawn to museums, ruins, or monuments.
I want to experience local life—small villages, seaside spots, beaches, and the interior if the landscapes are extraordinary.
Ideally, coming from Athens, I’d take a bus or train to get as close as possible to a starting point, then rent a scooter (125cc) to explore by taking secondary roads or even coastal paths. I’d stay in 2-3 places for a few days each to discover their surroundings.
Do a loop.
What do you think would be the ideal itinerary?
From Athens, the best option would be to take either a flight or a bus to Kalamata. Rent a scooter and head either west or east. Is there a tertiary road (very lightly trafficked) or a path where I can ride slowly, take it easy, and enjoy the scenery without being bothered by traffic? I’d like to go all the way to Monemvasia, still hugging the coast. I need to find a way to avoid returning to Kalamata to drop off the scooter and catch a flight—maybe a small town where the train stops so I can head back to Athens.
Thanks in advance for your tips.
Hi!
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Thanks!
I want to rent an off-road style motorcycle to get around the coast during my trip to Ecuador. I’m only finding options in Quito. Do you have any suggestions for me?
Thanks!
Hi there,
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I’m looking for info on shipping my vehicle by sea—possibly to Uruguay or another destination, as I haven’t finalized anything yet.
How do you get visas for the countries I’ll be crossing: Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile? Are they e-Visas, obtained at the border, or through embassies?
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Hey everyone,
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Corsica has been a dream of mine for a long time: legendary roads, stunning landscapes, a unique vibe, and the perfect mix of sea and mountains. At the same time, I’m wondering if 2 weeks might be *too much* for Corsica—risking feeling like I’ve seen it all too quickly, especially on a bike. Since I also have an extra week free in May, I could use that specifically for Corsica. Maybe splitting it into two trips would make more sense? If so, which routes or regions would be the most interesting to plan for a 7-day trip?
On the other hand, Norway is *super* appealing. The landscapes look incredible, totally different from anything I’ve experienced, and it’d be a real “wow” trip. I know 15 days is still short for such a vast country. Getting all the way to the North Cape seems pretty much impossible in that time, but I’m curious about what realistic routes could be planned.
So I’m wondering: Is it better to save Norway for next year, take 3 weeks off, and do it *properly*? Or are 15 days enough for a first amazing taste of the country?
I’d love to hear about your experiences—whether it’s Corsica (ideal duration, routes) or Norway (what’s realistic in 2 weeks on a bike). Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
I’ve got 15 days off in June and I’m pretty undecided about where to go for a motorcycle road trip. Two strong desires are pulling me in different directions: Corsica or Norway.
Corsica has been a dream of mine for a long time: legendary roads, stunning landscapes, a unique vibe, and the perfect mix of sea and mountains. At the same time, I’m wondering if 2 weeks might be *too much* for Corsica—risking feeling like I’ve seen it all too quickly, especially on a bike. Since I also have an extra week free in May, I could use that specifically for Corsica. Maybe splitting it into two trips would make more sense? If so, which routes or regions would be the most interesting to plan for a 7-day trip?
On the other hand, Norway is *super* appealing. The landscapes look incredible, totally different from anything I’ve experienced, and it’d be a real “wow” trip. I know 15 days is still short for such a vast country. Getting all the way to the North Cape seems pretty much impossible in that time, but I’m curious about what realistic routes could be planned.
So I’m wondering: Is it better to save Norway for next year, take 3 weeks off, and do it *properly*? Or are 15 days enough for a first amazing taste of the country?
I’d love to hear about your experiences—whether it’s Corsica (ideal duration, routes) or Norway (what’s realistic in 2 weeks on a bike). Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Hello,
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Has anyone done a trip like this before, and what’s the best time of year?
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I'm seriously considering heading to Nepal to do some nice motorcycle loops... my goal is also to do the Kailash Yatra round trip from Kathmandu, in a small group with a guide, in May '26... but here's the thing—I'm solo! So if you're up for sharing a similar adventure, hit me up... Cheers, Frankoys
tout est dans le titre: me rendant prochainement a Krabi, et désirant louer un scooter pour quelques semaines, mais lisant des commentaires de risques d'arnaques en tout genre, je m'adresse a vous pour savoir ou et comment (lire ''la bonne facon'') de louer un scooter.
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Hello everyone! Like every year, a winter migration is on the horizon (revised plan): this time, it’ll be Dakar, or even Abidjan, via Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal.
Looking for an experienced motorcyclist or pillion rider—small build preferred—on a GSA 1250 with a comfy seat and luggage setup, available from early November to late December 2025. I’d like to plan the trip together (important to me) to make sure we’re on the same wavelength.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Didier
Hi everyone...
Looking for travel companions to ride from France to Senegal by motorcycle.
I’m Paul, 37, and I’ve already done a bit of riding in Morocco.
For now, I’m solo, riding a 1998 SUZUKI DR 650 with some basic gear to keep things smooth. I’ll have a tent so we can do a few nights under the stars. We’ll need to coordinate departure dates—"ideally in November."
I’m currently checking out routes to take. Any tips would be welcome! :)
Have a great day, everyone!!!!!
Looking for travel companions to ride from France to Senegal by motorcycle.
I’m Paul, 37, and I’ve already done a bit of riding in Morocco.
For now, I’m solo, riding a 1998 SUZUKI DR 650 with some basic gear to keep things smooth. I’ll have a tent so we can do a few nights under the stars. We’ll need to coordinate departure dates—"ideally in November."
I’m currently checking out routes to take. Any tips would be welcome! :)
Have a great day, everyone!!!!!
Hi there!
I’m heading to Vietnam and Laos with a buddy next week for a month. We’re thinking of renting motorbikes, especially to do the Ha Giang Loop. We don’t have an international license, just our Belgian one. Is that enough? If not, is it risky?
Thanks for the info! !
I’m heading to Vietnam and Laos with a buddy next week for a month. We’re thinking of renting motorbikes, especially to do the Ha Giang Loop. We don’t have an international license, just our Belgian one. Is that enough? If not, is it risky?
Thanks for the info! !
Hi there,
In January 2026, I’m planning a motorbike trip through northern Vietnam for 3–4 weeks.
Must-dos: Hanoi, RC4, Dien Bien Phu, and of course the must-see landscapes.
I’m looking for any great tips, ideas… and maybe even a riding partner.
Cheers
In January 2026, I’m planning a motorbike trip through northern Vietnam for 3–4 weeks.
Must-dos: Hanoi, RC4, Dien Bien Phu, and of course the must-see landscapes.
I’m looking for any great tips, ideas… and maybe even a riding partner.
Cheers
Hi everyone,
In November, we’re planning to do the Ha Giang loop and the RC4 by motorbike without a guide. 😎 We’re looking for a decent place to stay/rent in Ha Giang.
If anyone has any info, we’d be really interested.
Thanks in advance! 😉 Ladava
In November, we’re planning to do the Ha Giang loop and the RC4 by motorbike without a guide. 😎 We’re looking for a decent place to stay/rent in Ha Giang.
If anyone has any info, we’d be really interested.
Thanks in advance! 😉 Ladava
Hello! We’re planning a motorcycle trip that will include a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in June 2026.
We’re unsure (still debating) whether we should stay at a hotel on-site and get to the memorial with an Uber (leaving our bikes at the hotel) and book a guided tour, or base ourselves in Kraków and take a tour that includes transport.
One thing’s for sure—we’d prefer a guide in French since we don’t speak English 😅.
Could you share your experiences or advice? I understand we need to book online rather than on-site. Thanks in advance for your replies!
Could you share your experiences or advice? I understand we need to book online rather than on-site. Thanks in advance for your replies!
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a road trip in Cuba and was wondering if there are any bike rental places (125/500cc) with reasonable rates—not the Harley rental places!
Thanks for your help. Wave of headlights! !
I’m planning a road trip in Cuba and was wondering if there are any bike rental places (125/500cc) with reasonable rates—not the Harley rental places!
Thanks for your help. Wave of headlights! !
Hello,
Next October we’re planning to ride the Ruta de la Plata by motorcycle—a historic Spanish route that runs from Gijón to Seville, also known as the N630.
Has anyone here already ridden it?
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Hi there!
I’m currently planning a 9-day route starting from Marrakech with my husband. We land on the morning of June 13th—so soon! 😊
And we’re flying back to France on June 21st at 9 PM!
We’ve rented two Royal Enfield 450s.
This is our first motorcycle trip in Morocco. I got my license two years ago with the dream of taking this kind of trip, and here we are! ✌️😍
In France, we usually ride between 300 to 400 km per day on roadsters. We’re not used to off-road tracks, so we’re looking for easy ones 😅—especially for me 😅.
For Morocco, I’ve planned stages of 200 to 300 km per day. Here’s the idea: Day 1 (departure at noon): Marrakech - Tizi n Test - Tafingoult (165 km - 4h15) Day 2: Tafingoult - Amzarkou - Telouet (200 km - 4h34) Day 3: Telouet - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Boumalne (200 km - 3h30) (+ Vallée des Roses maybe) Day 4: Boumalne - Dades Gorges - Agoudal - Todra Gorges - Tinghir - Goulmima (291 km - 6h) Day 5: Goulmima - Midelt - Cirque Jaffar - Agoudim (280 km - 4h45) Day 6: Agoudim - Imilchil - Aghbala - El Ksiba (280 km - 4h45) Day 7: El Ksiba - La Cathédrale - Zaouiat Ahansal (212 km - 4h20) Day 8: Ahansal - Ouzoud Waterfalls via R 302 (188 km - 4h22) Day 9: Ouzoud - Marrakech (160 km - 2h43) End of the trip 😮.
What do you think?
We haven’t booked any hotels—is that a problem? We were thinking of deciding day by day based on our progress.
Can we take our helmets with us in the cabin, or should we pack them in the checked luggage surrounded by clothes to avoid damage?
I’d love any tips! 😊 Thanks!
In France, we usually ride between 300 to 400 km per day on roadsters. We’re not used to off-road tracks, so we’re looking for easy ones 😅—especially for me 😅.
For Morocco, I’ve planned stages of 200 to 300 km per day. Here’s the idea: Day 1 (departure at noon): Marrakech - Tizi n Test - Tafingoult (165 km - 4h15) Day 2: Tafingoult - Amzarkou - Telouet (200 km - 4h34) Day 3: Telouet - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Boumalne (200 km - 3h30) (+ Vallée des Roses maybe) Day 4: Boumalne - Dades Gorges - Agoudal - Todra Gorges - Tinghir - Goulmima (291 km - 6h) Day 5: Goulmima - Midelt - Cirque Jaffar - Agoudim (280 km - 4h45) Day 6: Agoudim - Imilchil - Aghbala - El Ksiba (280 km - 4h45) Day 7: El Ksiba - La Cathédrale - Zaouiat Ahansal (212 km - 4h20) Day 8: Ahansal - Ouzoud Waterfalls via R 302 (188 km - 4h22) Day 9: Ouzoud - Marrakech (160 km - 2h43) End of the trip 😮.
What do you think?
We haven’t booked any hotels—is that a problem? We were thinking of deciding day by day based on our progress.
Can we take our helmets with us in the cabin, or should we pack them in the checked luggage surrounded by clothes to avoid damage?
I’d love any tips! 😊 Thanks!
Hey there, fellow riders,
I’m really keen on a motorcycle trip to Morocco, specifically the Middle Atlas. Does anyone have any info or tips on this idea? Planning to go in September or October...
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Christine
hi there
looking for a used trail bike in Tana, 200–300 cc. I’ll be in Madagascar in early November. Preferably a recent model. Thanks for any tips! ;)
looking for a used trail bike in Tana, 200–300 cc. I’ll be in Madagascar in early November. Preferably a recent model. Thanks for any tips! ;)