[Last update and copyright 06 September 2008; corrections/additions please to court.fisher@worldnet.att.net]
 

We won't deal with the option of transporting your own bike from North America to non-European overseas venues. Transatlantic air or seafreighting a bike is cost effective under many circumstances. But for most, the additional cost to ship a bike roundtrip from North America to points beyond Europe for relatively short-term, 2-4 week, vacation riding is not cost effective compared to a guided tour or independent rental.

For those interested in 'long-haul' bike transportation, check www.freightworld.com for global air/seafreight routes/companies and all industry contracts; try freight forwarder Air Parcel Express's online quotation & booking service, www.shipping-worldwide.com or www.freight-calculator.com (tollfree 877-597-0258); call any freight agent/forwarder in your yellow pages; or one of the bike shipping specialists on this website's Euro resource list, www.bmwmoa.org/global/ToEurope.htm, to get  started. In addition to sea/airfreight costs, NoAm/Euro-registered motorcycles shipped or ridden to most countries outside North America and Europe also face import duties/taxes, sometimes lengthy Customs clearance procedures, and variable domestic motor vehicle insurance requirements, particularly in South America, Africa and Asia, but even in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. None of these are insurmountable but may add considerable time and cost, and usually argue against personal bike shipment for short term touring itineraries. Several of the specialized long distance 'adventure' riding websites below also describe detailed sea & airfreight options and experience.

GUIDEBOOKS & WEBSITES

The best online resources for worldwide long distance adventure riding include:
Grant & Susan Johnson's website and e-zine, www.horizonsunlimited.com
Greg Frazier's www.horizonsunlimited/GregFrazier
Gail & Eric Haws' http://users.rio.com/tynda
Glen Heggstad's www.strikingviking.net
'Mike' & 'Ruby's www.2canadiansonbikes.com
Monika & Simon Newbound's www.spiritsofadventure.com
Helge Pedersen's www.globeriders.com; also conducts 6-10 week adventure tours across Eurasia & southern Africa.
Chris & Erin Ratay's www.ultimatejourney.com
Kevin & Julia Sanders' www.globebusters.com; also conducts multi-month adventure tours across the Americas.
Ted Simon's www.jupitalia.com

and the Ride Reports and Regional Travel forums at
www.advrider.com/forums
www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/
www.ukgser.com/forums

An excellent general introduction to longer-term motorcycle touring outside North America and Europe is Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook (ISBN 1-873756-37-2); Trailblazer, Old Manse, Tower Rd, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6SU; UK   +44/(0)1428 605797, fax +44/1428 607571; www.trailblazer-guides.com, and his website, www.adventure-motorcycling.com; in the USA from Whitehorse Press, 800-531-1133, www.whitehorsepress.com.

Recommended regional motorcycling guides:

Dr. Gregory Frazier's Riding South- Mexico, Central America and South America by Motorcycle (ISBN 0-935151-04-4), Arrowstar Publishing, P O Box 100134, Denver CO 80250-0134, from Whole Earth Motorcycle Center, 800-532-5557, or Whitehorse Press;

Neal Davis's Motorcycle Journeys Through Northern Mexico (ISBN 1-884313-20-5) and Motorcycle Journeys Through Southern Mexico (ISBN 1-884313-26-4); Clement Salvadori's Motorcycle Journeys Through Baja (ISBN 1-884313-08-6);

Guy de La Rupelle's Motorcycle Vagabonding in Japan (ISBN 1-884313-16-7);

Peter Mitchell's Great Escapes: Motorcycle Touring in NZ (ISBN 1-877135-45-3, Longacre Press, Dunedin NZ); and New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas (ISBN 10: 1-877302-32-5, Hema Maps NZ, Auckland NZ)

Peter Thoeming's Motorcycling in Australia (ISBN 0 9586975-2-3, Bear Face Books, Boronia Park NSW 2111 AUS); and Australia Motorcycle Atlas (ISBN 10: 1-86500-236-4, Hema Maps, Queensland, Australia).

Werner Bausenhart's Eight Around the Americas on a Motorcycle (ISBN 1-894508-02-5, Legas), Into the Den of the Bear and the Lair of the Dragon on a Motorcycle (ISBN 1-894508-19-X, Legas), and Africa Against the Clock on a Motorcycle (ISBN 1-894508-27-0, Legas);

All books from Whitehorse Press, www.whitehorsepress.com. NZ and OZ Motorcycle Atlas available in North America from MapLink, http://store.MapLink.com, retail tel 800.962.1394; available worldwide from www.HemaMaps.com.

Long-haul riders thinking about taking a bike beyond North America and Europe should be aware of the following additional information.

CARNETS

Most national auto clubs arrange an internationally-recognized 'Carnet de Passages en Douane' for home-country registered vehicles taken outside North America and Europe for personal tourist use. The personal tourist vehicle Carnet system is administered by the Swiss-headquartered Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT), www.aitgva.ch. A Carnet document shows Customs officials that the vehicle owner has already posted a bond at least equal to the vehicle import duty of that country, and assures that the vehicle will be re-exported to its country of origin. Some countries require a Carnet; others 'recognize', that is accept a Carnet; others still may neither require nor recognize a Carnet, but have alternative methods/ permit documents (and fees) required to allow a motorcycle to be imported temporarily.

Note that the Carnet system does not apply if you intend to permanently import and re-register a vehicle originally manufactured for sale in a different country. Under those circumstances, most countries impose much stricter and more costly  'type-approval' procedures.  

USA, Canada, Mexico and European countries do not require duty, Customs bond or Carnet to import personally-owned 'tourist' vehicles as long as they are re-exported within liberal timeframes, usually 6-12 months. Most other countries still require a Carnet, or an alternative on-site border crossing or port-of-entry duty/tax payment, even for short stay or transit imports. Although a Carnet can ease Customs clearance in countries that require or recognize it, the Carnet system itself is not without costs.

In North America specifically, the only organization authorized to issue personal tourist vehicle Carnets for Canadian, Mexican, and US-registered bikes, is the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), www.caa.ca/travel/travel-carnet-usa-e.cfm. As of 2007, the CAA charges a non-refundable CD$450 for the Carnet itself, an additional CD$300 (unused balance refundable) deposit for costs, and a minimum CD$5,000 bond on any USA vehicle (Canadian bikes=CD$2500) by bank letter of credit, VISA/MC, certified cheque or money order. The CD$5,000 is refunded when the Carnet document is returned to CAA, 'discharged' by US Customs to show that the bike has been returned home. You get the bond money back, but without interest. There is also a lengthy application procedure and document. In recent years, fewer than a dozen North American bikes annually have used personal tourist vehicle Carnets, in part because the procedure is itself costly and time consuming. A Carnet usually makes sense [only] if you are taking the bike on a lengthy trip that includes a number of different countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America, Australia & New Zealand.

For bikes taken specifically only to Australia or New Zealand, 'tourist' vehicle entry procedures are relatively straightforward and not time consuming; it is usually easier and less costly to apply directly for Australian or New Zealand Customs clearance, and pay their vehicle import taxes (OZ = 26.4%; NZ = 12.5%, refundable when the bike is re-exported/shipped home), rather than apply for a Carnet from the CAA, if the bike is being taken only to those countries.

To import your bike temporarily into Australia, you must also obtain in advance a 'Vehicle Import Approval' from the Australian DOTRS, Vehicle Safety Standards Branch, GPO Box 594, Canberra ACT 2602, +61/2 6274 7444, fax +61/2 6274 6013;  vimports@dotars.gov.au ; brochure & application downloadable from www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/index.aspx See also Australian Customs Service, www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4371, and their Guide to the Importation of Privately Owned Motor Vehicles or Motor Cycles, a pdf file brochure downloadable at that website.        

Details on importing your bike temporarily into New Zealand are available from the NZ Automobile Assoc, International Motoring Services, 99 Albert St, Auckland NZ, +64/9 966 8800, fax +64/9 966 8891, nzaa.akl@xtra.co.nz , www.aa.co.nz/motoring/tips/travelling/temporarilyimporting/Pages/default.aspx;  from the NZ Customs Service, feedback@customs.govt.nz, www.customs.govt.nz/travellers/Motor+Vehicles/Tourist+Vehicles.htm; and from the NZ LTSA, info@ltsa.govt.nz, www.ltsa.govt.nz/importing/index.html, and www.ltsa.govt.nz/factsheets/35.html  

Detailed Carnet information and applications for North American registered bikes: Canadian Automobile Association, Att: Suzanne Danis, 1145 Hunt Club Road, Suite 200, Ottawa, Canada K1V OY3, tel 613-247-0117x2025, fax 613-247-0118; sdanis@national.caa.ca. The application is explained & downloadable from CAA's website: www.caa.ca/travel/travel-carnet-usa-e.cfm

European or other-registered bike owners outside NoAm should contact their respective national auto clubs for Carnet information and applications. A worldwide list of national auto clubs providing Carnets is available on AIT's website, www.aitgva.ch. Although North American-registered vehicle owners must obtain Carnets from the CAA, additional Carnet detail is available on the websites of the UK's RAC, Royal Automobile Club,
www.rac.co.uk/web/know-how/going-on-a-journey/driving-abroad/carnet-de-passages.htm
and Germany's ADAC auto club (in English),
www.adac.de/ReiseService/tourset_reisefuehrer/tipps/Carnet_de_Passage/Carnet_e.asp

Remember: a Carnet is not required to take a bike into USA, Canada, Mexico or European countries for personal tourist use, regardless of its country of origin/registry.

TOURS & RENTALS

There is a natural overlap among agencies that arrange or provide guided motorcycle tours, and independent motorcycle rentals. In Europe and North America, the market is both large and segmented enough to justify separate listings for tour operators and rental agencies. Outside the transatlantic market, the number of suppliers is smaller enough to simply list all BMW sources alphabetically within each country. Most but not all offer both guided tours and independent rentals; some also arrange 'guaranteed buybacks', a useful option if you'll be in-country for longer periods.

This resource list is for BMW marque enthusiasts. Most have a passion, or at least preference, to ride BMWs; most will also ride almost anything on two wheels. Beemers are widely marketed throughout the world, but they are not yet available everywhere as tourist mounts, nor are they the cheapest bikes to ride where available. Some of the tour and rental providers in this list have other marque options. And in many locations, there are bike sources not included here offering Harley, Japanese or other brand mounts. It's also possible to arrange a tour or rental in many venues where BMWs are not yet widely available for tourist use, notably Japan, most of Southeast Asia, and North Africa.

Three good websites with worldwide all-marque bike tour/rental lists are:
  www.moto-directory.com,
  www.dropbears.com/bikelinks/rentals,
  http://sepnet.com/cycle/tours.htm

National BMW websites usually include authorized bike dealer contacts for repairs/parts/accessories, e.g. Australia  www.motorcycles.bmw.com.au

AUSTRALIA www.motorcycles.bmw.com.au

Aussie Biker Tours & Rental (David & Michelle Pearce).
P O Box 102, 1/3 Commerce St, Noosa QNS 4566 Australia; tel +61 7 5474 1050, fax +61 7 5474 1333; dave@aussiebiker.com.au, www.aussiebiker.com.au.      
Aussie Rider Adventure Travel (Rene van Zuijlen/Ester Maas).
3 Alfred St, Colburg, Melbourne VIC 3058 Australia; tel/fax +61 3 9383 5759; info@aussierider.com, www.aussierider.com. BMW rentals in major OZ cities, and NZ.
Australian Motorcycle Tours/Clubman Motorcycle Rentals (Glenn & Melanie Ruehland). 376 Princes Highway, St. Peters, Sydney NSW 2044 Australia; tel +61/2 9519 9991, fax +61/2 9955 8169;clubmanmotorcycle@hotmail.com, www.clubman-motorcycle-rentals.com.
Bikescape
183 Parramatta Rd, Annandale (Sydney) NSW 2147, Australia; +61/2 9569 4111, fax +61/2 9569 4666; info@bikescape.com.au, www.bikescape.com.au.
Bike Tours Australia (Kurt Weidner)
tel +61/ 3 5472 2371, fax +61/ 3 5472 2361; in Germany, tel +49 (0) 2764 7824, fax +49 (0) 2764 7938; bike@biketours.com.au, www.biketours.com.au                      
Cairns Motorcycle Tours & Hire
9 Compass Close, Cairns 4870, North Queensland, Australia; +61/ 42 7 774 285; bikes@bikingaustralia.com, www.bikingaustralia.com
Garner's Hire Bikes.
179 Peel St., North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia; tel +61/3 9326 8676, fax +61/3 9326 8717; sales@garnersmotorcycles.com.au, www.garnersmotorcycles.com.au
Morgan & Wacker BMW Motorcycles
51 Ross Street, Newstead, Brisbane QLD 4006, Australia; tel +61/ 7 3252 5691, fax +61/ 7 3252 3918; rentals@morganandwacker.com.au, www.morganandwacker.bmw.com.au (also in Southport, Gold Coast QLD).
MotoAdventure Tasmania (Ian Sylvester/ Gary Myors)
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; +61/ 447 556 189, info@motoadventure.com.au, www.motoadventure.com.au (BMW guided tours & independent rentals on island of Tasmania).
Motorcycle Tours Downunder (Peter Lawson/ Lachlan Campbell)
P O Box 92, Wurtulla, Queensland 4575 Australia; tel/fax +61/ 7 5493 1381, cell +61/ 417 622 880; lachlan@mtdtours.com; www.mtdtours.com
Southbank BMW Motorcycles (David Killeen).
130 City Road, Southbank (Melbourne) VIC 3006 Australia; tel +61/3 9686 1999, fax +61/3 9686 1099; chris.bussenschutt@bmwmelbourne.com.au, www.bmwsouthbank.com.au.
Tasmanian Motorcycle Hire
17 Coachmans Road, Evandale 7212, Tasmania, Australia; +61/3 63 919 139, fax +61/3 63 919 159; info@tasmotorcyclehire.com.au, www.tasmotorcyclehire.com.au (non-BMW rentals on island of Tasmania).
Vicmoto Motorcycle Tours (Steven & Martin Craig)
11 Wimera Close, Romsey, Victoria 3434, Australia; tel/fax +61 3 5429 5360, cell +61 (0)434 240 591 ; vicmoto@bigpond.com, www.vicmoto.com.au (BMW tours from Melbourne).
Westrider-Motorcycle Tours Western Australia (Brian Hamilton).
Perth, WA Australia; tel +61/8 9244 4293, fax +61/8 9244 8692; toyz@iinet.com.au, www.MotorcycleTours.to

Garmin compatible GPS mapping from www.gpsoz.com.au/tracks4australia

To meet BMW riders: the BMW MOA Anonymous book includes contacts for Australia's seven BMW motorcycle clubs in Canberra /ACT, Brisbane, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales; affiliated with BMW Clubs Australia, c/o Damien Cook, P O Box 12491, Melbourne VIC 8006 Australia, tel/fax +61/(0)3 9877 1340; jackiesammy@aol.com, www.clubs.bmw.com.au

CENTRAL AMERICA   www.bmw-motorrad.com.gt, www.bmw-motorrad.com.sv,  www.bmw-motorrad.co.cr, www.bmw-motorrad.com.pa

Costa Rican Trails (Wilhelm von Breymann) [also Belize, Guatemala]
P O Box 2907-1000 San Jose, Costa Rica; +506/280-6705, 225-6000, fax +506/225-8842, USA tollfree 888-803-3344, Canada tollfree 866-865-7013; wilhelm@costaricantrails.com, www.costaricamotorcycletours.com
Motocicletas BMW Costa Rica
Parque industrial de Pavas, San José, Costa Rica; +506/ 2290-9235, fax +506/ 2290-9241; info@motocicletasbmw.com, www.motocicletasbmw.com/eng/motorenta.html

MotoDiscovery (by Pancho Villa Moto-Tours) [see Mexico]

To meet BMW riders: Club de Motociclismo BMW Guatemala, c/o Bavaria Motors S.A., 6a Aveninda 4-54, Zona 4, Guatemala City GT; +502/331-3335, fax +502/331-4538; bavaria@guate.net, veronica.ayala@bavaria.com.gt;
Moto Club BMW El Salvador, c/o Europa Motors, San Salvador SV, +503/262-2433; (or) Nanette Pelegro, +503 7874-5401, info@bmwmotocluborg, www.bmwmotoclub.org;
BMW Moto Club Costa Rica, Norval Garnier, fax +506/232-1058; ngarnier@cefa.net, www.bmwmotoclubcr.com.
Moto Club BMW Panama, c/o Bavarian Motors, +507/270-5400, www.bavarian.com.pa

CHINA www.bmw-motorrad.com.cn
Non-Chinese solo or group riders must usually obtain advance permission to enter mainland China, and to import foreign-registered bikes; pass a Chinese motorcycle operator's license test, obtain Chinese vehicle plates, and ride pre-approved routes with authorized Chinese tourist agencies/ guides.

Dragon Bike Tour (Andy Shing)
+852 2147-1010, fax +852 2147-0000; info@dragonbiketour.com, www.dragonbiketour.com; G/F No.1, Yin On Street, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong. GS Silk Road tour Xian-Urumqi-Xian.
Edelweiss Bike Travel (Werner & Coral Wachter)
Tri-Community Travel, 800-582-2263/760-249-5825, fax 760-249-3857, 1300 Hwy 2, Wrightwood CA 92397; Canada: 800-661-5035, fax 416-363-5561; Europe-wide tollfree 00800-333593477, Germany: +49/2681 5904, fax +49/2681 5906, eudenbach-mueller@t-online.de ; Austria homeoffice +43/5264-5690, fax +43/5264-56903; worldtours@edelweissbike.com , www.edelweissbike.com ; Sportplatzweg 14, A-6414 Untermieming, Austria. Tours with BMW rentals from Beijing dealer FHL Motors, www.fhlmotor.com, in cooperation with www.chinabiketour.com
Ride Tour (John Stapsy)
Los Angeles CA; tel +1 626-359-6913, john@ridetour.com, www.ridetour.com. GS or similar bikes seafreighted roundtrip to Shanghai for China East to West itinerary.

To meet BMW riders: BMW Motorrad Club Beijing Roader, www.roader-bmw.com/club.htm; BMW Riders Hong Kong, www.bmwridershk.com

INDIA/Nepal

No in-country rentals; purchase/buy-backs only of domestic Royal Enfield bikes available from multiple agents (among them, in New Delhi, www.lallisingh.com). Personally-owned tourist bike import requires Carnet, or payment of 147% import tax (India), 60% (Nepal). Multiple organized tours on Royal Enfield bikes, but as of 2005, only one company offers BMW-mounted tours.

NineX Bike Tours (Sukhdeep Singh)
12A, Mansarover Apartments, Sector-61, Noida (Delhi) 201307, India; cell +91-98-100-37837; info@ninex.co.in, www.ninex.co.in

India GPS and digital print mapping, www.mapmyindia.com
        

ISRAEL zzimmer@bmw.co.il

No in-country rentals; air/seafreight direct, ferry via Greece, overland via Turkey/Syria/Lebanon possible but more difficult; used 'lemon-law' buybacks; Carnet not required; Euro 'green card' vehicle insurance usually extendable to Israel.
KNMV-Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Federation (Jaap van Steenbergen), Tour&Travel Dept., Postbus 650, NL-6800 AR Arnhem, Netherlands; tel +31/26 352 8520, fax +31/26 352 8522, reizen@knmv.nl; www.knmv.nl; jaapvst@worldonline.nl; partners with Dagan Tours.
Dagan Motorcycle Tours (Benjamin Dagan). P O Box 21546, Tel Aviv 61215 Israel, tel +972/3 691 0455, +972/3 696 7806, fax +972/3 691 0363, cell +972/50 254939; dagantrl@internet-zahev.net
 

JAPAN www.bmw-motorrad.jp

Japan is a special case. It's a robust economy, home to the world's largest bike manufacturers and many motorcyclists, beautiful Alpine riding and a mix of ancient & super-modern culture. But language/ cultural differences and market barriers have delayed development of organized motorcycle tours or 'easy' independent rentals for non-Japanese. Lotus Tours, www.lotustours.com completed what may be the first tour in 2004. Starting in Spring, 2006, one Japanese-speaking American tour operator is now offering two organized itineraries on Japan's southern Honshu/ Kyushu/ Shikoku, and northern Hokkaido islands; BMWs may be available. For detailed information:

Alaska Rider Tours (Phil Freeman)
Tollfree 800-757-1990, tel/fax 907-272-2777; akrider@alaska.net, www.akrider.com; P O Box 1392, Girdwood AK 99587. As of 2007, marketed in partnership with:
Aerostich Tours (Andy Goldfine)
Tollfree 800.222.1994, fax 218.720.3610; info@aerostichtours.com, www.aerostichtours.com; 8 S 18th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55812.

In October, 2007
Edelweiss Bike Travel (Werner Wachter) offers its first BMW 'scouting' tour from Tokyo-Kyoto, Japan. Details from www.edelweissbiketravel.com, werner.wachter@edelweissbike.com, tel :+43/ 6644407266.

In 2008,
Japan Bike Rentals (Peter von Gomm)
Tel/Fax: +81-3-3584-5185; info@japanbikerentals.com, www.japanbikerentals.com; 7-7-3-101 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 Japan, rents BMW & other bikes from Tokyo with GPS self-guided tours and support services for English speakers; guided tours coming later. The website is also an excellent introduction to Japan riding.

Non-BMW rental bikes up to 1400 cc are also available from Tokyo dealer, SCS Motorcycles, www.scs-tokyo.co.jp (Japanese-only website, but navigable with a Google translator).

A number of non-Japanese tourist riders have ridden independently in Japan, using shipped or rented bikes. Some pointers: Non-Japanese riders can rent or purchase a bike of any size using an International Driver's Permit (from AAA, CAA, or other national auto clubs). Non-Japanese registered bikes can be shipped to Japan and imported for personal use up to 12 months with a Carnet (see 'Carnet' discussion above) verified by Japan Automobile Federation-JAF-after bike import, www.jaf.or.jp/e/carnet.htm. Without a Carnet, Japan Customs may impose a returnable bond up to100% of vehicle value. Bikes imported for temporary personal use must also obtain minimum mandatory 3rd party vehicle insurance from Japanese broker; broker contact lists available from Carnet-issuing national auto clubs, or from JAF, International Affairs Dept, Att: Mikihiko Sugisaki,  tel +81/3 3436 2811, fax +81/3 3436 3008, or fax +81/3 3578 4911, sugisaki@jaf.or.jp, or kokusai@jaf.or.jp.

An excellent guidebook to Japan motorcyle touring is Guy de La Rupelle's Motorcycle Vagabonding in Japan, from Whitehorse Press, 800-531-1133, www.whitehorsepress.com.
See also Owen Stinger (contributing author to Vagabonding)'s "Gaijin Bikers in Japan" website, www.gaijinbikers.com; and the separate Gaijin Riders Forum, www.gaijinriders.com.
Japan Garmin GPS mapping from www.uud.info
Street-level English language local maps also online from Japan National Tourist Office, hwww.jnto.go.jp/eng/map/index.html.

To meet BMW riders: BMW Motorcycle Owners Club of Japan, 17-25-206, Higashirerao-Kitadai, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-city, Kanagawa 230-0062, Japan; +81/45 575 2245, fax +81/45 574 2224; bureau@bmw-moj.org, www.bmw-moj.org

MEXICO www.bmw-motorrad.com.mx

US-registered personal bike entry/use in Mexico & Central America requires special documentation and vehicle insurance available from specialist brokers; best known are: Sanborn's Insurance, McAllen TX, 800-222-0158/ 956-686-0711, fax 956-686-1417, info@sanbornsinsurance.com, www.sanbornsinsurance.com; MexPro, Flagstaff AZ, (888) INS-4-MEX, (928) 214-9750; www.mexpro.com; or MexAdventure, Soquel CA, 800-485-4075, www.mexadventure.com.                             
AmigoMoto (F650GS rentals and tours from near Guadalajara/ central Mexico). +1 956 242 6868; info@amigomoto.com, www.amigomoto.com.
MotoDiscovery (by Pancho Villa MotoTours--Skip Mascorro). [Mexico tours from TX; also Central/SoAmerica tours] 4510 Highway 281 North #3, Spring Branch TX 78070; 800-233-0564, 830-438-7744, fax 830-438-7745; info@motodiscovery.com, www.MotoDiscovery.com.
Rosen's Rides (Ricki Rosen/Justin Lopez). 800-549-7033; tel/fax 480-836-8386; 15280 Lotus Lane, Fountain Hills AZ 85268; info@rosensrides.com, www.rosensrides.com.
Southwest Adventure Tours/Baja by Motorcycle (Chris & Steve Phillips). (F650 Baja tours, San Diego-Cabo). P.O. Box 70, Cortaro, AZ 85652-0070; 520-236-9612, fax 520-844-6185; tours@bajabymoto.com, www.bajabymoto.com.

Mexico Garmin GPS mapping from www.bicimapas.com.mx; Mexico guidebooks above in "Websites & Guidebooks"

To meet BMW riders: Moto Club Nacional BMW-Mexico A.C., www.bmw-nacional.com.mx, contact Ruben Tenorio, Presidente, rtenorio@prodigy.net.mx, includes several regional clubs: Moto Tour BMW Ciudad de Mexico, A.C., www.mototourbmw.com; Moto Club Oaxaca BMW, www.bmw-oaxaca.com.mx; Moto Club BMW Morelos (Cuernevaca), www.motoclubbmwmorelos.com.mx

MONGOLIA

MotoDiscovery (by Pancho Villa MotoTours--Skip Mascorro). 4510 Highway 281 North #3, Spring Branch TX 78070; 800-233-0564, 830-438-7744, fax 830-438-7745; info@motodiscovery.com, www.MotoDiscovery.com.

MOROCCO www.bmw.co.ma (Car importer SMEIA offers bike service only in Casablanca, tel +212 22 400700)

Few in-country independent rentals; Euro-originating independent rentals not usually allowed to Morocco by rental agencies; relatively easy entry of personal bikes w/some border vehicle paperwork (temporary Carnet-like document issued by Morocco requires no money deposit) at Ceuta or Tangiers; Euro greencard vehicle insurance usually includes or is extendable to Morocco; air/seafreight direct to Casablanca/Rabat gateway; fast vehicle/passenger ferry service Algeciras, Spain to Tangiers, or to Ceuta, Spain, then land border crossing.

BMWMotorent (Antonio Navarro)
Tel/fax +34 965 656 754, cell +34 609322481; info@bmwmotorent.com, www.bmwmotorent.com; C/ Mossen Pedro Mena 14, San Joan d'Alacant, E-03550 Alicante, Spain.
Discovery Moto Tours. UK +44 (0)8700 726 739, fax +44 (0)1242 211 505; www.discoverymototours.com
Hispania Tours (Johannes Suppan). USA 800-944-2356, Spain homeoffice tel/fax +34/958 640949, cell +34/639 894 791; www.hispania-tours.com.
Edelweiss Bike Travel (Werner Wachter). USA 800-582-2263, Canada 800-661-5035, Austria homeoffice +43/5246 5690; www.edelweissbike.com
GS Heaven (Russell Howard)
+44 (0)845 0046398, +34 664 24728; info@gsheaven.com, www.gsheaven.com; (GS Adventure rentals, accomodations from Malaga, Spain). As of 2007, these Spain-originating independent rentals may be ridden in Morocco.
Iberian Moto Tours (Scott Moreno). USA +1. 415-992-5397 (direct line to Madrid office), Spain homeoffice +34/91 446 3246; www.imt-bike.com.
Moto-Morocco (Bill Oates). UK +44 (0)845 257 7812; www.moto-morocco.com. Personal bikes or GS Heaven rentals trucked or ridden from UK or Spain, for off or onroad tours starting Marrakech.

UKGSer forum moderator Tim Cullis compiles excellent Morocco GS Knowledgebase at www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread for independent riders to/ in Morocco.

NEW ZEALAND www.bmwmotorrad.co.nz

For temporary import of personally-owned bikes to tour NZ, see 'Carnet' discussion above.

Adventure New Zealand Motorcyle Tours & Rentals Ltd/GoTourNZ (John & Ian Fitzwater). P O Box 674, 29 Bolt Road, Nelson, New Zealand; +64/ 21 332 076 (cell), fax +64/3 548 5783, US tel 316-450-3601, SKYPE gotournz-johnfitz; mctours@GoTourNZ.com, www.GoTourNZ.com (offices & NZ tours from Auckland, Nelson, Christchurch).       
Ayres Adventures (Ron Ayres). P O Box 864018, Plano TX 75086 USA; tel +1 972 635 5210 (US tollfree 877-275-8238), fax +1 972 612 1265; info@ayresadventures.com, www.ayresadventures.com.
Beach's Motorcycle Adventures (Rob Beach). 2764 W. River Parkway, Grand Island NY 14072; 716-773-5227, fax 716-773-5227; bma@beachs-mca.net, www.beachs-mca.com; NZ partners w/ Te Waipounamu Tours.
Edelweiss Bike Tours (Werner Wachter). USA: 800-582-2263/ 760-249-5825, fax 760-249-3857, Canada: 800-661-5035, fax 416-363-5561 Germany: +49/(0)2681 5904, fax +49/(0)2681 5906 Austria homeoffice: +43/5264-5690, fax +43/5264-58533, edelweiss@tirol.com, www.edelweissbiketravel.com, Sportplatsweg 14, A-6414 Untermieming, Austria.
KiwiRides (Kevin & Gillian Beilby). 31 Station Road Loburn  RD2  Rangiora, New Zealand; +64 3 312 8908, fax: +64 3 3128931; info@kiwirides.co.nz, www.kiwirides.co.nz (South Island rentals & accomodation).
Motorcycles New Zealand (Richard Benton). Unit 1, 3 Homersham Place, Burnside, Christchurch Airport NZ; +64/3 357 9197, fax +64/3 353 7799, NZ Freecall 0508 743369; ride@motorcyclesnewzealand.co.nz, www.motorcyclesnewzealand.co.nz (South Island rentals & custom tours).
New Zealand Motorcycle Rentals/Tours (Dean Rangihuna). 31 Beach Road,.Downtown, Auckland NZ; US tollfree 1.866.490.7940, +64/9 377 2005, fax +64/9 377 2006; info@nzbike.com, www.nzbike.com; or 166 Gloucester Street, Christchurch NZ; +64/3 377 0663, fax +64/3 377 0623; chch@nzbike.com, www.nzbike.com.
South Pacific Motorcycle Tours (Carole & Mike Lester). Mandeville Lodge, 43 Roscrea Place, RD2 Kaipol, Christchurch NZ; +64/3 312 0244, fax +64/3 312 0015, cell+64/21 665 186; enquiries@motorbiketours.co.nz, www.motorbiketours.co.nz (South Island tours & rentals).
Te Waipounamu Tours (John Rains & Matt Rogers). Box 673, 28B Byron St., Christchurch 8001 NZ; +64/3 372 3537, fax +64/3 377 3211; or 54 Barrys Point Rd., Takapuna, Auckland NZ, +64/9 489 9242, fax +64/9 489 9246; NZbike@motorcycle-hire.co.nz, www.motorcycle-hire.co.nz

The best guidebook to NZ riding is Peter Mitchell's Great Escapes: A Guide to Motorcycle Touring in New Zealand (ISBN 1-877135-45-3), www.mcycle.co.nz; from Longacre Press, P O Box 5340, Dunedin NZ, +64-3-477-2911, fax +64-3-477-7222, longacre.press@clear.net.nz; in North America from www.whitehorsepress.com.  Great Escapes is now complemented by Mitchell's New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas (ISBN 10: 1-877302-32-5) distributed in North America from MapLink, http://store.MapLink.com, retail tel 800-962-1394; or worldwide from publisher Hema Maps, www.HemaMaps.com.
Rider-generated NZ routes w/ GPS files from www.advroutes.org.nz.

To meet BMW riders: BMW Owners Register of NZ, Secretary, (Marie Nichol), P O Box 109-245, Newmarket, Auckland 1001,  NZ, normnichol@xtra.co.nz, +64 (0)4 479 1591; www.bmwor.org.nz

SOUTH AMERICA www.bmw-motorrad.com.ar, www.bmw-motorrad.com.br, www.motorrad.bmw.cl,  www.bmw-motorrad.com.co, www.bmw-motorrad.com.ec, www.bmw-motorrad.com.ve

Ayres Adventures (Ron Ayres/ Mauricio Fernandes). P O Box 864018, Plano TX 75086 USA; tel +1 972 635 5210 (US tollfree 877-275-8238), fax +1 972 612 1265; ron@ronayres.com, www.ayresadventures.com. BMW tours Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru; BMW independent rentals may be available from Brazil.
Brazil Motorcycle Adventures (Davis Bales). Trav. Santa Leocadia 64/34, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil 22061-050; tel/fax +55 21 2547-8464, cell +55 21 9177-3097, USA tel +1 310-889-9970; BrazilMoto@aol.com, www.brazilmoto.com. BMW tours from Rio.
Compass Expeditions (Mick McDonald). 62 Cowans Drive, Dales Creek, Victoria, Australia, 3341; tel +61/ 353686473, local AUS tel 1300 887 327; info@compassexpeditions.com, www.compassexpeditions.com. Starting 2008, GS tours Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru.
Horizonte Motorcycle Tours (Mathias Grel/ Danila Portal). Gauchos de Güemes s/n 4401 Vaqueros, Salta, Argentina; +54-387-4901374, fax: +54-387-4901374, cell +54-9387-5009096; info@horizonte-tours.com, www.horizonte-tours.com. Argentina, Chile, Bolivia.
Magellan Touristik (Thomas Soukop). Haupstrasse 6, D-85567 Grafing, Germany; +49 170 467 3410; info@magellan-touristik.net, www.magellan-touristik.net. BMW rentals from Santiago, tours to Tierra del Fuego. [partners with]
MotoAventura Ltda (Roberto Baum & Sonja Dvorachuk)  Casilla 1336, Osorno, Chile; +56/64 249121, tel/fax +56/64 249123; rbaum@entelchile.net, motoaventura@telsur.cl, www.motoaventura.cl. BMW rentals & tours from Osorno, 500 miles--2 hr flight or 12 hr bus--south of Santiago; tours also from Santiago.   
MotoDiscovery (by Pancho Villa Moto Tours--Skip Mascarro) [see Mexico]. Personal or rented bikes shipped from US to South America tour start.
Patagonia Rider (Horacio Basilotta Capuccio). Sarmiento 521, Punta Arenas - Magallanes - Chile; + 56/ 9 99389781, + 54/ 9 1150001101; info@patagoniarider.com, www.patagoniarider.com. GS rentals & tours Argentina, Chile, Brazil.
RentaMoto BMW. Av. Rafael Obligado 1221, Complejo Costa Salguero, Buenos Aires - Argentina; +54-11- 4804-6366, +54/ (0)810-555-6686 (moto), info@rentamoto.com.ar, www.rentamoto.com.ar (BMW rentals from Buenos Aires).

Garmin compatible GPS mapping from www.proyectomapear.com.ar, www.2ridetheworld.com/wanderlust_page.htm, www.tracksource.org.br,

To meet BMW riders, BMW MOA Anonymous book lists BMW clubs in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia:
BMW Moto Club Argentina, tel +54/15 5220-6241, www.bmwmotoclubargentina.com
BMW Clube do Brasil, tel +55/16 624-8887, vfeitosa@keynet.com.br,  http://bmwclubedobrasil.com.br;
BMW Rio Motoclube, bmw@bmwriomotoclube.com.br, www.bmwriomotoclube.com.br;
Chile & Columbia BMW clubs by BMW corporate websites above. 

SOUTHERN AFRICA www.bmwmotorrad.co.za
(South Africa; neighboring Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe; north to Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya)  

AfriMoto Tours. 5190 Neil Road, Suite 430, Reno, Nevada, 89502 USA; 877-AFR-MOTO; info@afrimoto.com, www.afrimoto.com.
Auto Alpina BMW Motorrad Rentals (Denver Biggs). Pond & North Rand Road, Boksburg, East Rand 1459 South Africa; +27 11 418 3300, fax +27 11 823 4576; Denver.biggs@bmwdealer.co.za, www.motorradrentals.co.za. (Jo'burg & Capetown; all international booking from Jo'burg office).
Ayres Adventures (Ron Ayres). P O Box 864018, Plano TX 75086 USA; tel +1 972 635 5210 (US tollfree 877-275-8238), fax +1 972 612 1265; info@ayresadventures.com, www.ayresadventures.com.
Britz Motorcycle Rentals. 173 Tulbagh Road, Pomona, Kempton Park, South Africa; tel +27 11 396 1445; info@britz.co.za www.britzmotorcycles.co.za (rentals from Jo'burg, Cape Town, Namibia).
Discover Kenya Motorcycle Tours/ Fursentberg Safaris (Gerrit Natebus). Hein-Sass Weg 38, D-21129 Hamburg, Germany; +49 40 7421 5734, fax +49 40 7421 5744; info@dkmt.de, www.dkmt.de; P.O. Box 10761, Nairobi, Kenya; +254 (0)20-300 51 18, cell +254 (0)735 495 769; info@furstenberg-safaris.com, www.furstenberg-safaris.com; (tours & BMW rentals from Nairobi, Kenya).                         
Due-South Motorcycle Tours (Joe Visser/ Damon Greville). PO Box 1500, Wilgeheuwel 1736, Gauteng , South Africa; +27 11 675 1352, fax +27 86 511 4760, cell +27 83 652 4040; bookings@due-south.co.za, www.due-south.co.za (onroad GS tours from Joburg).
Edelweiss Bike Travel (Werner Wachter). USA: 800-582-2263, 760-249-5825, fax 760-249-3857; Canada: 800-661-5035, fax 416-363-5561; Europewide 00800-333593477; Germany: +49/(0)2681 5904, fax +49/(0)2868 5906; Austria homeoffice: +43/5264-5690, fax +43/5264-58533, edelweiss@tirol.com, www.edelweissbiketravel.com; Sportplatzweg 14, A-6414 Untermieming, Austria.
Great African Outdoors (Rolf van de Venn). 5 Scholtz Road, Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town 8001, South Africa; +27 83 771 2980, fax +27 21 439 4128; tours@capetown.to, www.african-outdoors.com (GS tours from Cape Town).
GS Adventures. +27 (0)82 891 8365, fax +27 (0)86 602 8652; info@gsadventures.co.za, www.gsadventures.co.za (GS tours from Joburg/ Pretoria).
Karoo Biking (Jurgen Muess). Loft 4 Five Howe, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa; +27 82 533 6655, fax +27 21 447 4758 ;  info@karoo-biking.de, www.karoo-biking.de (BMW tours & rentals from Cape Town and Joburg).
Kensington Tours (Jeff Willner/ Kathleen Doheny). 300 Delaware Ave, Suite 1704, Wilmington, DE 19801; USA tollfree +1 866-445-8978, +1 416-862-2001, fax +1 866-613-7599; info@kensingtontours.com, www.kensingtontours.com; BMW F650GS safari tours from Nairobi, Kenya.
Le Cap Motorcycle Hire. Edgemead 7441, Cape Town, South Africa; +27 72 259 00 09 , fax +27 86 683 74 03 ; info@lecap.co.za, www.lecapmotorcyclehire.co.za.          
Lynn Schroeder BMW Bike Hire (Lynn Schroeder). 3 Glaze Street, George/ Wilderness. South Africa; tel +27 44 801 7900, fax +27 44 874 7718 ; adrian@bmwbikehire.com, www.bmwbikehire.com
Mitaka Motorcycles. 67-71 Dock Road, Cape Town 8001 South Africa; +27 21 421 6036, fax +27 21 421 6049; Private Bag 2009, Houghton 2041 (Jobrg) South Africa; +27 11 719 9000, fax +27 11 444 4128, info@mitaka.co.za, www.mitaka.co.za.                        
Moto Africa (Veronique & Roland Kirsch). 37 Winton Crescent, Woodbridge Island, Cape Town, 7441 South Africa; tel/fax +27 21 421-4195; motoafrica@telkomsa.net , www.moto-africa.com
Moto Berlin (David Adams). 8 White Ash Street, Fourways Gardens, P O Box 1433, Fourways 2055 South Africa; +27 83 377 3777, fax +27 11 465 9707; CNR Waterkant & Loop St, Cape Town 8001, South Africa; +27 83 377 8833, fax +27 21 421 3061; info@motoberlin.co.za, www.motoberlin.co.za. (BMW Rentals from Joburg & Cape Town)            
SAMA Tours (Darryl & Nicole Berman/ Grant Scott).tel/fax +27 12 804 3805, cell +27 82 551 6132; info@samatours.co.za, www.samatours.co.za; P O Box 2004, Silverton, Pretoria 0127 South Africa (BMW tours from Joburg/ Pretoria).
South African Motorcycle Tours (Tony France), Sierra Cottage, Gemini Way, Constantia, Cape Town 7806 South Africa; tel/fax  +27/21 794 7887; a.france@mweb.co.za, www.sa-motorcycle-tours.com.
Superbike Safaris, P O Box 45298, Mayfair 2108 South Africa; +27/11 839 1660, fax +27/11 839 1661, joyride@superbikesafaris.co.za, www.superbikesafaris.co.za.
Trans Karoo Bike Tours (Stephie Vetter / Clayton Baragwanath), Lot 42 Boven Lange Farm, Rondevlei, George, 6570 South Africa; tel/fax +27 (0) 44 883 1014; info@transkaroobike.co.za, www.transkaroobike.co.za.

Garmin compatible GPS mapping from www.tracks4africa.com.

To meet BMW riders,  BMW MOA Anonymous book lists 6 BMW motorcycle clubs in Cape Town, Jo'burg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, & Namibia, affiliated with BMW Clubs Africa, www.bmwclubs-africa.org.za.

SOUTHEAST ASIA  www.bmw.co.th (Thailand), www.autobavaria.com (Malaysia), www.pml.com.sg (Singapore)

Borneo Biking Adventures (Bryan Wade). +60 88 750959, fax +60 88 755959; bryan@borneobikingadventures.com, www.borneobikingadventures.com; PO Box 11185, 88812 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo (BMW tours in Sabah, North Borneo).
Discovery Moto Tours +44 (0)8700 726 739, fax +44 (0)1242 211 505; info@discoverymototours.com, www.discoverymototours.com; 6 Parabola House, Parabola Road, Cheltenham GL50 3AH, UK (or) Sri Panwa, Cape Panwa, Phuket, Thailand (BMW GS tours & rentals in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore).

To meet BMW riders, Hubert von Detton's website for BMW Club Thailand, http://lox1.loxinfo.co.th/~hubert/.
See also David Unkovich's excellent 'Golden Triangle' website, www.gt-rider.com for an overview & links to riding in Thailand & SE Asia; his book "Motorcycle Guide to The Golden Triangle," ISBN 974-7100-36-3, is distributed in NoAmer by Univ of Washington Press, 800-669-7993, 206-543-8870, www.washington.edu/uwpress ; or www.whitehorsepress.com.
BMW Motorcycle Club Singapore, www.bmwmcs.org.

TURKEY see Europe, www.bmwmoa.org/global/ToEurope.htm

last update and copyright 06 September 2008; corrections/ additions please to court.fisher@worldnet.att.net)