Spotted in Thames on Thursday

**shafty** · 20th January 2007, 16:48

I was driving thru the main drag in Thames on Thursday and spotted this bike in a gas station - and couldn't believe my eyes! So shot round the block for another gawk. The Rider was Russian I believe, he's been riding round the world since 2000, and the 650 has over 250,000 km's on the clock!! Someone said he was shooting for an entry in the Guinness Book of world records. I still can't get over the amount of luggage he has on this thing, - but as someone else said, if he's been going 7 years, it must work!

The poor old side stand must get a bloody hard time!

**Edbear** · 20th January 2007, 16:51

Bet he gets awesome mileage from the front tyre, too! You'd have to be careful with the throttle to keep it on the ground!

**sunhuntin** · 20th January 2007, 17:05

wicked!! now thats proof of the reliabilty of the beemer then! anyone tell me what model and year that is?

**Hellraiser** · 20th January 2007, 17:50

So how does he get away with with out having a NZ Rego Plate?

**Titanium** · 20th January 2007, 18:18

Originally Posted by Hellraiser

So how does he get away with with out having a NZ Rego Plate?

I think you are able to for a certain period of time.

**pritch** · 20th January 2007, 18:36

Originally Posted by sunhuntin

anyone tell me what model and year that is?

Looks like a 650GS but they've been making them a while now. I don't know how tall you are but some of the other 650s may suit those with shorter inseams...

The bike pictured here is 2005 and is for sale on the Experience BMW website
www.experiencebmw.co.nz

Tell Henry I sent you :-)

**Pex Adams** · 20th January 2007, 19:02

Originally Posted by Hellraiser

So how does he get away with with out having a NZ Rego Plate?

Originally Posted by Titanium

I think you are able to for a certain period of time.

I'm sure someone here will be able to enlighten us into the laws of the land

**Drum** · 20th January 2007, 19:09

That is so cool. What a life, riding around the globe. Much respect to our comrade with the numb ass.

**Croft** · 20th January 2007, 19:12

... AND this guy is actually deaf and MUTE. I met him at Mt Eden Motorcycles on Tuesday!!!

Quite the MISSION I say!

**jtzzr** · 20th January 2007, 19:15

That`s cool , happy trails ,take it easy when lane splitting.

**thehollowmen** · 20th January 2007, 19:20

I saw him in sydney
he really does get around

**onearmedbandit** · 20th January 2007, 19:25

And what's the bet that it ends in NZ when some low-life scum steals his luggage or bike....

**sunhuntin** · 20th January 2007, 19:26

Originally Posted by pritch008

Looks like a 650GS but they've been making them a while now. I don't know how tall you are but some of the other 650s may suit those with shorter inseams...

The bike pictured here is 2005 and is for sale on the Experience BMW website
www.experiencebmw.co.nz

Tell Henry I sent you :-)

cheers pritch! will keep that in mind.

**K6K** · 20th January 2007, 20:10

Originally Posted by Pex Adams

I'm sure someone here will be able to enlighten us into the laws of the land

He will have a "Carnet de Passage" or "Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD)" which is sort of a bike passport. It is a document required by customs. It shows that you have placed enough cash down to cover any taxes or import duties if you fail to take the bike out of the country. Here in NZ it would only have to be 12.5% of the market value (GST) but it can be up to 400% (India). The Carnet is issued by auto clubs such as the AA.