Transporting a dirtbike around country

DetroitMuscle · Post by **DetroitMuscle** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 7:45 pm

I was wondering what ways there are to transport a dirtbike around the country? I have friends that ride a lot up in Siem Reap, but for several reasons, I don't want to ride my dirtbike from Phnom Phnom to SR and then back just to go on a weekend ride in the bush. Plus, trail tires don't like the pavement and I'd like to keep them from wearing out quickly.

I know there is a way to do this but am not sure. Is there a company, official or " I know a guy" style that has those blue lorry trucks that take bikes too and from Phnom Penh? I'd for sure have to ride with the bike wherever it is going.

Any information is appreciated as I am dying to get up to Siem Reap and down to Kampot.

Thanks,

DM

LexusSchmexus · Post by **LexusSchmexus** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 12:00 am

I'm pretty ghetto so I just take the "lan tourii" minivans from central market or damko... It's also possible with some double-decker buses, but I don't know if those go to Siem Riep. I think they tend to stick to border towns.

As for Kampot, it's a nice day ride there. Not sure why you'd want to load it up.

DetroitMuscle · Post by **DetroitMuscle** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 5:59 am

LexusSchmexus wrote:I'm pretty ghetto so I just take the "lan tourii" minivans from central market or damko... It's also possible with some double-decker buses, but I don't know if those go to Siem Riep. I think they tend to stick to border towns.

As for Kampot, it's a nice day ride there. Not sure why you'd want to load it up.

Thanks. Yeah, I could do Kampot now that I think of it. Anyways, thanks the response. Will check it out. How much do u pay? To go wherever, I have no idea.

LexusSchmexus · Post by **LexusSchmexus** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:29 am

It really depends on the location and the guy... And how hard you bargain. Usually 10-15$ over the passenger rate is fair enough. I think I paid 15$ or so the times I went to Srey Ambel, maybe 10$ to Takeo (or less? Maybe 30000r?), Stung Treng roughly 15$ as well despite it being much farther (and the poor guy paid off about 12 cops along the way, no joke). I once used a double decker from Koh Kong and they asked 10-15$ I think, plus the 10$ ticket. I was in no position to bargain as I was out of time (showed up the day before assuming they had minivans going to PP but no dice... No minivans there surprisingly) and too tired to ride back.

I don't think I've ever paid 20$. Usually between 10-15 or so. They might start at 20 or 25$ because they assume you don't know the prices, but you have to laugh in their faces and joke around a bit and start bargaining. Keep in mind it's NOT a nice way to travel. Right now it might be ok because the skies are overcast, but the minivans are hot, dusty and cramped. They'll load up your bike telling they're leaving (every single time) and show you people sitting inside, then they'll wait another 30-45 mins for extra passengers. Then they'll stop and go along the way picking up and dropping people off (or driving really slow assuming everyone on the side of the road wants a ride). And you've also seen the pictures of people sprawled in the ditch after an accident... Some are much better than others but there's no way to know. I wouldn't bring a bike to Siem Riep unless I had 4-5 days, since it pretty much takes two days to get there and back. I'd load it up to Kompong Thom and then ride it through Preah Kahn temple all the way to Siem Riep. One of the best rides ever, but it might be too wet for that now.

As for Kampot, there are tons of cool ways to go down there: following the train tracks (most of the way), going via west of the 41 but east of the bokor mountain range...

Jackal · Post by **Jackal** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:18 am

LexusSchmexus wrote: I'd load it up to Kompong Thom and then ride it through Preah Kahn temple all the way to Siem Riep. One of the best rides ever, but it might be too wet for that now.

Nope, it's bone dry. It has not rained up here this year compared to normal wet seasons.

johnnyj · Post by **johnnyj** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:31 am

What sort of bike?

most of the Van / Bus companies are familiar with transporting bikes, just wander in and chat to one.

I wouldn't send it unaccompanied mind you, but if you are on the bus it shouldn't be a problem.

LexusSchmexus · Post by **LexusSchmexus** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:00 am

Jackal wrote:
LexusSchmexus wrote: I'd load it up to Kompong Thom and then ride it through Preah Kahn temple all the way to Siem Riep. One of the best rides ever, but it might be too wet for that now.

Nope, it's bone dry. It has not rained up here this year compared to normal wet seasons.

Cool. Have you ridden the trail lately? Is it still a trail? Is the trail section getting shorter/wider? As an aside, the Siem Pang to Wunsai one won't be a trail for much longer...

I noticed two months ago that there's a big dirt side road popping out from the KT-Preah Vihear road with a sign that said "Preah Kanh". Once the local tourists get a whiff of it, it'll get crowded like all the others. At the moment, 99% of city dwellers have never even heard of the place. For sure its the last major "quiet" temple. I can imagine it becoming a sort of Bokor with minivans galore showing up in the near future, if not already.

Anyways, ride the Preah Kanh route DM. It's not a difficult trail, but worth it. I can show you a bit more specifically on a map if needed.

henryhungfunny · Post by **henryhungfunny** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 11:51 am

Thats the old Royal Highway from Preah Kahn to Siem Reap.Today on the new maps its route 66.In the old days it turned Northeast at Preah Kahn and went up to Laos.Was there about a year ago.Came in from the East.Good road.You can also head South from Preah Kahn and come out in Stoung on road #6.About 90K from there to Siem Reap.

Jackal · Post by **Jackal** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 12:58 pm

That's the newly renovated road? Two lane laterite?

There is a trail from the middle of phnom dek village around 2km before that turn left ( when heading north) which is more fun and I believe is what LS refers to. It's a getting more and more use. Won't be a trail any more in a few years.

henryhungfunny · Post by **henryhungfunny** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 2:37 pm

I think we are talking about to different places.Iám talking about Preah Kahn of Kompong Svay.About 100K East of Siem Reap.And 90K North of Kompong Thom.

Jackal · Post by **Jackal** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 5:42 pm

We are talking about the same place. But it's closer to 70km north of K.Thom, where the road forks, just past that turn left and it's maybe 30km west.

You mentioned the good road, so I assume you mean the newly graded and widened road with a large road sign indicating it.

I'm talking about a smaller trail a few km's south of there, close to the fork in the K.Thom/T.Meanchey road.l

henryhungfunny · Post by **henryhungfunny** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 6:48 pm

Just looked at my photos.Its been 11 months since I was there.The road that turns left is 2623.Right at the 90K marker.Small,very small,market.paved road for about 20 K and then rough.Lots of potholes.Then left at the big village with the monster telephone towers.Hospital sign and very wide red road to Preah Kahn.Maybe 20 K but could be more.Maybe I need to go back.Went there the first time in 2004.