Thuringian Simson Adventure: Bears, breakdowns and moped caution!

Thuringian Simson Adventure: Bears, breakdowns and moped caution!

The thirst for adventure drives three Thuringians to Asia on their Simson mopeds. Marcus von Roda, Jan Panier and Jürgen von Roda have been on the road for over two weeks and have already completed an impressive part of their 4,600 kilometer tour. The journey took them through Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria and provided numerous unforgettable experiences. They even encountered several bears in the picturesque Carpathians, which was a real highlight for the group. However, the men's optimism is clouded by a few mishaps and challenges.

Marcus von Roda in particular had to contend with a painful incident. In an accident in Bulgaria he suffered an eye injury caused by a tension belt and had to go to an eye clinic. After a day's rest, however, they continue their journey with a black eye and don't seem to let themselves be disturbed. However, the next hurdle was waiting at the border with Türkiye: without the necessary registration documents, they had to re-enter Bulgaria in order to make another attempt to enter Turkey. “A lot comes together,” says Marcus and shakes his head.

On the way to Asia: An arduous progress

After a failed border crossing into Turkey, the adventurers sought refuge in the direction of Greece, where they finally managed to gain access to Asian soil - but only by having to park their mopeds in a depot. They crossed the Dardanelles with an escort vehicle before setting their sights on the next destinations of Albania, Montenegro and Croatia. The heat takes a huge toll on the mopeds; Marcus report regularly removing the carburettor to keep the machines in good condition. Despite all the hardships, the mopeds run reliably, even if they are heavily used.

In another encounter in Bulgaria, the group met Peter, a passionate Simson driver who has been driving his faithful companion, the S50, for 37 years. This moment of community strengthened team spirit and motivated the men on their journey.

The purchase of Simson mopeds

Interested moped fans who are inspired by the group's adventures increasingly have the opportunity to purchase a Simson S50/51 from Bulgaria or Hungary. In Bulgaria you can find refurbished models between 450 and 600 euros - a comparatively good deal compared to similar models in Bavaria, which cannot be had for less than 1,000 euros. However, purchasing from abroad comes with its own challenges, especially regarding the KBA papers and the individual TÜV inspection that are required for the mopeds to comply with German regulations (simsonforum.net).

Interest in re-imports is also increasing in this country. The Simson S51, which is increasingly appearing on sales platforms, attracts special buyers. These models require an individual operating license from the local road traffic authority, as the ABE of the former GDR or FRG is not valid. For many new buyers, this means an additional hurdle that needs to be overcome (simson-moped-forum.de).

The journey of the three Thuringians shows that it is not just about the destination, but above all about the experiences and challenges along the way. And Simson fans in this country can look forward to exciting stories inspired by the men's adventures. Anyone who also wants to embark on a moped adventure should be well informed and prepared, because there is always something to learn on the road.