Euro trip advice/tips in Country needed
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking for some thoughts from those who have done some euro trips before, I have a trip coming up in a few weeks which will see me travelling through France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium. Rough route below;
I've done something similar in a car before, and have driven to Italy by car also in the past, but this time I plan to take my bike (the others I'm going with will all be in cars).
I'm trying to work through what i need to carry with me and key notes for each country. This is what I have so far;
Things like bulb kit, first aid kit, warning triangle do not have to be carried unlike in a car, GB sticker - I don't have room on my number plate for this, would i get away with one either side of my pillion seat cover?
France - hi vis jacket required, reflective stickers on helmet front/back and sides, filtering is illegal but sounds like its still done?
Switzerland - not looked at specific rules yet but aware speeding is a big no no and generally best to fly under the radar/don't create too much noise..
Italy/Austria - not looked into yet but working on what France needs being good enough in these places too.
Germany - also don't like filtering from what i can make out unless standstill traffic? and a no on autobahns.
Any other comments/advice would be appreciated
Looking for some thoughts from those who have done some euro trips before, I have a trip coming up in a few weeks which will see me travelling through France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium. Rough route below;
I've done something similar in a car before, and have driven to Italy by car also in the past, but this time I plan to take my bike (the others I'm going with will all be in cars).
I'm trying to work through what i need to carry with me and key notes for each country. This is what I have so far;
Things like bulb kit, first aid kit, warning triangle do not have to be carried unlike in a car, GB sticker - I don't have room on my number plate for this, would i get away with one either side of my pillion seat cover?
France - hi vis jacket required, reflective stickers on helmet front/back and sides, filtering is illegal but sounds like its still done?
Switzerland - not looked at specific rules yet but aware speeding is a big no no and generally best to fly under the radar/don't create too much noise..
Italy/Austria - not looked into yet but working on what France needs being good enough in these places too.
Germany - also don't like filtering from what i can make out unless standstill traffic? and a no on autobahns.
Any other comments/advice would be appreciated
Credit card, breakdown cover and travel insurance and a tyre puncture kit, the type with the worm like strips, and an electric pump of some sort. Only take a couple of bulbs, you can buy them in EU.
Hi-Viz is useful if you break down on main road but it can be your outer rain jacket. Spare key - give to one of your friends. About £200 in cash, euros.
Then enjoy
Yes filtering is legal and all bikers, in my experience, filter everywhere. Don't speed in Switzerland or Austria.
Hi-Viz is useful if you break down on main road but it can be your outer rain jacket. Spare key - give to one of your friends. About £200 in cash, euros.
Then enjoy
Yes filtering is legal and all bikers, in my experience, filter everywhere. Don't speed in Switzerland or Austria.
I filter everywhere..
The Swiss don't like it, but the last few years I've had less issues than I used to... I've never had an issue filtering to the front of the border queues.
France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Germany all don't really care (IMO) - although in Germany it's not allowed to use the "emergency lane" they create sometimes on the autobahn, that's a no no.
I keep up with traffic in Switzerland, if they go faster, I go faster - They don't like noise either.
I always carry my original V5, MOT and insurance print out... I think I have a small UK sticker on my (small) number plate.. never had any issues.
Pack light, credit card, puncture and first aid kit.. Don't over think things and away.
The Swiss don't like it, but the last few years I've had less issues than I used to... I've never had an issue filtering to the front of the border queues.
France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Germany all don't really care (IMO) - although in Germany it's not allowed to use the "emergency lane" they create sometimes on the autobahn, that's a no no.
I keep up with traffic in Switzerland, if they go faster, I go faster - They don't like noise either.
I always carry my original V5, MOT and insurance print out... I think I have a small UK sticker on my (small) number plate.. never had any issues.
Pack light, credit card, puncture and first aid kit.. Don't over think things and away.
cheers guys, yes i have credit card/breakdown cover/insurance sorted, hadn't considered spare key or puncture kit so thanks for that. Will also pack my v5/mot/ins.
Interesting on the filtering, I was worried in the likes of France and Germany with it not generally being 'allowed' that people may try to close me off, though i guess i should be aware of this rather than people moving out of your way like some do here. Also i assume if in the presence of a police car its best not to do it. I'll pay attention to what the locals are doing aswell..
My plate is legal font size but the very smallest it can be legally so very little space on it!
The bonus of the other guys driving is i can put a separate bag with my clothes etc in one of the cars, so i only need to carry what i need for riding/could potentially need if i have a problem.
Interesting on the filtering, I was worried in the likes of France and Germany with it not generally being 'allowed' that people may try to close me off, though i guess i should be aware of this rather than people moving out of your way like some do here. Also i assume if in the presence of a police car its best not to do it. I'll pay attention to what the locals are doing aswell..
My plate is legal font size but the very smallest it can be legally so very little space on it!
The bonus of the other guys driving is i can put a separate bag with my clothes etc in one of the cars, so i only need to carry what i need for riding/could potentially need if i have a problem.
You're allowed to filter in France and Germany apart from below:
France has a few rules like no more than 50 kph, not when it's snowing and don't force it..
Germany has my previously mentioned "emergency lane" no no, plus if you see a no overtaking sign (circle sign, red border with 2 cars - one being black)
France has a few rules like no more than 50 kph, not when it's snowing and don't force it..
Germany has my previously mentioned "emergency lane" no no, plus if you see a no overtaking sign (circle sign, red border with 2 cars - one being black)
France - hi vis jacket required. Reflective stickers on helmet NOT required if the helmet is purchased outside of France. Filtering may be illegal but that's completely ignored. Gloves should be CE approved but who's going to check? Alcohol breath test kit required but there's no punishment for not having one! I think you may also need to carry spare glasses if you're a glasses wearer.
Switzerland - not looked at specific rules yet but aware speeding is a big no no and generally best to fly under the radar/don't create too much noise. A Vignette is needed for the motor way and the non-motorway options for going east-west in Switzerland are horrific - so you need a Vignette. Don't stick it to the bike and you can resell it on eBay when you get back.
Italy/Austria - nothing specific for Italy but have your V5 handy in Austria. They do noise checks at the start of a number of the passes and will want to see the V5 to know what the noise level should be. Austria also requires the purchase of a vignette to drive on any of the roads. Available in most petrol stations it's pretty cheap.
Germany - also don't like filtering from what i can make out unless standstill traffic? and a no on autobahns. traffic also travels at a good rate on normal out-of-town roads.
Depends what luggage you have, but I put a GB sticker on the back of my pannier.
Again with the don't speed in Switzerland, a mate got an on the spot fine, and then got home to a huge secondary fine, which he's never paid, and they've never chased him for, but is presumably thier way of saying don't come back. Also if you have removable exhaust baffles make sure they're in for Switzerland.
In my experience most places in Switzerland will take Euros at a bad exchange rate and give you change in Francs. better to use card where you can. Germany tends to be more cash based, everywhere else should be fine on card.
Check your route in Switzerland carefully, we found one bit of our route meant going on the motorway for about 1 junction, but we didn't have vignettes so it was a long way round
Personally I'd go a little bit deeper in to Italy. Avoid the valleys as they're where all the traffic is, but some of the roads in the hills are stunning, eg Lake Valvestino just north of Lake Garda
Looks like you also go quite close to Kaunertal in Austria, the toll road up to the ski resort at the top is worth the trip.
Again with the don't speed in Switzerland, a mate got an on the spot fine, and then got home to a huge secondary fine, which he's never paid, and they've never chased him for, but is presumably thier way of saying don't come back. Also if you have removable exhaust baffles make sure they're in for Switzerland.
In my experience most places in Switzerland will take Euros at a bad exchange rate and give you change in Francs. better to use card where you can. Germany tends to be more cash based, everywhere else should be fine on card.
Check your route in Switzerland carefully, we found one bit of our route meant going on the motorway for about 1 junction, but we didn't have vignettes so it was a long way round
Personally I'd go a little bit deeper in to Italy. Avoid the valleys as they're where all the traffic is, but some of the roads in the hills are stunning, eg Lake Valvestino just north of Lake Garda
Looks like you also go quite close to Kaunertal in Austria, the toll road up to the ski resort at the top is worth the trip.
The only person who decided to give me the Gestapo treatment was a jobsworth little prick at UK Customs on the way back (yes, I'm still angry about it). I just took the standard paperwork.
Filtering/lane splitting in France, Belgium and Holland was amazing. Everyone moves out of your way. Didn't need to do it in Germany.
Germany was ruined for me by the attitude of drivers. Sooooooo much tailgaiting. Under, at or far in excess of the limit and they'll do it to you and each other.
Be aware that speed cameras are not signed over there nor painted yellow etc. They're REALLY f
king sneaky with them. I got flashed near the Nurburgring, it looked like a normal traffic pole....
Filtering/lane splitting in France, Belgium and Holland was amazing. Everyone moves out of your way. Didn't need to do it in Germany.
Germany was ruined for me by the attitude of drivers. Sooooooo much tailgaiting. Under, at or far in excess of the limit and they'll do it to you and each other.
Be aware that speed cameras are not signed over there nor painted yellow etc. They're REALLY f
king sneaky with them. I got flashed near the Nurburgring, it looked like a normal traffic pole....Biker9090 said:
The only person who decided to give me the Gestapo treatment was a jobsworth little prick at UK Customs on the way back (yes, I'm still angry about it). I just took the standard paperwork.
I had the same with a tt coming off the Newcastle ferry during covid...Asking me if it was a good idea to tour Europe during a pandemic..
Yeah, it was awesome, hardly anyone about!
This may (or may not!) be of interest. It's a route we did almost 3 years ago that covers some of the areas you plan to visit.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
By the looks of your route, you'll be close to but missing a number of the big name passes. Is that intentional?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
By the looks of your route, you'll be close to but missing a number of the big name passes. Is that intentional?
black-k1 said:
This may (or may not!) be of interest. It's a route we did almost 3 years ago that covers some of the areas you plan to visit.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
By the looks of your route, you'll be close to but missing a number of the big name passes. Is that intentional?
That was a cracking trip.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
By the looks of your route, you'll be close to but missing a number of the big name passes. Is that intentional?
SteveKTMer said:
black-k1 said:
This may (or may not!) be of interest. It's a route we did almost 3 years ago that covers some of the areas you plan to visit.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
By the looks of your route, you'll be close to but missing a number of the big name passes. Is that intentional?
That was a cracking trip.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
By the looks of your route, you'll be close to but missing a number of the big name passes. Is that intentional?
I think possibly the best trip/route we've done ... ever!GreaseNipple said:
Which of those countries will have speed camera warnings on Waze? France doesn't have them iirc. And some countries ban the speed limit reminders on Google maps which infuriates me
Not sure about waze but i remember the tom tom go app warning me about it being illegal in Germany but does allow you to keep it on - still got bloody flashed though!The worst thing about France camera wise was the "cameras somewhere within the next 18 kilometres" crap.
My advice is to ride with the locals.....
GreaseNipple said:
Which of those countries will have speed camera warnings on Waze? France doesn't have them iirc. And some countries ban the speed limit reminders on Google maps which infuriates me
I got Waze warnings going through France this month. It would warn of and average speed check zone that was around the camera rather than specifically warning about the camera. Just be aware though that a couple of the average speed check zones were average speed check zones rather than single point cameras.There was also police reported warnings for the exact spot of many of the cameras.
Likewise, my Tomtom reported average speed zones for areas around cameras. The Tomtom zones tended to cover a larger area.
I don't think either Waze or Tomtom were 100% but they both reported most of the cameras.
Bodo said:
Filtering in Germany is not explicitly forbidden, but impossible to (legally) do in circumstances - never overtake on the right; keep 1.5 meters distance.
That said, if traffic is not moving, and you're not taking ze piss, you're fine. Even in the Rettungsgasse.
that is the route we took on a recent trip to east Europe though local bikes didn't filterThat said, if traffic is not moving, and you're not taking ze piss, you're fine. Even in the Rettungsgasse.
(Poland’s good they filter like London and the mway speed limit is higher as a digression)
lots of roadworks in Germany and not signed like they are in GB, mainly cars but several still travel at really high speed so good mirrors
otherwise just ignore the AA list of what you should take,
breakdown cover, travel insurance that covers motorbike riding, your old eu medical card but in date, puncture repair kit and a means of inflation, a credit card that will work they have contactless
after all they are modern western countries with exactly the same goods, services and multi-national fast food chains as this country
a mobile with roaming enabled
and have a great time they have more respect/time for motorcyclists than this s
t hole GSA_fattie said:
Bodo said:
Filtering in Germany is not explicitly forbidden, but impossible to (legally) do in circumstances - never overtake on the right; keep 1.5 meters distance.
That said, if traffic is not moving, and you're not taking ze piss, you're fine. Even in the Rettungsgasse.
that is the route we took on a recent trip to east Europe though local bikes didn't filterThat said, if traffic is not moving, and you're not taking ze piss, you're fine. Even in the Rettungsgasse.
(Poland’s good they filter like London and the mway speed limit is higher as a digression)
lots of roadworks in Germany and not signed like they are in GB, mainly cars but several still travel at really high speed so good mirrors
otherwise just ignore the AA list of what you should take,
breakdown cover, travel insurance that covers motorbike riding, your old eu medical card but in date, puncture repair kit and a means of inflation, a credit card that will work they have contactless
after all they are modern western countries with exactly the same goods, services and multi-national fast food chains as this country
a mobile with roaming enabled
and have a great time they have more respect/time for motorcyclists than this s
t hole If you have done it in a car then the only difference is the number of wheels and luggage capacity.
GSA_fattie said:
just ignore the AA list of what you should take...
after all they are modern western countries with exactly the same goods, services and multi-national fast food chains as this country
Except if you get a stroppy French policeman who insists on seeing your bulbs and yellow jacket etc or fines you for having a GB sticker or not carrying your V5after all they are modern western countries with exactly the same goods, services and multi-national fast food chains as this country
Then of course there is the joy of the sandwich shops that close for lunch etc
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