Riding in Germany ?

[clint640]

My girlfriend is off to a conference in Germany in early october, & suggested I tag along & that we have a quick look around some of europe afterwards. Of course my first thought was 'Hey, I could visit some motorbike factories!'
So while she is at the conference my plan is to hire a KTM in Munich (there's bound to be something to do there in october...) they have good midweek deals, about 200 euro for mid monday - mid friday. Then ride to the KTM factory in Mattighofen, Austria & back via the most scenic & twisty route possible.
So if anybody has any tips for riding in europe I wanna hear 'em. Particulary those that relate to how not to die while riding on the wrong bloody side of the road.

Cheers
Clint

[Devil]

Sounds like an awesome opportunity.
I think riding on the other side of the road would be harder for me than driving on the other side of the road. More obvious visual cues in a car as to what side you should be on.
I'd be very carefull about preparing for a corner then realising the apex you're heading for is on the wrong side!

[clint640]

Sounds like an awesome opportunity.
I think riding on the other side of the road would be harder for me than driving on the other side of the road. More obvious visual cues in a car as to what side you should be on.
I'd be very carefull about preparing for a corner then realising the apex you're heading for is on the wrong side!

Yeah I'm a bit worried about that. I think I'll make up some stickers to put on the dash, on the inside of my visor, on the tank & everywhere else saying

""KEEP RIGHT YOU DORK!"

Cheers
Clint

[Wolf]

Yeah I'm a bit worried about that. I think I'll make up some stickers to put on the dash, on the inside of my visor, on the tank & everywhere else saying

""KEEP RIGHT YOU DORK!"

Cheers
Clint
Saw a couple of rental bikes parked up in Rotovegas and they had stickers all over them pointing to the left. I wonder if rental bikes in Europe would be similarly stickered (especially with the number of Brits who can hop on a ferry - assuming it would be cheaper to ride the ferry as a passenger and rent a vehicle at Calais than it would be to ferry your car across... I could be wrong)

[Biff]

You'll love riding in Germany. Brilliant roads and some fantastic scenery. If you get a chance head south from Munich towards Garmishch, Oberamagau (spelling) and lake Chiemse. With the alps as a backdrop it's southern Germany at its best, and Austria and Italy are just over the (very big and windy) hills (read alps!).

Don't forget that contrary to common belief the majority of roads in Germany, including the autobahn do have speed limits. So don't get caught out as lots of Europeans do, speeding along these roads. the fines are big and German police aren't noted for their sense of humour or leniency. They'll come down very hard on you.

Riding on the opposite side of the is quite easy. Roundabouts are where most accidents happen for Brits and drivers/riders from countries that drive on the left. Remember to look to the LEFT for oncoming traffic!

[Eurygnomes]

And for goodness sake's: Oktoberfest is in Munich in October!! :) Plenty of biergartens. Actually...I'm gonna be in Prague by then (not moving to UK now, just found out this morning) so you might even be able to swing by and have a Czech beer somewhere nearby!

I don't know about riding, but my biggest problem with changing sides of the road/car is that I go to change gears and bash my knuckles on the door handle. I've only 'misplaced' the road/my car once - when turning into a carparking lot in poor light, in the rain at night. It was in Lower Hutt. ;)

[Lias]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3313357a4560,00.html


German police can't catch record-breaking speeder
14 June 2005

BERLIN: A motorcyclist captured on film by German police racing at 251km per hour on a road near Berlin has set a new unofficial national record for speeding, Bild newspaper reported.

Travelling more than twice the speed limit of 100km/h, the motorcycle rider was caught on film in a police radar trap near Bad Freienwalde outside Berlin but authorities don't know who the speeder was because motorcycles have no front licence plates.

"We are not able to identify him," said Lothar Wiegand, a spokesman for the Brandenburg Transport Ministry in Potsdam.

While German motorists who break speed limits are identified by their licence plates in police photos and receive their fines by post shortly after their infractions, motorcycle riders often escape unpunished.

[chris]

The biggest difference you will notice is that everyone can drive at around 140/160km/h without killing themselves as the NZ police seem to think will always happen. If you are travelling at 130, you will always have someone behind in a diesel powered Daewoo station wagon wanting to go 20km/h faster. There is more courtesy between drivers and they will almost always move over to let faster cars pass. You will actually see very few police on the roads, just more speed cameras.
You will not be far from Spa Francorchamps in Belgium and the Nurburgring (about 45 mins away from each other) and are worth a visit.

[Deano]

Nurburgring

Nurburgring Nurburgring Nurburgring Nurburgring Nurburgring

I think it is 14 euros and you're on the track......with Porsche turbo's etc.

Pretty insane, but I wouldn't be able to say no for a 'burla' if I was there.

That track is the shizzle.

[chris]

Nurburgring Nurburgring Nurburgring Nurburgring Nurburgring

I think it is 14 euros and you're on the track......with Porsche turbo's etc.

Pretty insane, but I wouldn't be able to say no for a 'burla' if I was there.

That track is the shizzle.

The local roads ain't bad either. Once got busted for doing about 150km/h in an 80 zone on my way back from the ring. The fine was 25DM at the time!!

[Wolf]

Once got busted for doing about 150km/h in an 80 zone on my way back from the ring. The fine was 25DM at the time!!
So half of KB suddenly elects to emmigrate to Germany...

[chris]

So half of KB suddenly elects to emmigrate to Germany...
When he stepped out into the road, he had one hand in the air and the other resting on a pistol strapped to his waist! 25DM seemed like good value at the time. He even showed me how the equipment worked and told me of a short cut. They seem to be very tolerant on the open road, but speeding in villages and towns is really frowned upon, both by police and locals.

[Wolf]

When he stepped out into the road, he had one hand in the air and the other resting on a pistol strapped to his waist! 25DM seemed like good value at the time. He even showed me how the equipment worked and told me of a short cut. They seem to be very tolerant on the open road, but speeding in villages and towns is really frowned upon, both by police and locals.
25DM for 70kph over the limit = approx $25NZ and you didn't have to walk - that's a good deal even without considering he merely rested his hand on his pistol...

I'll take that over "$150 fine and loss of licence"

Apparently - and here's a warning to anyone travelling in Germany - rude gestures at other drivers are an offence and you will be punished - you will be reported by anyone you do it to - even if they were in the wrong and "deserved" it - this info came from a German friend of mine. You are not allowed to succumb to any form of Road Rage.

[chris]

25DM for 70kph over the limit = approx $25NZ and you didn't have to walk - that's a good deal even without considering he merely rested his hand on his pistol...

I'll take that over "$150 fine and loss of licence"

Apparently - and here's a warning to anyone travelling in Germany - rude gestures at other drivers are an offence and you will be punished - you will be reported by anyone you do it to - even if they were in the wrong and "deserved" it - this info came from a German friend of mine. You are not allowed to succumb to any form of Road Rage.

I was very lucky, and grateful. They were pulling cars over one after the other. I reckon it was easier to fine the Pom than do all the paperwork?

[SkOrM]

Im going to germany in september-october :whocares:

[clint640]

Thanks for the tips guys, a plan is starting to come together: I can hire a KTM 640 in Munich, since I'm going to be in a pretty unfamiliar riding environment a familiar bike would be nice (although the devil on my shoulder is calling me a pussy & telling me to hire the damn superduke :devil2: )
I think I'll take a fairly direct route from Munich to the KTM factory near Salzburg, then head south a little and wind my way back to Munich through the Austrian alps. I think I'll need a lower level backup plan if the weather is crap though.

Cheers
Clint

[awd]

Keep an eye out for police on the Austrian roads, they are more meticulous than the Germans in enforcing the speed limits.

If you are going to Austria, depending on how much time you have, head south and over the border into the Italian Dolomites. Some of the best roads on the planet are there and I can particularly recommend the Passo de Falzarego just south of Cortina. This is all about 4 hours ride from Salzberg, on back roads, you can even take in Grosglockner if the weather is suitable. I was in Italy for 3 years and know the roads very well indeed, quite envious. The other advantage of going over to the Italian side of the border is that the authorities don't give a toss about speed limits and you will be amongst the best road riders anywhere.

Wherever you go though, above all, have fun! :ride:

[Posh Tourer :P]

And for goodness sake's: Oktoberfest is in Munich in October!! :) Plenty of biergartens.

I hear that you are far better off going to a more local beer-fest, it'll be much cheaper, better beer and you will meet germans rather than brits and americans

[Hammer]

My girlfriend is off to a conference in Germany in early october, & suggested I tag along & that we have a quick look around some of europe afterwards. Of course my first thought was 'Hey, I could visit some motorbike factories!'
So while she is at the conference my plan is to hire a KTM in Munich (there's bound to be something to do there in october...) they have good midweek deals, about 200 euro for mid monday - mid friday. Then ride to the KTM factory in Mattighofen, Austria & back via the most scenic & twisty route possible.
So if anybody has any tips for riding in europe I wanna hear 'em. Particulary those that relate to how not to die while riding on the wrong bloody side of the road.

Cheers
Clint
Easy. Slow down in small towns and really focus - some have narrow roads and things can get confusing when you are not used to the other side of the road. Watch round abouts - make mental note to go the other side. Don't speed in towns - particularly in Austria as you get hammered for it. When you are on the autobhans remember you are on a bike and quite often are not the fastest thing on the road - don't get in the fast lane unless you are going to pass everything as someone in a big merc saloon will pass you and they can be a bit pushy with bikes - you go fast or get out of the way. If you get a chance get to Austria and do some of the passess in the Tyrol area - try the Hantenjoch. Have fun.

[venturazx12r]

Dont mention the war.;)

[2_SL0]

I hear that you are far better off going to a more local beer-fest, it'll be much cheaper, better beer and you will meet germans rather than brits and americans


Strongly recommend this as you will get a far better feel for this great event.