European motorcycle OE?

[jaymzw]

Anyone done this? I want to do an O.E but want to do it on a Motorcycle. Is this logistically possible? I would look at something like a sports tourer starting in the UK. I want to see the likes of France Spain Italy maybe a ferry trip to Greece or Turkey, Switzerland, Austria,Hungary,Germany maybe Denmark even Finland. Potentially the Balkans and Russia if I can be bothered with Visas.

My Question is how long should I allow for this trip? I don't want to rush everything because I want to enjoy the scenery and History of the continent. Also in what order would be the most efficient given the countries I really want to visit? Is there anything I shouldn't bother with? Should I just tent it or would Hostels be better?
Lastly, what would one think, doing the usual tourist things as well as riding, would be a reasonable budget?
James

[EJK]

Can't help you but that reminds me of this thread I read long time ago.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/74573-Come-to-Europe-and-ride-an-MV-Agusta

[Voltaire]

Its a bit of an individual thing travel, I toured around Europe in the late 80's on a 17 year old BMW 750. For riding and eating I liked Germany, Austria, Northern Italy and France. I went as far as Eastern Turkey and around some of the former Eastern Bloc, including Croatia and Bosnia. Its all good, depends a lot on who you meet and what events happen to you.
Bike wise ....depends if you want to go fast on the autobahns and the like or the roads less traveled... lots to choose from, insurance and price may determine what you buy.
My wife and I spent 4 months on one trip, mainly camping and as it got cheaper hostels and even hotels. Depends on your budget. Years later I drove thru Spain and the South of France....they are big places.
If I was doing it again, I'd take the BMW 750 I used the first time...thanks to the internet its way easier to get parts.
enjoy.

[martybabe]

It's ambitious but doable .My advice would be....

The bike : Shaft drive, big tank, fairing. Pan Euro, BMW Etc. Breakdown and emergency insurance are a must, miles from anywhere in a Foreign country with an alien language and a poked bike = misery+. Even something as mundane as a puncture can turn into the Trip from Hell without the back up.

Starting form the UK is good, you can sort out everything you need from there before you begin. One insurance company (the name escapes me) does a one phone call help line, you can ring from anywhere in Europe and an English speaking person will assist with any accident, break down, emergency situation, accommodation etc. very comforting to have that back up in English, I for one do not know how to ask for a new sump plug or throttle cable in Turkish.

Laws and Crime:

Man they've got some funny legislation, although it is 'one nation' the EU, there are many variances in road rules, stuff to carry, procedures in the event of etc. I suggest you get a hard copy of each country's peculiarities and study them before you enter. I.E. France had a road rule that gives priority to vehicles entering from a minor road onto a major highway so you could be batting along at 120kph and a 2cv can and will crawl out straight into your path, not freekin funny! Driving standards also vary hugely from Country to Country, The requirement to pass your driving test in some parts of Italy is simply that you are able to sound the horn on your Vehicle :facepalm:

In certain areas/countries, Crime is ever present, in short, some of those buggers will steal your breath if you ain't looking. Secure everything you have all the time. A big fuck off chain and lock for the bike and don't even think of leaving any documents or valuables in a tent unless you are travelling with a Doberman, even then...

Right I shall just finish with a warning, sit at any major Ferry port In the Uk and before long you will see huge car transporter trucks coming back from mainland Europe full to the brim with mashed up motors bearing GB plates. It can be a vary unforgiving place if things go wrong so do your homework, pre plan and be vigilant on the road and every where else.

Don't be put of by the above, just cautionary advise from someone that's done the Europe thing. Cover all the bases you possibly can and all things being favourable, you will have the a trip to marvel at for the rest of your life, Europe has an awesomeness and variance that no where else in the world can match.

Good luck and have a ball. :yes:

[Voltaire]

I must have been lucky in the 50 000 odd kms I did around Europe both on a BMW and in a Kombi van ( both of which I still have).
I spent all day in Istanbul looking for a clutch cable once....ended up some bloke made one for me.
Starter motor went on another trip...but it had a kicker too so went into auto electrician in Istanbul and he looked at the bike in horror..... so I pulled the starter motor out and he fixed it.
Kombi valve gear snapped a circilp in Monti Cassino in Italy....spent a morning getting washers to do do that.
Got two flats one day in Norway and was rescued by a caravan towing Volvo who took me into town and back....cool.
I speak no other languages....but a few words and a good attitude go a long way.
The driving is pretty poor is lots of places.... scooters riding on the footpath in Naples .... trucks have ROW all the time..... and as said above some odd give way rules. I'd do it again in a flash....would like to do an overland trip.... one day...

[martybabe]

I must have been lucky in the 50 000 odd kms I did around Europe both on a BMW and in a Kombi van ( both of which I still have).
I spent all day in Istanbul looking for a clutch cable once....ended up some bloke made one for me.
Starter motor went on another trip...but it had a kicker too so went into auto electrician in Istanbul and he looked at the bike in horror..... so I pulled the starter motor out and he fixed it.
Kombi valve gear snapped a circilp in Monti Cassino in Italy....spent a morning getting washers to do do that.
Got two flats one day in Norway and was rescued by a caravan towing Volvo who took me into town and back....cool.
I speak no other languages....but a few words and a good attitude go a long way.
The driving is pretty poor is lots of places.... scooters riding on the footpath in Naples .... trucks have ROW all the time..... and as said above some odd give way rules. I'd do it again in a flash....would like to do an overland trip.... one day...

Good tales eh, these epic ventures are rarely incident free and I agree most peeps are all to willing to help out a stranded traveller. I did have language difficulties though. Suffering a puncture at 90 mph, I managed to blag a lift back to a bike shop I'd seen earlier on the trip in deepest darkest nowhere. Trying to convey that I'd had a puncture and needed a new tube turned into an hours epic farce. Pointing at tires and making explosive noises was no substitute for a phrase book, fuggin funny though, looking back.

[jaymzw]

Thanks for the replies so far. It has given me a bit to think about. Things like different countries languages coupled with maintainance problems and the like was something I hadn't anticipated. After a quick look at Europe and the places I want to go I am now thinking it may be better to do it in stages from the UK. That way I can base myself somewhere and never be away for too long. This would also give me more time to plan routes, learn different countries quirky road rules etc.

[Voltaire]

Planning is good to a point. Last trip I did in 2001 I rebuilt a Kombi, shipped it to London along with a motorcycle, wife and two kids.
The world is keen on paperwork...be prepared there.
Back up all docs onto a stick and have a stick here just in case.
Insurance,a must have, if you want vehicle insurance abroad you need a history here of or its $$$$$. !000 Euros to insure the kombi for Europe travel.
Don't forget to chuck an NZ sticker on as it takes the edge of the GB one in some places....
.....for everything else there is Visa:innocent:

[martybabe]

Thanks for the replies so far. It has given me a bit to think about. Things like different countries languages coupled with maintainance problems and the like was something I hadn't anticipated. After a quick look at Europe and the places I want to go I am now thinking it may be better to do it in stages from the UK. That way I can base myself somewhere and never be away for too long. This would also give me more time to plan routes, learn different countries quirky road rules etc.

Sounds good to me, have a quick sortie into France from southern England and see how different it can be driving on the right/wrong side of the road.
Another tip... I had a little language translator gizmo, didn't cost that much but it was packed full of useful phrases for most travelling situations in about ten different languages. I wish I had one for Kiwi English :yes:

Don't be put off by the things I've written mate, I think it's a great idea and it'll be something to talk about for ever but a few contingency plans in your backback will hopefully avoid many of the possible pitfalls.

Finally if you insure your bike in England (legal requirement) make sure you get a green card off your insurer before setting off (proof of insurance throughout the EU) and Spain did require you to have a bail bond to drive in their country, don't know if that still applies.

Actually, I think the AA in England do an Excellent guide to driving in Europe, try and get a hold of one. A one stop shop for every thing you need to take, current road rules etc. Yep get one of those babys, study it and you'll be sweet as.

[STUFF]

If your path through Ukraine (Black Sea shore), Romania (Count Dracula's Castle), then I live on the border of these countries. Always welcome. Help for everybody as we can. shop for a motorcycle at the highest local level, though personally I repaired the helicopter for you! Service is always fluid! And with translators english is no problem! Ride together on motorcycles, spend wherever you want, I'll be very happy!

Look at the map of Ukraine Ishmael, my name is Vladimir STUFF tel 09-88-44-66-44

[jonbuoy]

If you get insurance make sure it has european green card cover (no restrictions in Spain now) - legally your covered for three months travel outside UK, loads of people stay away for longer but they are clamping down on it. Riding on the toll motorway roads can be more expensive than you think but you make rapid progress if you want to get to an area of interest. UK is probably one of the easiest places in Europe to buy a car and get it registered and insured so you picked a good place to start.

[Expert]

try not to be put off by nay sayers, it's easy and a lot of fun and you will have a great time, the problems are just a small part of the trip and overcoming them is part of what gives you interesting things to talk about for years after and stuff to tell your grand kids etc.
I went from the uk and through france, germany, denmark, sweden, norway, over the arctic circle, finland, russia, (out as far as possible and back again) ukraine, poland, southern europe and back to the uk. I went through 17 countries so i've missed a few out there.
i bought a crappy old bmw f650 in london for $1200 bucks and sold it for $1250 when i got back there. the battery died and i bought a lawnmower battery in russia.
i got through three tyres, and scabbed those off tyre piles you find behind bike shops.
Did 16000 ks and all in tents.
piece of doddle. i'd do it again tomorrow, and just might.

Pm me if you need to know anything, thoroughly recommended trip.

Cost me $2600 not including the flights. so fuel, food and incidentals.

You have to do austria, absolutely the best biking roads in europe and the most bikes you have ever seen, everyone in austria has a bike.
And visit the ktm factory for the free tour, only on friday though.

[jaymzw]

Thanks for the replies. Expert your trip sounds very similar to what I want to do! The F650 was the bike I had thought of too due to decent fuel economy and lots of storage as well as relatively good parts availability. Any other bikes I could consider?

Insurance looks like it is going to be a killer. Although I've only got one quote it came to 2000pounds! That was for 90 days European cover! If this was an annual charge and my trip was only say 4 months, would I only be paying a third of that?

Lastly I am considering selling my bike at home in NZ to fast track my trip to this year. My Gixxer would get me about 9 grand so would be a fair chunk of the cash I need. Reason for doing this would be so I can go to Uni next year! So another question for those in the know. What is the weather like in June/July through to November through continental Europe?

James (getting excited)

[Hanne]

June is lovely in Germany, July and August get pretty warm down south. (I am heading over for June and July to escape our winter)
Most riders in Germany register their bikes from April/ May to October because it gets too cold and plus you can't really ride in snow...

Definitely go to Austria, there are some good roads around the black forest too if you enter Germany from France (one is closed to bikes from thurs-sun though >< they reckon it's dangerous or summit...)

I met a couple of guys in Budapest who were from Northern Germany and riding through Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and then wherever they felt like next. They stayed in hostels, locked bikes outside (or in the few that had garages, inside) and just had the one pack on the back of the bike with a change of undies and tools. They didn't seem to have had any problems. Reckon it seems scarier looking at it from this side of the world but once you are over there there is a solution to everything that might crop up. Your trip sounds awesome! Go for it!

[Urano]

"spannometrically" :) i could imagine more than 90 days to see main capital cities only.
if you don't want to rush, 10 days each to see london, paris, madrid, amsterdam, berlin, rome, wien, prague, moscow. plus ferry rides.
then, if you want to see something else, just add.

for your budget consider that here petrol is high...

[Hanne]

You could also check out the Horizons Unlimited (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/) website to see people who have done similar trips, or contact Heidi and David Winters (http://thewintersabroad.com/), they will be happy to answer any questions too :)

[nonplussed]

IMHO Avoid the cities, finding somewhere to secure to park your bike is a pain. i want to get away from cities when i go on holiday.
find a field in the countryside or next to a river or anywhere nice and pitch your tent. meet the locals, get invited back to their places for drinks!

[cheshirecat]

Used to tour there in the eighties and fantastic experiences. Good exchange rate with the UK right now so many things aer cheaper - Tents or a tent is a good idea, they are so light and cheap, I was surprised how cheap they were out there. AA really good idea.
Cars see bikes out there and expect you to overtake. A fiat will take you on and a 2CV will beat a road bike round a 90 degree corner.

[SWERVE]

Just do it man.........
I have done the most of the alpine regions in France/Austria/Italy etc......... best times i have ever had.
Some memerable moments include
Italy - having a hotel owner put his Merc on the street overnight so we could put the bikes in his personal garage.
Riding the beachfront at Cannes during film festival
Being baited on the hlls above St Tropaz by a Ferrari Enzo and gracefully admitting defeat at the cafe later.
Riding the circuit at Monaco (albeit during morning rush hour) still awesome.
Doing INSANE speeds on Swiss toll roads (which are soooooo flat and smooth)
And generally being treated with great respect by everybody we came across.
Some of the most awesome scenery you will ever see and best hospitality you could imagine.
Will do it all again one day........... when me and me old mates back in UK are old and rich........... be like "wild hogs" but on sportsbikes:woohoo:

[xclued]

Wow, I have been thinking about this as well lately.

I am going over to the UK to work in a few months. Might look into purchasing a bike and doing small trips around Europe rather than one big journey all at once.

Anyone know how the license system works, if i have one in NZ can i get one without sitting all the tests over there?