Advice on first overseas tour

spursfc · Derestricted Danger Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Karma :

A mate and I are off to Normandy for a few days to visit a few of the WW2 memorial sights in July may even go up into Belgium too. This will be my first real 'tour' and although it's only 3 days want to make sure i'm suitably prepared. Any advice/tips from you more experienced tourers?

Plan is Dover to Calais and stay at Guines Eurocamp and use that as a base for touring.

I am taking my 99 R1 so i'll make sure I have a nice tasty massuer waiting for me at our accommodation ready to treat my aching back and shoulders every night Laughing

oriel dave · Nova Slayer Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Karma :

Stuff always goes wrong on your bike as soon as you go abroad. Just make sure you take basic tools etc. and have some breakdown cover. From my limited experience of France the speed trap situation is pretty similar to how it is here - just be on the lookout.

Enjoy Thumbs Up

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Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Just go and don't think too much about it, almost all of my trips (as in my sig) have been similar i.e. just go and get it done!
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

There's nothing to worry about, if it was me for such a short trip I wouldn't even bother with special breakdown cover.
Oh - drive on the right Laughing

That's easy too but roundabouts feel odd (but are rare in France)

N cee thirty · Banned Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Karma :

i was just going to post a thread like this about going europe and visiting battlefields and ww2 places of intrest.

just wondering about what age your allowed over there on a full license ?

if i do go it might be around september time,maybe august if i get ready quick
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Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Pretty sure you need to be 18 with a full licence to ride in Europe, don't think 33bhp is an issue either.

N cee thirty · Banned Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Karma :

benandthe · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 May 2010 Karma :

I've looked into overseas riding myself, need a full licence, passport (of course) and make sure your insurance provides the cover, alot of policy's give either 30 or 60 days european cover free, but hardly anyone uses those days.

Always make sure you have a toolkit with you, spare mobile phone battery/ spare phone with credit for emergancys and know the basic lingo and you should be alright.
Oh, and make sure you have enough money to get there and back too!!

floppy_chopper · L Plate Warrior Joined: 27 Mar 2010 Karma :

be aware that there is alot of travelling between sites.................a must see is pegasus bridge n museum............done the same sort of thing a couple of years ago...........did 1400 in for days.............when yr out on a night watch wat u drink there d/d limit is less than here............any fines are on the spot payment..........but dude .......its cracking .............were going again next year..............

gooner · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Karma :

[quote="spursfc"]A mate and I are off to Normandy for a few days to visit a few of the WW2 memorial sights in July may even go up into Belgium too. This will be my first real 'tour' and although it's only 3 days want to make sure i'm suitably prepared. Any advice/tips from you more experienced tourers?[quote]

Hey there spursfc - first trip to Europe eh? Smile

- expecting to be there three days eh? Smile

- is there an omen in there somewhere???????

Wink

More to the point - take your own tie down straps for the ferry - there are some on board but they're usually filthy and will make your bike as dirty. Ride carefully for the first day - it's easy to forget which side of the road you're supposed to be on, especially when you're having a blast - make sure you fill your tank before teatime, it can sometimes be a bit tricky finding somewhere late in the evening - be polite and you'll get on just fine.

Enjoy Europe ....................... for a few days Laughing

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spursfc · Derestricted Danger Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Karma :

gooner · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Karma :

Your arse will start to know about it after 2 hours on pretty much any bike - I bought a touring seat for my ST3 and at about £200 it's one of the best investments I ever made.

The good thing is that after about 2 hours you're probably ready for a bit of a break and will likely need some fuel anyway.

Don't forget to drink - you will become more dehydrated as the day goes on and it's easy to forget to drink. Lack of water = dehydration = loss of concentration = well, let's not even go there.

I'd say do a couple of hours or 150 miles, whichever comes first, then stop, rest your arse, take a drink, fuel up and have a short walk. It will set you up for the next leg.
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Better to be scared to death than bored to death!

RidersRest · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Karma :

I usually get asked this question so have put some info on a webpage https://ridersrest.eu/tips.aspx hope you find it helpfull

Smile

ride safe
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RidersRest Bikers only B&B in the beautiful Central Massif - France
Touring France not sure where to go? Central Massif on a motorcycle...

spursfc · Derestricted Danger Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Karma :

So just got back and must say it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Great roads, great scenery and awesome bridges!

Unfortunately didn't quite make it to the d-day beaches as I think we underestimated the distance and my mate was struggling after a couple of hours. Got as far as Honfluer which was a lovely town.

Must say the bikers in Belgium (our second day) are the most friendly I've ever seen. They love a wave Hand

A very humbling experience too seeing some of those memorials Crying or Very sad

gooner · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Karma :

spursfc · Derestricted Danger Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Karma :

Yes mate will be going again. Looking at going as soon as September. This time will go from Portsmouth straight to Caen or Le Havre so we're right in the middle of it.

N cee thirty · Banned Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Karma :

i deffo want to do the same,seeing all the ww2 sites would be really intresting.

but being 17 don't think i can go abroad yet :/
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

RidersRest · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Karma :

If you send me your email address I will send you all the dday landing waypoints I have 49 and a word doc with an explanation of what is at each waypoint.
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RidersRest Bikers only B&B in the beautiful Central Massif - France
Touring France not sure where to go? Central Massif on a motorcycle...