First Time Touring

[gmc38609]

HI, I am thinking about going on a guided tour for a week in May around France, Normandy area etc.
I ve always wanted to do it and the company I found give you a decent hotel room breakfast they cover tunnel charges and supply you with a tour guide and tom tom and daily mileage is approx 120, so ideal for newbies.
The holiday cost £795 for your own hotel room or less to share but I do not think I will like this.
So is this a fair price as I dont know anybody who has done touring to ask. I can appreciate staying in shared bunkhouses etc would be cheaper but thats not for me.
It seem Ok to me but then I dont know anything about it lol.
Also I own a 600 Hornet F4, so what do you do with baggage.
Any advice would be appreciated

[Derek1943]

Hi

The luggage problem I overcome by buying a Giva waterproof 30 Litre bag which comes with straps that allow you to fit this either on the rack or on your rear seat. I think it cost me about £39.00 new off EBay. The size of this bag was more than enough for a 10 tour I did last year.

I personally think if you can find a friend to tour with you (on his own bike) you will have much more fun. Hotels can easily be booked through Booking.com and cost about £25 per night.

125 miles per days riding does seem rather low and I suspect is only about 3.5 hours riding or less. I think a fair average is 250 miles per day. We did more like 300 to 350 per day and I am 70 years old.

Sat Nav I brought a "mappy" motorbike sat nav for about £140. We did France, Spain and Portugal and France was the least interesting. Spain is by far the best for bikers. You can catch the ferry at Poole and it takes you direct to Northern Spain for £160 return including cabin.

Derek

[Marmalade]

I ever get the guided tour thing, you just don't need it.

Buy a sat nav or install a euro maps thing on your phone, maybe even buy a map, they still work.

You will then be able to do what you want, when you want and not putting a boat load of cash in someone's pocket so they can have a free holiday on you.

A few of us are planning to go to france, belgium, lux and germany in May (likely changing to 1st week in June). Total cost for the lot (tunnel, rooms for 4 nights) will be under £150, no massive mileages and open to debate about what we'll be doing although there is one place to visit planned.

You can see the thread here https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=283202&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[gmc38609]

The reason I was looking at a guided tour holiday, is I dont know anybody who has a bike so thought it would be a good way of going with other riders.
However if you can do a ride for as little as £150 I think it will do some more research.
If with the money I could save I could by a decent tom tom and go on my own for a first time, that would not bother me

[Peirre oBollox]

I can never understand the ethos of buying into a guided tour of a westernised country, especially 1 so close to home.
Its not as if the OP is heading to 3rd world country, or heading off piste & riding dirt tracks. Ok so the OP has possibly never ridden a motorcycle outside the UK, but surely they could navigate their way to the Tesco store across town, or find their way to that romantic Cornish seaside town for a dirty weekend with SWMBO, or anywhere else in the UK. Likewise when you head down to your local travel agents to book a week on the lash in Benidorm. its not as though you`d expect the tour company rep to shepherd you round the place 24/7, as your quite capable of doing that yourself. Going to France is not much different. They have roads, towns, hotels & visitor attractions ......... geesh they even have local tourist offices in most French towns (usually in the Mayors office) that can point them in the right direction, they may even give them some splendid maps & brochures.
The one & only thing the OP needs to do is take that leap of faith, & take the plunge and give it a go solo. No doubt I suspect the tour company they`d looked at has an itinerary of the places they go, or the OP has an idea of where they`d like to go. so why not build up a list of thing on the "to do list" and work a route around that.
With Fuel & tunnel/ferry crossing included its easily possible to do it for £150. But if they want to up the budget, accommodation can easily be sorted. If they`re willing to spend €30-€50 per night they`d easily be able to stay ing B&B accommodation such as the independent places with character https://www.logishotels.com/en.html

Why not post a link to the "Tour" that the company was offering, and maybe someone here could take a look at it and offer ideas & advice

If the OP is looking at breaking there Euro Duck, & would prefer to ride with others, why not take a look at the BCF "Jolly into Europe" https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=283202
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I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[J biker]

Get a mate interested and book your own! So easy and you will never want to do organised holidays again. 120 miles a day is bugger all, hardly seems worth the bother.
£795 will get you superb accommodation+food+drink+change! Its a no brainer and the only thing to remember is which side of the road to ride on.

[J biker]

[Derek1943]

Hi

We are off on the 6th May from Poole to Gijon Northern Spain and back on the 16th May. We will be touring Spain and Portugal. I have a BMW F800 ST and my mate has a Ducati 999. If you are half interested just say and you could come along with us.

I am not into riding at silly speeds. My mate is about 38 years old and I am retired so hopefully we are both sensible and safe. I know Spain well and apart from having a house there I speak the lingo a bit.

Cost ferry is currently £160 return with your own cabin. Then you have about £25 to £30 hotel cost (own room). I expect another £20 per day will cover food etc. We have the Sat Nav's etc.

Derek

[Enduro Numpty]

I would agree with the above suggestions. Tour companies may provide a service but their profit margin is less money you get to spend on your holiday.

[MG]

[Peirre oBollox]

180 miles is about when I need to re-fuel
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I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[gmc38609]

You gotta love this site, Looks like I could be going on the BCF euro jolly, which is less than half the cost and visits more countries. I ve downloaded copilot on my phone so now have a sat nav I can hear with my head phones. I got a very interesting offer to join a tour going to Spain and Portugal although wont be taking them up on that not this year anyways
So very pleased with that, looks like I will be ticking my ride in europe box this year, maybe I might tick the go to the TT box next year

[gmc38609]

You gotta love this site, Looks like I could be going on the BCF euro jolly, which is less than half the cost and visits more countries. I ve downloaded copilot on my phone so now have a sat nav I can hear with my head phones. I got a very interesting offer to join a tour going to Spain and Portugal although wont be taking them up on that not this year anyways
So very pleased with that, looks like I will be ticking my ride in europe box this year, maybe I might tick the go to the TT box next year

[FrankGill]

[Dilyan]

When I go on a tour abroad I switch on my roaming, Google maps' built in Sat Nav works 99.9%, see places I've heard of, open the Booking.com app (thanks Marmalade, best advice given!) get to the nearest reasonable hotel, like Formule 1 (OK, second best advice ever, again Marmalade™) and enjoy a rest well deserved.
Honestly, if you are not a snob, you could easily do with petrol and ferry money, LIDL (or equivalent) food, roaming charge and 30-50 quid accommodation.

Honestly, if you want to go to France or blah blah Europe, Google this: HOTELF1 CALAIS COQUELLES HOTEL for the after ferry stop (unless you live less than 50 miles from Dover), and the next morning do ... whatever ... you WANT. God, I loved that place. They lock the car park at night so chances of getting your bike nicked get pretty slim. As a Bulgarian I can tell you that it will take me forever to steal your bike (Anyone laughing? No? Though so ..).

Get a European Breakdown cover for a peace of mind and ride on.




OR

Ignore the above, join the Euro Jolly with Marmalade and the others and I'm sure you will have the best time with an engine between you hips and your pants still on. And the benefit, oh the benefit of someone taking good pictures of you is not to be ignored.


I should really stop drinking, got work in the morning. But I get ever so excited about road trips .....
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Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[gmc38609]

Touring Europe is something I have always wanted to do on a bike since I was a kid, now that I finally got the bike and licence I can do it.
I have joined the BCF euro jolly tour, but may as a tester go to Normandy on my own for the weekend.as I have also always wanted to see the beaches of D day
I can use copilot on my phone and stop over night at one of these formula1 hotels
With some of the replies I haad on this post it has made me realise, how simple to tour europe on a bike is and I am excited about it.
All I need to buy is a 30 lt bag and I good to go [quote][/quote]

[reddeviljp]

Remember to get Lomo bags from their website, they're superb. I've travelled everywhere with them and use them as a kit bag when sailing. Get a dark colour so you don't attract too many insects.
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Bike: 1993 CB400 SuperFour - 1999 Yamaha FZS600 - DAS passed 7/11/13 - Working my way towards a Yamaha FZ1.

[Casper]

My first tour in mainland Europe was an organised one. I paid around £1000 for two and 10 nights. That was maps, dinner, B&B and ferry costs. We went to Italy. For my first tour into Europe I was like you, no bike mates. This was mid 90's so and I had no computer to use forums so this was ideal. Nowadays I just go and make my plans as I am there, kind of point the bike towards the sun and go.

However. This is now 2014 and there is 1000's of ways to meet other bikers online to find out about trips. If you want a laugh join a club or find a group who go. This BCF jolly to Europe sounds quite good if the dates match you. There is another on this forum. Old gits racing or touring or the likes. They do Europe but I think they tend to do longer trips. No doubt someone will be along to give you the correct name as he had links to the web site for this years tour. Whatever you decide you will enjoy. Remember the camera as you will look back on your first tour.

[Marmalade]

I just don't see the point in paying for someone else to have a week long jolly on their bike.

If you must, plan your own route, there is more than enough info on the net, book your rooms online, book breakdown cover online etc and go.

As an alternative, do as I do and just book the tunnel, everything from then on is a surprise even to me.
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[Casper]

He is not exactly paying for someone else's jolly, just part of it.
B&B for six nights, tour guide and sat nav. Tunnel price. I think that is not to bad. Yes he can do cheaper DIY but we are not all the same. First driving trip abroad can be daunting. What is it like driving on the right, what if I get lost, cant find hotel, brake down? 101 what if shit things like that go through the mind. If you feel better paying to get the first trip experience then go for it I say. He will feel a lot better doing it alone next time.

[carbon90]

[raesewell]

I was in this situation a few years ago, it can be a bit daunting the first time. I went with a pre-arranged trip not guided but everything booked for me, it takes the pressure off so that you can concentrate on driving abroad for the first time.
Now I am happy to book everything myself and probably enjoy the planning almost as much as the trip (almost).
He'll come back from this trip and think, dont know what I was worried about.
Go and enjoy it and plan it yourself next time.
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Yamaha FJR 1300 Normanton West Yorkshire

[Bikerman66]

I can highly recommend [color=red]Spam Spam Spam [/color] as your first bike tour. You fly out, stay with them, the bikes are there, they have all the gear and fue, B&B and insurance is cover in the cost of £395 for a week riding in the sun. Very reasonable I think. Their facebook page look busy and popular - I'm doing it this summer without a doubt. You can go over to Tenerife too and the other Islands. The pics look amazing and they have great reviews on Tripadvisor too.......good for your first tour as you have lots of support, but the mountain look challenging enough for old hands like me.....attached a pic from their page.....

[chickenstrip]

Not done the Euro touring bit before myself, but I have ridden over there a long time ago. But thanks to advice from guys on this site and another forum I use, I'm confident in just going and winging it. Got a friend coming along now, too - I think it will help with the worries shared, though I would have done it alone if there'd been no takers.

Going to camp mostly - not looking up any sites, not booking anything, just gonna go; seems to me it's more of an adventure that way, and also means we don't have to hold to an itinerary, so no pressure to be at certain places at certain times.

I don't think joining an organised tour is such a bad idea really, if it helps you to find your feet, but I do agree it's probably not necessary, especially when there are helpful folks organising things like the BCF jolly right here. Seems a much better way of doing it, and I would join myself if I hadn't already booked time off for my own trip in July - no holiday left

[smegballs]

I've only ever toured on a pushbike, but I almost prefer the planning stage to the actual event!

You get to spend hours and hours: researching routes, researching what gear is needed. Finding your goal for each day and potential places to crash at night etc etc.

Seeing as I'm young and sprightly, my idea of getting some sleep is finding a treeline/embankment out of sight from the road and just sleeping on the floor. Obviously this easier in portugal when the chance of overnight rain tends to zero in the summer. I'd just ride until it was getting dark, then keep an eye out for potential places to crash, I'd always find somewhere suitable within a few km of gentle riding. There's also stuff like couchsurfing which is a cool way to meet people, I've both hosted people and staying with folks and everyone I've met was really sound.

tl;dr

Planning a tour is almost as good as riding one.