Austrian license law

[ThePeoplesRid...]

Hey guys.
My girlfriend and I are heading to Austria in July for a 4 day break in Salzburg. I have had a UK A2 motorbike license since October 2013 and have been riding since August 2012. I am 20 years old and have never had an insurance claim against me.

With all this in mind, what are the laws surrounding bike size/power in Austria? I have wanted to ride a 1200GS Adventure for many years and there is a rental company in Salzburg which supplies them.

The only bike they have which suits my license under UK law is the KTM 390 Duke (44bhp) and all others are scooters. The Duke probably wouldn't be practical for riding 2 up around Salzburg and into the mountains so if I can't get a GS (the have the 800 too) I'll resign myself to renting a 300cc scooter.

Please advise
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The People's Rider

[weasley]

I thought that the recent changes to the licences brought us largely in line with Europe, where the A2 category also exists. I doubt you're going to get on a GS.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[ThePeoplesRid...]

Does anyone have any experience riding the 390 duke with a pillion? Would it be practical? I'd prefer to ride a motorbike than a scooter any day but I do of course have to take my girlfriend's comfort into consideration.
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The People's Rider

[sabian92]

Now with all the EU-twattery if you've got an A1/A2 licence and go abroad then then categories apply there as they do here. If by some miracle you get a GS1200 and get pulled you'll get the bike impounded (almost certainly), be done for whatever "Riding not in accordance with the correct licence" translates to auf Deutsch and a nice big fine.

Honestly not worth it. I'd personally leave the bikes rather than try and rent one I wasn't legally allowed to ride. That being said if the both of you aren't on the bigger side a day or 2 on a Duke shouldn't be that bad. It's not like proper 2-up touring around Europe for a month.

Interesting tidbit about Austria: It's the only other country in Europe where you can drive at 17 and not 18

[Ali in Austria]

Licence categories are exactly the same here as in the UK. There are a few additional requirements and being a silly old fart I have a licence that enables me to drive lorries up to 7.5 tonnes and vehicles with up to 16 seats (not for hire or reward) which came automatically on reaching 21 after I took my car test. In order to keep them when I transfer to an Austrian Licence later this year I have to have a medical from 5 years after moving here (due next year) and then every 5 years. Everything else I can keep without issue.

Although Austrians can drive at 17, they have to be supervised by a suitably qualified person such as a parent with a full licence until they are 18.

Back to the OP. You will not be able to hire a bike for which you do not hold a licence to ride. It's not third world out here but if you did manage to slip through the checks and got caught you will pay a severe penalty. You Insurance would also be invalid. It is no easier to get a bike licence out here than it is in the UK and probably even more expensive.

Never ridden the bike you mention but it should have enough grunt to have some fun in the mountains, especially if you aren't carrying luggage. After all, the average speed you can achieve in the mountains is considerably lower than you may be used to.

We are about 1 hr South of Salzburg if you get down this way www.pensionhausmaria.com or if you want some suggestions as to where to ride drop me a line
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A Petrol Head in The Alps
https://www.youtube.com/user/PensionHausMaria
https://facebook.com/pension.haus.maria

[ThePeoplesRid...]

Thanks for all the advice, guys! I think we may end up just hiring one of their big scooters as the comfort factor outweighs the fun factor for this particular trip. We had planned a longer trip down on my ER-5 but it would be so uncomfortable on that old thing! 2 years time I aim to have an R1150GS Adventure. I like the look of them better than the 1200 despite their being less powerful. Still, it's ridiculous that A: you have to wait 2 years to get unrestricted and B: you have to take ANOTHER test! I don't see how I'll be any less safe on a GS than on an ER-5.
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The People's Rider

[sabian92]

Because "the man" needs to be seen to making dangerous things safer by screwing more money out of people

[lihp]

[moonzoomer]

[sabian92]

[moonzoomer]