Touring France and General Touring Advice

[BillyJ]

First time touring, I'm going 2 up with my girlfriend on the Bandit, going to start from London and go to France via Dover - Calais.

Has anyone got any recommendations of places to go that aren't too far and preferably are down nice country roads. Also any advice on these topics would be greatly appreciated:

How far are petrol stations apart?
International driving permits?
Reflective sticker things for your helmet?
Toll roads?
Carrying alcohol breath tests?
Compulsory spare bulbs?
POI's?
Biker friendly B&Bs?

Thanks
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Had: '06 CBR125R + '01 GSF600 + '07 SPRINT ST 1050 + '80 CB250 RSA + '93 Ducati 900SS
Have: '13 GSXR-1000 + '01 CB500S
"The aryan confuser"

[Marmalade]

There are petrol stations everywhere
permits not needed if you have a licence valid in the uk
reflective stickers are needed by law
tolls, if you want to get to a destination quickly, if touring and in no rush, save the money.
breath testers no longer carry a fine but still required by law..
spare bulbs are not compulsory, having all your lights working at all times is.
poi's, as in sat nav? google places you want to visit and save them on your sat nav
biker friendly b&b's. That is just about all of them, it isn't the uk and in euro bikers are welcomed, not seen as scum as we are here. Pull up and be made welcome, they will usually find somewhere safe to put the bike and be given a beer.

In the uk your bike will be required to be left in the hedge at the other end of the car park and given the shittest room available.
Paying extra for places that have 'motorcycle friendly' in the name is not a required expense in euro.
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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

[barrkel]

I've never bothered with reflective stickers, never been questioned about it in ~10k French miles.

Never bothered with kits either since the enforcement is toothless and I don't drink and ride.

Never bothered with UK sticker or license plate with country code either.

Having spare headlight bulbs is just good sense, don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere after nightfall. Other bulbs you can pick up in French equivalent of Halfords etc.

Tolls are about as expensive as petrol on the motorcycle, maybe a little less, for distance travelled. Good for crossing France quickly, as I tend to do these days, as I've seen a good chunk of it. When you stay off the toll roads, many of the roads are Roman-style, straight, with occasional villages, and quickly get boring. Normally though I've only got a couple of weeks and want to spend most of it in somewhere not-France.

Generally use booking.com the night before to book the next night's accommodation. Check the weather to determine where to go; don't book in advance and your plans can be very flexible.

Petrol stations are indeed everywhere. Supermarkets like Super-U and Carrefour often have attached petrol stations, these are usually 24-hour and work with debit and credit cards.
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[Marmalade]

I've never known anyone get done for not having restriction fitted but people still get them to avoid the possible arse raping of plod.

I've never been asked in the 100k of euro mileage i've done in europe in the last few years but handing over 135 euros isn't something i'd relish after saving £2 on stickers.
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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

[BillyJ]

[Marmalade]

[J biker]

As per Marmalade, just use internet on phone. Easy to find rooms on Late Rooms or similar. No problem with it last year in France/Germany. Very pro biker compared to here.
No issues with reflective stickers, the French don't seem to bother either.
How long are you going for?
I always think its worth while getting down past Reims day one. Alsace region (just west of Colmar is pretty good)
Also consider how close you are to Black Forest and some stunning roads (plus sight seeing), also consider the Nurburgring area.

4.5 hours to Nurburgring from Calais.

Btw very friendly in that part of Germany, mostly speak good English as well.

[barrkel]

[BillyJ]

I'll be going for a few days, not long.

I have the reflective stickers ordered

I like the idea of just finding a new place every night, and I've convinced my girlfriend it'll be fun.

How much money does this kind of thing cost? It'll probably be 3 nights, nice and short.
____________________
Had: '06 CBR125R + '01 GSF600 + '07 SPRINT ST 1050 + '80 CB250 RSA + '93 Ducati 900SS
Have: '13 GSXR-1000 + '01 CB500S
"The aryan confuser"

[Peirre oBollox]

[mjn51]

Here's a directions site with cost calculator (tolls & Fuel)
https://www.autoroutes.fr/en/routes.htm

[BillyJ]

[Marmalade]

If it was me on a short trip, I'd head west along the coast, it's not bad and you can visit the seaside places, ww2 places and stay off the tolls.
____________________
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

[Peirre oBollox]

[Matt B]

Only thing I will add is - if you haven't decided already, make your life easier and use the Tunnel for the crossing.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Marmalade]

[BillyJ]

Tunnel is more expensive and less luxury.

Ferry is slippy metal ramps covered in diesel and sea water and bikes falling over after not being strapped down properly.

I don't have a problem with rough seas on my stomach.

And how does London to Calais to Le Tourquet sound for the main ride?
____________________
Had: '06 CBR125R + '01 GSF600 + '07 SPRINT ST 1050 + '80 CB250 RSA + '93 Ducati 900SS
Have: '13 GSXR-1000 + '01 CB500S
"The aryan confuser"

[Sabs]

I'm not going but am curious, you mention getting bikes strapped down on the ferry, do you need to do this on the train too or are bikes OK on their stands? Do the ferries supply strapping?
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Theory in the bag, Mod 1 passed 28/3/2014, Mod 2 passed 9/4/2014 - Let loose
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[Scythe]

[Dave500]

[Marmalade]

Bikes are kept together as they cannot be in a carriage in front of cars so bikes are often left to the side until all cars are loaded, it depends on the loader, sometimes they will load you at the back of a carriage in the middle of a load but not often

I do strap my bike to the yellow hand rail, means i can sit down and have a nap during the crossing without having to keep an eye on the bike.
____________________
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

[doggone]

[Marmalade]

[richiec]

Use your Tesco clubcard vouchers on Eurotunnel - £ 10 voucher = £ 30 of ticket.

https://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=3223