First Europe road trip out - Advice / pointers

[AshWebster]

For a start, i just want to say ive (me and friends) have already planned a basic route, so im not looking for people to say where to go n what roads are amazing etc, just more for some info on what to expect , what to take , how the bike will cope etc etc.

The plan is to leave Folkestone -> Calais on the friday afternoon, and have an open return for around the Saturday after (leaving a day spare in case we lag behind or run off schedule)

I have a naked bike (CB650F). The back wheel is nice n wide, so it rides pretty comfy and easy to manouvre. The thing is though on the motorway it feels very blowy. How much difference would a gauge screen make, failing that is it MUCH better to get a faired bike for this long touring purpose?

Do full panniers and top box make a considerable difference to the handling? also how much stuff should i take? the plan is for a week round europe. dont want to smell but also dont want to be lugging around loads of clothes.

Should i be taking my bike chain/lock along, or should i be looking for hotels with secure parking etc? Aiming to stay in hotels each night, money isnt really an issue. (i think i know the answer to this but worth checking)

What extras/necessaries should i be taking? i.e stuff for bike maintenance. Again it needs to be compact and worthwhile

Im sure there will be more questions as you answer some of mine. Trying to learn form your guys' experiences before i go and make many mistakes :p

Thanks in advance!
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Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[iooi]

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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[raesewell]

With regards to clothing, pack what you think you will need and then take half of it out. I take golf wear (football shirt type material) which is easily washed and dries in no time and doesn't need ironing.
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Yamaha FJR 1300 Normanton West Yorkshire

[Vracktal]

From top to bottom:
Screens can make lot of difference at speed. I ride an R1200r (naked boxer) and even the small 'sport' screen they come with makes miles of difference at motorway speeds. It does differ a lot based on your body shape/how you sit etc though so your mileage may vary. If you find a super cheap screen on fleabay or the like it could be worth slapping it on and if you don't like it chuck it in the bag or bin it.

Panniers and luggage can make a fair bit of difference, my bike definitely wallows more with the panniers on unless I adjust the suspension to suit. Once it's dialled in right though it's very manageable. Personally I take socks and underwear for every day i'm abroad and 1/3 as many t-shirts, one spare pair of jeans, walking shoes for exploring and that's it.

Definitely bring the bike chain, it's good peace of mind if nothing else. Last time I did a tour I parked on the street a lot and we all linked our chains together so anyone moving any of the bikes set the Triumphs hair trigger alarm off.

In terms of tools, i'd bring small toolkit - small socket set, small wrench, set of allen and torx sockets (cos BMW) and screwdriver you can swap the heads on. Oh, and duct tape. This was definitely worthwhile for me on my last tour.

Oh, and don't forget to print off your insurance documents, have a spare set of bulbs packed somewhere, pack your EHIC and get one of those GB stickers.
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2007 BMW R1200R: On road
2009 BMW G650X Challenge: On road
1975 Norton Commando 850: Off road, awaiting recommissioning

[Waaarrrggghhh]

Drive on the right

Stay away from large crowds

Don't go out on your own at night. 3rd world trash will mug/rape/kill you.

[woo]

screens make a huge difference and will make you less tired from fatigue from the wind battering your chest and shoulders
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[Enduro Numpty]

Travel as light as is reasonable. If your using hotels then the weight and bulk of camping gear can be blissfully avoided. I've used booking.com for years and there is a parking filter on their search engine that's fairly reliable though in some places you may have to pay. Free wi-fi at hotels is also handy for finding next accommodation. European travel has never been easier - make the most of it before the politicians screw it up😉

[AshWebster]

Awesome replies thanks guys - defo things i hadnt thought of as well as making me decide on screens/tools/clothes etc. Much appreicated!
____________________
Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[alan29]

Breakdown insurance + mobile = take no spares etc.

[jjdugen]

Agree with most of what's been said.
My priority check list is wet weather riding gear, nothing more soul destroying than soggy underwear.
First time doing this, make sure you don't over-extend yourself. We could do daily 500 milers once we knew our way around, but you have a lot to learn, so give yourself time without any pressure to get to point A that day.
If you are covering long distances, make sure you have as nearly new tyres and chain as pos. You will be loaded and using the autoroutes a lot. Chain adjustment and maintenance tools.
Carry some fuses and a cheap miltimeter.
A standard 42 litre Givi top box can carry a surprising amount of clothing. It was a matter of pride to step out in the evenings looking... sharp.
Some boxes of Ibuprofen, magic stuff!
Dont forget all the Eurobollox, warning triangle, high vis jacket, bulb kit, first aid kit, plod will relieve you of 100 euros if he decides to be nasty.
There's loads more, but learning the tricks is all part of the fun.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[Kris]

Use earplugs.
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Matt B]

[Polarbear]

I have one of these to go on my helmet and put behind the bike incase of breakdown.

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M824a269ac6a63133d31de6d1a929a922o0&w=300&h=140&c=7&qlt=90&o=4&pid=1.7

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Held-Helmet-Warning-Triangle-Universal/dp/B00QTN0PBQ

Can get them cheaper, or even get missus to make one if shes good with a needle and thread.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[jjdugen]

Correct, it seems the warning triangle has been dropped from the Gendarmes list of things to fine you for, on the spot, no argument!

New laws have come into force for motorcyclists and scooter riders regarding the requirement to carry a fluorescent hi viz vest or jacket while riding in France. (From January 2016)

The new €11 fine applies if you get spot checked by police and you don’t have one with you, though the fine is €135 if you are caught not wearing it at the roadside (or on the hard shoulder) in the event of an emergency due to an accident, flat tyre or breakdown. (pillion passengers need to have one as well)

The introduction of the fine has come into force following yet more poor figures on the number of road deaths in France.

Spare bulbs, along with the Hi Viz and Breathalysers though there is no longer a fine for not carrying them, they are still listed as a legal requirement by the French authorities.

And now there is the reflective material on helmets / jackets requirement, that's new on me!

BTW, we stopped going to France a few years ago, it's gone horrifically expensive, worse now with the pound tanking. Germany and the East, far better value. (I never get much further than the 'ring / Mosel valley).
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[AshWebster]

[Matt B]

[ThatDippyTwat]

French police are spunktrumpets. Zero exceptions, will go on *lengthy* fishing expeditions to find something to part you from cash.
German's are efficient, but firm, and will bend you over for breaking the limit in a restricetd zone. On the spot fine.
Italian rozzers don't seem to give much of a fuck about anything as long as you're not being stupid.
Portugese police are mental but fun(racing us, largely empty roads).

These are just MY experiences. YMMV.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[MahatmaAndhi]

This is a pretty obvious one, but could be overlooked: Make sure that your insurance definitely covers you abroad.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

[waffles]

Hit up the travel section in Boots for stuff like stick deodorant, travel toothpaste and the like. Stick some wetwipes/hand sanitiser in your bag too, handy if you get caught short somewhere.

Stick all of your documents together in a plastic folder, personally I use an A5 folder thing and slip copies of my hotel bookings and docs in that.

Slip a spare key in your bag somewhere, maybe attach it to your door key and hide it away in your luggage.

Get a travel cash card (I use FairFX but there are many out there) and use that for Euros. Dont try and use them in petrol stations though as they either dont work or debit lots and return it a couple of days later. Use them in cash machines. Also works if you go somewhere that doesn't use Euros and you need some local currency although you may get charged a small transaction fee for that. I find them safer than using my debit card as I can load it up as and when I need it and if someone nicks it they can't go to town on my overdraft.

If you are doing a fair few miles consider packing a small can of chain lube, WD40 do a tiny one thats good for a few uses before chucking it. If you are in Germany google your nearest Louis Moto for any bits like oil as they have loads of stuff. Enjoy the hyper or even gigastores!

Have waterproof gear or get a waterproof suit and make sure you have gloves and boots that are waterproof too. If you have oversuits then make sure they are somewhere that you can get to quickly.

Puncture repair kit. If you are going with a group make sure at least one person has one plus something to inflate tyres with. A cable repair kit isnt a bad idea either.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[iooi]

[AshWebster]

Top notch advice, thanks all!
____________________
Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[Springbok_Rider]

Some good tips here - especially waterproofing, chain lube, puncture repair kit etc. Can't go wrong with keeping some cable ties handy. If you have a tool kit on your bike, make sure you can reach it and don't need a tool to get to it.

Done a few trips, and looking forward to another this year from Norway to Spain - plan to leave the bike there with my folks so I can visit and have a blast pretty much year round. Over the 4 month Norwegian riding seasons.

If possible make sure to go with a tail bag or panniers. I used a backpack the last time and with it pulling my shoulders back while my hands were outreached did a number on my right shoulder joint (averaging 700 miles a day - did 900miles from the South of France once). This time I've purchased a Wolfman dry duffel tailbag and not carrying a backpack.

My current bike is naked so I agree that the wind sucks but eventually you get used to it, or just tuck in at speed. I think some people have said that tank bags can make resting your head easier over long distances though I haven't tried one. If you had a faired bike it would be easier, but then to make up the distance you may find yourself on the wrong side of the law (averaged 200km/h for the above South of France trip with my CBR).

Make sure you have European breakdown cover, and notify your insurance company when you leave as they may try screw you over if you don't report when you're actually leaving. This may be dependent on if they're c**ts or not. Also most insurance companies only offer third party cover once you're out of the UK so read your policy. Keep your numbers handy.

If shit hits the fan maybe have your European health insurance card on you (they're free to order I believe), or get travel/health insurance for the duration of your trip. Bring a small first aid kit in all.

Iooi made a good point about the cards. Some banks don't allow prepay at gas stations so try to take at least two different cards (i.e. debit/credit) and where possible full up your bike and pay at the teller to avoid the pre-authorized amounts eating up your balance during your trip. I think Germany are worst for those, not sure if France did the same.

I didn't have space last time so only brought a disc lock, but bring a chain if you can.

Keep your passport and wallet/card handy for tolls and border crossings, as well as any reservation notes - especially the channel tunnel crossing (once you get there just put your gloves away until you're on the train).

Luckily I've never had any issues with cops on my bike. If you're going through France the Gandarmes appreciate a wave or nod I've found. Had the gestapo customs blow our car apart when we moved back from France to Norway which was f**** lame. Especially given the high level science that went into packing everything.

Lastly, if you're using your phone for navigation or music then bring a spare battery or two. Had my phone die at 3am in the middle of France somewhere and had to try read a map using my bike headlights - so on that note bring a torch in all.
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2005 SV650 ---> 2002 CBR 600 FS ---> 2010 Monster 1100 ---> 2006 Yamaha YZ250F ---> 2008 Street Triple 675

[Tdibs]

Would either pick up some soft panniers + rollbag or a topbox. A backpack is always handy too, but fatiguing if its full of your kit everyday.

I think most of the points have been covered pretty well so far. More than anything, just dont over think it and enjoy it!
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[iooi]

[Springbok_Rider]