Bike or Plane to Europe?

[ProXimaCore]

In the first week of april I'm going to Munich again. I've considered taking the bike. All of you that have done a long trip across Europe, what do you reckon the cost of a trip there and back would be? What sort of thing would I have to think about? Petrol, maintenance, breakdown cover, insurance, accomodation etc. What sort of things should I bring with me?

I'm starting in Central Scotland, so the trip down to the bottom of England would be pretty hard as it is. I'll have 3 days to get there. So I can take my time if I really have to. I can see plenty of breaks having to be taken as I will be going on a GSXR400 out of all things. It's not exactly the most comfortable bike in the world. But on that, I will be taking as much of the fun routes as possible. So if you have any recommended roads out that way please let me know about them. Might even fit the Nurburgring in on the way for a lap or two.

The bonus is that I'll have a GPS system with UK and Europe road maps in detail with me.

On the other hand, if it's going to be way too much hassle and cost then I'm just going to fly there. I'm looking for all your opinions on this one.
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Honda NSR125R -> Suzuki GSXR400R GK76a -> Kawasaki ZX636 B1H -> Honda CBR400RR NC29 -> Nothing

[JonB]

Perdonally myself i'd take the plane, it would be rally uncomortable on that bike on a massive journey, as you said you have to get to southern England before you even start your trek across Europe.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[instigator]

I'm still wanting to get away for the first week of april, down to the bottom of france. Don't know how well a gsxr400 would fare, how many miles is on it? I've heard they're a bit partial to pistons going and what not at 20k miles. Did you get the problems sorted that you before with it?

[cc123]

Whats the longest you've ever sat your ar5e on the bike for? If it's a 2 hours blast on a sunny sunday afternoon then 3 days in all conditions might be an eye opener?

If you've ridden in wicked wet conditions for a similar ammount of time, try think how bad that was and if you can go it travelling down.

Then again April might not be too bad as the weather might be picking up. Maybe best leave it till nearer the time and check the forecast......or get a last ditch cheap flight!!

[Motkram]

Fly with ba glasgow-munich first week april £130 return. (comfy seats, legroom, food and drink inc)

https://www.britishairways.com

"No further questions your honour."
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Part-time GSXR1000 pilot>Micron Serpert system+K&N, PC111, Sigma slipper clutch, Brembo m/c+Galfer discs, Gilles rearsets, Translogic Quickshifter.

GP125>GSF400>VFR400NC30>YZF600R>YZFR1(1998)+KLR250>YZFR1(2003)>CBR900RRY>YZFR1(2002)>GSXR1000K1+RGV250

[ProXimaCore]

[cc123]

Well you'd be out of the country in less than 9 hours easy. If your getting regular breaks and taking 3 days too do, go for it.

Oh, and you also got PM!

[Major_Grooves]

If you want to go by bike, wouldn't it be better to go by ferry from Rosyth to Holland or Belgium, and then ride from there?
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About me|@Major_Grooves|My company|Digg|Flickr

[instigator]

Dave - I'll need to confirm with my University that I haven't got any exams or assignments to hand in, but yes. Wouldn't say no to taggging along the length of britain

[AD]

I rode to Hanover from Lincolnshire, including ferry, petrol and breakdown/accident cover, there and back cost about £230, £100 for ferry, 50 for cover and about 80 for petrol. To be fair its no that exciting as its all autobahn stuff straight to munich, all in all it took about 16 hours from home to Hanover, add another hour to Munich!

As long as you take 15 minute breaks every hour or 80miles, which ever comes first, its not too tiring, but if you do feel tired then obviously stop when ever.
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It was like that before i got here!

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Three days sounds quite do-able. The most boring (hardest) bit will probably be the motorway slog through England. I'd go for it if I was you, you may never get another chance, and it'll be far more interesting than any plane flight.

[Keith]

[instigator]

David - You still up for going?

Got all my bike luggage together and would head down if you were definetely going to. What journay I'd take, I dont know, either dover to calais or from portsmouth to bilbao or something like that.

Might even jog along with you to germany before splitting off....no real plans as of yet.

[Flip]

If you do go by bike, don't forget about the April showers.

(Well at least in the UK)

[ProXimaCore]

[Fallen Angel]