checklist

[musclebiker]

Going off to France/Germany/Switzerland soon and just wondering if any of you have been before and what you need to take (special equipment that you don't need to carry in the uk). Anything that will stop me getting arrested would be of use ...
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[Zoffo]

Off to France and hopefully spain and Italy next month. Just make sure you are covered for european breakdown cover.
Sure peeps will post the obvious so I'll just suggest the not so obvious.
Gonna get some puncture sealant in my tyres before I start and take some more with me.
Take all the docs for the bike. Insurance, MOT, etc (you never know)
Gonna get a headlight cover coz Blackbird headlights are bloody expensive and we'll be doing a lot on night riding I suspect.
If your going to Germany remember that Scott Oilers are illegal (don't ask why I just know they are.)
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[mchaggis]

First aid kit - required in some countries.
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[NickD]

First aid kit is a requirement in Germany in a car, but I'm not sure if it's the same for bikes, Also France and Germany both require you to carry a spare bulb kit.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Zoffo]

[Mr.Everready]

Have a look at the BMF page, should have some decent information for you.
https://www.bmf.co.uk/touring/pages/touring-tips.html
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[Scotsman37]

If I remember correctly doesn't France, etc, require all motor vehicle headlights to be of yellow in colour and so you'll need to add sticky on plastic sheet of tint to cover your headlight ?

Just checked yellow tinted headlights are no longer a requirement according to that 2nd last link on this post!

Take a spare set of bulbs as provided by Philips which includes a few fuses. You'll also need the emergency breakdown kit i.e. the one with first aid kit and the foldable down red triangle if needed to worn other drivers that you've broken down because I think that might be compulsary in some countries too if you don't hazard warning lights ?

Take a spare set of brake & clutch levers just in case you drop the bike on it's side. Also, carry some tools necessary to replace things on your bike or to adjust them.

If you can buy an Ipaq (You can get a waterproof & shatterproof casing for them ) with GPS which includes European street level maps or something similar it will make it so much easier in the long run because you won't get lost and you'll be able to find an alternate route to get back on track! If your foreign language isn't up to scratch then having such a device will cut out wasting time trying find someone that can speak some English !


Here's a handy link to European speed limits and tunnel tolls and remember the Police can give on the spot fines which must be paid !

https://www.drive-alive.co.uk/driving_tips.htm

https://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/overseas/europe_advice.html

https://www.drivingabroad.co.uk/alternate.htm

Laws applicable to France and it even mentions bikes and with lots of other usefull info too (covers to 2 pages);

https://www.aer-net.co.uk/edr/france.htm

And here's the main link for any country to find out what their traffic laws are;

https://www.aer-net.co.uk/edr/map.htm

[feef]

E111

green card (even tho technically you don't need it, most insurars will provide one, and it helps if you can wave it at a polis, without the having to consulta european databases)

eu breakdown cover

creditcard and/or switch/maestro/cirrus (carry less cash, most holes-in-wall macines in the EU take maestro/switch/cirrus now, and the exchange rate is usually reasonable compared to the bureaus.)
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