Biking in Europe

A few thoughts on biking in Europe

As I prepare for another trip following the MotoGP,camping in Le Mans, I was giving thought to those that have got a motor bike, got all the biking gear, but are fearful of crossing the channel and exploring the roads of Europe. For them I thought it worth helping to explain a few things about riding a motor bike in Europe some of the legal requirements but generally the kind of things that don't always appear in the guide books.

Apart from the obvious like having the motor bike serviced and fit for the job, you might want to consider having either Tyre Slime fitted into your tyres before starting out, or carrying an after the event tyre re-inflater and sealer like Tyreweld. Other things to be aware of it is mandatory in many countries to fit headlight beam benders, first aid kits, spare bulbs and GB stickers or EU plates. High Visibility Vests and warning triangles are now compulsory to be carried on the vehicle in Belgium, France, Austria, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain. There is no specific instruction to exclude motorcycles, warning triangle helmet bags are a good way of complying, so it would be wise to ensure you have one under your seat

Many European countries require you to carry your passport, original V5, insurance documents and drivers licence. European breakdown cover and checking with your insurance company before travelling can also be useful. But all these documents can be bulky. That said though the last thing you should do is keep these on your bike, and your jacket probably doesn't have the space for it all, so a "bum bag" is very helpful - but put your documents in a plastic wallet to keep them dry.

Many roads in Europe are tolled, having a credit card in your tank bag, or in a lanyard wallet round your neck (under jacket) prevents you from having to strip off just to get at your wallet and saves a lot of time at the toll booths. Something else to be aware of that the UK motorway network often has service areas every 30- 40 miles. Quite often fuel stops can be 80 - 100 km apart in Europe, meaning if you miss a service area and your bike only hold enough fuel for 140 miles, you might have a problem.



Navigation, I like to have a route plan under the window on my tank bag. Most tank bags do have a slight problem if the air is damp and the sun comes out. They can mist up inside, and the condensation can ruin your paperwork, especially if printed using an ink jet. So again place them in a clear plastic wallet, the kind of thing you find at a stationers.

Sat navs can be very helpful, but don't rely on them entirely. Out of choice I use an XDA Orbit with European maps. It fits, with my route instructions, under the window of my tank bag - again protected from condensation. I have an 8 battery pack with cigarette lighter socket and car charger giving my mobile phone, in sat nav mode, almost 15 hrs of continuous use.

The beauty of using the XDA mobile phone as a sat nav is that when paired to the Midland BT2 Bluetooth helmet it not only allows bike to bike or bike to pillion in duplex conversation, but also allows using the phones mp3 player. Being one device it manages all the services, with priority given to telephone and sat nav instructions.

The battery pack and PDA car charger comes in useful to charge the Midland BT2 Bluetooth helmet intercom system as it also used the USB B connector. This comes in very useful if you are camping rather that using hotels or hostels.

If like me you use soft luggage, panniers or top box it is always worth packing everything in plastic bags. Many soft luggage systems that are produced for motor bikes come with outer waterproof covers. Have to say the first time I used the covers on Oxford soft panniers on my first trip, the flapping around in the first 500 miles resulted in the seams fraying and rendered useless for the return trip. Allowing the bags to get wet but protecting the contents inside is preferable.

Drink thresholds are much lower in many European countries, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Belgium 0.5 (UK 0.8 mg/ ml of blood)

Most European countries require dipped headlights to be used by Motorcycles during the day at all times.
One thing worth noting, and it tends to catch out British riders particularly in France and more recently Germany is "Priorite a Droite". This is the rule that gives priority to vehicles from a side road to the right. It is rare outside towns but many villages still have the yellow diamond sign on a white border indicating priority is yours. If there is no yellow diamond at a road junction, you must give way to traffic from the right, even if you are on the major road.

Speed Limits
On the spot fines are common, and as I understand it this year France have implemented fines at Toll booths for speeders.
France
Motorways 130 kmh Dry 110 kmh Wet
Dual carriageways 110 kmh Dry 100 kmh Wet
A Roads 90 kmh Dry 80 kmh Wet
Built up areas 50 kmh Dry 30kmh Wet

Italy
Motorways 130 kmh Dry 110 kmh Wet
Dual carriageways 110 kmh Dry 90 kmh Wet
A Roads 90 kmh Dry 80 kmh Wet
Built up areas 50 kmh Dry 30kmh Wet

Germany
Motorways none unless otherwise directed
Open roads 100 kmh
Built up areas 50 kmh

Belgium
Motorways 120 kmh
Open roads 90 kmh
Built up areas 50 kmh (30 near schools)

Netherlands
Motorways 100- 120 kmh
Open roads 80 - 100 kmh
Built up areas 50 kmh

Spain
Motorways 120 kmh
Open roads 90-100 kmh
Built up areas 50 kmh (30 near schools)

I'll be "live" blogging the trip here - if you are not heading to Le Mans your self you'll be able to see what you are missing.