Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Feb 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Posts: 5
Special Equipment Requirements

I'll be riding from England to France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Germany, Pelgium and possibly Austria and the Czech Republic this summer. My Michelin road atlas tells me a hi viz vest is required for motorcyclists in France. Is this correct? Are there any other special equipment requirements in any of these other countries (other than a helmet)? I'm asking about legal requirements, not equipment recommendations. Can anyone recommend another online source of such information?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Feb 2010
spooky's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Utopia/Germany
Posts: 279
you don't need any special equipment for main Europe, part of a international driving licence and bike documents if you are from the states.
As far I know you need to carry a hi viz west under the seat or elsewhere on the bike in Austria, but only on the motorway !
Italy cops are keen to see helmets that got the "EC 22-05" approval, they can confiscate your bike if you ride around with a brain cap and declare you as a non responsible rider !
Same in France, but the cops are a bit more relaxed in this matter a DOT-2000 will do most of the time, they are happy if you got a helmet that looks like a proper bike helmet and not like captain America with a "Fritz" or a "show" helmet... and if you don't show off to much no one will stop you anyway...

have fun
spooky
__________________
The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 183
For certain countries (Austria and France afaik) you also need an approved first aid kit. You can buy them (and the vests) at almost every bigger gas station, and most bike shops (Hein Gericke, Louis and Polo in Germany).
__________________
Projekt Balkan
www.buebo.de - Der tägliche Wahnsinn
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Feb 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 56
The best source for this sort of stuff is the UK's Automobile association.

A useful table of requirements:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice..._equipment.pdf

Keep an eye on the footnotes as many of the requirements either don't apply to visitors or don't apply (quite sensibly) to two wheelers.

Other general info here:
Driving requirements by country : AA touring tips. Local rules and advice for European countries - The AA
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 296
Hi, travelled all these countries in the summer with no problems and never got stopped once. I did not carry a vest but did have first aid kit and spare bulb set (possible requirement). These are all very modern countries, for greater adventure consider the Eastern European countries of Slovakia, Hungary, Romania & Bulgaria. Andy B
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Feb 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 11
Must ride with headlamp on during the day (certainly in France, probably others as well).

I found this out the hard way; got nicked and fined by Gendarmes at a roadside checkpoint last August.

Copper may well find other, possibly more serious stuff while they've got you. He had a good nose thru all my stuff; said the camping stove was illegal to carry on the bike.

Wanted to know why address on driving licence was different to address on registration document.

I remember a story about someone who ended up getting the whole bike confiscated cos he got stopped for a missing wing mirror.

Don't give them a reason to stop you!

Ben
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Feb 2010
mj's Avatar
mj mj is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 303
Keep a vest and a fist aid kit within reach, under the seat might not do it because you'd have to get off the bike in order to put on the vest. I keep mine in my tank bag. Keep your headlights on at all times in all countries. Some countries collect tolls for certain roads (motorways) and for some, like Austria, you don't 'pay as you go' at a toll station but need to purchase a vignette beforehand. Make sure to have one your windshield if necessary, otherwise it'll get ridiculously expensive.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Feb 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Auxerre
Posts: 71
THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO CARRY EITHER 1ST AID KIT OR HI VIZ VEST ON A BIKE IN FRANCE.



the vest & a triangle are obligatory for a CAR in france, but not for bikes.

Daytime headlights ARE COMPULSORY FOR BIKES in FRANCE.



sorry about the shouting but I seem to endlessly repeat the same things every year at about this time, either here or elsewhere.

Ride safe
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Feb 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Auxerre
Posts: 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ben_CB500 View Post
Must ride with headlamp on during the day (certainly in France, probably others as well).

Wanted to know why address on driving licence was different to address on registration document.

for info, if they try that one again, it's not compulsory to change the address on your driving licence in france (the mairee's & prefectures will even dissuade you from so doing). The registration document IS obligatory to have up to date & should correspond to your ID card/ carte de sejour or other photo id.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 166
Last year I found that by wearing a vis vest in France and in Italy the police would just wave me by, while everyone else was being stopped.

Maybe they think if you wear a vis vest that you are responible and know what you are doing. Whatever it is it worked for me.

Steve
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What's so special about the Yam XT? Walkabout Website Feedback 26 9 Jan 2012 02:29
XT600 special tools? MARK.F Yamaha Tech 2 3 Mar 2009 20:26
Where is that special place? Narelz Central America and Mexico 0 8 Sep 2004 11:28
950 Servicing - What Special Tools? Jerome KTM Tech 2 7 Jun 2003 04:27
Special Guests... Glynn Roberts HU Travellers Meetings - UK 3 29 Apr 2002 00:18

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:26.