2-3 weeks in Slovakia/Hungary on a motorcycle...
 

My wife and I are planning to ride two-up on a bike around Slovakia and Hungary in July 2008.

I've been riding bikes for about 11 years, but only in the U.S.; I have a 2000 BMW 1150 GS, so I'm thinking of renting a similar BMW in Vienna, just for the familiarity factor.

My question is: What should I expect on Slovak and Hungarian roads? We spent two weeks in Slovakia in 2006 and I was (to be candid) a little intimidated by the tight passing on two-lane roads.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

No problem riding in either country, just take it easy & if in doubt, give way. Some road markings in rural areas are barely legible.

Budapest is worth spending a couple of nights in, you'll need a full day to see the centre.

I was in Hungary back in July and i found the roads to be fine, Budapest is a fantastic City.

So you have sampled Slovakias driving standards ! Impressed ? I find you either come up against a very slow Skoda Estelle towing a trailer or have a BMW X5 on your arse driving like there is no tomorrow and a long line of cars all overtaking together on bends and brows of hills ,knowing very well their counterparts are coming in the opposite direction.Scary but entertaining !
Avoid the main routes which have less Trucks on and so less impatient drivers risking life and limb.There are some great picturesque windy roads in places.Very green terrain as you would expect from a country made up of 40% forest.
Hungary,although flat compared to Slovakia has fields of Sunflowers that i find very photogenic.
I intend to be in Slovakia in July as I have a house in Central Slovakia and girlfriend comes from there.You are welcome to stay over if you're passing.

Simon

Hu and SK
 

All the countries are safe. But find a secure parking place for your bike in Budapest!!

Szabi

Hi

I was in both countries this year during a 5 month tour of Eastern Europe and had a great time. The roads in Hungary are generally good as are the main roads in Slovakia however i did encounter some lesser roads in Slovakia where I had to ride my bike trials style as they were so bad.

This would not be a problem on your GS but on the Triumph Sprint ST it was fun at times. The worst of these roads were around the Narodny Park Slovensky Raj. A couple of good roads in Slovakia are the 537 which runs under the Vysoke Tatry and the 72 which crosses the Nizke tatry.

If you are on a budget accomadation wise there is a great little campsite at Szentendre about 15k north of Budapaest. Prices are good and they have these little wooden chalets you can stay in which East European campsites tend to have. It is also on a major bus route to Budapest which I used rather than trudging around with the bike gear. The bus cost would be about $5 return. The campsite name is Pap Sziget, I even got given a free traditional Hungarian music cd when I left.

As for Slovakia I can recommend a small pension at Novy Smokovec which is about 1km west of Stary Smokovec on the 537. If you like to explore this is a great base as you are right below the Tatry mountains for walking and Mountain biking which are for hire in Stary Smokovec. The name of the guesthouse is Pension Sibir. The cost would be about $20 a room approx.

Regards
Kevin