hi tim, you asked for places to go: one of my favorites are the roads around the grpo di sella in northern italy between bolzano and cortina d'ampezzo: there is a cirlcle of roads (perhaps 80-100km) around this mountain with 4 passes (3 of them over 2000m) and wonderful alpine scenery. so if you missed something, just take a second round . It coud easily be combined with the marmolada or the 'rosengarten' in the same area. unfortunately you have to drive quite a few km, if you want to ride the classics pso. stelvio (27??m) and pso gavia (~2600m). but if you're not in hurry, maybe a little detour via bolzano, 'Penser Joch' (~2200m), 'Jaufenpass' (~2100m) to meran would be fine, that's also a wonderful route. from meran to the beginning of stelvio i think it's about 60-70km. lake garda is nice, but the traffic on the road next to the lake was horrible (even in october) - I've been there only 3 times, but i'll avoid this street whenever it's possible. sardinia was also perfect for motorbikes - and for taking a bath in the sea , there are wonderful beaches. some of them can only be reached by boat or a long walk. if you will travelling by tent: during my trip many campsites on the island closed at end of semptember.

I thouroughly concer with Gunne. Bassano is about a 1/2 hrs ride from San Vale Liberale where the MotoRestaurante is located. If you go there, try and time it with one of the pompone's (pompone is the name of the club centred at the restaurant, the word being concocted, if you like from the note that a Ducati makes) Marque weekend. Each year they have a Ducati, Laverda, Moto Guzzi etc themed weekend. Bielive me they are quite something. You will be amazed at what and who might just pop in.
Just down on the flat country, between Bassano and Venice there are a miriad of M/bike related emporiums. If you go say Sept/Oct, you will bag yourself the latest Italian motorcycle gear at knock down prices. Maurizio at Motoresaurante will point you in the right direction. Also down here you have both the Laverda and Aprilia factories. Speaking of factories, the Moto Guzzi museum tour is a must see. Mind things have changed a bit since I was last there. Aprilia have moved production elsewhere, so what remains I'm not at all sure. Do your homework first. None the less it's on the shores of Lake Como and worth going there for that reason alone. Although as Gunne has said, the traffic can be manic around any of the lakes.
If coming from the UK, you will inveriably pass through Switzerland. Be aware of a number of points. If you plan to travel on a toll road, you must first purchase a daily/weekly/monthly/yearly pass on entering the country. If you are SURE that you will use ONLY the secondary roads, then this pass is not necessary. DO NOT SPEED or break the law in any way in Switzerland, your eyes will water at the cost of the fine. Don't let this put you off going there, it is an amazing country. You just need to be for warned.

Let us know how you get on

Cheers

Graeme.

Thanks Gunne. I'm a big fan of winding roads. Your alpine routes sound definitely worth checking out. And Sardinia's a definite possibility. I've seen photos and it looks great. I'll probably try to look for relatively inexpensive accommodation rather than taking a tent. I tend to think that a lighter load makes for a more pleasant ride.

And thanks again Graeme. I will definitely keep an eye on the Pompone website for any events they might have around September. And I will also check out the Moto Guzzi museum. And I'll watch my speed and probably stay off the toll roads.

It's true if it comes to weekends, but if Timothy rides this road from Monday thru Friday, he'll find at least 60-70% less of the traffic he may run across in the weekend.
I live only 25 minutes south of Lake Garda, and I've never had any problems riding there during the "working" days of the week, but on Saturday and Sunday it's really full of traffic due to the stunning landscape, as you say.


Timothy, if you come to Peschiera del Garda (southernmost point of the lake, see peschiera del garda - Cerca con Google), don't miss a visit to the bar "Due Ruote" (that means "Two Wheels" in English), it's the local hangout of motorcycle riders in the area (and of British / German / Austrian / Hungarian female tourists in the summer... ): I and my girlfriend always ride up to there on Sunday afternoons, full of bike riders to chat with (also from other European Countries), good classic Rock and Country music, excellent German and Italian / Mexican food + wine).
Plus, the bar is just opposite one of the nicest and largest camping areas of the lake, so no problem in riding your bike if you party there... you simply have to cross the street and you are at the gate!

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré