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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 2 Nov 2008
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Just a post-script: You mentioned that you are riding a 400cc scooter. That's the perfect motorcycle for riding on the 'departmental' (tertiary) roads of France. Given a choice, I always ride on the departmentals, never on the autoroutes or the primary highways. The smaller roads are far more interesting, they take you through all the little villages, you just pull off to one side of the main street whenever you want a coffee or a mineral water, and you will have no shortage of conversation or hospitality from the locals.

Plus, in the smaller towns and villages, it costs less to eat, and it costs less to sleep. It's also always easy to find a secure place to store the motorcycle overnight or while you might be off touring on foot somewhere, or visiting a local attraction.
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  #2  
Old 2 Nov 2008
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Once again folks thanks for all your wonderful encouragement.....i find that real touching.
Now all i have to do is persuade the wife I'm not some old git who should be driving in car rather than the bike,and who wont kill himself driving it.......woman do worry so!
but i am so looking forward to it.....if i wasn't so busy in life im sure i would like to be off before Christmas....but somehow i don't think I'm yet equipped for the cold lol
I am settling in to the bike, and so looking forward to further long distance work with it.........and by the spring it wil have all the accessories and bits i feel i need for long distance touring.....the more i travel the more of the bits i discover i need.Its amazing in days of old you grabbed a map, your clothes and the bike and went...now it becomes an expedition!So much do we get attached to new fangled things. ....like mobiles,radios, ipods etc....and of course the right togs........far call from newspaper stuffed down the front of the belstaff jacket for winter riding
Thanks folks
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  #3  
Old 2 Nov 2008
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I nearly always ride alone.

I've been riding alone if france for the past 16 years & have done parts of Italy & switzerland as well. no bother. go for it.

If you want to reassure Wifey, tehn I'm sure a little research on some bike/travel type forums will turn up some members scattered about most of europe (bl**dy english, get everywhere...like a rash) & I expect that you'd find people prepared to help out in the event of a problem.

eg, if you get a problem in france, give me a shout, I can translate, & depending where you are my even be able to find someone nearby who can help physically if need be. Wifey's are often reassured by knowing you've a "contact" in case of trouble (just don't tell 'em how big the country is...lol)
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  #4  
Old 2 Nov 2008
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in France there is a great comaderie amonst motorcyclists. To give an example.
Last summer on my way back from Nice, as I went through the small town of Die in a torrential thunderstorm. My bike suddenly died as I got to the town square. There was a burning smell of burnt wire coming from under the tank. By the time I had parked and pulled the bike up on its centre stand a waiter from the local bar came out to ask what was wrong. I had no power at all. This being late Sunday afternoon with every thing shut he then phoned a known good motorcycle mechanic at home and arranged for me and my bike to be collected monday morning, and sent me to a nice small hotel in the town. He made numerous phone calls and helped me during those two days I was stuck there. Sadly he was convinced that my bike had to be a Triumph because I was aBrit and my bike had electrical problems, it went against the grain for him when I explained it was my first electrical problem on a bike since 1961 and this bike was not British like all the rest but a BMW.
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Old 3 Nov 2008
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Oldsome, I don't know if you recall, but I keep on bumping in to you here and on Burgmanusa (and Hooli on GSX14.org).

I've just come back to Australia after 4.5 months on my Burgman riding alone from Vietnam to Italy (via China/Russia etc.) - 6th major international bike ride in 33 years.

I wouldn't have it any other way - being by yourself is definitely the way to go:
Safer (yep, the wife was pleasantly surprised at how few problems I had)
Less trouble
Go where you want, where you want
Stay where you want, when you want
Cheaper...
Eat what you want, when you want like I did, and lose 12kg

... and I'm not much younger than you either!

Garry from Oz.
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Last edited by farqhuar; 3 Nov 2008 at 14:05. Reason: Lousy typing!
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  #6  
Old 3 Nov 2008
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Likewise, drop me a PM and i'll happily be a wife reassuring contact for France too and I'll dig out the address for the British Bikers in France forum, which should give you loads all over France.

I'm with oldbmw though on the friendliness thing, I was just riding back from town today, only 10 miles or so, I pulled up at traffic lights just as the hugest rain/hailstorm broke over the top of me, wtih drumming off my helmet like ten insane prog rock drummers on speed. Glancing to my right I happened to peek into the front window of the house and caught the eye of the old lady in there. I gave a "what can you do in this foul weather type shrug, and the next thing I know she's at the window saying "come in out of that ridiculous weather". So I pulled the bike onto the pavement, and ran in through her now open front door. She didn't seem to mind me dripping on her tiles, nor the slightly squelchy sound coming out of my boots and sat me down at her table, gave me a delicious hot choclate and we nattered till the rain had passed over.

Lovely ride.
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  #7  
Old 3 Nov 2008
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Hey Farqhuar
I'm pleased there are other Burgman tourers out there.
I'm wondering is there anything special i should take other than the usual survival gear.
I do intend to get a full service before i go...but i wasn't sure if i need say a spare belt, or any other bits likely to fail/fall off etc from the bike,.
for example did you go with your bike in original spec, or ad leg shields or larger screen.
thanks to the rest of your posts folks.I'm more determined than ever to go solo come the spring.....but a lot more winter riding to do yet.
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