1st time abroad on my bike - France
 

hey guys, i'm off to france on the 4th for a long weekend, its just a short trip but my first time riding (or driving) abroad.

so:
1) my insurance company covers me for up to 90 days in europe, but i need to give them a ring before i go.

2) travel insurance, can i get away with basic holiday cover?

3) do i need an E111, or the new card type one?

4) do i need a GB sticker, my numberplate doesn't have the eu/gb stamp on it?

5) do i have to take a first aid kit?

6) anything else i must have with me?

Thanks
Ian

Have a look here:

General tips : European Travel - general advice from the AA - The AA

and here:

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

Should tell you most of what you need, and then some!!

Check your holiday insurance covers you for motorcycling, I use Boots Travel Insurance, They do. You need to take along your vehicle registration document, the original not a copy. First aid kit is a good idea as well as a legal requrement in most of Europe, Aldi and Lidl do a basic one that meets legal requirements. I always travel with a GB sticker, no point in giving the police an excuse to pull you but in general the foreign plod are more biker-friendly than our finest. Enjoy your holiday.

Hi Ian,

A quick trip down to Halfords or the like will sort you out. Most GB stickers tend to be for cars hence huge, but you can get little sticky backed rubber GB ones in Halfords which you can cut down and stick on the corner of your reg plate (don't know if you're riding a bike with space for a big sticker or not).

you'll also need to carry a spare bulb set and i think a puncture kit (if the latter's not a requirement it's still worth having) both of whixh you can now buy in neat little kits.

I don'rt think the E1-11 exists anymore. You need to pop down to the Post office asap or use the link below and apply for the new EU health card

E111 European Medical Card

Other than that, just make sure you've got your documents (insurance, V5 and license) and you're good to go!

France is a fantastic country for bikers, you'll have a great time on well maintained, beautiful and empty roads (as long as you're not going to Paris!) and the locals are far nicer to us than drivers and the general public in UK.

Have a great trip!