I just want to GO!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Hi there, I'm tim, a plumber from Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. Been riding bikes about 10 years and covered most of the UK but never been abroad! Owned a VFR800 for about a year but just traded it in for a 650 Wee-Strom. pick it up on Saturday.........Can't wait!!!
Am absolutely desperate to just pack in work( I hate my job.....), load the bike and roar off.............. only trouble is I've no idea where to start:(
My girlfriend finishes Uni this time next year so I'll save up between now and then and see what she wants to do. Knowing her she'll want a bike of her own!
How did you all get started? Any advice on anything will be most welcome!
Tim x

Hi Tim, I was in your position 5 years ago. Been everywhere in the UK. 2 week camping trips in Scotland that sort of thing and feeling like Britain was getting a little small for me. My first trip abroad was 2 weeks in Norway (highly recommended) and I haven't looked back since. It's addictive. I've just got back from 2 weeks in the south of france. Went through Andorra into Spain and the feeling to just keep going is so strong. I'm back at work though and saving for my next trip. It's an itch that I need to scratch and I keep saying "next year". Maybe I'm not ready or I'll never do it but I know how you feel. My only advice would be to try it first before you jump.

vfr to dl650
 

Hey Tim

What were your initial impressions going from a vfr to a dl?
I've been riding a VFR for the last 5 years and love it but I am thinking of a DL 650 for touring/ semi off road capability (off to S America next year).

Bruce

Do the EU first..
 

Everything is covered. Plus, you can load up the Strom like an Elephant.

Good Man! It's great to hear of a Brit biker eager to see more of the EU and get out of our Green and Pleasant (and flooded!) Land. So many bikers here talk about Eurotravel but never actually do. Don't forget Germany on your travels - so many do - possibly the most Bike-Bonkers of our neighbours, and not blinkered about anything other than sportsbikes as we tend to be! Try the route from the Mosel down to The Black Forest and across to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, heaven...help, somebody stop me!!:mchappy:

Here, here!
There are lots of very good campsites along both the Mosel and the Rhine, if you are into that; if you are not, then the B&Bs are good value as well, outside of the large towns and cities ("Zimmer Frei").