bobp@lumiere.UUCP (Robert N Perry) (09/17/85)
My wife and I plan to tour Europe next year by motorcycle. Neither one of us has ever been to Europe. We are BMW enthusiasts and would like to rent a BMW in Germany and take off from there for about 4 weeks. Has anyone out there ever done touring through Europe? How about solo ie; not in an organized motorcycle tour such as Beach's or Von Thielmann or Motoraad Reisen. Where do you find out about where to rent BMW's ? If you're one of these people who has done this before, do you have any suggestions for someone new to the european touring scene? Will I be ostracized for not wearing full length leathers? Are there any countries to absolutely avoid? What must I do about special driving licenses and insurance? Anything else you might want to pass on like when the best time of year to do this tour might be? Thanks for any and all responses. -- Robert N. Perry (Bob) Tektronix, Inc. tektronix!bobp bobp@tektronix bobp.tektronix@csnet-relay "When I works, I works hard. When I sits, I sits easy. When I thinks, I goes to sleep."
usenet@ucbvax.ARPA (USENET News Administration) (10/01/85)
Bob Perry requested some information on European bike tourning, because it
might be of general interest, the following follows:
I have spent about 10 summers touring on bikes in Europe. Except for the
first time, it was on BMWs (the first time was on a Vespa). I have toured
just about everywhere, including Afganistan and Iran.
(1) To the best of my knowledge, you cannot rent a bike bigger than about
150cc. Maybe somewhere, but I doubt it. If you find out how, I would
like to hear.
(2) I either bought the bike new in Munich or shipped (by air) an existing
one over with me. If you shop aggresively, you should be able to do it
for about $250 each way. The best deal is about $175 round trip if you
fly out of Toronto to England with either WardAir or CP (Canadian Pacific)
(3) Riding gear that you use here is perfectly acceptable. They do tend to
wear leathers there more; however, they have reason to as it is cooler
and wetter in places like Germany and England. I usually bring rain gear
and then layer underneath as I spend part of the time where I need the
warmth and part where leathers are way to hot (Spain, Greece, Turkey)
(4) No special papers or permits. You US liscence will do just fine (of course,
it must say that you are authorized to ride bikes)
(5) No need to take an organized tour. European roads are very well marked
and their maps are excellant - I usually use Michlean's maps; but there
are other good ones. Also, lots of great European produced guides.
Besides, it seems to be contradictory to the image of freedom that a
bike gives to end up controlled by a group - but to each his own - all
you have to is to consider the hoardes of chunky Gold Wing riders out
there that ride together, pulling their little trailers.
If you do go, I'm sure that you will have a great time.schwager@uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU (10/01/85)
. I tried to mail this direct, but my machine didn't like your address. So here it is: > /* Written 5:21 pm Sep 30, 1985 by usenet@ucbvax.ARPA in uiucdcs:net.cycle */ > > (3) Riding gear that you use here is perfectly acceptable. They do tend to > wear leathers there more; however, they have reason to as it is cooler > and wetter in places like Germany and England.... > > /* End of text from uiucdcs:net.cycle */ When my roommate was in W. Germany, she said that motorcycle riders were required to wear not only helmets, but protective gear "that made them look like football players". I'd like to know if that is required by law, or just added safety gear that's available there. She was in Germany just this past summer. Perhaps others on the net would be interested in knowing, also. -mike schwager -- {ihnp4,convex,pur-ee}!uiucdcs!schwager schwager%uiuc@csnet-relay.arpa