View Full Version : Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
Hello
I know a few of you are hardy travellers, so any advice greatly received.
I've just booked for Mr Lou and I to go to Belgium on our bikes. This is the first time we've ever taken them abroad. I've booked our B&B and the channel tunnel, but what else do I need to consider?
Cheers
Lou
christopher
15-02-10, 09:11 PM
Make sure you have/take...
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Driving licence, both parts
- Insurance certificate
- Log book (V5)
- MOT certificate, if applicable
- Passport
Might be an idea to swap spare keys as well, just incase one of you manage to lose your own somewhere.
Also an idea to tell your bank you're going abroad so they don't block your card.
Probably missed a few things but that's the basics. I wouldn't both with a headlight convertor personally, that's the only other thing you might consider I guess.
fizzwheel
15-02-10, 10:04 PM
To add to the above list
Spare headlight / tailight bulbs
IIRC going through france you may well need a Hi-viz with you in case of breakdown
European breakdown cover might be an idea
Spare levers / fixerpeg
Puncture Repair kit
I'm not 100% sure on the Hi-viz thing, but I took one, doesnt take up much room in luggage.
Best to check chain and sprocket before you go to make sure you have enough life left in them to get you there and home again, ditto with Tyres as well...
Have a look in the eurotour section, I'm sure its all been covered before, by people more knowledgeable that I am
http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=120&order=desc
dizzyblonde
15-02-10, 10:09 PM
As above. I took photocopies of my bike documentation as well as the real stuff.
And ask your bike insurer if they do a holiday insurance to cover you, as most usual ones like the Post office etc only cover you riding a bike upto 125cc as they class biking as an extreme sport.Carol Nash covered me and my ex partner on the same policy for this.
To add to Fizz IIRC you need EITHER Hi Viz or Hazard lights in France in case of a brekdown (not when you're riding :roll:)
I don't think anyone has mentioned informing your insurance co. before you go.
christopher
15-02-10, 10:21 PM
Can't believe I forgot about bulbs!
I'm pretty sure motorcycles are exempt from the hi viz ruling. It's advisable to have one anyone as they're tiny to pack and any extra visibility if you've broken down can't be a thing!
Oh and don't forgot a GB sticker if your plate doesn't have one. Masking tape and a black marker pen also works ;)
philbut
15-02-10, 10:49 PM
Yep, as above. I take spare cables and levers + gaffa tape and cable ties too incase of that emergency "roadside repair".
i always try to get repatriation insurance for the bike, as if you bin it badly enough to not ridfe it home, it can be very expensive to get it back to the UK.
I have ridden abroad several times and what I take is as follows:
NHIC card
photocard part of licence
V5
passport
insurance certificate
breakdown cover
spare bulb kit
chain lube
the can baffle
euro numberplate
That's it bike related and have never needed anything else though been stopped by the police in France a few times.
STRAMASHER
16-02-10, 09:15 AM
Post Office Travel Insurance covers bikes over 125cc. (1st thing you should check on any policy you are buying)
Use them most of the time.
Usually take a colour photocopy of my V5 and a copy of insurance doc, stick them in a re-sealable bag.
Stick the Breakdown cover number in your phone.
A wee can of chainlube and wd40, some tie-wraps and a roll of duct tape. A puncture repair kit. A sidestand puck. And I'm good to go.
Would not be seen dead with a GB sticker or plate tho'.;)
Have fun but watch out for those Belgian drivers. Worst in Europe.
the_lone_wolf
16-02-10, 09:33 AM
Just to note, you are required to carry your original documentation such as V5, Drivers Licence and insurance certificate... Photocopies aren't acceptable, although it's an idea to keep one of each document somewhere safe on the bike in case you lose the originals
Some people will say that you should mask your headlamp - I didn't bother and didn't have a single problem even with an HID conversion in a reflector that's 12-18" higher than the SV
As one who has had the pleasure of breaking down in lane three of a three lane highway at night in the snow in Europe I'd never leave without the hi-viz. Not only does it really make you stand out in the dark but it's an excellent way to get hold of the breakdown truck driver's attention
One thing nobody's mentioned yet, be aware that your credit card may be refused at some petrol stations / hotels etc etc - in our experience of Autoroute/bahn stations Total were a better bet than Shell but mine only worked a handful of times in the whole trip, despite informing Nationwide I was travelling. The same goes for cash machines... Get Euros asap, there's a machine in the Eurotunnel terminal building
Don't break the speed limit unless you have some money to burn, the fines are big and if you can't get the money they'll take the bike off you. If they have to take you into town to an ATM they're under no obligation to return you to where they stopped you (in Belgium at least) so you'll be walking
But by far the most important thing is to remember you're there to have fun, once you're over the initial "oh god things are different the drivers are going to kill me and I'm going to run out of fuel" relax and go with the flow. European drivers are much better than ours in terms of observation but they're far more aggressive - just be aggressive back and you'll fit right in:smt112
is there a list anywhere of stuff that is required or recommended, maybe we should make a sticky thread about it as i could do with knowing.
the_lone_wolf
16-02-10, 10:19 AM
is there a list anywhere of stuff that is required or recommended...
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/countrybycountry.html
Awwww, thanks guys, this has all been really useful! I'm not a good traveller, but so want to go to Ypes so am going for it.
Already have the number plate done, Mr Lou bought a new CBF a couple of weeks ago so I made sure his plate had GB on, and ordered one for me at the same time which the shop did for free!
I'm going to have a look at the other links now.
Much appreciated.
Lou
Does your bike use oil? - take some.
Icanopit
16-02-10, 09:26 PM
You could also drop a PM to Tim in Belgium an Org member.
Biker Biggles
16-02-10, 09:30 PM
Awwww, thanks guys, this has all been really useful! I'm not a good traveller, but so want to go to Ypes so am going for it.
Already have the number plate done, Mr Lou bought a new CBF a couple of weeks ago so I made sure his plate had GB on, and ordered one for me at the same time which the shop did for free!
I'm going to have a look at the other links now.
Much appreciated.
Lou
You going to wipers to visit the battlefields?My Grandad was a survivor of that and him talking about it made a big impression on me as a youngster.
You going to wipers to visit the battlefields?My Grandad was a survivor of that and him talking about it made a big impression on me as a youngster.
Is that near Ypres? :smt102
Just to confirm a couple of things already covered...
Post Office travel insurance does cover bike touring, no size limit. I use an annual policy with them.
You must carry original docs (inc. paper part of licence), a very good idea to also carry copies separately and also keep copies at home.
Must carry spare specs if you wear them.
Hi-vis is a very good idea in case of breakdown.
You don't need to mask off headlight dip, but can if you wish.
DON'T run out of fuel.
ALWAYS have a reasonable amount of cash with you.
Debit cards are usually cheaper for getting cash at ATMs, there are cards with no charges, check your bank if you're that bothered (personally I take a decent amount of cash and just use ATMs if absolutely necessary).
Credit cards aren't viewed the same as in UK in many other countries (Germany esp), I've had probs getting fuel in Germany with "rejected" cards, I think it's just the cost they don't want, hence carry cash.
STOP signs mean stop, not just slow down a BIT.
On-the-spot fines are used, as others advise. Stick to speed limits in towns.
Think twice when leaving petrol stations, that's the most common time to forget to ride on the RIGHT.
Despite all the caveats, it's actually a much nicer experience than riding in many parts of the UK.
Eating out at lunchtime is usually considerably cheaper than in the evening. Fixed menus are usually best value.
Belgian drivers have a reputation for being homicidal maniacs, I couldn't possibly comment.
Don't plan on covering too many miles (km) per day, use smaller roads for enjoyment.
Take it easy and enjoy the experience.
dizzyblonde
16-02-10, 11:14 PM
I'm glad the post office cover bikes now...they didn't when I went over the pond :-(
fizzwheel
16-02-10, 11:26 PM
Think twice when leaving petrol stations, that's the most common time to forget to ride on the RIGHT.
Ditto on this, especially if you've been in the saddle along time and you're tired. I also found I had to think about what I was doing when I came across a roundabout to.
Thanks, in response to a couple of points:
Does my bike use oil? It's a Tiger, I don't take any risks with a Triumph! I'm glad you mentioned it as I'll pack some.
Hasn't Tim in Belgium moved now?
We're going to Wipers (Ypres) to look at the battlefields and I want to look properly at the Menin Gate, I went on a school trip to Bruges last summer, and we popped over to Ypres, it made a big impression on me, so I've been determined to go back.
Thanks ever so much for all your help, I feel a lot more confident now!
Lou x
the_lone_wolf
18-02-10, 06:57 PM
We're going to Wipers (Ypres)
One last thing, don't call it "wipers" or you'll get funny looks;)
It's "eep-rah";)
One last thing, don't call it "wipers" or you'll get funny looks;)
It's "eep-rah";)
Lol! They have renamed it something like Ieper, it took me ages to find a guide book in waterstones as I was looking under Y!
I think I'll go and count how many weeks away it is, I'm getting all excited now!
I'm going to get some dyno tape done to say Keep Right and Look Left to stick to my **** pit.
Blimey, c*ck pit isn't even valid!
If at all possible consider a visit to Thiepval and surrounding sites in the Somme region, it's not that far from Ypres and there are some very poignant memorials and relics around there. The Newfoundland site is well worth a visit.
http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/index.html
Ahhh, thanks Embee, I'll add that to our itinery.
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