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

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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.

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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...120&order=desc

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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.

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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.

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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 ;)

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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.

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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.

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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.

Re: Advice Needed-Taking bike Abroad
 

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