What I Learned From Motorcycle Touring in Europe.

A great video. I am leaving on June 1st on my first tour, Newcastle in UK to Athens in Greece, 5000+miles, really excited! Spent the past 4 months planning and getting my bike up to scratch, quitting my job to do it and everything!

1. wear your earplugs. they are no good in tank bag. 40 years riding experience on a number continents. and I can still hear higher frequencies that many of my peers. 5. If your yomping through France to get to Spain or Italy. Don't!. If it's Spain (or Iberia in general) take the Santander Ferry, if Italy or Croatia etc, go though Germany. If you insist on going through France or are visiting France take the non-motorway routes. Cheaper, much prettier, more interesting, better beer and food. Again of your heading down south of France take the Santander Ferry. 6. I do that in the UK too not just when travelling foreign. 11. again as an older rider. learn some basic yoga. I also do Indian clubs as my ride fit routine. also take some exercise bands. 13. also in the States. also can kick out a leg. I also do this in the UK as i generally ride motorways on cruise control.2?? have the flag and UK on your number plate, then you don't need a sticker. 4?? I have my mirrors set to be wider than my bags as whiskers. if the mirrors get through the gap the bags will. Security... Toe-rags exist in Europe like they do in the UK. don't need chains but be vigilant, soft bags can be broken into or slashed. ride with hard bags especially if you solo ride and you can't have a group member babysit the bikes. Not a fan of bike hire if i can avoid. Not my bike and deposits etc seem to get retained for the smallest thing. Cost it in if you have to. Sometimes its too far to ship like US or India, but if its Europe what's the problem? Always carry a multitool but put in the bottom of the pack. cable ties, duct tape and electrical legoblocks fix most things. Legoblocks can temporary join a snapped brake cable at a pinch. Pack a first aid kit and include gel packs for burns. Pack a mozzy net. Even if your not camping. especially BnB. Will give better nights sleep. Also good for keeping out black scorpions and centipedes when the windows can't. Caffeine is great as long as its in coffee. energy drinks are really, really bad for you. My brother has diabetes and is partially blind now so he cannot ride anymore. Mostly because as a long distance driver he used to chug energy drinks. Don't drink and drive. Do you really have to say that it should be common sense? if your going to have a session make sure your not riding the next day as alcohol stays in the bloodstream for many hours, also dehydrates you for a poor riding experience. Always carry drinking water, and make sure your pee runs clear, if not drink more. I've dealt with dehydration in the desert and it is not pretty.

I toured from the Uk to Cyprus on a Vespa 300. My advice for a successful tour is any bike is capable as long as it's reliable. Don't over estimate your daily mileage goals. Earplugs are a must and basically enjoy and immerse yourself in the experience. Another must is take your vehicle registration document, i forgot mine and had to rely on a scanned copy on my phone. I got away with it , but there were moments when I thought I wouldn't and would be turned back to where I had come from.

You really mentioned everything (except earplugs) I hate and wont do on a long Eurotrip. 😂 Never planned, went on toll roads or prebooked stuff for years. Way more fun than being caged by arriving on time to different places. We all travel differently though. :)

I've toured Ireland, Belgium, Germany, France and Luxembourg. I always had brief rest stops after every 50 miles; it's very tempting to keep riding and riding but that increases the risk of tiredness. Allow some flexibility in your schedule; you're bound to meet a motorcyclist or local who'll recommend a route, or a cafe or a place to visit.

great location and information. I might add a few things as an addendum. Stretch at rest stops, fuel stops, whenever. makes a difference. Also while riding learn a muscle contraction technique where you start with your feet, move up you legs to your calf, then thigh, and finally your butt. For arms start at your hands work up your arms in sequence to your shoulders and upper back. I run 500-1,000 mile days and doing this really makes a difference. Many people don't experience this next one, dealing with tires, until they take a long trip. If you do tend to stick to straighter roads than what you're used to expect the center of your tire to wear very quickly in relation to the sides, especially if you have on sport oriented tires because you were going to carve up mountain passes. Here in the US I see that a lot where folks from various countries misjudge the distance and the straightness of the roads. I know there are plenty of straight or mostly straight roads in Europe as well. I'll be looking forward to seeing this trip! Oh, and who was that photo model on the bike for the still shot! Shame for not giving her a shout out!

REgarding the UK sticker also consider getting new number plates made with the union jack and UK badge. It saves having to put a sticker anywhere and it's not very expensive.

useful information! As a European (Belgian) I can tell you that the two fingers sign (or bikers greeting sign)means, as far as I know it: the fingers stand for your 2 wheels, keep them on the ground and ride safe!

Thanks for sharing this. It was interesting and I learned some useful tips. Most of the comments were informative too, but there’s always going to be some angry dogs bowl who will want to knock things and start off with insults. Those people never want to learn new things, just brag and criticise, usually from the safety of their mother’s basement. Most of us appreciate what you do. So ignore them and keep on doing what you do.👍

Great video, thank you both for taking the time to do it. Really helpful and very much appreciated. Some great pointers for a successful trip 👍

Must see vedio for everyone..all included information..thanks

Great advices and tips, will definitely apply some (most) ;-)!

Great video thanks for the tips 👍

A few things I had no clue about. Yellow vests ect. One day maybe. Here the two fingers is quite polite a friendly gesture, "Keep the rubber side Down" :goodvibes:

Some good useful information here, but not sure if bikers need to carry a warning triangle though, it’s not something we’ve ever considered or would even bother carting around. Also, never had any issues filtering, again, we take our chances, never stand in traffic on a bike!!!

Did almost 6k in two weeks last year...When booking apartment check location on maps using terrain...We booked in Italy for that day early morning, said we will come late at night, it started to pour rain half hour close to apartment, but the worst part was off road terrible road up into mountains which at that time we didn't check..Maybe for Africa that wouldn't be a problem but I was on mt09 with sport tires..Another thing take repellent for mosquitoes..We did cheap airbnb in Switzerland, stayed at horse farm, oh boy we did mistake, we were eaten alive by mosquitoes...Third thing, if you travel with friends and wanna make fair splits between bills like coffe, food, tolls etc...Use envelope piggy bank where all of us put same amount of money..That way u don't have to worry about who paid this who paid that, it all goes from same pot

Very useful information.

Never use rubber mushroom plugs for punctures as they are easily pushed into the tyre and as you have bored a bigger hole the tyre will deflate quickly, better to plug the hole with puncture repair strings.

Thank you. This is very helpful. I want to travel europe on a motorcycle but am terrified

The toll routes in Europe are practical, but extremely annoying to drive. Fine if you want to get from A to B quickly, but not for the beautiful surroundings. I prefer to drive via nice quiet routes and then take a few days longer on my journey, but then I will at least arrive at my destination relaxed!