Hey everyone

I've posted this on another forum, but I thought I'd ask for advice too.

Ive got 12 days off in late August and i want to go on a trip down south. I have no fixed plans other than i'd like to reach the mediterranean, but i dont know if i am being overly optimistic with regards to the distance vs. time?

Im riding solo on a stock 2001 Yamaha TT600R with the original 10 litre tank, so ive got a max range of about 150-170 km before i hit the 3 litre reserve. Yes, i know, that ill get tired of refuelling every couple of hours, but a bigger tank will have to wait untill next season.

Ill be avoiding the major capitals and metropolitan areas, as ive seen most of them anyway on my other travels. Ill be aiming mainly for wild camping and the occasional hostel or maybe a Bed and Breakfast a couple of times.

Ive never done any motorcycle touring in Europe, only in the middle east, so im looking for any tips and ideas. Ive done plenty of backpacking and car touring though, so im not unfamiliar with european road trips.

Ill be leaving from Denmark and ive been considering 2 routes...

1. Down through Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, through the north of Italy then back up through Switzerland, Germany and home again.

2. Down through Germany and keeping the Atlantic Ocean on my right all the way through BeNeLux, France until i reach the Pyrenees then through the south of France, North Italy and back north to Denmark.

Any input, recommendations or ideas would be appreciated.

Germany in the south is great, try and do the B500 through the Black Forest, if the weather is good its a great road. Also the road along Lake Konstanz in Germany is nice. Liechtenstein is also worth a visit

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Hy,
i would think 12 days will be really short to go down to the south of europe, if you avoid the "Autobahn" in germany, because its not funny on a TT600R.

Going south from Denmark i wil prefer smaller roads heading southeast to berlin, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern they still have great paved and unpaved roads through forest and fields and then down south to Thüringen and Sachsen would be very nice to drive, it has some fine Hills and the B&B are often very cheap.
I would prefer to build up a route via google and transfer it to your GPS.

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Greetings
Wolle

Thanks for the tips. The Black Forest sounds great and I'd forgotten all about Lichtenstein. I'll definitely try to fit that into my schedule.

I agree that unfortunately the TT is far from a ideal highway cruiser. I'd like to reach the Dolomites in Northern Italy though and it should be feasible. But I think I should drop the idea of cruising some of the Mediterranean coastline.

Hey Pop,
maybe the Autoreisezug will help to get down south, it runs from Hmburg to several targets in France and italy, i.e. Narbonne in France and Alessandria in Italy.
Starting in the evening and arrives destination next round about 8-9 o`clock.

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Greetings
Wolle

I like your route 1. You bike and the 12 days should be fine.
Wild camping may be difficult in some of the countries you mention - you may end spend valuable time looking for somewhere to camp when it may only cost €10 on a small site.

After Hungary, drop into Slovenia & you're in a direct line to the Dolomites & some spectacular roads

Don't forget to pick up vignettes if you do use motorways. Cheaper than a fine!

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Look at this site
Motorbike Ride : B500 : Freudenstadt - Baden Baden

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Just confirmed that the B500 is definitely worth a detour! Thanks for the link