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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 7 Apr 2003
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Spain on a scooter
Hello, I'm not sure this is the right place to ask for help but it's the best site I've found - my friend and I are planning to take our lives and scooters from london to the east coast of Spain this summer and we're really starting from scratch. If anyone has any advice from packing to routes and roads then we would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks, Alastair
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  #2  
Old 7 Apr 2003
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What kind of scooters do you have? How fast will they go? What is your range (for food etc and fuel? Do you want to camp or stay on hotels?

Lots to think about...
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  #3  
Old 7 Apr 2003
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Thanks for taking time to reply. We've got 125's (Aprilia Habanas), not the full motorcycle license, just our CBTs. Range is about 100 miles, we'll be taking an extra fuel tank each and we're planning on camping - we're not in a rush but just want to try and make it across to the east coast -do you think it's a bit ambitious/naive? Alastair.

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Old 8 Apr 2003
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Hi!

Not naive at all!
I'v read of people doing 15000 miles on a 49cc moped for a summer vacation.
And modern 125 is very good,almost a motorcycle.
Is it a 2 or 4 stroke?

cheers

jondoe
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  #5  
Old 8 Apr 2003
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Ambitious? Naive? Perhaps in some people's minds - but they'd be the ones who think a trip down to the pub is a big night out, and going away to Brighton is the big annual vacation.

If people can ride around the world on Vespa's, Honda postie bikes - CT90's etc, then your trip is no problem.

Take the backroads obviously, don't be in a rush, don't overload (you can always have stuff sent to you) and you'll have a great time, and it will be a superb introduction to travelling.

Small bikes like those are VERY common in Spain and Portugal, and France too, so you won't be anything weird to the local drivers.

Also have a look for the thread - "do it on a 250" - and others - somewhere on the HUBB, probably the "which bike" forum, for more small bike travel info.

Have fun!

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One world, Two wheels.
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  #6  
Old 9 Apr 2003
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I hate to bring up something negative but your lack of full licences may be a problem if you get stopped by the police for any reason. Don’t let it stop you going but it is something you may need to look into a bit further before leaving.

It’s worth contacting the Spanish tourist office in London. I found them very helpful and they send out a useful free pack of information about motoring in Spain that includes quite a decent road map. The Spanish love scooters, you should have no problems.
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Old 9 Apr 2003
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Thanks v. much for the responses, I'm going to look into doing my bike licence before we go and it's great to have some assurance from people who know.

One question someone might be able to help with - we're going to stay on campsites and wonder whether we'll have to take all our stuff around with us when we go anywhere, I would imagine it's too risky to leave stuff in the tent - do campsites usually have lockers or anything?

Alastair
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  #8  
Old 9 Apr 2003
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We've travelled all over Spain and always camped. We have only once in 8 years had anything taken and that was only a lamp. Most campsites have safety deposit boxes in reception for valuables and if not they are usually very obliging and would probably keep passports, etc in their safe if you asked. All the sites have security and its kind of a community thing where there is mutual respect among campers and everyone looks out for each others things. We have even returned to our tent to find that people have put our things away for us because it has started to rain while we were out.

Ally
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  #9  
Old 9 Apr 2003
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Sounds like a good trip. One thing though - why not save your bikes and fly there?

Scooter rental is so cheap over there, and you'll get much more time on the road. I suspect that the journey down would become a bit of a drag...

With some persuasion you should be able to rent scooters with your provisional and a hefty deposit. This is what I did when I toured Greece by scooter before I got my licence. Have a look at the site below. The guy who runs the Marbella branch of Moto Mercado is really really good. Lovely guy - very helpful and not too pricy.

HTH - best of luck if you do decide to ride down.

http://www.rentabike.org/english.html

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Old 9 Apr 2003
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21€ per day!

Told you it was cheap.
Think of how much fuel money you'll save.

Me and my g/f bought an ultra-cheap no frills 2 week package holiday.

Then we rented an XT and expored the hills and camped.

When it rained or it was cold we went back to our ready-reserved cheapo hotel (where we could securely stash gear).

I think we stayed in the hotel for 4/5 of the 14 nights.

It was great - the Pueblos Blancos are amazing, and there are great trails, caves and ancient towns to explore.

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  #11  
Old 10 Apr 2003
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we're really in to making a journey of it, maybe take a week or so to get across the country (in addition we're both still paying our bikes off - would hate to leave them lying in London) so I think we'll take the road - thanks for the help though & scenic spots. Ally, cheers for the campsite info, it gives us confidence, we'll let you know if all our stuff gets nicked..! Anyone know any good stores in London for equipment, we're thinking about putting saddlebags over the side of the bike and for scooter petrol cans etc. Also whilst I'm at it, any decent bike insurance companies would be welcomed. We're with Red Star Equity and I'm not sure if they're competitive. Thanks
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  #12  
Old 10 Apr 2003
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Hi

I wouldn't bother spending too much on gear before you go. you don't need to. Just use a couple of old holdall bags and strap them to the back of the bike. try and keep the weight as low as you can. By the time you get to Spain, if you head for Andora on the France/Spain baorder you'll have learnt thing or two and you'll know much better just what you do need. In Andora there are 100's of bike shops all duty free. You name it you can get it and atleast 30-40% cheeper than in the UK. You'll love the roads round there too.

Have fun
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