bike prep for Europe
 

hi all!
Im aware that this question will have already been posted but after trawling through threads i can't seem to find any answers.
Im finally going to get out there and do a small trip to Germany to attend an engagement party.
Id like to know what i need to get for the bike or do to the bike? Do i need extra bulbs etc and I've heard about adjusting headlights? Im a UK rider if that helps.

Thanks in advance guys :helpsmilie:

Hi,

Have toured 22 European countries on the bike so far. I've always taken spare bulbs, never had to use them. I've never adjusted the headlight, never been a problem. Best advise is to just go. Any problems that arise then become part of the adventure. My experience is that there will always be someone come along & want to help. Enjoy the trip

Ray

just go
 

+1

I might look at adjusting the headlight if I was to ride a lot after dark but we all know that time is for jeiger

Take the paperwork related to the bike and just go.

I've always taken bulbs and stuff but never needed them. I've taken a small first aid kit and never used it. take bulbs and a small first aid kit, take your documents your mobile phone and your breakdown club card, some spare tee shirts, a pair of jeans for the pub at night and go.

In my experience, Germany is the best country to have a problem in. The amount of people who will want to help you is amazing.

Jim

jak750,
care to share your travel route?

As the others said, just get your bike in working order and go. Me, I carry two HiViz jackets under the seat of my scooter. One for me in case of an accident and one to wrap around my helmet and place it on the ground as an improvised warning signal in case of accidents.

I was told by non-Germans that Germany is the country of beer, bread and cake so you might want to sample the produce on your way. These days most bakeries sell a good coffee and a sweet or salty snack so no need to get fancy if you don´t feel like it. Same goes for butcheries, usually you´ll get a hot snack at a decent price at least until noon.

You might want to take a road or two off the Autobahn ... there is so much more to see. As a German it always pains me seeing travelers blasting through my country at full speed while missing so many nice places to see and things to experience.

So come with an open heart and enjoy!

Hi,

In Germany you dont need to carry spare bulbs and nonsence like that but indeet you have to cover part of your hedlight or adjust it so it will point towards the other side scince in germany you have to drive on the right side.

Enjoy it, Tobi

Nothing set in stone yet but Im heading across to Rotterdam then on to Jena

Tell you what - nobody´s going to even notice about it unless you drive at night on a rural road.

I´ve taken a car to England on several occasions, including a trimester at a University, and nobody did care either.

Hop on the bike and get over here to "no-rule-country" (no legal requirement for hi-viz jackets, alco-test, reflector-stickers etc.). We´re so free we are even allowed to travel to Cuba!

Cheers
Chris

just go ... you can buy any spares on the road
 

Germany is not far away from UK and you can get to other side in a day. If you're so inclined. I didnt do anything with my lights or anything else for that matter and I get across there every year when Im back in UK.

I'd just go - Easy.

Jak,

I am in Denmark and ride in Germany on a regular basis.

I am not sure what the legal requirements are but the sensible requirements as far as I am concerned are taking a spare set of bulbs on all long journeys.

Take a vis vest for both rider and passenger. There is no legal requirement to wear one but I am pretty sure you have to have them with the bike. There is no way I would like to be anywhere near the autobahn if i broke down. But if I have to be there I would want a vis vest on. Vis vests appear to be a lot more common on mainland europe than they do in the UK.

You don`t say how you are getting to Germany. In France there is a new ruling where you must carry an alcho test kit. The new ruling is either in or it is on its way.

If you are going to Northern Germany have a look at Regina Ferries. It is a new ferry company which is supposed to start running in the summer from Harwich to Esjberg in Denmark. It is hugely cheaper than DFDS. Rider and bike about £100 return.
The Regina Ferry website is only in Danish at the moment but they are going to release an English site shortly.

Steve

Jak,

Same as everyone has said here. If taking a small spare bulb and first aid kit makes you feel happier, then do it.
Its Europe and you can get most spares as quick if not quicker (and cheaper) than in UK.
Enjoying the journey is the main thing.

Craig.

These days, with the £ / € exchange rate, it will definitely be cheaper! :innocent:

I would definately stick a bit of tape on your headlight. Even if you only ride during the day you will risk dazzling people in tunnels. It takes 30 seconds with a bit of sparkies tape.

Other than that you might want to think about whether your bike needs an oil change before all those miles, check your tyre pressures are right for a loaded bike and that your chain tension is correct. Check you have european breakdown cover and go.

The above is a belt and braces approach and you may not wish to bother but all of the above should take you no longer than an hour or two, even if you do need to adjust your chain tension and do an oil change.

Germany is great. Nothing like a schnitzel and a pint of german beer...

:)

Thanks for the input guys Im getting the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam then heading on to Jena!
:scooter:

Thanks for that info on ferries. That may be of interest to me travelling from Germany to Scotland. Wonder how long before DFDS throw a spanner in the works to stop that new ferry company offering prices like that! Looks like these may be special start up offers, which had to be booked in April 2012. A phone call is in order methinks.

DFDS are good, but their prices are pretty high, most of the charges seem to be the cabin booking and meals.

Grey Beard

I would take clutch and throttle cables. Because they are probably specific to your bike. Fit the new ones before you leave and carry the old ones as spares.
I do an annual service at the beginning of the riding season and that is usually enough for my trips.
If your bike has a rear chain you might want to make sure it has plenty of life left in it.
I carry a spare, but it only takes a couple of minutes to change on my bike. Most modern bikes take longer and use the much better x or o ring chains.
Also take a look at your tyres, not only tread depth but check for sidewall damage.

Germany is a good place to ride, the roadside hotels are often not overly priced and food is better value than UK. I usually as for whatever is a local speciality.

make sue you have all your paper work handy in a waterproof bag including credit cards and you will be fine. Generally though I pay cash for everything and use cash machines.

enjoy your trip.