A guide book for Malta said that the British drive on Left, the French drive on the Right, and that the Maltese drive in the shade.

Are there any other rules that I ought to swot up on before leaving for Europe? Is there a guide or Highway code that covers Europe, perhaps?

Cheers,

John

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Johnef

Western Europe is not that different to the UK apart from the issue of driving on the wrong side of the road.

Germany: You really need to keep your eyes open if travelling on motorways, especially the two lane variety. The outer lane will be full of cars at high speed bearing down on you. They tend to come up behind you rather fast & slow down at the last minute rather than back off gradually. Tailgating @ 100mph is very common.

France: Possibly the highest road death toll in W.Europe & for good reason. Flashing your lights at an oncoming driver has the the opposit meaning in France, it's a warning & not a courteous invite to pull out etc.

Spain: Driving standards could be better but you only really get traffic jams in the cities. Motorways pretty empty & in good condition. Can recommend the Pyrenees & north west Spain in general.

Italy: You'll know when you're approaching the Italian border as the standard of driving deteriorates the closer you get. Beware on mountian roads for oncoming cars crossing the centre line on sharp bends. Disconcerting to say the least when you're next to a sheer drop.

Eastern Europe: Varies according to where you are. Country roads not so good, courtesy between drivers unknown, some motorways are very heavily rutted by heavy trucks & can cause a bit of a weave on a heavily loaded bike if you cross them at speed.

Basically take your time & if in doubt about right of way, stop & look. Despite all of the above, I love riding in Europe.

The AA/RAC may provide a basic Code for European Driving but I doubt that it's very comprehensive.

Where are you going?

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My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com

Thank you Steve, that's pretty comprehensive. How about speed limits, though? While I hope I will have the sense to enjoy the scenery and not just thrash it there and back, I don't want to get pinched through ignorance.

This time just a quickie to the South of France, Italian Alps, Austria,...? Next time April/May, Istanbul.
Cheers,
J

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Johnef

F: 50/90/130 km/h in the dry, 50/80/110 in the wet. Speedcameras popping up like mushrooms on a wet spring day. Beware of unsignposted intersections with priority from the right.

Normally, you find huge signs after each border advising the limits.

If you're coming this way before mid-June please call in.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

Speed limits are not that different to anywhere else. Normally signed but if in doubt you have two options, slow down or keep your eyes open...lol

Saying that, we got caught coming out of Bratislava last September by a Radar Trap. They took our passports & sent my girlfriend off to the nearest Currency Exchange as we did not have enough local cash to pay the on the spot fine. She returned empty handed as the exchange rate was criminal, in the end they let us go FOC because of the language barrier & because it was not worth the effort.

There is an abundance of crappy Police vehicles in Eastern Europe, all of which are easily outrun:

Zagrebs finest:

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My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com

If going to the Italian Alps, I can recommend the D902 from Val d'isere up to Col de L'iseran to Mont Cenis & in to Italy towards Susa.



We came the other way en-route from Budapest via Slovenia, Cortina & the Dolomites.

Pile of photos here from that trip, all separated by town, city & country:

http://possu.smugmug.com/Travel

Trip report:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52824

Enjoy yourself & don't come back without plenty of photos




[This message has been edited by Steve Pickford (edited 18 February 2005).]

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John,

i recommend mostly to avoid highways-aka-autobahns if possible and if you want to see the country. Certanly use smaller roads, and escpecially those what are marked green on the maps - beautiful small roads - lot to see!

The european highways are redicolously boring way to drive for travelling motorcyclists - high speeds, huge winds and noise, direct way, nothing to see and the bike takes a lot more of gas too on 130-160kph speeds compared you do 80-100kph on smaller roads with much more fun.

I only use them if i'm somewhere hurry...

Happy european travelling, Margus

Steve, Pete, Margus:

This is great! Thank you all for your responses. And Pete, I shall certainly bear your generous offer in mind, 'Biker's Paradise' does sound hard to resist!

Best,

John

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Johnef