As title suggests, planning a solo trip to Europe for April or May. Live in Norfolk, UK and ride a KTM 990 SM.

New on the forum, and was just interested to see if anyone is about then, or is planning a similar trip. It's always fun to ride with other people.

Most of my mates are dead against motorbiking, which leaves me at a loose end when it comes to organising trips like this.

Im 24 years old, just graduated from Uni and wanted to take a little time before real life begins to put some miles on my bike and get some fresh air through the helmet.

Flexible in terms of riding style, and happy to go at a fast or relaxed pace. I should say, however, that I do not have a death wish and try to avoid death and other death related symptoms where possible.

Would be great to hear from anyone.

Dave

Gday mate,

Jef here from New Zealand. Not sure how long u planning to tour, but my Argentinian mate and I are arriving in Paris on the 1st of May for 8wks touring. Our plans are slightly different but my plan is to pick up a bike in London, turn around and head either to Italy with Mauricio, OR head north to Norway and then back via Poland/Czech Republic/Austria/Switzerland/Italy. Basically Norway and Italy are highlights.

I ride an 09 buell 1200 uly and a 09 BMW 650x-challenge depending on or off road. This trip will be on-road, our first time in Europe (ive been to Scandanavia once).

Anyhow, I'm still hunting a bike, keen on an 05+ Aprilia Pegaso 660 (yamaha engine & EFI). Missed one for a good price as the seller pulled out last minute, but hoping to find something this week.

We both mid 30s, Mau is a crazy single guy, and I just got married last year to a very understanding wife (bike sympathetic).

What's your ideas? Would you be keen? What are you riding? Know anyone who wants to loan a bike or swap 4NZ?

Hi Jef, Good to hear from you.

As far as Norway is concerned, I think you would be better of going there in the latter half of your trip. Ive heard that conditions can be a little treacherous at that time of year.

I was thinking of setting off early May time from London and either getting the ferry to northern Spain (Santander or Bilbao), which costs around £85, or taking the Eurotunnel to Calais.

Im pretty flexible on leaving dates, and would want to go for about a month.

I would definitely by keen on doing the alps - Italy, Austria, France etc. I think a good plan would be to get the ferry to Bilbao, and then ride through the Pyrenees to the south coast of France (good weather), and then up into Italy, Austria etc for the Alps.

That would then leave you another 4 weeks to head to Norway, by which time the weather (June) would be more favourable.

What do you think?

I ride a KTM 990 Supermoto, with a rack and top box.
I can also help you find a bike here in the UK if you need it. Bikes are generally cheaper here than on the continent.


Dave

I'm off in May for a month. Spain and Portugal Leave May the 14 from Dover dock's at 7.30 am. Place booked for two. Going on my own. No camping, Cheap hotel's on the way down. Live just out side King's Lynn. Give me a call if you are interested.
John933.

__________________
To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.

Gday Dave, I hear you about Norway warmer in June as opposed to May. And I'm open to most ideas, including your plan. This week is the crunch week as I am about to buy a bike and so is my mate Mauricio...sort of. I'm closing a deal on a 2003 Caponord, 30000miles in great shape with topbox (panniers are extra but may leave and just use my drybag backpack 40l). Here in NZ I ride an 09 Buell Ulysses XP and ADV riding I use my BMW 650x. Too expensive to bring either over. The Aprilia is in Altrincham, near Manchester.


My mate Mauricio is going to 'borrow' a bike from a guy I set him up with. Interesting deal really, inexpensive and easy (no buy/sell) but very high excess over 1300Euro so he better not have any issues! He will pay 500Euro only for 8weeks borrowing an old 1995 BMW 100T. So with your 990, my 1000cc Capo, and his 1000cc beemer, we are all similar size engines (totally different performance tho!). We are mid 30s, and relaxed, but also not much $$$$ so will be camping and looking for ways to do the trip without expensive accommodation.

I have to figure out timing better in order to plan routes, but best to finalise our bikes and then come 2routing after? That should be the next 48hrs.

Sounds like we could have a gaggle, posse, pride, school...gang of bikers?

Hi guys. I like what i am reading.
i am planning on riding down from Dublin on the 1st of may. would be great to hook up somewhere along the way and ride together.. let me know what you guys have planned...

I'm happy to camp, that was my plan anyway. Also looking to save money where possible so that works well with me. I prefer camping anyhow.

Thats quite a range of bikes! But all within a reasonable power bracket, and providing there are no Valentino Rossi's among us we should be fine


This is my ride. Only just picked it up but happy so far!!



Also a pretty relaxed person, and happy to compromise on a route plan, but I think heading south in may would give us the best possible chance of good weather.

That aprilia looks decent, what are you paying for it if you don't mind me asking?

Dave

Hi,

More the merrier I say. Riding in a bigger group would be a laugh. Do you have a route in mind?

Dave

exactly! the more the merrier.. ive sent u a pm

I am leaving from Switzerland third week of April, heading East: Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Kosovo, Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria and Romania. Should be about 2 weeks trip to reach Romania depending on what's on the way to see.
If this is the direction you'd like to head to, welcome to join.

Accommodation: mostly camping.
Bike: BMW R1200GS
Route: small roads, mountain passes, some dirt tracks.
No death wish and no intention paying speeding fines.

If it sounds interesting drop me a line. Thanks.

I spoke with the seller last night, just waiting on one last thing to make sure he has to sell (he doesn't want to but needs cash), but reckons its likely mine if I want it. I got him to agree to 1800GBP, which is reasonably good price. Most Caponords like this one go for more, around 2500GBP. It has a topbox, heated grips, good tyres, new chain/sprocket, scott oiler and possibly a GPS. If this doesn't happen for any reason, I've got a smaller Aprilia Pegaso 660, a 2007 with only 10000kms available from a shop in London for 2300GBP...more than I wanted to spend but possibly easier to sell after the trip? Tough call overall between the two. Here's the 660 (yamaha engine!) Pegaso:


Your bike looks like it hates going slow Will be pretty fun on the mountain passes though! I would ride something like that, but can't afford to buy in Europe for a short trip. Anyhow, we are all governed by the speed limit anyway.

As for route, if you were keen to ride in Norway (most amazing scenery and roads ever, plus free camping sites), I'd be fine to head south and aim for late may/june there. I only want to ride there 2wks in southern part (no further north than Trondheim) and the rest of your ideas (switzerland/alps/austria etc) were part of my plan already. Mauricio has mates in Italy so I figured 2wks for me there also? He just agreed to borrow the older BMW so he is planning to pick up in southern Germany (3.5hrs from Paris by TUV) and then we meet up and head south to South France. He may want to go to Spain, but I'm preferring east to Italy...will find out soon.

Looking at things Dave, I agree that its smarter to go to Norway a bit later. Also I see a great route with Mauricio to South France and then Italy, then up to Norway via Czech Republic & Poland (ferry to Sweden, then 5hrs ride to Oslo). I have a friend staying on a farm near Oslo, and a few other biker mates there. Italy will be great with Mauricio and a few of our Italian friends who also ride.

Still haven't picked either of the two bikes, but I will very soon. Just waiting on the seller of the Caponord, but I'm starting to swing back to the more expensive but maybe more sell-able Pegaso 660 with Yamaha engine. What do you think would sell faster in the UK, the 07 pegaso with 17000 miles for 2000GBP or the 03 Caponord with 38000 miles for 1500GBP?