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+--- Thread: Riding Abroad (/showthread.php?tid=59064)
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Riding Abroad - skooage - 11-06-12
Hi Foccers,
here's one for you: riding into the EU, what's needed?
I've found a lot of conflicting informations saying you need a GB sticker and some saying not.
Also headlight beam deflectors, are they necessary? I've noticed that on the 04-06 FZ6 the dipped beam points down to the left.
Anything else that I should take special care of?
Re: Riding Abroad - BBROWN1664 - 11-06-12
Having just got back from the chateaux of our very own Big Mac I have a little recent experience but it depends where you are going as some countries change the rules slightly.
For France though I have some information. You should take the following with you.
Insurance certificate
V5 document (log book)
Driving licence (both parts)
Headlamps should have deflectors fitted to stop the light "kicking up" to teh left though most never bother
Spare bulb kit
Spare glasses (if you wear them whilst riding)
Breathalyser (from 1st July) - Yes it does say breathalyser but you can buy these on the ferry or in a supermarket when you get there for a couple of Euros apaprently.
Hi-Viz for if you break down on the motorway (needs to be easy to get to)
Lots of cash (or a cash card) to pay the on the spot fines
GB sticker or number plate with teh GB bit on it.
Re: Riding Abroad - skooage - 11-06-12
Breathalyser!? Wow... wouldn't have thought of that in a million years.
In your recent experience did you use headlight deflectors? how where would you go about getting them/how much etc?
Thanks for the info BBrown.... very helpful!
Re: Riding Abroad - locksmith - 11-06-12
Never used headlight deflectors before.
I put a spare headlamp bulb under the seat. I've never taken a hi-viz on the bike (do you need one on a bike?)
You need to carry all your documents with you (not photo copies) on the bike. If like me you have an old paper licence, that adds to the confusion :lol Don't leave them at the hotel, and you really do need around 90 euros on you to pay the speeding fine!!!
Re: Riding Abroad - BBROWN1664 - 11-06-12
I have NEVER used headlight deflectors on the bike in the 8-10 times I have taken that across and rarely use them on the car. If you really really really want to abide by all the laws, you can get them from Halfords.
The breathalyser thing is a new french law that comes in 1st July. It needs to be a French one and needs to be unused so you should buy two incase they make you use one by the roadside as without a spare you cannot ride off after blowing negative :thumbup
When in France, as you enter a town or village the village name is in a rectangular sign with a red line around it. This is where the 50kph (30mph) limit starts. The end is when you get the same sing with a line through it. Stick to the 30/50/70kph limits and you shuold be OK. They have cameras out there but tend to be forward facing so nothing to really worry about but the Gendarmes do like hiding in bushes with their hairdryers so keep your eyes open or be prepared to open your wallet as they do on the spot fines there and without paying, you aint moving!
As Locksmith says, keep your original documents on you and keep the bulbs/hi-viz under the seat.
Re: Riding Abroad - skooage - 11-06-12
All great information! I'll be sure to keep my speedo in mph and plead ignorance
Re: Riding Abroad - BBROWN1664 - 11-06-12
Quote:keep my speedo in mph and plead ignorance
Quote:they do on the spot fines there and without paying, you aint moving!
I should have added, they all carry guns and do not have a sense of humor or allow for ignorance.
Re: Riding Abroad - skooage - 11-06-12
Do any police officers have a sense of humour?! I've certainly never met one!
Re: Riding Abroad - Slaninar - 11-06-12
(11-06-12, 12:05 PM)skooage link Wrote: Do any police officers have a sense of humour?! I've certainly never met one!
You'd like to meet one that pulls jokes on you? Laughs along?
Arrr, here's a fine ticket for you, my good sir. 50 euros. But if you let me ride the bike for a spin, I could make it 20. Hahah, just joking.
Hahahah, yees, good one. Where did you get that cool hat, officer?
Flee market. Paid for it with five minutes of fear when salesman wasn't paying attention.
Ohohohohhoo. Jolly good, jolly good!
Etc.
Re: Riding Abroad - skooage - 11-06-12
It would definitely make the situation more interesting! Could be a giggle :lol
Re: Riding Abroad - BIG MAC - 11-06-12
The French will happily indulge in small talk but it will be very one sided and after all why not ...it's your time and they will make you pay for it....maybe even give you a lift to a cash point while your vehicle is recovered to a garage on the other side of the Departement and closed till Lundi....Fine if you like that kind of thing...otherwise 'schtum' is probably a good idea.
Re: Riding Abroad - b3tarev3 - 12-06-12
I seem to attract this type of stereotypical officer. :rollin
Alexi Sayle in Supergrass. 1.18 secs
http://youtu.be/eklREyuwxxc
Re: Riding Abroad - Tiberius Onklevaart - 12-06-12
I've rode abroad a few times.
Just with my hand this weather tho
Re: Riding Abroad - Mousemat - 13-06-12
Hi,
Just back from France.
In Calais ALL british bikes were being stopped and had to produce breathalyser kits and Hi-Vis vests. A lot of money being made by police!!!
Breathalyser kits cost £4.99 in Halfords.
Re: Riding Abroad - Pat - 13-06-12
(13-06-12, 10:13 AM)Mousemat link Wrote: Hi,
Just back from France.
In Calais ALL british bikes were being stopped and had to produce breathalyser kits and Hi-Vis vests. A lot of money being made by police!!!
Breathalyser kits cost £4.99 in Halfords.
I don't see how....
The breathalyser law doesn't come into force until 1st July & even then le plod can only tell you off for not having one until 1st Nov when they're allowed to fine you €11 for the offence.
The carrying of Hi viz vests has been a legal requirement for car drivers for a number of years, but they aren't a legal requirement for bikers. However, there is proposed legislation for riders to have to have 150 sq cm (basically an armband) of reflective material on the upper body, this is planned to come into force next year.
Re: Riding Abroad - BBROWN1664 - 13-06-12
:agree
Quote:Breathalyser kits cost £4.99 in Halfords
Are they the French ones with the NF mark? If not they are useless for France.
Re: Riding Abroad - DrGadget - 13-06-12
Yes, Halfords do the "nf" version for £4.99 for a duel kit. with Free P&P
Re: Riding Abroad - Phil - 13-06-12
I tend to trust what the AA say http://shop.theaa.com/content/driving-in-europe
I tend to carry a hi viz vest everywhere now anyway. In a lot of countries you have to carry one in case of a breakdown.
Also, if you are going to Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia and probably a few others, you need to buy a Vignette tax sticker even for bikes. €4.6 - 10 depending on the country for 10 days.
I've done quite a few trips abroad and only been stopped twice, both in Spain on off roading trips. Once when I was on my own and got stopped, the copper saluted, said I needed a GB sticker, checked my documents and said bye. The other they pulled the whole group 2 miles out of Bilbao, said 'theez bikes iz for tee mountains not the motorways'. They said we needed mirrors and indicators, tutted, then said bye.
Re: Riding Abroad - Phil - 13-06-12
ps. 50kph over the limit in France is an instant ban. Happened to someone I know, he had to chain his bike up outside the cop shop and get the train home.
Re: Riding Abroad - BBROWN1664 - 13-06-12
So what would they do if they ever work out it was me doing 140mph past a camera in a 90kph limit?