Some interesting thoughts so far.
I haven't ventured abroad on two wheels yet but have done about 3-4 thousand miles each summer with the family camping all over Europe and would love to take the bike at some point in the future. I alo would lean towards camping for the independance it gives and would also feel happier about sleeping next to my bike rather than leave it in a hotel car park away from earshot and view. Have left the car and trailer in that scenario before without event but that's maybe down to good luck rather than anything else.
For destination the Alps are magnificent and hard to beat if the weather is with you. What you quickly learn is how important the weather is when camping. The weather is more unsettled in the mountains and for that reason we have tended towards south of France lately where good weather is almost certain.
Many campers follow the good weather and select their destinations based on current forecasts. I don't think booking onto sites is necessary especially as you will only want small pitches.
Personally I would rather tour in good weather in southern France than in rain in the Alps so pehaps the way forward is to remain flexible on destination?
I also have used both ferry and tunnel (first time on the tunnel last summer cos we took the pooch) and I think I would choose the tunnel for biking, no delays due to bad weather or French fishermen striking and blocking the ports!! There is time to eat on arrival at Folkestone.
I do think the idea of an odd night in a hotel may be good.
Don't forget, camping isn't secure, so if you're leaving things there as a base you may well come back to nothing... 
saying that, I camped round Scotland this summer, few forrays out from the tent and nothing was taken, but I was always sure to take as much of value as I could with us.
Would cost a lot more than B&Bs/ hotels then!!
Yeah fair points, will consider all options again when we plan the detail.
Tom - In terms of our base, that would be a hotel/b&b so hopefully will be a little more secure. Wouldn't leave anything in a tent for the day, bound to be knicked!
Be loose with your plans, you're bound to overestimate the distance/destinations you can comfortably do. I think I've done 10 euro trips now and certainly had a couple of "bridge too far" days on the first 5.
Camping is a great option but don't be a slave to it. if the weathers shite grab a hotel. Go lightish on your camping gear cos' you don't to survive a Scottish blizzard, make sure it all goes in one bag, I use a medium ortlieb that bugees on the rack, that way if your hoteling it you just take it to your room and don't need to unpack it. Just bear in mind the altitude that your camping at. A beautiful alpine meadow awash with hot sunshine can cool down at night, if so, just put some clothes on in your bag.
As has been said above, don't take too much in the way of clothes, if you cock it up and are short you can just buy em.
Do make sure your bikes up to it, tyres, pads, service etc, and that's it. your away.
You'll have a ball and get addicted to it. It's what your motorbike was built for.
The only real Fazer is a carbed 600.
I haven't travelled a lot on a bike, but did a few trips with the car. So for a few days of travel I used to sleep in a car. But when I went on a bike I used F1 hotels last year in France. There are plenty of them, but book a day or two before you come. I believe the camping is not free and the room at the hotel was about £25/night, the pay is per room and there is double bed and a single over head. I cannot imagine a holiday without a shower after a long days ride. I like it to be comfortable. And I do not like making a poo in the bush either. If I don't have money for these things than I would postpone the holiday for later. The F1 hotels are usually located in the outskirts, but I did not come to stay in a hotel for a week, because I would be disappointed at the least. The hotels I stayed in Lyon and Paris had a car park with 2 meter fence around it, I did lock my bike to the fence and other time to the hand rail. It doesn't look that fancy anyway.
I know some chap who has travelled around Europe on a budget and for around 3 weeks at a time. He said that he used a website for a bed with strangers [size=78%] http://www.couchsurfing.org/[/size] , it's not my cup of tea but hey. He likes to wash himself in a river, eat canned food and mak a poo in a bush. And he travelled on GS500 as it is economical and rode behind lorries(reaching 3.7ltr/100km). So, when he can't find a free bed he sleeps in a bush by the road.
Choice is yours, pack all clothes in freezer bags so they won't get wet when it starts raining
Loaded with panniers and a tank bag.
![[Image: P1000477.jpg]](http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss21/marciaus/P1000477.jpg)
(29-12-11, 10:18 AM)Phil TK link Wrote: Heidelberg is just 10 miles on from Mannheim and a more interesting place to stay, it's a true gothic town on the riverside overlooked by a dracula type castle etc. A good place to explore german beer I might add.
I couldn't agree more. You, Sir, ARE a man of the world! 
Most things done in a hurry need to be done again - patiently.
if you're planning a few days "basecamp" for your trip, dont rule out a tent rather than a B&B etc cos camping at proper sites is very cheap, and you still have reasonable facilities. but if your only going away for a week then tenting might not be worth the setup hassle.
either way, anything valuable is likely to just be a satnav/camera/smartphone/gopro as you'll probably not take a laptop/ipad/kindle for just a week, probably not even two weeks on a bike, so you can take the small list of valuables with you on your day trips.
take minimal clothing ie 1 pair denims/zippies, 1 light fleece, 4 days hiking tees (easy washable & quick drying)
light summer bike gear
a set of waterproofs.
if camping, consider taking a small tarp to set up as a shade over your tent - it gets hot in europe and a hot tent is an oven.
and drink plenty fluids (not just booze).
Why do so many of you consider camping cost wise? You either like it or not. If not, there are always cheap ho(s)tels.
I consider camping to be a million star hotel, wouldn't trade it for anything. Tent, fire, sea if possible, that's what vacation is all about. If you find fellow campers with a guitar and some Czech/Slovenian girls happen to be near, you'r in for a verry nice time.
Most things done in a hurry need to be done again - patiently.
(09-01-12, 08:00 AM)Slaninar link Wrote: . Tent, fire, sea if possible, that's what vacation is all about. If you find fellow campers with a guitar and some Czech/Slovenian girls happen to be near, you'r in for a verry nice time.
if thats what happens when you go camping can i come with ya :lol
(09-01-12, 09:54 AM)phil on a fazer link Wrote: if thats what happens when you go camping can i come with ya :lol
Anytime mate. Past 3 years I've been camping while my loved one was at home (she hates camping), so the girls will be all for you to handle! Late June, when days are the logest.
Most things done in a hurry need to be done again - patiently.
Sounds perfect, till it pisses down :lol
(09-01-12, 12:59 PM)locksmith link Wrote: Sounds perfect, till it pisses down :lol
In the summer time, rainstorms in tent are fun. Unless it rains every day. But it never does in these parts of the globe. Last summer I was riding some 4 hours in pouring rain and even some ice. Thought I'd laugh at how stupid I was and enjoy sunny rides even more afterwards.
Most things done in a hurry need to be done again - patiently.
when I was younger I campe dfor 2 weeks in antibes, an dit wa sgreat . But it was high season, no rain etc. On the way down and back we stopped in a hotel room though....
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