what if you are riding a goldwing with the stabilisers that come down when you slow to walking pace?
what if you are riding a goldwing with the stabilisers that come down when you slow to walking pace?
Surrey Yeoman
Registered user
Just the same as the UK - Dunno about Scotland
and N. Ireland 
, but in England and Wales, the opinion of two plod, independantly formed, that you are exceeding the prescribed speed limit is sufficient to gain a conviction in Court. 
..................................Not a lot of people know that, as Michael Caine may have said once!
The attitude test also applies in the UK (although we call it "Discretion"
)Cheers
ONYERBIKE
Registered user
Bike should be stopped at the stop sign for a minimum 4 seconds, and they are hot on it.
You would be arrested for crimes against motorcycling and thrown into the Bastille.
Jontacular
Registered user
Hi all, apologies if this has been covered (a quick search suggests not), but do you need to put sticky tape on your headlights to dip the beam when in France?
I'm having trouble determining if it's the case with bikes, I just remember my Dad having to put stickers on the car lights when I was a nipper...
Have picked up loads of other tips here though, so thanks all!
I'm having trouble determining if it's the case with bikes, I just remember my Dad having to put stickers on the car lights when I was a nipper...
Have picked up loads of other tips here though, so thanks all!
Riders Rest
Registered user
I would say it is polite to do so, however not very many people do these days.
Some vehicles, including the R1150GS, have adjustable headlamps. Procedure described in the manual. I've never bothered: it's not like the dipped beam is very bright anyway.
Do these links help I sent them to my group in April
Was over in Normandy in April, other than driving documents etc, took spare bulbs.......
Found this link if it helps:
http://www.autoroutes.fr/en/preparatives/speed-limit-map.html
and
http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/RidingInFrance.htm
Oh and speed camera locations;
http://english.controleradar.org/
Enjoy the trip -We did and we put it on Youtube
Was over in Normandy in April, other than driving documents etc, took spare bulbs.......
Found this link if it helps:
http://www.autoroutes.fr/en/preparatives/speed-limit-map.html
and
http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/RidingInFrance.htm
Oh and speed camera locations;
http://english.controleradar.org/
Enjoy the trip -We did and we put it on Youtube
Main thing is DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. A guest of mine got a 3000 euro fine last year for being well over the limit, stopped speeding on his way back from the restaurant.. The limit is lower than the UK. Police now set up speed traps on the exit and entrance to towns. If they think you have been drinking they will breathalise. Penalties are massive. Here in Provence it's called 'the hunt' and speed traps are set up at 2.00pm onwards, still guaranteed to catch out the long lunch bottle of wine brigade.
You don't need hi viz,Bulbs are recommended but not mandatory
You do need a decent attitude with Gendarmes, they are not civilian police
Don't speed entering or leaving towns and villages
Assume everyone has priority coming from your right side, the French do!
Enjoy France, I have for nearly 35 years touring and 8 as a resident.
You don't need hi viz,Bulbs are recommended but not mandatory
You do need a decent attitude with Gendarmes, they are not civilian police
Don't speed entering or leaving towns and villages
Assume everyone has priority coming from your right side, the French do!
Enjoy France, I have for nearly 35 years touring and 8 as a resident.
Onwalkabout
Registered user
From what the drivers/lawyers associations say, flashing headlights to warn others of a speed/mobile camera is still NOT an offence in France.
Do not listen to what the Gendarmes/Policiers tell you...
Yes but what they will hit you for is failing to have headlights dipped within the correct distance of an oncoming vehicle.
Road traffic acts are like Bond Street Tailors - no one is too hard to fit...
fuddy
Registered user
Being a bit paranoid?
Just go and drive.
x2.... Dont worry about old bill etc,just enjoy your trip.
What Documentation is required?
I've followed a number of the links in an attempt to figure out documentation requirements mentioned by eveyone.
I've seen:-
V5
MOT
Insurance (for the bike)
Is this the definative required (not recommended, but required by law - I know health and accident insurance is obviously recommended) document list?
Do they HAVE to be originals? Not too keen on keeping my original V5 with me
Feel free to point me to another resource if I'm being a numpty
Rgds
Maxxx
I've followed a number of the links in an attempt to figure out documentation requirements mentioned by eveyone.
I've seen:-
V5
MOT
Insurance (for the bike)
Is this the definative required (not recommended, but required by law - I know health and accident insurance is obviously recommended) document list?
Do they HAVE to be originals? Not too keen on keeping my original V5 with me
Feel free to point me to another resource if I'm being a numpty
Rgds
Maxxx
Jontacular
Registered user
Thanks Riders Rest/wessie!
In rural areas the plod are very thin on the ground. In my experience they are quite lenient to motorcyclists and invariably polite and friendly - right up until you get on their bad side.
Bear in mind that the powers of a Gendarme are way above what a UK police could even dream of. They don't need a radar to do you for speeding, just the opinion of two officers, if you can't pay a fine on the spot they'll immobilise the vehicle or tow it until you can (and charge you for storage), their word is, for all intents and purposes, law.
Their response when you are stopped depends very much on your attitude. If you act the cock, they can ruin your day in a big way, if you're polite and accommodating they will be the same and you'll be on your way in no time.
That's my experience of them too, even when being fined FF15,000 at Le Havre many years ago.
Riders Rest
Registered user
I've followed a number of the links in an attempt to figure out documentation requirements mentioned by eveyone.
I've seen:-
V5
MOT
Insurance (for the bike)
Is this the definative required (not recommended, but required by law - I know health and accident insurance is obviously recommended) document list?
Do they HAVE to be originals? Not too keen on keeping my original V5 with me
Feel free to point me to another resource if I'm being a numpty
Rgds
Maxxx
They should be the Originals, you will also need your driving license
I've followed a number of the links in an attempt to figure out documentation requirements mentioned by eveyone.
I've seen:-
V5
MOT
Insurance (for the bike)
Is this the definative required (not recommended, but required by law - I know health and accident insurance is obviously recommended) document list?
Do they HAVE to be originals? Not too keen on keeping my original V5 with me
I tour quite a bit, and have to say I do take original V5's, insurance certificates and both parts of my DL with me.
I agree with some of the other posts about chilling out and relaxing. I really wouldn't worry too much about refective this and spare bulb that. Enjoy your holiday and be polite if you're stopped.
There are lots of generalisations on here about how the police will be with you. You must remember that whilst they all interperet the law off the same song sheet, they are all individuals and may deal with the things they come across differently. Some are bikers and petrol heads (me !!!!!!
) and are a little more relaxed about things like loud pipes and black visors, some are bloody nice blokes but not necessarily into bikes, some are by the book merchants and will do things straight down the line, and some have just found out their wife is over the side with a bloke who rides a motorbike. Its a lottery who you get stopped by, so never make assumptions! .madman
Registered user
And while we are on the subject of what is legal, tinted visors are not illegal in France. I use one all the time - bit of a bugger when it gets dark though.
Take the original of your V5 and the other doc's. It may well save you time if you ever really need to produce them.
You take the original of your passport and manage not to lose that, I assume?
If you lose your V5 it's the work of seconds (and a few quid) on the internet to get a fresh one. Lose your passport and it can be days to get a fresh one and definitely more than a few quid.
You take the original of your passport and manage not to lose that, I assume?
If you lose your V5 it's the work of seconds (and a few quid) on the internet to get a fresh one. Lose your passport and it can be days to get a fresh one and definitely more than a few quid.
