First time abroad on a motorcycle. I’m off to France…..
- Thread starter tjmouse
- Start date
Do not keep the spare key in a locked pannier. I watched a fellow drop his keys down a very deep gorge in France. “That’s OK, I bought a spare set” he said…. “Ooops, they are in my locked pannier!”. Oh, how we did laugh.
Likewise, keep a couple of your cash / credit cards separate, rather than all together in one wallet.
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Whenever we've taken the bike on Brittany Ferries (admittedly the long crossings to SPain) the crew have strapped it down.
They have used a strap with a big cushion on it to prevent the strap digging into the seat, but the cushion can be a bit grubby. I take an old towel in the top box and stick that on the seat before they do their thing.
I've never done this and not had any issues with seat breakages, but sounds sensible.
Good shout. I’ll stick an old tea towel in there and bin it after the return trip
You might also want to check that your travel insurance covers you for a motorcycle trip where the (presumably large capacity) bike is the principal means of transport...
It's the same on all the French crossings. They do unstrap them as well - eventually and if they remember. They're really easy to unstrap yourself though.
Good shout. It does, I checked at renewal but I know some exclude it.
I do that! My towel has 3 big panda pictures on it. The girls love it, the Barnsley lads less so.
Just enjoy yourself, have a great time and tell us all about it upon your return.
Nah, give it a go.Do not practice riding on the right, here in the UK.
Even if you don’t know how to use a puncture repair kit, take it… someone else might .
I've already had one car v bike flying lesson so I'll stick to the left in the UK
Puncture repair kit will be packed though (just ordered a new one)
My top tips are
1) relax, it’s not Columbia your going to
2) French mealtimes are 12-2 for lunch and 7-9 for dinner
3) for lunch try to avoid tourist places and look for where the local tradesmen go, then just ask for the plat du jour, you will usually get a three course lunch with a drink for pennies
4) remember France closes on Sundays so if you need anything buy it on saturday
5) avoid the autoroutes and main roads unless you need to get somewhere, the interesting bits are to be found on the smaller routes
1) relax, it’s not Columbia your going to
2) French mealtimes are 12-2 for lunch and 7-9 for dinner
3) for lunch try to avoid tourist places and look for where the local tradesmen go, then just ask for the plat du jour, you will usually get a three course lunch with a drink for pennies
4) remember France closes on Sundays so if you need anything buy it on saturday
5) avoid the autoroutes and main roads unless you need to get somewhere, the interesting bits are to be found on the smaller routes
