France trip

Burbs

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I'm off on my first trip to France.....
Will be overnight ferrying to St Malo, then riding down to Grand Fougeray, where we will be staying for the week...

We leave on the 6th so hopefully the current fuel issues will be over by then....

I'm looking for any additional info -

I have two breathalysers, Hi-viz, reflective stickers on my helmet, and a 'bulb set'.
Am I missing anything that might be needed if I'm pulled over by the police?

Thanks
:thumb2
 
Sense of humour ?


Sent from my iPad using Twattybollox
 
My advice would be to leave all that stuff at home. I've never come across a French rider that ever carries any of it. Smile and plead ignorance if you're stopped, As far as I'm aware (and this is typically French) it's the law that you should carry this stuff, but there isn't a penalty for not carrying it. Have a great time on holiday.
 
Sense of humour packed...he he...
And yes SteveM you are probably right!!
 
Good travel insurance (and ensure that it covers holidays - principally on motorcycles greater than 125cc).
A copy of the policy document for the above, contact details for bike and personal insurance.
Euros and Credit card.

Sorted!

Al
 
Blackal said:
Good travel insurance (and ensure that it covers holidays - principally on motorcycles greater than 125cc).
A copy of the policy document for the above, contact details for bike and personal insurance.
Euros and Credit card.

Sorted!

Al
Click to expand...

Thanks Al - yes all that covered too...
 
It's not law to carry all that stuff just the spare bulb kit. It is a good idea to have a reflective vest packed in case you break down but for a motorcyclist it is not a legal requirement.

The only people that needed breathalyser test kits when I last checked was HGV drivers.

Reflective stickers on helmets is for residents only not for visitors.

Bulb kit - if you had an indicator bulb and a headlight bulb then that would do you - they don't even check if they are for your vehicle.

By the way I have been stopped twice within 20 miles of Calais for routine checks - both times they checked my documents and my licence and sent me on my way with a smile and a wave - they are more interested in catching the gypos that keep breaking into cars in the rest areas and stealing other holiday makers wine stashes and electrical goods.

Incidentally the second time I was stopped I gave the police office the wrong insurance certificate (it was for my car back at home not my bike because it was with my licence) it clearly had the wrong registration on it but he was still happy and sent me on my way.

Thing is just be respectful and keep to the speed limits in towns and built up areas and you will be fine.

Only advice I can give you is ENJOY it and stop worrying about being stopped - the cops over there don't see us as an easy target and are more interested in being a deterant than being on obstacle.

P.S - turn speed camera notification off your SatNav -'it is illegal in France but again no one has ever checked mine.

Rik
 
A couple of weeks ago I got pulled for doing 110 in a 90 zone in Brittany, the gendarme wasn't the slightest bit interested in checking if I had all that shit with me, all he wanted to see was my license and the inside of my wallet :D Good job as I had forgotten to pack all that nonsense anyway :blast Just relax and go and enjoy your trip. :beerjug:
 
LED lights on the bike. So how do you plan to change them?

Fuel, map, money. Travel insurance that covers motorcycles and copy, V5C and copy, driving licence, passport. Anything else is extra for comfort. Easy reach for flashlight and leatherman and a tiedown strap. Baby wipes, tissues, medic kit with your pills for aches and pains and sunscreen. Camera at the ready.

The insurance, V5C, passport and copies goes in the pannier after the border crossing, same with the high vis. Only British bikers wear the damn things in France, you can spot them a mile away. Extra money goes somewhere safe on the bike, 2 days worth of money between me and the missus. Camelbak for drinking on the go so we don't dehydrate. Make it so you are comfortable. Remember to keep left and look right at junctions. Relax and be polite. I only got stopped once in all the time I went to the mainland and that was for not stopping at a stop sign just as you exit the tunnel services. Garmin/Nav V should automatically default to warning you only to dangerous part of the road where the cameras are. And Enjoy.
 
matchbox said:
Whether they check or not, what is the situation if all your lights are l e d?
Click to expand...

tanneman said:
LED lights on the bike. So how do you plan to change them?
Click to expand...


You both really haven't worked out how french laws function, have you..

You only need to "carry" a spare bulb, nowhere in the law does it say it has to fit.
 
Burbs said:
I'm off on my first trip to France.....
Will be overnight ferrying to St Malo, then riding down to Grand Fougeray, where we will be staying for the week...

We leave on the 6th so hopefully the current fuel issues will be over by then....

I'm looking for any additional info -

I have two breathalysers, Hi-viz, reflective stickers on my helmet, and a 'bulb set'.
Am I missing anything that might be needed if I'm pulled over by the police?

Thanks
:thumb2
Click to expand...

You don't need the breathalysers - although they are legally required, there's no penalty for not carrying them so in practice the law is no enforced.
You are required to carry hiviz, although you are only required to wear it if you're stopped at the side of the road. If you're carrying a pillion passenger you'll need a hiviz for them as well.
I don't know anyone who bothers with the reflective stickers on their helmet.
Bulb set - only required if you've got bulbs. If all your lights are led then there's no user-maintainable component and therefore you don't need to carry any.

You do need to carry your V5, certificate of insurance, and mot if applicable (although I've never been asked for this, perhaps because the French mot equivalent doesn't apply to bikes).

You would be wise to carry your EHIC card, although this isn't a legal requirement, obvs.

Have a good trip.
 
Seriously Burbs, relax.
The first time I rode across Normandy I was excited and a little nervous.
I've probably ridden into or across France 4 times a year for the past 18 years now and never once been stopped and had nothing but a good reception.
Only advice I would give is don't ride like a knob just because you are abroad.
Take extra care first thing and after a break (on quiet roads) that you are riding on the RIGHT side of the road.
 
Burbs said:
I'm off on my first trip to France.....
Will be overnight ferrying to St Malo, then riding down to Grand Fougeray, where we will be staying for the week...

We leave on the 6th so hopefully the current fuel issues will be over by then....

I'm looking for any additional info -

I have two breathalysers, Hi-viz, reflective stickers on my helmet, and a 'bulb set'.
Am I missing anything that might be needed if I'm pulled over by the police?

Thanks
:thumb2
Click to expand...

Someone on here said that a turnip was now a compulsory item - funny people these French types.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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