Kit Must haves for France/Europe

  • Thread starter Thread starter tasr12
  • Start date Start date
What's the crack with Austria then, do they require triangle spare bulbs etc?
Do you need headlight reflectors for the continent aswell?
 
The pater said:
Other thing :

In France, drivers coming from the right have priority if no signs tells the opposit. In case of doubt, slow down !
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Talk me through this slowly.

Are you saying that, on the roads in France, the rule is to give way to the right? Unless there is a sign to tell you that you have the priority?

So when I am speeding along, say, the N100 (the major road from Avignon to Apt in Provence) I am more than likely to be sideswiped by Monsieur Gauloise in his 2CV, pulling straight out of the D3, D7 (or whatever the minor road number happens to be) to my right? Surely not?

Granted, now and again you come across the last vestiges (and remaining signs) of the silly idea. Usually in France’s more rural areas (giving the minor road priority) and in a handful of towns and villages. Suely, these are now the rare exception?

There is (or at least was) a similar rule in Holland, giving pedal cyclists priority from the right. Not much satisfaction in being both right and dead though. You can still see it on some roundabouts in Morocco, itself based on old French traffic law.


PS Good though to advise slowing down if you have any doubt...applies in France or anywhere else. :thumb
 
The pater said:
True.

But in other European countries (like Austria for example) you must have them.

Wulkanger01web02.JPG
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Where do the other European motorcyclists (Austrian, for example) I come across keep their warning triangles then? I have a sneaking suspicion some of the cheeky strudel lovers are also neglecting their hi-viz jackets and Pifco bulbs.

Confused with the rules vis-a-vis motorcars and even then it's not straightforward.
 
Spend half an hour going over the bike before you go. Find out the remarkably few tools needed to do basic roadside maintenance and make sure you have them.A bit of gaffer tape and a few cable ties are usefull for getting going again in a small off. (I know)
Dont over pack. Apart from keeping the weight down a bit of space to bring home a few bottles of vin and some sausages is a must. Tell swmbo that if she only takes 6 pairs of shoes you will buy her some more if she runs out.
Sun block and if your going on your own some condoms. I always used to carry one for when i got lucky, in fact i still have it somewhere.:)
 
Wapping said:
Talk me through this slowly.

Are you saying that, on the roads in France, the rule is to give way to the right? Unless there is a sign to tell you that you have the priority?
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Yes.


This one says that you are on a road that has priority. Should be somewhere along the N100....

AB6.gif



This one says that your road doesn't have priority anymore, so be carefull then : (maybe along the N100 when getting in Avignon....)

AB7.gif



This one says that at the next crossing (only), your road has priority

AB2.gif




Other sign post like "STOP" or "Laisser passer" (give way) are like in UK.

Roundabouts are tricky. 30 years ago, you had to give way to the drivers coming from the right. But it was a mess when there was heavy trafic. So now on roundabouts, you give way for drivers which are on ths roundabout. This is true at 99%, 1% roundabout still use the old way, but then you find the sign "Vous n'avez pas la priorité" (You don't have priority) under the roundabout sign.

If you do not have any sign, the rule is to give way to the driver coming from the right.
This is true everywhere even on private car parks.




Wulkanger01web02.JPG
 
Wapping said:
Where do the other European motorcyclists (Austrian, for example) I come across keep their warning triangles then? I have a sneaking suspicion some of the cheeky strudel lovers are also neglecting their hi-viz jackets and Pifco bulbs.

Confused with the rules vis-a-vis motorcars and even then it's not straightforward.
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Euh yes, good point !
Not sure about rules concerning motorcycles.

Regards

Wulkanger01web02.JPG
 
Bikes do not require a warning triangle, but you must have a Hi-Viz jacket with you that must be stored somewhere easily accessible.
 
Roundabouts are tricky. 30 years ago, you had to give way to the drivers coming from the right. But it was a mess when there was heavy trafic. So now on roundabouts, you give way for drivers which are on ths roundabout. This is true at 99%, 1% roundabout still use the old way, but then you find the sign "Vous n'avez pas la priorité" (You don't have priority) under the roundabout sign.
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Argh, no, got mixt up !

"Vous n'avez pas la priorité" (You don't have priority) under the roundabout sign is for the new way and concerns 99% of the roudabouts !

For the other 1%, it can be written : "Priorité à droite" (Give way to those coming from the right)

Sorry.





Wulkanger01web02.JPG
 
As far as I'am aware the two 'Priority' signs are only applicable in urban areas, i.e as you enter a town/village etc. The main route outside a built up area after the black crossed sign still has the priority.
The priority a droit ended some years ago.

Still be careful at all times.
 
Bulb Kit

Does anyone know what the spare lamp kit would need to consist of i.e headlight dip & mainbeam types, indicator, brake/side lamp wattages filaments/contact types etc. Probably expecting too much but do any of the Halfords car spare bulb kits in the travel pack fit the bill.
 
HORIZONTALLY OPPOSED said:
Does anyone know what the spare lamp kit would need to consist of i.e headlight dip & mainbeam types, indicator, brake/side lamp wattages filaments/contact types etc. Probably expecting too much but do any of the Halfords car spare bulb kits in the travel pack fit the bill.
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Specifications?

Maybe in the manual?
 
The confusion continues, just got this from a French Embassy contact:

Priorité a Droite

Offically it ended many years ago but:

'Priorité' still applies and you should give way to vehicles from a side-turning on the right, especially at junctions in towns and villages.
The 'priorité' rule no longer applies after the yellow diamond. This sign is usually applied on the 'open road'.

So it seems no one has the real answer...as always..drive defensively
 
Spikehammer said:
Offically it ended many years ago but:
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I do not know where you got the info, but it has never never ended.

Perhaps you got the info from somebody, quite old :rob, belonging to the US or British troops in france in 1944....they created their own trafic rules since they couldn't understand the "priorité à droite" :D




Wulkanger01web02.JPG
 
Newbee..Just come back from a 10 day tour of Northern France and would recommend the advice given. Went two up and found the "Pack-Mates" (vacum pacs) very helpful as they kept everything clean dry and allowed us to pack a lot more.
 
passport, credit card,toothbrush and a pack of jonnies........:thumb
 
credit cards and money and just enjoy yourself:thumb2 and a bright rag to tie on your left handle bar to remind you which side the middle of the road should be fit whilst on the chanel crossing
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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