Motor train to Innsbruck - Good idea?

[Jumpjim]

Myself and a mate are considering getting the overnight motor-train from Dusseldorf to Innsbruck so we wake up fresh and raring to go in the middle of the alps rather than having a 13 hour thrash to get down there.

What are the routes like out of the Innsbruck area? I've been looking at the route des Grandes Alpes as a possibility but it looks like a fair way over to do that and get back....

Anybody done anything similar or have any ideas?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Rasher]

What are the routes like out of the Innsbruck area? I've been looking at the route des Grandes Alpes as a possibility but it looks like a fair way over to do that and get back....

Well it does not go into, or out of Innbruck for a start, the start of the RDGA is about 300 miles away and it then runs another 200 miles further away making it a 1000 mile detour.

RDGA is in the Fench Alps, which is the furthest region from the Austrian Alps, a bit like taking a train to Glasgow and asking if it is worth using the London - Brighton road for the onward Journey to John O' Groats.

People seem to fail to Understand the Alps covers a region larger than Mainland UK and it cannot be "done" in a few days, unless your an American tourist of course, they can "Do Europe" in a week.

Grab a copy of "Motorcycle Journeys" - it has loads of routes in that area, save RDGA for another trip

 

[craigwildee]

Hi Jumpjin,
I to myself have done the Innsbruck train one way from Innsbruck to Dusseldorf was cheaper for just a return journey than an outward journey,not sure on routes for RGDA i spent my time in Austria

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Once you get to Innsbruck perhaps could get someone to ride your bike around the Alps for you, after all, you wouldn't want to have to ride all those miles now would you

With respect, it's about 450 miles, it's not like you're shipping them to China now is it

If I were asking that question I'd have a much bigger question as to whether I was cut out for motorcycle touring.

Perhaps I've got this all wrong but I just don't get it?

 

[flatdog]

If I were asking that question I'd have a much bigger question as to whether I was cut out for motorcycle touring.

Perhaps I've got this all wrong but I just don't get it?

What about catching ferries to Spain instead of doing Dover?
He has a reason so why critisize?

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

What about catching ferries to Spain instead of doing Dover?
He has a reason so why critisize?

I don't get that either

If the OP was looking to ride a Yamaha DT50 around the Alps then I'd totally get it. I'm working on the assumption that they're riding the bike in their avatar which is a GS, a bike which is arguably the perfect bike for the job.

Why own that bike, plan a biking holiday to somewhere within easy reach of a day's riding only to put the bike on a train and not ride it for that day of the holiday?

It's his choice, nobody can deny that, certainly not me but it's the sort of question I'd expect to see on the RD LC forum that I post on, not on a forum dedicated to a bike that is designed to go around the world (Under it's own power, not in a train)

Just my 2P

 

[Rasher]

Why own that bike, plan a biking holiday to somewhere within easy reach of a day's riding

How fast do you ride?

It is about 700 miles from Calais, plus however far you have to travel to a crossing point, for me about 12 hours in the saddle without crossing times and fuel stops.

Probably an easy days riding if you can average 150mph, quite tricky on a GS I would imagine.

Still agree that by the time you ride to the crossing, and then to the train you could have just spent an little extra time and enjoyed some French / German scenery - probably no more expensive either.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

440 Miles

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[The Grey One]

Maybe I can help you here

I don't get that either

If the OP was looking to ride a Yamaha DT50 around the Alps then I'd totally get it. I'm working on the assumption that they're riding the bike in their avatar which is a GS, a bike which is arguably the perfect bike for the job.

Why own that bike, plan a biking holiday to somewhere within easy reach of a day's riding only to put the bike on a train and not ride it for that day of the holiday?

It's his choice, nobody can deny that, certainly not me but it's the sort of question I'd expect to see on the RD LC forum that I post on, not on a forum dedicated to a bike that is designed to go around the world (Under it's own power, not in a train)

Just my 2P

Yes it's his choice and you appear to be saying that that choice is somehow less valid than yours. It might help you to look at that attitude, to not only tolerate another's viewpoint but to accept it as being sincerely held and of equal value to your own. (sorry it's the counseling training coming out!)

As for the trains theses are overnight trains so unless you plan to ride through the night they allow anybody to cover a far greater distance in a given time. Unless, of course, you think ridding through the night is a sign of a real biker

We get lot's of guests here using the train. Trains also run to Munich, Salzburg and Villach for those coming to our part of the Alps. They all have their own reasons, some only have a short holiday, some are traveling on from us much further south, some simply don't want to ride motorways to get here, some think it makes financial sense-saves fuel and tyre wear etc. The majority of our guests however do ride all the way because that is their choice.

One of the things we have noticed with continental bikers is a greater tolerance of difference. Most groups of German bikers for instance will include anything from full dress Harleys mixed with 1,000cc sports bikes, GS's, Gold Wings, bikes of all ages and condition. They are just mates out to have fun on their bikes (and off them come to that) British groups still tend to be all sports bikes or all cruisers, GS's in packs or all touring bikes. We have yet to get anyone who won't mix with everyone off the bike so evenings at our place are great social occasions. One of the delights for us is seeing different groups and nationalities come together, even if it sometimes makes things interesting for our staff. They can take beer order from three tables only to find that five minutes later the guests are all sitting together having formed on big table!

Does it matter how these people got there? No, Are they all bikers? Yes they are. We British invented the divide and rule approach to manage our colonies, we don't need it in biking, there are just to many threats from outside-just look at what is happening in France. Let's celebrate those differences, as far as I am concerned if you roll up here on two wheels you are a biker no matter how you made the journey.

John

 

[Jumpjim]

You have to love some of the arsey, unpleasant, uninformative gits on this site don't you...

I asked about Innsbruck as the Deutsche Bahn website appears to show a direct Dusseldorf to Innsbruck link on their website. Maybe you know something I don't but there you go....

We have a week this year, and having done 3 tours around the 2K mark in the last 3 years the days spent thrashing up and down the auto-route to get to the mountains down south don't really crank my scooter if you know what I mean? The concept of a late afternoon thrash to the train and waking up in the alps raring to go struck me as a possibility rather than the long and fairly tedious stetches we endured last year.

Hey ho... you ask and get a good slagging but there you go. Maybe I won't ask in future.

 

[John Armstrong]

I don't get that either

How do you get to the Alps if you don't take a train / ferry? Build your own boat and row it across?

 

[AlanI]

We have a week this year

Nobody else appears to have asked so I will. What month were you thinking? Too early and some of the passes may well still be closed. Mid season and leave the booking too late then you might not get a place as these trains get booked very early on in the season by the north European lot especially as now the service from Stuttgart isn't running.

 

[ChrisK]

You have to love some of the arsey, unpleasant, uninformative gits on this site don't you...

I asked about Innsbruck as the Deutsche Bahn website appears to show a direct Dusseldorf to Innsbruck link on their website. Maybe you know something I don't but there you go....

We have a week this year, and having done 3 tours around the 2K mark in the last 3 years the days spent thrashing up and down the auto-route to get to the mountains down south don't really crank my scooter if you know what I mean? The concept of a late afternoon thrash to the train and waking up in the alps raring to go struck me as a possibility rather than the long and fairly tedious stetches we endured last year.

Hey ho... you ask and get a good slagging but there you go. Maybe I won't ask in future.

Just booked today on the autozag for a one way trip in mid July Dusseldorf to Munchen 156 euro overnight. Have used the service before into Schwerzach-st.Veit very simple and makes a welcome change from riding northern France down to the alps. Its a little difficult when loading to see as the GS is so tall you have to be very careful of your head on the roof of the car wagon. Well worth the cost IMHO

 

[Backroader]

And whilst we are criticising how about the GS'ers on this site who would not know a back road if it hit them in the face.

I myself would not consider any route if it included riding on autoroutes or N roads, just as well use the car for that. But then I suppose (reluctantly) I have to accept that a lot of people have limited time and want to "get there".

Each to his own as they say.

 

[rodsharp]

Well said The Grey One !!

 

[Rasher]

Well said The Grey One !!

Each to their own, having seen the train route and cost it makes more sense, I could probably reach the train easy enough in a day, and let it take me the remainder of the Journey overnight.

I currently take 2 days to get to the French / Swiss Alps with the Dolomites / Austria really being a bit further (although this can be a day riding in the Alps so does not count as boring)

I also reckon the GS costs about 30 per mile in fuel / tyes / servicing / depreciation so £150 for 450 miles seems OK to me.

I don't mind riding there, all part of the fun (except the first day of pure Motorway Hell) but seeing as it could knock 2 days of a trip to Austria or the Dolomites (and I don't get paid for time off) could be a real winner for anyone in a similar position (or short on available Holiday)

As for mixing bikes my next trip has the 1200GS / CB1000 / TDM 850 / Triumph 675 and another GS being rented by my mate who normally rides an R1 or R6 on the track and I had invited people with ZX10's, GSXR600's etc - but they all noticed it was beyond their home postcode

 

[teejay]

If your start point is Insbruck, just ride the Dolomites, loads of passes, great views, roads, food etc just take your time and soak it all up.

Teejay

 

[Jumpjim]

You seem to be thinking more along the same lines as me Rasher. I've done Northern France two years on the trot now, and nice as it is I would rather use the time to explore somewhere a bit further afield without kicking the ar$£ out of it on Day 1 with a monster ride down.

I have to say that Villach looks like a good starting point actually now it's been mentioned.

We're looking at going down at the end of May/beginning of June.

 

[The Grey One]

You seem to be thinking more along the same lines as me Rasher. I've done Northern France two years on the trot now, and nice as it is I would rather use the time to explore somewhere a bit further afield without kicking the ar$£ out of it on Day 1 with a monster ride down.

I have to say that Villach looks like a good starting point actually now it's been mentioned.

We're looking at going down at the end of May/beginning of June.

If you decide on Villach (or Salzburg or Munich) come along and say hello. Stays of two nights or more give you a free pass for the Grossglockner, Nockalmstrasse etc. Plenty of fantastic roads around here including day runs into italy and Slovenia.

All bikers welcome, however they get here.

John

 

[Rasher]

All bikers welcome, however they get here.

John

Planning on heading your way next year, one question I do have is how safe is the train?

I have read reports in the past of people being robbed while they sleep and bikes being vandalised on these trains - any truth in these rumours?