I have been over in the car many times, but what do I need if I take my bike over. Documents/hi viz/ bulbs.......ext.

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Every country in Europe has slightly different rules and regulations, far too many to list here. Some are silly, some are sensible, others are downright bizarre, but the common problem with most transgressions in European countries is they can leave you with an on-the-spot fine and a painful hole in your wallet!

Luckily however, the BMF has a handy page on their web site containing a pretty useful guide to all the requirements for motorcycling in every country in Europe. Have a look here.

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WOW, thanks for that, I will be reading up on that for sure.
Thanks for the link, I am sure it will be useful for many.

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I have never worried too much other than Documents and a GB sticker (or a Euro numberplate). Wear a helmet and watch your speed and don't do anything stupid and the police have no reason to bother you.

As far as I know France has dropped the breathalyser thing as well as the hi viz requirement. There's something weird in Spain about Sat Navs and also about spare spectacles but not sure if it all applies to bikes.

Sorry, not really much help. Any specific country in mind so any locals or ex pats can help?


Sent from my iPhone with a smile

I live in Italy and I have toured thro France and Spain by bike. The main requirements here are that you MUST have your personal and bike documents with you as they will be inspected by the fuzz if they pull you over, so driving licence and passport plus bike insurance and bike log book must be shown. I use a colour photocopy of the bike documents but they should be the originals in theory. If you have any specific questions concerning Italy then feel free to ask me but in general, as long as you ride with brain switched on, the cops here are fairly laid back with bikers.

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(Now sold on, sob) 2011 Blue XT660X with gold wheels, was 26,500 km.
Engine mods: K&N Stage 1 filter, DNA Stage 2 filter, snorkel removed, Kev fuel mod fitted.
Plus: smoked Puig screen, Yam aluminium sump guard, Yamaha / Acerbis handguards, Givi Trekker aluminium side cases, Leo Vince X3 cans plus Kev front fork mod and Fender Xtender. Just fitted Michelin Road Pilot 3 tyres.

SOLD the XTX for a Super Ten 1200. And just bought a Raptor 700 so staying on here for some tips....

Some good advice from the guys,

On the documents front, I always have two copies of everything, good quality double sided jobbies. One I fold up someplace easy-ish to get at. One that I age a little (fold it a few times etc) and laminate, this one I keep for easy access.

Passport - that goes in a body belt, two reasons, it's safest there, and if you have a spill, your important docs are with you not hidden on the bike.

Consider some kind of ICE device, be it dog tag, ICE-TAG (electronic), something that gives your name, address, any important medical details etc. The ICE-Tag does this very well but many people have an almost aggressive objection to these (can't understand why).

Keep a scanned in copy of your doc on a pen drive - just in case.

Originals go somewhere very safe and difficult to get to. You might need them.

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I've never had any problems riding with jonny foreigner, with the exception of once when we were all stopped because someone in out group (no names Bernard) crossed a solid white line at a junction. Even then the fuzz were OK.

It's worth having getting a bowl of salt, then have a read through the foreign office website of risks in each country (you'll need the salt as a pinch isn't enough). Then read the US version for the UK to put it all in perspective.

Inoculations - not really a major problem but Tick born Encephalitis is very nasty indeed, and on the up in some countries, according to reports. Check to see what medical risks you might encounter. Rabies is another, although the inoculations only give you extra time to get to the hospital, they don't protect you. Maybe you don't need any, but no harm checking.

Other stuff, HiVis vest , bulbs etc, I tend to put a HiVis vest rolled up somewhere the fuzz can see, and I can get at without leaving the bike. Always carry a good first aid kit, and if you can get some broad spectrum antibiotics it's worth having them just in case. Spares are a sensible thing anyway, so put some bulbs in, or replace everything with LEDs before you go - that way you'll only need a spare headlight bulb. HG also sell a bikers emergency triangle, it's a helmet cover with a HiVis triangle on it - dual purpose!

In the main, just get out there and ride, enjoy it, take your time and don't ride like a plonker. Make sure you get used to the traffic and the wrong side riding before you try to push your speed up.

I love riding in Europe, it's like a drug and you get withdrawal symptoms after a while.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

G_U_L_G has pretty much covered it all and good tips on tools, and spares. I have been stopped by police in Morocco 3 times (and once I was fined because my wife crossed a white line on her bike), and in Hungary and Namibia and Zambia on random stops. In every case all they wanted was passport first, then driving licence, then registration document. Only in Morocco were they bothered about insurance. Just be quiet, polite and let them get on with it. Having a woman with you seems to help (except in Morocco) as they spent all their time flirting with her amazed she can ride such a big machine.

Good job there was someone there that spoke the lingo.....

I'm still not sure what you said though - "sorry officer these are retards from the UK, they cannot read or write and have the mental age of 3"

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Spare set of keys around your neck at all times.




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The Suit:What would you consider to be your greatest weakness?
Me: Honesty.
The Suit: Honesty? I don't think honesty could be construed as a weakness.
Me: I don't give a f**k what you think.

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