How to get my motorcycle to Europe...input needed

[Captain Itch]

Does anyone have experience about shipping your own motorcycle to Europe for a road trip and back?

Any input about prices for shipping, insurance, the do's and don'ts when riding through Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, and back to Germany, will be greatly appreciated.

Please post anything you can think of. Biker friendly hotels/motels, the must see motorcycle roads, etc.
I can imagine that not only I am interested in collecting these kind of information, but it can be helpful for more folks interested in riding in Europe.

So feel free to knock yourself out.

Isabel

[OZNOG]

Isabel,

Great for you!

It sounds like y'all are planning a whirl-wind trip!

The Warden and I have just finished a 3000+ km tour (in a Beemer Cage)

(Also trains, planes, bus, ferry boats, chair lifts, etc.)

We also have wondered what it would take to get my own scooter over the pond.

What season do you plan on going? Where are you flying into? Out of?
Semi-tentative route or anything definite?

I'm sure you know, all of the countries that you mentioned have great riding, scenery, and people.

There is a thread over on 43rd St where a couple Doofs looked into it.

http://www.doofclenas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162753&highlight=Germany

One of them that you probably know, said that he got his to Frankfort for for about $1100.

The other gave up and bought a new bike there.

Rentals are another option, but, also not cheap and not YOUR bike!

Here is a rental link I found with several areas listed that we've been to.

http://www.harleycustom.co.uk/L2-Harley_Davidson_Motorcycle_Rental_-_Europe-29-324.html

Keep us posted on what you find out elsewhere.

[LarryM]

One thing I noticed in Europe is that some countries add a special tax stamp to vehicles that use their 'Interstate' highways. The stamp is not all that expensive. You pick up that tax stamp at the border crossing. If you don't have it and the 'state troopers' pull you over, you are in for unsmiling faces and a big fine.

If I remember correctly the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary nail you for the stamp. (Note: their languages are incomprehensible).

The 'troopers' use a stick with a disk on it to provide directions. If they look at you and point the stick to the ground, pull over immediately. Its a sign they want to talk to you. Don't run. Don't screw around with them. They might drop you off in a CIA prison for interrogation. No Miranda warnings.

Bring a good rainsuit.

Europeans have no problems with 'bikers', except those from Pittsburg running straight pipes in central London. Not a good way to meet a London bobby. Keep the bike quiet and no blipping the throttle. (Yes, I actually saw a guy from Pittsburg do that. The English were not amused.)

I've always found that the European motor officers are pretty decent and approachable, even the Spanish Civil Guard who have a reputation for being tough. The Italian motor officers are great as are the Germans. (The Eyties always have a brother or cousin who lives in Brooklyn. There is a blonde female motor officer in Berlin who is built like a brick s**thouse.) I have to admire how the European cops negotiate traffic in their cities, especially the cops in Palermo, Sicily.

Don't talk politics! Instead, enjoy the scenery, the food and the eye candy in the mini-skirts.

Remember, you are a guest in their country. Don't be the poster boy for the Ugly American.

[BigSwede]

I found a bike tour place out of Florida that helped me out. I flew mine from Atlanta to Frankfurt for about $1100. I wasn't returning the bike because I was stationed in the UK, so I didn't get a round trip ticket. If you go this route, as well as a boat route, be prepared to drain your gas tank. Can't fly or ship with any gas in it. This makes it a PITA on the other side as you have to get a taxi to a station, buy a can and some gas, before you can go to get your bike. Customs was easy, they were happy to get me out of there. I travelled Germany, Holland and then took a Ferry to the UK. Noone ever asked for any kind of paperwork and I had Florida plates on it.

Here is the link.

[OZNOG]

[quote=LarryM;1684397]One thing I noticed in Europe is that some countries add a special tax stamp to vehicles that use their 'Interstate' highways. The stamp is not all that expensive. You pick up that tax stamp at the border crossing. If you don't have it and the 'state troopers' pull you over, you are in for unsmiling faces and a big fine.

If I remember correctly the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary nail you for the stamp. (Note: their languages are incomprehensible).



Also Switzerland and Austria require these "toll stickers" on foreign autos. (These are to drive the Big Highways)

In Switzerland and Austria you can literally buy them at the first gas station you come to

or at certain border crossings, and post offices.

Switzerland requires a 1 year "Mautvignette". (I recently paid about 25,00 Euros)

Austria sells a short term 10 day permit as well for 7,60 Euro.

You can spend Euros in Switzerland but you will get change in Swiss Franks.

Just spend up the change before moving on to the next country!

[Shaw_2112]

My understanding is the European emission standards are much stricter too, you might want to check if it's even feasible for you to ride your bike over there. Especially if you've done any mods, i.e. remap, hi-flow filters, pipes etc..

[BigSwede]

Originally Posted by Shaw_2112

My understanding is the European emission standards are much stricter too, you might want to check if it's even feasible for you to ride your bike over there. Especially if you've done any mods, i.e. remap, hi-flow filters, pipes etc..

A non-player if you are visiting. You may be limited on the amount of time you can spend over there, but noone checked my bike when I got there. I didn't even have to get it inspected before registering it in the UK

[SAMCRO]

Rent one instead. To many bikes get damaged this way and it is a pain to deal with the shipper / insurance.

I lived in Europe for 28 years, some great roads over there but when i visit I rent.

[jellopis]

Very nice places to ride here, and a lot of HD bikes too

[Captain Itch]

Thanks guys for all the input so far. That helps. I was thinking of a trip in 2011 July/August. I know the weather a bit, because I was a born and raised in Germany for 37 years ( I guess that makes me German) until I became an "outlander" when I came here to the US around 12 year ago

So if we would fly into Duesseldorf, I can get friends come to the airport and bring some gasoline. No problem. That'll get us going. It probably also helps to have a German bank account and a EuroCard, which is the Euro Checking account. Because I know that you can't just pay everywhere with your credit card like here. And I tried to get cash with my credit card in Belgrade, Serbia last year, and am glad it didn't work, because Visa would have charged a sh**load for that.

If one of you knows, if there is a "biker friendly Europe hotel guide" please let me know, because there are almost no motel chains over there like here in the US. (BTW, just found out from "Pastor John" from *******, that Best Western gives nice discounts on your HOG membership card, and he got a lot of other extra service like towels to dry up his bike with.

I am also planning to get my European friends lined up with their plans for the summer. Maybe the one or the other wants to join us for a few hundred kilometers. A friend of mine who owns a biker bar for over 20 years in the north of Germany is planning to open up another joint at the Cote d'Azur in 2011. Would be nice to be there for the opening...

So keep posting your thoughts on this subject. I am soaking it in like a dry sponge.

Thanks guys, and hope to see you on the road.

Isabel - Mrs. Capt. Itch