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From: usenet@ucbvax.ARPA (USENET News Administration)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: need info on touring Europe
Message-ID: <10501@ucbvax.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 30-Sep-85 18:21:48 EDT
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.10501
Posted: Mon Sep 30 18:21:48 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 2-Oct-85 05:33:37 EDT
References: <1160@lumiere.UUCP>
Reply-To: mazlack@ucbernie.UUCP (Lawrence J. Mazlack)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 30

Bob Perry requested some information on European bike tourning, because it 
might be of general interest, the following follows:

I have spent about 10 summers touring on bikes in Europe. Except for the
first time, it was on BMWs (the first time was on a Vespa).  I have toured
just about everywhere, including Afganistan and Iran.

(1) To the best of my knowledge, you cannot rent a bike bigger than about
    150cc.  Maybe somewhere, but I doubt it.  If you find out how, I would
    like to hear.
(2) I either bought the bike new in Munich or shipped (by air) an existing
    one over with me.  If you shop aggresively, you should be able to do it
    for about $250 each way. The best deal is about $175 round trip if you
    fly out of Toronto to England with either WardAir or CP (Canadian Pacific)
(3) Riding gear that you use here is perfectly acceptable.  They do tend to
    wear leathers there more; however, they have reason to as it is cooler
    and wetter in places like Germany and England.  I usually bring rain gear
    and then layer underneath as I spend part of the time where I need the
    warmth and part where leathers are way to hot (Spain, Greece, Turkey)
(4) No special papers or permits. You US liscence will do just fine (of course,
    it must say that you are authorized to ride bikes)
(5) No need to take an organized tour.  European roads are very well marked
    and their maps are excellant - I usually use Michlean's maps; but there
    are other good ones.  Also, lots of great European produced guides.
    Besides, it seems to be contradictory to the image of freedom that a
    bike gives to end up controlled by a group - but to each his own - all
    you have to is to consider the hoardes of chunky Gold Wing riders out
    there that ride together, pulling their little trailers.

If you do go, I'm sure that you will have a great time.