Germany ride May???
- Thread starter yukondood
- Start date
My understanding is that there is a fair amount of red tape and cost involved in shipping one's own bike to Europe. Personally, I would be inclined to rent one there, as there are a lot of companies that will rent out bikes for quite a bit less than it will cost you in shipping. My wife and I did the High Alps Tour with Edelweiss Motorcycle Travel in 2011, and it was fantastic. I found the Alpine roads beautiful but challenging in places, quite unlike any I had ridden in eastern Canada or the U.S. European drivers are excellent for the most part, showing a great deal more skill and consideration for motorcycles than you will find anywhere in North America. Some of the high mountain passes may not be open in May due to snow, but the weather in the lower areas should be fine then.yukondood said:
Enjoy!
Bruce
Dogdaze
Well-Known Member
There is no red tape involved in shipping your own bike to Europe, as long as you are not importing it then there are no duties or taxes to be paid, just make sure it's insured and roadworthy. However, as previously mentioned, rent a bike, less fuss and a few good companies out this way. Get some recommendations and you will get what you pay for! Trust me on that.
Google a few.
Google a few.
Higstatic
Member
I traveled through Germany last May and the weather was quite mixed, some warm days, some cold and some wet. If you can delay the journey a few weeks and go in June or July the weather should be less of a gamble and be much better. In and around the Rhine Valley and Mosel Valley are some great roads, scenery and quaint old German towns. I have usually found drivers in Germany to be considerate to bikers, certainly better than a lot of the arseholes we have in the UK
::026:: to the above. Unless you are going to be in Europe for a while the cost / benefit of transporting your own bike will not be viable. Plenty of rental options these days (just not with the farkles...) so a fair bit of choice. Hit the search button on your internet provider of choice ::008::
If your only coming for a couple of weeks I would have through renting is a better bet.
I would also hold off a few weeks if you want to ride Alpine Passes, Mid June should see most of them being fully open.
Drivers are generally good in Germany, the Swiss and French are also pretty decent, the Italians can be a bit scarier, but if touring the countryside you will find it pretty good, like everywhere cities bring out the worst in drivers.
I would also hold off a few weeks if you want to ride Alpine Passes, Mid June should see most of them being fully open.
Drivers are generally good in Germany, the Swiss and French are also pretty decent, the Italians can be a bit scarier, but if touring the countryside you will find it pretty good, like everywhere cities bring out the worst in drivers.
Rainer
Member
I think we have better places to ride motorcycle, than Frankfurt. I would also prefer the south of Germany (Alps).
The area depends also on your preferences.
The weather in May is not the best time to ride (depends on the biker > don’t be a whiner!). In May it is possible that you will see snow in the mountains or the alpine passes are closed.
In the rest of Germany there will be a mixed weather. As Higstatic wrote, I would shift it to June.
Please find enclosed some dream roads for motorbikers in Germany (see area south):
http://www.tourenfahrer.de/motorrad-reisen/gps-downloadtouren/deutschlands-traumstrassen/
You will find a description, pictures, hotels, highlights and the gpx route.You can translate the touring description with Google translator.
The area depends also on your preferences.
The weather in May is not the best time to ride (depends on the biker > don’t be a whiner!). In May it is possible that you will see snow in the mountains or the alpine passes are closed.
In the rest of Germany there will be a mixed weather. As Higstatic wrote, I would shift it to June.
Please find enclosed some dream roads for motorbikers in Germany (see area south):
http://www.tourenfahrer.de/motorrad-reisen/gps-downloadtouren/deutschlands-traumstrassen/
You will find a description, pictures, hotels, highlights and the gpx route.You can translate the touring description with Google translator.
Dogdaze
Well-Known Member
::026:: for the June date, this year when I went up the Fleula (Switzerland) in June the roads were clear but snow was piled up the sides, I would watch for late snow forecasts and go from there.
I thank shipping to Hamburg would be easier. The ride from north to south can get a little boring for the first flat couple of hours but it only improves as you go south. If you've never driven in Germany, stay out of the left lane....especially at night. Here in the USA when driving in the left lane at night you will see headlights in your rearview and know you have time to get over in the center or right lane if needed. In Germany at times, you literally have seconds before a flash of ultra sonic light passes you at amazing speed....something to think about.
As mentioned, I'd avoid May and June for the wet weather. July IMO is the best time and when it's the warmest and the most dry.
BTW. my avatar pic is me screwing around in Berlin.
Hope it works out for you.
As mentioned, I'd avoid May and June for the wet weather. July IMO is the best time and when it's the warmest and the most dry.
BTW. my avatar pic is me screwing around in Berlin.
Hope it works out for you.
Rainer
Member
If you keep the recommended speed of 130 for German highways, you will have no problems on the left lane.
But Germany is not so large, that you need to drive on highways. Use normal country roads for touring (maximum allowed speed for country roads is 70-100).
But Germany is not so large, that you need to drive on highways. Use normal country roads for touring (maximum allowed speed for country roads is 70-100).
The E45 from Hamburg will take a full day of your vacation, each way. Just fly & rent in Frankfurt or Munich.
This type of request comes up enough that I just wrote a post for a sticky and it is here:
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=13480.new#new
(I used to live in DrizzleDorf - err - I mean Dusseldorf.
This type of request comes up enough that I just wrote a post for a sticky and it is here:
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=13480.new#new
(I used to live in DrizzleDorf - err - I mean Dusseldorf.
I recommended Hamburg because of the port...probably the location of the delivery if shipped. Hamburg is a wonderful city....Frankfurt not so much. There are some cool things in the city, but Germany really doesn't get the feel of what we think it is until you are done south...more south than Frankfurt.
For the record, I love the entire country so no slam on our German friends.
For the record, I love the entire country so no slam on our German friends.
Raptula
Member
Are there any dealers in South Germany / Bavaria or near Salzburg that rent Super Ten's? The alps are so much fun to ride!!!