While studying last night.

"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
11/21/2014 at 10:16 • Filed to: None

I had a crazy idea. European motorcycle trip after I finish university

budget: about 15K

goal: tour Europe. I have family in Romania that I havent seen in about 5 years, and I would LOVE to ride the ring, visit some famous racetracks, do the tourist stuff. If the timing works, see the isle of man. Might as well get it done while I'm a bit younger and Dont have a job or family stopping me from doing this.

plan: buy a bike. have 3/4 sets of clothes, a laptop, some go-pros, and some spare parts on the bike + phone and Ipod and sunglasses and what not. have some camping gear, and stay in a hotel once every 3/4 days. Or maybe see if some people on the forums would be willing to help a guy and let him crash for a night.

bike: 2003+ SV650/sv1000. somewhere about 2-3K euros for the initial bike. Get a friend or two that I have to order some parts for me and get it tricked out for touring. (side bags, top bag, touring screen, GPS, frame sliders, maybe tear foam off pillion seat and bolt another case to that (or make a holder for some gasoline containers)). make sure I have enough ampage to power GPS, make sure all containers are water proof and so on.

potential problems: I'm not interested in renting a bike. I want to BUY it. How would insurance work? what do I put as my address? will my Canadian drivers license work? If I borrow a bike (speaking on the forums right now) and I get pulled over, what do I do?

route: first I'd have to visit fam in Romania, so thats stop one. then italy, visit the alps, the Ferrari factory again, and what not. Then, up to Germany, hit up the ring, hockenheim, auto bahn, as well as the Porsche, BMW and Mercedes museums. Down to France, hit up le mans, and make my way to England. Then, make it to isle of man for a few days during the TT, then sell the bike (or return it from who I borrowed it) and fly home.

thoughts, suggestions for places to visit, oppos to drop by and see? I'll be replying to everything, even if it takes me weeks :P

DISCUSSION (9)

ACESandEIGHTS > bob and john
11/21/2014 at 10:33

Isle of Man, get you a Tourist Trophy badge.

bob and john > ACESandEIGHTS
11/21/2014 at 10:36

:P

wait, I didnt mention that? huh. thwat was the reason for hitting up england

ACESandEIGHTS > bob and john
11/21/2014 at 10:44

Haha, OK, just saw it. I "skimmed."

BoulderZ > bob and john
11/21/2014 at 11:22

That's not crazy; that's brilliant. Do it! Commit to it now and make it happen. My suggestions are, if you're already well up to Germany, see about looping in Amsterdam if you've never been. Italy: see Venice before it sinks, Rome is awesome (though some hate it as too big or something), Florence is a must for the art/architecture/history but nearby Siena is a great place to stay, Cinque Terre has great food and people (and you can hit those amazing coastal roads). Assisi was a really nice place, wish we'd stayed longer. The Dolomites are wonderful, we stayed in Castellrotto. Think about Switzerland, we stayed in Gimmelwald and loved it (cool cable car ride to get to town). Also, pics or it never happened. :) Go do it!

bob and john > BoulderZ
11/21/2014 at 12:03

definatly something I'll keep in mind....probably planing for 14 hour days in the saddle...will have to build up riding stamina :P

duurtlang > bob and john
11/21/2014 at 12:13

Buying the bike shouldn't be the problem, the issue is registration and insurance. I can't speak for other countries, but where I live (the Netherlands) you'll need an address inside the country. You don't need a drivers license from this country.

You mentioned some friends you have. See if you can, legally (on paper) live with them for the duration of your trip. Similar to an exchange student. You then have an address for your registration and insurance.

I'm merely thinking out loud here. I guess you'll have to research this yourself.

BoulderZ > bob and john
11/21/2014 at 12:22

Definitely, that's a lot of saddle time. Think about Romantische Strasse in Germany for your route. There are a lot of really cool auto club drives/tours/outings in the summer, you might see some really unusual cars. Would make stops in Munchen, Nurnberg, Fussen easier, and might be able to link up along the Rhine. The people, food, wine, and beer would make it worthwhile for sure. If you haven't seen Berlin (and Potsdam), that could be fun, but is a bit of a ways.

bob and john > duurtlang
11/21/2014 at 13:39

thats why i'm putting this out here...someone on the forums mentions that in poland, I dont need to register the bike for 30 days... might have to buy one like that... the frineds...hmm. I do have someone in itlay with whom i could say i'jm living. and grandparents. But I was hoping to leave this as a surprise for them

duurtlang > bob and john
11/21/2014 at 13:53

The problem is that while you might be right about Poland (no clue) you're driving trough many countries, meaning your paperwork should be solid. I'd try those friends in Italy.