Don't forget European motorbike breakdown cover

Planning a European motorcycle trip with your mates? Don’t let a breakdown spoil the fun.

Make your bike breakdown someone else's problem

While DIY roadside repairs can be rewarding, investing in a good breakdown policy before your trip is a smart move. Prices vary wildly, so do your research. If your bike is less than 20 years old and your trip under 31 days, you’re eligible for cover from the ETA.

Our European breakdown policy includes motorcycle hire for up to 14 days at £60 per day. And if your bike can’t be fixed within 72 hours, we'll bring it home.

Motorbike breakdown on French motorways

Modern bikes might be more reliable than a generation ago, but long-distance, high-speed riding can take its toll. Before you set off on your trip, give your bike some love. At a minimum, fresh plugs, oil and filters, but preferably a full service. Each morning, give your bike a quick visual inspection.

In France, if you break down on a motorway, use the emergency phones to call the recovery service run by the French police — no other service can attend to breakdowns on these roads. UK breakdown providers typically cover the charge (around 150 Euros for fuel top-ups). Also, remember that France applies lower speed limits drivers and riders with less than two years on their licence.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.