Motorcycle touring in Europe

Whatever size of motorcycle you ride, continental Europe promises drier, smoother and emptier roads than those here in Britain. Who cares If you ride a small commuter bike? A weekend exploring the coastline of northern France is a blast whatever you ride. It’s all about embracing the spirit of adventure...

It doesn’t matter what you ride

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you need a big multi-cylinder machine to conquer the roads of Europe. In the 1960s scooter riders thought nothing of crossing the channel to tour on two-strokes. And while Ewan McGregor’s adventure rides have done wonders for sales of the might BMW GS range, don’t forget that in 1980 two riders completed the gruelling Paris Dakar having ridden their Vespa scooters across 7 countries and 10,000km of brutal terrain.

Renting a motorbike for European riding

There are many reasons why renting a motorcycle for a touring in Europe can make sense. Over the last decade a host of motorbike dealers and specialist companies have started to offer rental bikes. And where once the choice was limited, it is now possible to rent everything from a Honda CB500 or Harley Davidson 883, to a Ducati Panigale or BMW S1000RR.

The bikes are one or two years old, well serviced, insured, include European breakdown cover and, most importantly, offer the chance to ride something much more focussed (and expensive) than you need for the daily commute.

Based on one week’s rental in 2015, prices range from £375 for a Honda NC700X or CB600F Hornet, or £395 for a 15-plate Triumph Bonneville to £745 for a superbike like the KTM RC 8R or Ducati 1199S Panigale.

Ferry routes

The cheapest and most popular option is to cross the channel by ferry or tunnel, but the route from Plymouth or Portsmouth to Bilbao or Santander is a civilised way to get straight to the incredible roads of northern Spain. Alternatively, you can put your bike on a train to Italy. A Dusseldorf to Verona Motorail train operates from July to August. Düsseldorf is less than four hours from Calais, or less than 3 hours from Hoek van Holland, Rotterdam or IJmuiden (serves by ferries from Harwich, Hull and Newcastle).

What do I need to take?

Whether you’ve got a full set of hard luggage, throw over bags or you are braving it with a sports bag bungeed to the passenger seat, pack smart - decide on what you think you need and then take only half that amount. At the first set of twisty roads, you will curse yourself if you have overloaded the bike.

Motorcycle breakdown cover in Europe

Euro breakdown cover from the ETA is available for cars and motorbikes up to 20 years old.

The cover includes motorcycle hire for up to 14 days (maximum £60 per day). If your bike cannot be repaired within 72 hours the ETA arranges for you, your pillion and your motorcycle to be repatriated to your home.

The policy covers travel to Austria, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City. Cover for travel through any of the countries listed above is charged at the same rate. Seven days’ cover is just £26.60. Get an instant quote

Insurance

Don’t forget to sign up for a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card at dh.gov.uk/travellers.

The EHIC card entitles you to free health care if needed and most travel insurance policies require that you have one.