International Motorcycle Touring - Where to go?
The question of whether to go international motorcycle touring is pretty simple - it depends on your preferences and your budget! If you are going motorcycle touring abroad I would recommend that it is good to tour with some objective in mind - whether it be a certain country, a particular mountain range or an event that you want to see as this gives you a purpose to your trip and makes it easier to plan around.
Touring in a foreign country is a fantastic way of seeing a new country. It is a much better than relying on public transport as you are free to go where and when you want, and of course you can get around a lot quicker. Touring by bike also allows you to get off the beaten tourist track so that you get a better feel for the country. Unfortunately international motorcycle touring is a lot more expensive and in some instances you won't be riding your own bike.
The International Motorcycle Touring Guide
Below you'll find summaries of the continents and various countries in Europe and although brief, they are flavoursome and will give you a good taste for what you're in for. I have not been to all the places listed but I have talked to a lot of friends, and I trust word of mouth experience from those that have personally been international motorcycle touring over the words of travel agents any day!
For an extensive list of motorcycle touring resources, with tour operators, maps, airlines, hotels, travel agents and guides go to my comprehensive international motorcycle touring directory
International Motorcycle Touring in Europe
France
France is one of the most biker friendly countries and Europe and the terrain is diverse enough to make for some really interesting touring, especially in the Alps and the Pyrenees. Compared to our roads, the French roads are quiet and the police keep a pretty low profile. Unfortunately, the cops do take their work very seriously and if you do get pulled over, it will usually result in a large on-the-spot fine, and don't try pull any fast ones as they have the power to impound your bike if you don’t have the means to pay.
You can drive about 100mph on the French Auto routes and this site will give you any information you need regarding the French tolls and routes.
Apart from the great scenery other good reasons to go to France, are the food and wine!
Switzerland
Although the tolls on the Swiss roads can set you back a fair bit, you are paying for a reason - they are sublime! Touring through the Swiss Alps can be a really unforgettable experience of all the international motorcycle touring to be done, as the roads have been exceptionally well designed and the views are awesome. If you do to go touring in Switzerland however, you need to mind your P's and Q's, as unlike in the UK - the Swiss take ALL of their road laws seriously. You are not allowed to filter through traffic and you need to turn off your engine when you stop at traffic lights. the cameras are really well hidden, and all footage is recorded. The up side of this vigilance is that the other drivers are a pleasure to share the road with.
Switzerland is not part of the EU, so don't forget your passport. You can use Euros in most places, but I would advise that you keep a few Swiss Francs on you for emergency's. Everything else can be a bit more expensive in Switzerland - but in terms of foreign touring, it's value for your money!
Spain
Spain is one of the most diverse countries that you could tour through in Europe. Not only does the scenery change often, but so do the dialects and culture. Riding in Northern Spain around the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains is breathtaking, but you need to go at the right time of year as the roads are not cleared regularly of snow.
Denmark/Norway/Sweden
This is a very expensive part of Europe but if you can afford it, I have only heard good things from those that regularly take part in international motorcycle touring. The Fjords in Norway are meant to be particularly beautiful.
Holland
Holland is pretty flat and my guess is that if you're going there, it aint to see the windmills. In any case, be careful of the cyclists as they have the law on the road, no matter what the circumstances are. Like the rest of Europe, the Dutch take their speed limits very seriously too.
Ireland
The fuel is cheap and the roads have seriously improved due to EU grants. As a weekend trip, I would suggest making your way to the Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway Bay in the South.
Germany
Germany is extremely biker friendly, but as in Switzerland the traffic laws, and speed limits must be obeyed! The roads are also pristine and well marked. Great roads to check out are those around the Black Forest, the Mosel Valley or those along the Rhine. The old Nurburgring is also open to the public and although it is a brilliant 14 mile track with more bends than you know what to do with, caution does need to be taken of the cars, buses and other vehicles that also have access to this track.
Belgium
The roads are pretty dodgy in Belgium and so if you decide to go, you need to keep an extra set of eyes on for potholes on the roads. The police seem to love their job and you need to keep an extra eye out for them, as they can be a real pain. The police cars are orange with white stripes. Buges and the Spa circuit are a must if you go anywhere near this area.
Austria
The roads in the Alps are perfect. The cops are not! As with Germany and Switzerland, you need to keep a sharp eye out for the police, who are clothed in Beige uniforms. This aside, it is stunning, the locals are very friendly, if somewhat conservative. Also, more and more tour operators are opening in Austria and this increased demand must say something!
Italy
Ask anyone and they will tell you the same thing - the Italians are nuts and you'll hear this from riders who have done plenty of international motorcycle touring! The roads are very aggressive and dangerous in Italy and if you are new to this, I would give it a bit of time before joining the madness on the Italian roads. The Dolomites are stunning however as is the Italian Lake District.
Eastern Europe
This is still pretty unchartered territory making it all the more appealing especially those that live and breathe international motorcycle touring, and you're not going to break the bank either. I have heard that the Carpathian Mountains are brilliant as are the Faragas Mountains where you will find one of the highest roads in Europe. You do not need a passport to get in, provided that the passport is still valid for six months. Theft is an issue, but then again if you watch your back, its not!
International Motorcycle Touring in Africa
South Africa is probably your best bet in terms of convenience, accessibility and diversity. This country has 11 national languages, over 72 dialects and a geographical orientation about as diverse as its people. It is quite simply a world within one border. The South Africans are known for their hospitality and the police generally have bigger fish to fry than hassling tourists. The weather is also moderate all year round, and so all in all it is a fantastic choice for anyone wanting to go a bit of international motorcycle touring. It is also advisable to go with an organised tour, as although the crime is generally exaggerated, you'd be foolish to get lost. The general rule in South Africa is that if you don't do anything stupid, and follow the locals advice then you're as safe as anywhere else.
You do not need a visa if you are a UK passport holder but your passport does need to be valid for at least 6 months. Sun cream and insect repellent are essential items in Africa and always double check with your tour guide whether you'll be hitting Malarial areas
International Motorcycle Touring in Asia
Where to start? Diverse, mysterious and mad, there is more than enough to both lure you and keep you interested in Asia for a lifetime, no matter how much international motorcycle touring you have previously done. That's all depends if you're into mysterious and mad of course. Although Asia is becoming more and more westernised (and I'm not saying that's a good thing either) you need to be ready to appreciate a different culture as not only are the roads psycho but it can be a pretty foreign place at times.
Visa and health precautions differ from country to country so you need to do your research, but there are more than enough local and foreign tour operators in Asia to pick from, and they should be able to provide you with the basic information regarding getting safely into and out of the country.
International Motorcycle Touring in the Americas
North America
On the one hand, you have a hell of a lot of country to explore, on the other hand there is a lot of riding that will have to be done on straight, featureless roads to get to different parts of the countries. Of course, there is Route 66 not to mention the Rockies, the Arizona Desert, the West Coast,, the massive forests and parks, wild Alaska ... the list is endless!
As the UK is one of the 27 Visa waiver countries recognised by the US, we do not need a visa to enter the US.
South America
After watching the The Motorcycle Diaries
Like Africa, it is generally recommended that you go with a local tour operator and take extra precaution on all accounts. Visa restrictions differ by country and so it is recommended that you do your research well.
International Motorcycle Touring in Australia/New Zealand
The biggest expense with this international motorcycle touring is obviously your air fares but both Australia and New Zealand offer their own special sights.
The
South Island has more than enough to keep you busy for a week or two. Apart
from the striking scenery of glaciers, mountain ranges, lakes and valleys,
go whale watching at Kaikoura, take a boat trip at Milford Sound and go
wine tasting in Nelson.
Australia
is like the US - you can travel on featureless open road forever, but also
like the USA, there is some really diverse countryside to see. The Aussie's
are a pretty mad lot and there are no shortage of Britain's over there either.
Both countries are pretty biker friendly. UK passport holders will need an ETA visa for Australia and you can apply online here but luckily you will be be granted a visitors permit on arrival in New Zealand.
The Essential of the International Motorcycle Touring Packing List
Like most things in life, the more you put into the preparation of your international motorcycle touring trip, the more you will get out - and trust me, touring in a foreign country requires preparation and planning! But it can be a satisfying way of killing time when you're not on your bike and waiting for your trip to come along
I have included a general touring packing list at a later stage in the guide, so this list is in additional to that one if you are going international motorcycle touring.
- An up to date passport, with a visa if necessary if the most obvious item and no international motorcycle touring list would be complete without it!
- A full driving licence is required, (Provisional Licences are not accepted) and if you don't have one of the new photo driving licences then unfortunately you will need to get an International Driving Permit
- You need a European Health Insurance Card (which has replaced the no longer valid E 111 form.) This is to use in EU countries if you are taken ill and wish to claim treatment via the NHS or other reciprocal health agreements. The card is free and is valid for 3-5 years. You can obtain your European Health Insurance Card online here or get it from any post office in the UK
- The original copy of your vehicle registration document , the V5C (copies are not accepted) or a letter of authority from the vehicles owner if it is not your vehicle. If you are hiring your bike, ask for a Hire Certificate (VE103B)
- Travel and breakdown insurance is a must if you are going international motorcycle touring. Just double check that you are covered whilst you are away. Check out my motorcycle breakdown cover for the best deals
- Your MOT and Insurance Certificate. (Double check that your tax does not run out while you are away) Give your insurance company a call so that you are clear that you are covered throughout your international motorcycle touring trip. If you have comprehensive insurance it is very likely that your insurance company will extend it to a full 60 days cover in Europe. Also ask your insurance company for an accident certificate that must be completed in the event of an accident. (A "Green Card" is no longer required for all European countries to prove that your insurance is valid abroad)
- If you don't have a modern number plate with the E. U. marking "GB" then you need to get a GB sticker of the correct size to put on the back of your bike
- A basic medical kit. When delving into international motorcycle touring, this is an essential as the police could actually check to see if you have one as it is a requirement on the European continent
- Spare light bulbs. This is another legal requirement on the European continent
- If you are going to be camping in Europe then you will want to take a Camping Card International as it is accepted as ID at most camp sites and it even entitles you to good discounts at camp sites and tourist attractions in 11 countries. It costs about £6 and you can get it at the AA or RAC
- Make photocopies of all your documents, notably your European Health Insurance Card, passport and V5 and keep them separately on your bike. you will read this over and over again on any international motorcycle touring site for good reason! Trust me, I have learnt the hard way...
- I would also advise making a record of your bank account/credit card details and if you're going to be doing international motorcycle touring in a third world country - give your bank a call and find out what the story is. I got stuck in Vietnam without a penny, and my bank card would not work - it sucked - not enough of course, to put me off international motorcycle touring!
NOTE: Don't forget to stop by my international motorcycle touring directory with links to all the touring resources you'll ever need, from travel agents, guides, maps, airlines and tour operators