Advice on first overseas tour

[Guest]

A mate and I are off to Normandy for a few days to visit a few of the WW2 memorial sights in July may even go up into Belgium too. This will be my first real 'tour' and although it's only 3 days want to make sure i'm suitably prepared. Any advice/tips from you more experienced tourers?

Plan is Dover to Calais and stay at Guines Eurocamp and use that as a base for touring.

I am taking my 99 R1 so i'll make sure I have a nice tasty massuer waiting for me at our accommodation ready to treat my aching back and shoulders every night

[cruz]

No different than if you were doing day trips in UK, but do keep left

I believe you now have to carry a Hi-Viz vest in France.

[TC]

Rod York did a video diary of his trip to Normandy.

Its was really good showed you what to take what to look out for.

I'll see if i can find.

Here, have a look through these

I Used the search button at the top of the page typed in Normandy.

http://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/sear ... y&start=15

[Voodoo]

Just got back from Normandy, had a great time. If Guines Eurocamp is where I think it is (i.e. Calais) then you do realise it'd be about a 500 mile round trip just to get to the WWII areas in Normandy. I went on the Tunnel to Calais myself, but if I was to do Normandy again, I'd definately take the ferry to Cherbourg. Also it'll cost you about 15 euros each way if you use the motorways.

I used to own a 98 R1, and so I speak from experience, take yourself a wheelchair, you'll need it when you stop

[Steve365]

Not long back from MotoGP in Le Mans. You need all your ownership docs etc with you, plus there's some more stuff here:

http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/Touring/france.php

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx ... France.htm

[Guest Spire]

France

Reflective vest. Is not required for two and three wheeled vehicles.

Also headlamp adjustment and warning triangle are not require for motorbikes.

You have to be 18

You need the original registration and insurance certificate

Also a GB sticker

You must use daytime running lights on motorbikes.

For toll roads have a credit card handy. They just scan them they don't even need the pin, so much easier than messing around with change. They don't check your time between toll booths. So you won't be automatically done for speeding. But they do have speed cameras and you can get an on the spot fine.

Consider having European relay cover.