Riding in Europe — Yeah!

What could be more fun than to do some motorcycle traveling in Europe, home of the Alps and the Dolomites, the open-to-the-public Nürburgring racetrack, new vistas in food and culture, old castles and cathedrals, and lots more?

Almost immediately the wonders of this daydream are punctured by all the potential problems. So, I've created this FAQ. It's based on my experiences with a number of riding trips in Europe (some of which you can read about by clicking on the years in the menu to the left). An even better resource is the Global Touring section of the BMW MOA web site. Court Fisher is a great resource for all things European!

1. What are my choices for getting a bike in Europe? There are basically 5 ways to do it:
   • Tour Package: A tour is the most encapsulated way to go. You get a bike, you ride a (relatively) predetermined path, staying at known hotels each night. A guide is available to help with any mechanical problems. This is also a "known quantity" with regards to what you'll see and experience while you're over there, and perhaps the best way to make use of a limited amount of vacation time. OTOH, they are probably the most expensive way to go.
   • Rental: These are available from some tour companies, a few specialists, and a surprising number of dealers. Some places rent current year models, and some have older bikes. New bikes go for well over $100/day, with a discount generally available for weekly rentals. Older and smaller bikes should be significantly less, but you're still not going to get down into car rental prices. You need to know what the renter will do for you if you have an accident (see more about this under insurance, below) or mechanical breakdown.
   • Buy a Bike Over There: This can be problematic because you generally need to have a residence there to register the bike. Also, most European countries require that motorcycles have a rigorous — and expensive — road worthiness exam every year or two, so you should check into how much time is left on the current exam. Some dealers will do a purchase/guaranteed buy back program. The big problem with buying a bike is that when your trip is over, you still own the bike. If you want to sell it, you have a very limited amount of time to do it, and a lot of buyers will understand that. You could arrange to store it, of course.
   • Ship Your Own Bike: This can work out really well, but has some pitfalls. Especially now, after September 11th, it can be difficult to transport a bike. There are specialists who will arrange everything for you, or you can do it yourself. You can fly or go by boat. And you can ship it back after your trip, or store it in Europe and return whenever possible to do some more riding.
   • Motorcycle Exchange: You can arrange to ride someone else's personal motorcycle in the place you want to visit, in exchange for sharing your personal bike. The details all have to be worked out, but one way of getting started is to write a letter to an enthusiast club where you want to go. There's a web based exchange program available, too, but in the end, this is all about personal contacts and private arrangements.
2. What about insurance? You have to have it on the bike and your US motorcycle policy won't cover you for anything in Europe. The law requires that you have at least 3rd Party Liability (aka, The Green Card), which is what covers other people when you cause damage to them. You can buy this from the German auto club, ADAC, among other places, at very reasonable rates. But it doesn't cover your bike for accidents, theft, or other problems. Tour and rental companies will insist on either a high deductible (typically, $1000) bike insurance, with a signed credit card slip for that deductible (returnable at the end of your trip), or a low or no deductible insurance, often at extra cost. If you're riding your own bike, it can be difficult to find such insurance, and it can be expensive. Other insurance you may want to consider: trip cancellation insurance, your health insurance coverage, and emergency evacuation insurance. Also, you can become a member of ADAC for about $80/year, and this membership provides some great benefits if your bike has mechanical difficulties. Things like rental car and hotel expenses while you return to your point of departure, and towing/transportation of the bike anywhere in Europe for repair. I highly recommend you look at the resources that Court Fisher has compiled.

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