Touring Basics

This is mainly a bikers check-list although much of this stuff applies to car drivers also.

Daily Checks

Ok we all know them - and we do them don't we?

Fluids - Oil, water, battery, brakes, petrol;
Chain - slack and lubrication;
Lights & horn;
Tyres - depth, damage and pressures;
Clutch/accelerator cable roll off - nothing chafed or going to jam the steering;
Luggage balanced and securely fastened.  Rain-suit stowed where it is accessible;
Visor, screen and mirrors cleaned;

All done, then don your riding gear and earplugs, fire up the GPS and let’s get going... and try out some routes

Breakdowns

A breakdown can spoil any holiday, so take out breakdown cover, get your bike serviced and sort any dodgy tyres/brakes before setting out.  In more remote areas assistance can take hours to get to you, so carry some extra warm clothes, food/drink and a charged mobile phone with your breakdown service numbers.

Important things to do Before you Head for the Ferry

Nowadays the cheapest crossing fares can be had if you book early.  Last minute/on arrival fares can be extortionate.  Don’t forget your passport and booking documentation.  Don't forget that like airlines, most crossing operators now require you to pre-notify the traveller(s) passport details and vehicle registration numbers.

If the instruction manual for your motorbike is like mine - three inches thick and in 6 languages - you may prefer to leave it behind, and simply put together a one A4 page crib sheet with all the reference stuff you may need whilst abroad.  As I always fit my top box when touring I sellotaped the crib sheet inside the lid so it’s always to hand.  You can see an example here.

So what should be on the crib sheet?  Especially on longer tours you will probably want to move the clock forward/back when overseas, likewise if you have a digital display there is usually a sequence of buttons to press to alter the speedo display to show KM/h.  It’s also worth including your full laden/normal load tyre pressures in PSI and Bar  (the unit used in most of the rest of Europe) or K/Pascal.  If the bike has an alarm fitted especially one with a motion sensor - then don't forget to add the instructions on how to set the alarm into ferry mode and how to return it to normal.  You and the ferry staff really don't want the alarm blaring all the way from Dover to Calais!

Tyres - Puncture repair kits

Punctures are by far the most common cause of motorbike breakdowns, so it makes sense to carry a simple get you home puncture repair kit, especially if you don't want to face a long delay. The best repair kits include pliers to pull out nails, clean and seal the hole, and CO2 cylinders to re-inflate your tyre.  This should allow you to ride at sensible speeds to a tyre dealer to have the damage assessed and permanently repaired or a replacement tyre fitted.

Legally required - Kit

Bikers are obliged to carry a wide range of "essential safety kit" depending on what country you are riding through.   Perhaps the most important is to adapt your headlights when in countries which drive on the other side of the road. ["Target fixation" (look it up) works both ways and even if you can see OK, you don’t want people coming the other way to even momentarily aim for you simply because your lights are blinding them.]

Unfortunately there is no EU wide standard on mandatory kit, so before you start packing, check the AA/RAC websites for the latest info on what is required by the countries you will pass through. Remember their sites are very car focused - and they may stipulate items which are not applicable to bikers - for instance you don't need to carry a break down triangle or fire extinguisher!

For instance in France & Switzerland the law requires bikers to carry a complete spare bulb set (one bulb for every type used on the bike including instruments), a basic first aid kit, all your original documents (V50, MOT, insurance, licence, passport), and a spare set of glasses if you need to wear them.  At the moment only cars have to carry extra stuff - like a single CE approved fluorescent jacket for the driver to wear whilst they deploy a warning triangle, from 1 Jan 2016 bikers must have a suitable fluorescent jacket with them too, although they only actually need to wear this if they break down. Unfortunately search engines continue to point to some grossly misleading advice for bikers especially in relation to whether or not you should carry breathalyser kits or have fluorescent elements stuck to your helmet when riding in France.   This checklist may help.

update - there have been posts on various Biker websites suggesting police in Spain are busy conducting checks at motorway peage stations imposing on-the-spot fines and then forcing predominantly foreign bikers to buy any missing kit at exorbitant prices from the adjacent service station shop (owned by a friend???) before being allowed to proceed. So please check.

Alarms - Datatool - Filling station issues in France and elsewhere

If your motorbike has a Datatool Alarm fitted you might want to be wary of stopping to fill up in the vicinity of any high powered Telecommunications masts.  This may apply to other alarm makes but thus far all the occasions I have encountered the problem the rider had a Data-tool Red type alarm.   Anyway when leading groups across Europe, on several occasions now one or more riders have found that after refuelling at a service station - especially on the A26 in France - their motorbike was mysteriously unable to start when they returned to the bike after paying in the shop.  Queue frantic pressing of the remote to no effect!!!!

The problem seems to stem from radio interference, and the sort of Telecoms Masts which seem to cause big problems, resemble massive electricity pylons with numerous microwave relay dishes, located right beside the service station.   It seems that after a short while Datatool alarms will immobilise the bike automatically when the engine is turned off.  However radio interference from these telecoms masts can block out the disarming signal from the key fob, so the bike just won't start. 

If you encounter this problem, you need to first locate the source of interference - which should not be too hard as these towers tend to be massive, and then find somewhere you can wheel the bike to, where it will be shielded from the interference. So roll it behind a building or a parked lorry.  Once it is there, the alarm should disarm and the bike should start without trouble.  Whilst some riders promptly resorted to leaving the ignition turned on and used their spare keys to open the fuel tank - it’s not an approach I would recommend.  Bikes do get stolen overseas and if a bike is left unattended whilst you pay for fuel, with keys in the lock and the engine running you are asking for trouble!

Useful Stuff

Hopefully your trip will go fine and you will never encounter bike problems.  But if you do, then a few minutes effort now could save you a heap of stress.  Perhaps the most worthwhile item to have with you is an English language version of the workshop manual for your bike.  That way you, or the garage, can point at stuff in pictures on the manual and you will know what they are talking about in Romanian.  OK most of us won't want to lug around a heavy and bulky printed copy.   But there are digital versions of the workshop manual available on the internet for most modern motorbikes and many classics too.  Obviously if the bike is stuck at the side of a road you may have no access to the internet, so you really need to find and download your own offline copy of the manual.

There is a neat solution if you have a TomTom Rider 1 or 2 GPS provided it has been updated to use version 7.901 or higher operating system, as it means you can replace the original SD card with a 4gb sdhc type card(NB larger sizes won't work 4GB is the max).  This bigger card will hold all the mapping data for Europe and still leave over 1GB of free space for other personal stuff - like a full digital copy of the workshop manual.  The clever bit is if you go over to the TomTom website, you can also download and install for free a compatible browser onto your Rider.  Which means if you get into trouble, you will be able to use the GPS to open and scroll through the workshop manual at the roadside.   Better still most garages now have some sort of PC so they just need a SD card reader slot to be able to open the file, and review the manual on a much larger screen.  Being able to point at a picture of whatever has broken seems to be a universally understood language.

The remainder of this note is mostly focused on bikers visiting the Abondance Valley in the Alps near Lake Geneva(Lac Leman), but elements may still be relevant to bikers visiting other areas.

Motorbike Tyre fitters in the Abondance Valley

Garage Trincaz in La Chapelle d'Abondance can repair/supply/fit motorbike tyres but don't keep any in stock.

The nearest specialist motorbike tyres fitters are in Monthey in Switzerland and Anthy Sur Leman in France

In Switzerland try - Garage Christophe Metral in Monthey or Point S in Collombey.

In France try - First Stop - parc du pre Biollat, thonon les Bains 74200 - 0450 170440 (most bike tyres-many in stock)
- NorAuto in Anthy Sur Leman, 74200 Thonon les Bains - tel: 0450 706262 (Michelin/Bridgestone)

Motorbike Rental near Lac Leman (Lake Geneva)

There are of course plenty of motorcycle dealerships in Switzerland and France willing to sell you a new or used motorbike.  But if you only want to rent a bike there are very few options and you will find prices fall dramatically when you get away from Geneva Airport especially if you rent from France.

Locally try CLT Location who are in Thonon-les-Bains and have a range of large and small Honda motorbikes and Peugeot scooters.  You will need your passport and your driving licence - both bits and a credit card. It’s important to book in advance.  You'll find them on Route de Genève, Marclaz - 74200 THONON-LES-BAINS France - tel : 04.50.70.37.07

Nearer to Geneva you can rent BMW motorbikes http://www.moto-plaisir.fr/moto/ they are based in 8 Rue du Buet, Ville-La-Grand 74100.  Their contracts and online booking info is in English and French.  If you ring ahead they can pre book a transfer company to collect you at the airport - much cheaper than Swiss taxis!

You can rent most Honda motorbikes (125s to Goldwing’s) from http://www.honda-geneve.com/location.shtml .  Contact info is Honda Genève, 3 Rue des Charmilles, 1203 Genève.  Tél. +41 22 339 70 00 - Fax +41 22 339 70 09  Their contracts and online booking info is in English and French.  It’s a pricey taxi ride from the airport.

For other makes, try Badan Motos SA - Centre Yamaha - Rue Lamartine 23 (on the airport road) - 1203 Genève. Tél. 022 345 30 65.

Local Motorbike Dealerships

There are loads of them scattered widely around Lake Geneva.  Check here for a full list, or try these main agents.  

BMW - Grand Prix Motos - 6 ch du Vieran  74960  MEYTHET - tél : 04 50 67 40 99
Honda - Kick Moto - 10 bd Pré Biollat  74200  ANTHY SUR LÉMAN - tél : 04 50 26 09 80
Kawasaki - TechnicMoto - 2 rue Léon Grange  74960  MEYTHET - tél : 04 50 24 09 24
Suzuki - Mecaracer.com at Pont de Dranse 74500 AMPHION - tél : 04 50 26 58 59
Yamaha - Riotton Moto - 21 av Jules Ferry  74200  THONON LES BAINS - tél : 04 50 71 05 64

Fuel

Petrol is generally cheaper in Switzerland - there are Shell and BP garages on the Route du Morgins between Troistorrents and Monthey.   Diesel is cheaper in France so nip down to Intermarche.  Most filling stations are unattended so you will need a chip/pin credit card.  (Remember to tell your bank where/when you’re going to be so the card is not blocked! ) Beware despite showing the Visa/MasterCard symbols it appears that some preloaded FX charge cards will not work at filling stations. Inherently most stations debit a chunk of cash from the card - typically 100 euro before allowing you to fill up, and return any unused balance after you have filled up.  Unfortunately it seems there is no way to return the unused amount to FX type cards - so they are simply rejected.

Speed

As Jeremy Clarkson will tell you, the Swiss don't like speeding and have more cameras than the UK in a tiny country. Even 2km above the limit will get you a ticket, much more will get you a massive fine and/or a ban or potentially a trip to jail. That’s why the Swiss normally drive well below the limit.

Most cameras look like oversized grey concrete wheelie bins sat at the side of the road, on motorways they are grey Gatso type things mainly on the central reservation.  Most are triggered by detector loops buried in the road surface, so there are absolutely no signals for radar and infra-red detectors to spot - even so detectors are illegal in Switzerland.  There are huge fines if you have any GPS with a database of Swiss camera locations - even if it’s turned off! That’s why you won't find a Swiss camera location database.  The French adopted a similar no GPS policy but permit people to download and use their "safety zones" list which includes a lot of false alerts - try TomTomMax.fr

In Switzerland most cameras are only checked once a year in Spring (known locally as emptying the piggy-bank).  They doggedly track down overseas number-plates caught, even if its year's later.  DVLA will always give them your name and address.  If you don't pay the fine, then your details join their passport hit-list.  Next time you show up at any Swiss Airport - even years later - you may get a very warm welcome and be taken straight to Court.   If you really bend the limits then expect jail time and/or huge fines linked to salary. Income from speeding fines helps fund most municipal police in Switzerland, hence even tiny villages have at least one speed trap. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Motorway Tolls

French Motorway tolls are expensive - you either pick up a ticket on entry and pay as you leave, or fork out at regular Peage stations along the way.  Similar systems apply in Italy.  Motorbikes must use the manned booths to avoid paying at the same rate as a car.

You need a Vignette if you wish to use any Swiss motorways, its obligatory for cars AND motorbikes.  Sadly you have to buy a whole year pass even if you only use it once and motorbikes pay the same fee as cars!  Vignettes are sold at most filling stations near to the Swiss border, and most border crossing posts. To be valid, you must stick your vignette to your windscreen - which may be OK in a car but can create a potentially lethal blind-spot for sports bike riders, and can be impossible for naked bike owners! Crazy Eh?

If you are not in a rush, you can usually find routes which don't entail using motorways -  Yippee.  However they will rarely be as quick, and some are poorly maintained.  Over the years many main roads have been upgraded to Motorways and either now collect tolls or require a vignette, so make sure your GPS/maps are up to date.

Road surfaces

Are often crap! Sorry these are mountain roads and it snows a lot. By Spring, snowploughs have left deep grooves in many roads and particularly on bends they can rip great chunks out of the surface.  Inevitably, all summer long you will find gangs of workmen busy patching the holes, and relaying the worst bits.  Another favourite local game is to coat the surface with liquid tar and scatter on loose chippings (Gravillions on signs).  Over time the chippings get embedded into the surface but until that happens bikers can encounter unconsolidated chippings and loose grip without warning and can face shrapnel being slung at them when overtaking.  Beware if you see signs saying "Fauchage" - it really means "Slow Down" as there will be a slow moving hedge trimming tractor operating just ahead.

Weather Forecasts

Can also be crap.  It’s easy to forget that the Alps are seriously high - Mont Blanc is more than half the height of Everest.  As a result weather, and road conditions can change dramatically in a few hours.  Many valleys experience micro-climate conditions, which means the forecasters don't get it right very often.  Don't assume a fine sunny day will stay fine and sunny especially if you are planning a long run!

Snowfalls in July and August are not uncommon, and the more exposed mountain passes can be closed with no warning!
Take care on z bends especially any built out on stilts which allows cold air to cool the road surface from below, as this may create patches of black ice to catch out the unwary first thing.

Camping Sites

Can be a cheap and practical way to add an overnight stay to your biking tour. During the Summer its normally plenty warm enough. If you only have a bike and tent, even "full" sites will often squeeze you in - unlike hotels/B&Bs.

For the best value locations check on the web for "Camping Municipal" in the area you want to stay. Most large towns will have at least one site offering basic facilities/minimal costs and that’s about it. Better sites include things like swimming pools, playgrounds and on site restaurants and supermarkets.  They cost more, but make touring more civilised. If you are planning a late arrival or early departure check with the campsite, as many won't allow you to drive around the site between 10pm and 7am. Many sites are in low lying areas beside rivers - and can be prone to flooding!  If you arrive in torrential rain a B&B for the night may be a wise choice!

Biking Links

If you are thinking of biking in the Alps here are some links which you may find useful.