riding in France

[knightraider]

I am due to be riding in France for the first time, and unsure of what i need to take with me apart from my passport and insurance and breakdown/recovery of course.

What is it like riding on the other side of the road?

What do i need to do for securing my GTR on the ferry? or do the ferry staff secure them for you.

I will be gratefulm ,of your advice.

Glen

[viper]

read this thread , the link is page 3 , read my post about what to take to france, i did quite a bit of research before i went as there are lots of myths about what to and not to take. Ive not had my definative list contradicted as yet .

im not a fan of the ferry as the chunnel is so so so easy and safe, the chunnel cost is about £25 each way and pillion goes free. The ferries, most make you tie down with their ropes as to get out of liability, if you are in experienced you may struggle knowing the best way to tie down,

take the time to go through relevent posts on here as all these subjects have been done to death and other members with more experience have made some really good contributions

if you have any specific questions you can PM me

http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,513.msg22076.html#msg22076

riding on wrong side of road, easy if you concentrate, roundabouts seem to be the possible incident areas, and when emerging from junctions , just look every way , i only seem to have a problem when i get back to uk , remembering what side to be on!

have done the alps every year of the last 10

[Debs]

P&O supply straps but you have to strap the bike down yourself.. Ferries are normally cheaper but the Eurotunnel is awesome...

You also need to take your V5.

I go to France a lot and I prefer to ride over there.. The car drivers tend to be more aware of bikers and pull to the side to let you through if in traffic..

I was lucky to get a deal with DFDS.. Booked before end of Jan for a 20% discount... Got my ticket for £27.50 Return. Not been with them before so it will be interesting.. 

[viper]

After talking to one of the senior AA reps at the head office who looks after the website for compulsary equipment in europe i can confirm the following. If you take what the french authorities need then that will cover you for all of europe, mostly

Original bikes docs , v5, insurance ect, not copies,licence
GB sticker
bulb kit
headlights on at all times
high viz vest to be worn if immobilsied on a main carriageway.


beam benders not required for bikes, the law is not to dazzle, so only headlamp height adjustment could be challenged

warning triangle , not compulsary for bikes

reflective jacket, only an area of 150 cm sq has to be reflective ( ave cig packet size ), however still not law in france 2013

first aid kit, only comp in austria and croatia
fire extinguisher , no
twin pack NF approved breathalyser ( 2013, not in force yet )

[Winston Smith]

Think you'll find the reflective and breathalyser legislation is suspended indefinitely

[nightrider]

i have always used the ferry as i have to go 280 miles to get to dover . so its nice to have a chill out time before you get to the other side. just keep rembering what side you are meant to be on , very much so on any narrow country roads. the back roads are very quiet . you will have a great time . just take some good waterproofs. ...

[stoketim]

you will be fine in france on the wrong side,just be careful for a few days when you get home and are more relaxed

[O.C.]

There should be nothing to worry about whilst riding in France, the French drivers are, in the main, courteous and aware of bikers, the roads are generally better than here too.

I used the Chunnel to travel to France last August and returned on the P & O ferry overnight from Zebrugge to Hull the chunnel is so easy as it takes only about half an hour, you can stand next to your bike when its parked on its side stand. Using the ferry means that you will be required to strap your bike down, and I think you already have a link to the post on here that gives info in that respect.

Have a great time and enjoy.

[mecki]

I am pretty sure that you need to carry a first aid kit and spare light bulbs with you in France too.

As for riding on the right side of the road, when somebody comes at you on your side of the road it's most likely you who is on the wrong side. 

[JohnnyTh]

First time i took the ferry i was realy impressed. They had "slots" for the bike. You paked in aslot in the floor with front wheel in a slot on the wall. Then they straped it down for me. Pushing it forward and down. If the ferry tiped over my bike would still have been there upside down, but not moved.
  To bad i cant remember what ferry it was.

[Boomer]

I grew up over there (Belgium) so switching sides is a doddle for me.
When the road markings change, my brain just switches sides.

My friends normally stick a piece of insulating tape to the right side of the windscreen or the right wingmirror.
The side with the tape should ALWAYS be nearest the kerb.

The only real danger points are when turning left (it's ACROSS and then left!!) and roundabouts.
Roundabouts in France/Belgium/Holland/Germany are a mess.
Nobody knows how to use them and yes they are way worse than the muppets we get in the UK.
Don't plan too many miles for your first day over as you will have to concentrate more than normal and that can be exhausting.

Make certain that your E111 is current and if more than a few days some cheap travel insurance my be worthwhile.
Don't get caught speeding as the French police are now  hot on UK speeders and their fines are getting silly expensive.

If you need to cover a lot of distance fast then the Peages are worth the money. They are very smooth and comparatively traffic free.
Avoid the non-Peage dual carriageways as they will be packed with trucks.
For the scenic ride take the single carriageways and take your time.
Riding in France is fun, once yer off the beaten path.

[PCPeteUK]

If you need to cover a lot of distance fast then the Peages are worth the money. They are very smooth and comparatively traffic free.
Avoid the non-Peage dual carriageways as they will be packed with trucks.
For the scenic ride take the single carriageways and take your time.
Riding in France is fun, once yer off the beaten path.

...couldn't agree more with this advise - I love riding in France and Belgium...

[viper]

I am pretty sure that you need to carry a first aid kit and spare light bulbs with you in France too.

As for riding on the right side of the road, when somebody comes at you on your side of the road it's most likely you who is on the wrong side. 

bulb kit is on my list, however first aid kit is not mandatory in france, only austria and croatia, this is documented on the aa site

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/compulsory_equipment.pdf
At this moment in time all you actually need to take on a motorbike is

Original documents
bulb kit
Gb sticker/ Euro plate
High viz vest to be worn if you breakdown on a main carriageway

thats all folks

[MarkyMark]

I always put an elastic band or something on a mirror or handle bar - for that panic moment where you suddenly think - WHICH SIDE

I do this in the car as well

[Rusty]

Well there you are Mr Knightraider ... you won't get more help than this forum has to offer ... take the advice from all here, read the previous threads and ENJOY yourself ... as Debs and OC say the French drivers are much more aware AND polite to bikers as a whole .. it's in their DNA I think !
I love riding over there ... more so when it's warm and sunny !