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Junior Member
 
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My wife and I finally have reserved 2 weeks through our timeshare in the Alps region. We will be staying one week a hundred miles or so south of Munich, Germany then another week in Axams/Tyrol area of Austria.
Our plan is a probably spend another week afterwards wandering around wherever strikes us as needing more exploration. The first two weeks will be by motorcycle. Right now I'm leaning toward renting a BMW R1200GS but I need to visit a dealer to see if the RT may be a better choice.
I'm still gathering information on the area so we can make the most of our time. I've got the available DVDs from Netflix, have the Hermann book on Riding the Alps, reading what I can find on the net, and even bought a Learn to Speak German in your car CD. That last one isn't going so well. I've had the Spanish CDs for a couple years an still need to hear it spoken very slowly por favor.
I looked at shipping my ST1100 but the costs and hassles don't seem to support going that route. I thought it would be kind of cool to ride on a NJ plated bike.
I've determined that the visit to the beer gardens in Munich will require an overnight stay since I never mix riding with any drinking activities. I don't usually drink beer but the experience doesn't look like it should be missed.
Anyone here that has done it, please feel free to offer advice.
2002 Honda ST1100
2004 Burgman 400
1999 Suzuki SV650
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Senior Member
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Having lived over there (Austria) and having traveled around here is some tips.
Tips are included in your bill at restaurants, you can always tip extra. Tax is figured in too on things on shelves, so if it says 100 euros it is 100 euros, makes life easy.
Pretty much most Germans, and Austrians speak or understand some English that take it in school like we take Spanish. They typically take English, Italian, French or Latin...typically English though. Understanding some Spanish will get you around Italy.
If someone wants to pass on the Highway they will flash you, that does not mean maybe get over but to get the F over now as they close the gap. All Highways are called the Autobahn, so don't think there is not a speed limit. I believe the No Speed limit Autobahn is only a few roads in Germany that are not all that long.
When I lived over there cops did not really use radar, instead they use a camera system. Any rental agency will get the ticket and either hit your credit card for the fine or mail you the ticket to the states. I would say pay it...you never know if you will go back.
If you do get pulled over it is pretty funny, they will come along you and hold out a red ping-pong paddle looking thing and get in front of you and you are to follow the cop till he pulls over. Happened to me in Austria after we stole my friends car one night for a joke (I was in High School). I also learned never hand them the everything in the glove box, they did not like that.....so know what your registration and insurance look like.
Plan your Hotels, Europe is not like the US where you can just stop at the end of a long day pretty much at any point. Their idea of a Hotel is a resort in the middle of nowhere that the locals book years in advance. Typically something to do with hot springs and hot baths. Also Hotels in towns tend to close the door as it gets late at night, meaning it is not like here in the US where you pull into a Motel 6 at 3am and there is someone sitting there to help you.
Back roads you will find cobblestone still used, can be real slick in the rain while on a switch backs going up mountains.
Oh, you can walk around with beer. They are not as anal like in the US where somehow drinking and walking is a bad thing. Drinking in public is okay, not like they enforce age limits on the stuff anyways.
That is all I can think of right now...out I go to ride, probably last nice day here in CO.
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 2/20/2010 6:17:05 PM
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| We just spent 10 days in mid-September focusing on the high, twisty passes in Switzerland, France, Italy and Austria. We averaged 400 km per day, mostly riding and not focused on sightseeing. In total we ran up and down 45 passes with an estimated 1000 switchbacks. Most fun riding I ever had. We rented BMW RT bikes ($140/day at knopftours.com, unlimited miles, no hassles) in Heidelberg. Stefan will arrange for pickup at Frankfurt and also runs a B&B so you can spend the first night at his place. Our ride stops were not pre-planned because we wanted flexibility to react to the weather. We started looking for hotels around 5 to 6 pm and never had a problem finding good quality accommodation. Weather-wise, we had everything from rain, snow, hail, fog but mostly SUN. Temperatures swung from freezing to the high 70's so prepare to dress appropriately. BTW, winter weather can happen on the Alps passes at any time so that's part of the plan. Don't consider staying overnight in a pass hospice - you may wake up to several inches of snow. Language is not an issue - everywhere people speak enough English to communicate what's needed. Food was best in France and Switzerland. Highest passes are in France. Most impressive scenery is in Switzerland and Italy (Dolomites). A GPS with a good Europe map (Garmin Europe NT 2010) plus a good paper map (buy in Europe) are needed in addition to Hermann's book. France, Italy, Austria and Germany pay in Euros. You may not need Swiss Franks because most places in Switzerland happily take Euros (sometimes you get change back in Franks). Here is the trip report: http://cowrw.forumotion.net/adventure-reports-pictures-f33/jurgen-s-2009-alp-adventure-t77.htm#78 PM me for more info or questions.
__________________
Jürgen
Spokane
2004 R1150GS Adv
2004 K1200RS
IBA
Forward looking statement: "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 3/9/2010 12:56:07 PM
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Thanks. There's a lot of good information there.
2002 Honda ST1100
2004 Burgman 400
1999 Suzuki SV650
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New Member
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Last Login: 1/29/2010 7:05:59 PM
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The R1200 GS would be one of the better choices. If you plan to be there between June and August, it can be quite warm and being behind a fairing will be very uncomfortable. Its bad enough having hand protectors on my R1150GS that cut off air flow to my gloved hands.
Its not worth shipping your own motorcycle over for the duration of your stay.
You can start downloading FREE maps of recommended motorcycle tours. They can be printed out and placed in a tank bag if you wish. The link is located on the How-to link below.
Having toured Europe and the Alps for the last 15 years in a row, I put together an info thread on the subject. See links in my signature line.
All the best,
AlexAlex's BMW Motorcycle & Global Touring Page
Euro & North American Travel & Technical Stuff for the R1150 GS & Adventure
Euro & Alps Motorcycle Tours - Priced Right, How to go about
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.....A. Einstein
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New Member
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Last Login: 1/29/2010 7:05:59 PM
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