Euro Tripper’s Checklist

If you’re taking a motorbike trip to Euroland, here’s a useful checklist of things to take, and a few basic legal requirements.
With a bit of a “French Bias” as we like it there!

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Driving Licence
Must be carried with you when travelling through EU countries (UK being an exception as you have 5 days to produce it).

Insurance
May be required to produce on demand. Green card is not currently required  but check your policy and contact your insurer to obtain the necessary paperwork. (On French vehicles a certificate of insurance must be attached to the vehicle like our tax disk foreign drivers must produce certificate on demand)

Passport
Advised to carry as proof of nationality. Required for entry / exit of country. Make sure you get you passport stamped in and out of Europe, especially if you are not travelling to/from the UK.

MOT
Advised to carry although a spot check will assess the vehicle, it’s a handy backup.

Log Book (V5C)
Proof that the bike belongs to you.

Bulb-Kit
French law requires vehicles to carry spare bulbs and fuses. Motorcycles don’t need a warning triangle but you are advised to wear hi-viz during road-side repairs. If bulbs fail, you could be prevented from riding until replaced.

Self-test Breathalyser Kit
Thought to be legally required, but there is no penalty for not having them (at the time of writing this).
They are available on Ferries & French Petrol Stations etc.

Breakdown Cover
Advised. It could be a long way to push it home

Headlights Always On
Not Yellow. White headlights are fine, although headlight deflectors are required. (Bit of insulation tape will do).

Crash Helmet
French law requires you to wear a crash helmet. They don’t say where but advise wearing it on your head not on your arm as that’s asking for a “tug”. The helmet must have reflectors (stickers) on all four sides.

GB Sticker
You are required to display a UK sticker on your number plate or fixed to the rear of the motorcycle (not removable luggage etc.,) .

Pollution
An increasing number of French towns require vehicles to have a Crit’Air sticker. There is a small cost for the sticker and you can apply for one, online. They have be difficult to display on a bike so take the paperwork with you.

PERSONAL CARE

Medical
Medical Insurance is strongly advised. As a minimum, take your Global / European Health Insurance Card with you.

Hi-Viz clothing
Not yet a legal requirement in France but wear it anyway, especially in bad visibility or at night. Advised to have available to wear at road-side breakdowns (mandatory for car drivers).

UK Global European Health Insurance Card (European Health Insurance Card – previously E111)
UK medical cover when travelling in EU countries. EHIC is no longer available to UK citizens – replaced by UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).  Apply through NHS website.

Ferry / Train Ticket
Otherwise you’ve wasted your time sorting out the above!

Ear Plugs
Riding higher speeds (especially on faster continental roads) without earplugs will damage your hearing, but the fatigue from excessive noise may damage your life expectancy!

Credit Card
Not just for fuel, but those on the spot speeding fines. (Worth carrying with you)

First Aid Kit
Optional, Plasters, bandage, antiseptic cream, any medication you require and….the best hangover cure you know.

Personal Insurance
It’s up to you if you want to take out private travel insurance e.g. Boots Travel Insurance etc

Phrase book
Optional.  As a Brit abroad you can just point and look stupid. Seems to work.

BIKE CARE

Tyres
Tyres must be in good condition and have sufficient tread for the trip. 1mm across 3/4 of the tyre is the limit. How much tread you need before the trip depends on how long your tyres last and how long your trip is. If you get 5000 miles out of a tyre (6mm to 1mm) and you are going to do 2500 miles then you need at least 3.8mm (5000 miles = 4.4mm (6mm-1mm) So 2500 miles will use 2.2mm+ the 1mm. Hence minimum required = 3.8mm)

Tyre Pressure
Check tyre pressures, may need to be increase them a bit if carrying weight (Check owner’s manual) Higher speeds and extra load increases tyre wear. If away for a long time -check them regularly.

Oil
Check level. If changing oil / filter ensure this is done at least 100 miles prior to the trip (ensures it’s OK). If using a lot of oil, take some with you. Motor oil is easy to obtain at garages / supermarkets.

Fuel
Fill up when leaving home (ferry advice is travel empty.) This might help when handling bike on ferry, don’t take full fuel containers on board. If you intend to carry extra fuel it must be in an EU approved container, ensure the container does not leak and it’s secured towards the back of the bike away from the exhaust / engine and protected from direct sunlight.

Chain
Ensure chains and sprockets are in reasonable condition. And correctly adjusted.

Chain Lube
Take some with you. Ensure pressurised container is carried away from engine and out of direct sunlight.

Tools
You may need to adjust drive chain or change a bulb, carry the tools required.

Carrying a load (no not her/him!)
Heavy items should be carried as low and as far forwards as possible. E.g. put weight in tank bag and panniers not top box. Heavy weights high up on the back of the bike will affect the handling (badly). Remember more weight takes longer to stop.

Punctures
Unlikely. However you could purchase a tubeless puncture repair kit if you want to. It’s basically a rubber “bung”, insertion tool and glue. Remove puncturing object, glue hole & “bung strip” push into hole with insertion tool, remove insertion tool, trim off excess “bung” inflate tyre. Best / cheapest inflator can be found in the bicycle section of Halfords. This is a small brass valve adaptor with a CO2 cylinder. Get 2 extra CO2 cylinders as a M/C tyre will need 3 at least. Check pressure before proceeding or at earliest opportunity.

GENERAL ADVICE

Money €€€€
We’re talking Euros. No panic with travellers’ cheques etc. Exchange some cash prior to travel or on the boat. Cash Point cards “Maestro”, “Cirrus” Visa etc., will work in French cash point machine (most with English text). Remember your pin number. Most credit cards taken in just about any shop / restaurant / filling station. Note filling stations are often closed on Sundays except motorways or sometimes can only take local country’s credit cards (i.e. not UK ones) – this has improved over the years and is less likely to be an issue now but…?

Security
Obviously no drugs or weapons through Customs. Ensure documents, credit cards, money, passport and tickets etc. are transported separately and can be easily detached from your motorcycle and carried with you. (Stops them getting stolen from unattended bike)

Speed
Don’t speed in town, the police can catch you on their unrestricted mopeds. They want payment on the spot so you need the credit card. Towns are the hot spots. Radar cameras are quite common on main routes and not highly visible like ours. So be alert for road-side warnings. (Mobile units can be deployed, as in Britain.)

Police cars (French)
Often dark blue saloons normally with a small blue “nipple” on the top, and three inside. Rather hard to spot. Fewer of our expensive high performance ‘day-glow can’t miss um’ jobs. Police travel in threes. Nice cop, nasty cop and the one with the gun (in the back).

Roundabouts
A lot less than the UK, but it is all back to front so be extra careful. Usually priority is from the left but watch out for traffic from the right which may have priority (now less common) unless junction is white lined.

Traffic Lights (French)
Not as easy to see as UK. No second traffic light on opposite side of junction instead small repeater half way down post on right. Flashing amber means proceed with caution.

Keys & Lock
Take a spare key for both your motorcycle and any additional lock(s) you use.

And Finally …… When in Euroland—ride on the right. Danger comes from the right, shoulder / head checks left, life saver right.