Bikes and Euro Tunnel Vs Ferries
Discussion
I am new to biking and will have my first bike next month. The bike will be a Victory Vegas (Cruiser) which will only have a side stand (No Centre Stand).
I was wondering which is the best method for crossing the channel to France with this sort of bike. (Will be two up with Luggage).
Euro Tunnel looks the cheapest method although when I have traveled in the past in sports cars I have have always used the ferry.
I was wondering if people here could offer some advice as to what provisions both the ferries and Euro Tunnel have for bikers and for securing bikes so they don't get damaged.
All advice will be gratefully received.
I was wondering which is the best method for crossing the channel to France with this sort of bike. (Will be two up with Luggage).
Euro Tunnel looks the cheapest method although when I have traveled in the past in sports cars I have have always used the ferry.
I was wondering if people here could offer some advice as to what provisions both the ferries and Euro Tunnel have for bikers and for securing bikes so they don't get damaged.
All advice will be gratefully received.
Eurotunnel every time if you're worried about your bike although I've never had a problem with the ferries their method of tying bikes down can worry the anally retentive.
With Eurotunnel you sit with the bikes. Only problem I've ever had is when the train jiggles over some points on the loop and a top heavy bike on a dodgy sidestand (early Aprilia Mille RSV-R or Firestorm with silly length Ohlins in it) can use a steadying hand over this bit. A cruiser will have no worries whatsoever. Harley's with their lock type sidestands will never run forward off the stand - assume Victories have same idea? If not just stick it in gear.
Half hour chat with other bikers, study map on Eurotunnel or an hour and forty minute trip wandering around in leathers looking at stuff I don't want to buy, kids running around screaming, overly-expensive brekkie
The only thing the tunnel lacks is sense of occasion - cliffs of Dover sort of thing. I've long got over that.
With Eurotunnel you sit with the bikes. Only problem I've ever had is when the train jiggles over some points on the loop and a top heavy bike on a dodgy sidestand (early Aprilia Mille RSV-R or Firestorm with silly length Ohlins in it) can use a steadying hand over this bit. A cruiser will have no worries whatsoever. Harley's with their lock type sidestands will never run forward off the stand - assume Victories have same idea? If not just stick it in gear.
Half hour chat with other bikers, study map on Eurotunnel or an hour and forty minute trip wandering around in leathers looking at stuff I don't want to buy, kids running around screaming, overly-expensive brekkie
The only thing the tunnel lacks is sense of occasion - cliffs of Dover sort of thing. I've long got over that.
moto_traxport said:
Eurotunnel every time if you're worried about your bike although I've never had a problem with the ferries their method of tying bikes down can worry the anally retentive.
With Eurotunnel you sit with the bikes. Only problem I've ever had is when the train jiggles over some points on the loop and a top heavy bike on a dodgy sidestand (early Aprilia Mille RSV-R or Firestorm with silly length Ohlins in it) can use a steadying hand over this bit. A cruiser will have no worries whatsoever. Harley's with their lock type sidestands will never run forward off the stand - assume Victories have same idea? If not just stick it in gear.
Half hour chat with other bikers, study map on Eurotunnel or an hour and forty minute trip wandering around in leathers looking at stuff I don't want to buy, kids running around screaming, overly-expensive brekkie
The only thing the tunnel lacks is sense of occasion - cliffs of Dover sort of thing. I've long got over that.
Nothing to add the above is spot on, I have done it several times with cars and bikes and it is a doddle, I would not willingly use the ferry againWith Eurotunnel you sit with the bikes. Only problem I've ever had is when the train jiggles over some points on the loop and a top heavy bike on a dodgy sidestand (early Aprilia Mille RSV-R or Firestorm with silly length Ohlins in it) can use a steadying hand over this bit. A cruiser will have no worries whatsoever. Harley's with their lock type sidestands will never run forward off the stand - assume Victories have same idea? If not just stick it in gear.
Half hour chat with other bikers, study map on Eurotunnel or an hour and forty minute trip wandering around in leathers looking at stuff I don't want to buy, kids running around screaming, overly-expensive brekkie
The only thing the tunnel lacks is sense of occasion - cliffs of Dover sort of thing. I've long got over that.
moto_traxport said:
Eurotunnel every time if you're worried about your bike although I've never had a problem with the ferries their method of tying bikes down can worry the anally retentive.
With Eurotunnel you sit with the bikes. Only problem I've ever had is when the train jiggles over some points on the loop and a top heavy bike on a dodgy sidestand (early Aprilia Mille RSV-R or Firestorm with silly length Ohlins in it) can use a steadying hand over this bit. A cruiser will have no worries whatsoever. Harley's with their lock type sidestands will never run forward off the stand - assume Victories have same idea? If not just stick it in gear.
Half hour chat with other bikers, study map on Eurotunnel or an hour and forty minute trip wandering around in leathers looking at stuff I don't want to buy, kids running around screaming, overly-expensive brekkie
The only thing the tunnel lacks is sense of occasion - cliffs of Dover sort of thing. I've long got over that.
Well put..I prefer the ferry for that sense of occasion, it is a more "exciting" way to start your holiday I think, its also quite a lot cheaper than the tunnel but no doubt being in France in 30odd mins is nice..but if your not in a rush, i still prefer the ferry but again the tunnel takes the gamble out of bad weather delaying an outward/return trip.With Eurotunnel you sit with the bikes. Only problem I've ever had is when the train jiggles over some points on the loop and a top heavy bike on a dodgy sidestand (early Aprilia Mille RSV-R or Firestorm with silly length Ohlins in it) can use a steadying hand over this bit. A cruiser will have no worries whatsoever. Harley's with their lock type sidestands will never run forward off the stand - assume Victories have same idea? If not just stick it in gear.
Half hour chat with other bikers, study map on Eurotunnel or an hour and forty minute trip wandering around in leathers looking at stuff I don't want to buy, kids running around screaming, overly-expensive brekkie
The only thing the tunnel lacks is sense of occasion - cliffs of Dover sort of thing. I've long got over that.
Personally ive only ever had that happen once but I too am now a tunnel convert
I've used both, the tunnel is far less hassle so wins for me each and every time. The only two reasons not to use the tunnel, you're a tight git and you don't have any hurry. LOL
Personally the less f**king about possible the better, too much of that with ferries for my liking
They ferry does win for trips to Northern Spain though
Personally the less f**king about possible the better, too much of that with ferries for my liking
They ferry does win for trips to Northern Spain though
podman said:
Well put..I prefer the ferry for that sense of occasion, it is a more "exciting" way to start your holiday I think, its also quite a lot cheaper than the tunnel but no doubt being in France in 30odd mins is nice..but if your not in a rush, i still prefer the ferry but again the tunnel takes the gamble out of bad weather delaying an outward/return trip.
Personally ive only ever had that happen once but I too am now a tunnel convert
Ferry for me too. Bikes on the train aren't tied down so if the train has to brake sharply they'll all fall over. The over the seat rachet strap on the ferry means the ferry could turn upside down and the bike would still stay put.Personally ive only ever had that happen once but I too am now a tunnel convert
Add to that the fact that you can have a meal on the ferry, there's somewhere comfortable to sit, you have the ability to have a walk and get some fresh air and thus be totally set up for a days riding when you get off. Oh, and that the ferry is almost always much cheaper so you have a much better way to travel to France.
Its like the last chap said, if you're in a hurry and what relatively hassle free transport to France, the train wins imo. If you want to make more of an event of the crossing/want food/rest then ferry is a nice alternative. I preferred being able to stand with the bike as they're largely unprotected in the ship and I don't want the hassle of removing valuables from the bike for the sake of half n hour. IF the train has to perform an emergency stop I suspect there'd be bigger things on my mind than picking the bikes up?
I've only done the crossing once (return) and we used P&O – they have dedicated bike areas with three 'troughs' side by side. You just ride in, stay on your bike while one of their guys comes and ties your bike down, off you hop with the bike upright and hey presto!
We caught a 5am ferry, so we'd been up riding since 1am – the 1.5 hour break/wakeup on the ferry was appreciated. I think it was £35 return too.
We caught a 5am ferry, so we'd been up riding since 1am – the 1.5 hour break/wakeup on the ferry was appreciated. I think it was £35 return too.
black-k1 said:
Ferry for me too. Bikes on the train aren't tied down so if the train has to brake sharply they'll all fall over. The over the seat rachet strap on the ferry means the ferry could turn upside down and the bike would still stay put.
Add to that the fact that you can have a meal on the ferry, there's somewhere comfortable to sit, you have the ability to have a walk and get some fresh air and thus be totally set up for a days riding when you get off. Oh, and that the ferry is almost always much cheaper so you have a much better way to travel to France.
So how many times have you used the train and how many times have you had or seen a bike fall over?Add to that the fact that you can have a meal on the ferry, there's somewhere comfortable to sit, you have the ability to have a walk and get some fresh air and thus be totally set up for a days riding when you get off. Oh, and that the ferry is almost always much cheaper so you have a much better way to travel to France.
I'm really interested since I've used it lots over the past 10 years and the only bike to ever have to keep an eye on was my Aprila Falco due to the s
te stand (just like the RSV mentioned before).sjtscott said:
black-k1 said:
Ferry for me too. Bikes on the train aren't tied down so if the train has to brake sharply they'll all fall over. The over the seat rachet strap on the ferry means the ferry could turn upside down and the bike would still stay put.
Add to that the fact that you can have a meal on the ferry, there's somewhere comfortable to sit, you have the ability to have a walk and get some fresh air and thus be totally set up for a days riding when you get off. Oh, and that the ferry is almost always much cheaper so you have a much better way to travel to France.
So how many times have you used the train and how many times have you had or seen a bike fall over?Add to that the fact that you can have a meal on the ferry, there's somewhere comfortable to sit, you have the ability to have a walk and get some fresh air and thus be totally set up for a days riding when you get off. Oh, and that the ferry is almost always much cheaper so you have a much better way to travel to France.
I'm really interested since I've used it lots over the past 10 years and the only bike to ever have to keep an eye on was my Aprila Falco due to the s
te stand (just like the RSV mentioned before).As I live 2 hours from Dover and almost always travel for at least 2 hours on the Calais side, I want the channel crossing to be a chance for me to take a break, relax and prepare my self for the next leg of my trip. I can’t do this on the train but I can on the ferry.
Tunnel is brilliant for a quick hassle free crossing, but consider your route. If youre starting in Exeter and heading to the Pyrenees, it makes no sense at all. If youre starting to Exeter and heading to the 'ring, it makes more sense but consider whether you want to spend more time riding East in England or in France.
If your schedule requires a ferry crossing, the ferry guys will tie it down for you when you board. You will wake up in your cabin with a headache after the piss-up in the bar the night before and have exactly 2 mins to get up, get into your leathers, get to the front of the queue at the doors to the garage, re-fit your luggage, untie your bike (you do that bit yourself), put your gloves on, take your gloves off, put your helmet on, put your gloves on, bimble down the wet, painted steel ramp in to the port. Whilst all that is going on, car drivers with no special clothes to put on, no luggage to refit and no vehicle to untie, will be squeezing past you and your p&j with mm to spare and some filthy looks.
It has its plus and minuses.
If your schedule requires a ferry crossing, the ferry guys will tie it down for you when you board. You will wake up in your cabin with a headache after the piss-up in the bar the night before and have exactly 2 mins to get up, get into your leathers, get to the front of the queue at the doors to the garage, re-fit your luggage, untie your bike (you do that bit yourself), put your gloves on, take your gloves off, put your helmet on, put your gloves on, bimble down the wet, painted steel ramp in to the port. Whilst all that is going on, car drivers with no special clothes to put on, no luggage to refit and no vehicle to untie, will be squeezing past you and your p&j with mm to spare and some filthy looks.
It has its plus and minuses.
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