Long weekend in Germany
Long weekend in Germany
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Discussion

RemaL

Original Poster:

25,103 posts

264 months

Wednesday 4th March 2020
quotequote all
I'm going in a few months to see a mate for a long weekend in Germany, going via the Tunnel. Total mile are about 1200 miles there and back, Plus some fun roads and autobahn while i'm there with him. "Maybe" 2k in total. Thurs to Monday/Tues.


I have a lot planned but a few things i'm not sure of and thought I would ask the BB collective.

I have a Akro that came with the bike. only on for MOT, Got a Fruity but not over the top Racefit exhaust I'm intending to use but unsure if the german police take a good view on fruity cans. Google give me loads of different views on this. ( OK i don't expect different on here but know many of you so maybe no pub talk, Maybe wink ) As the bike is set up for the Racefit would using my Akro which may be a little more restrictive damage my engine if used a lot, At speeds?

Also I have only a R25 backpack, so space is at a premium. I have a small tyre plug set, "Dynaplug". Small air inflators. providing I don't get a massive hole in the tyre. fingers crossed.
Again searching I'm told I need hi viz, and spare lights (the bikes all LED) so will not be ever changing them. But are they worth taking just in case.
I want a small Euro map, I don't trust just taking my mobile. always want a back up just in case.
Apart from these and cards, cash, passport, tickets what else is needed?

Do I overthink things, yes. I always like to be prepared. But also why i'm asking.




black-k1

12,807 posts

259 months

Wednesday 4th March 2020
quotequote all
Our touring check list is here:

http://www.old-gits.org/checklist.htm

You'll need a hi-vis waist coat accessible from being sat on the bike if you use the French Autoroutes. You don't need to wear it but you should be able to put it on before you get off the bike!

I can't comment on cans/noise levels - sorry.

Lemanandbeyond

162 posts

86 months

Wednesday 4th March 2020
quotequote all
Be careful in Germany with loud pipes as they are starting to fine if over their accepted levels, proposing a complete ban on after market cans -

https://news.yahoo.com/major-motorcycle-noise-crac...

Their are also restrictions on certain routes during weekends for bikes, although their are plenty of lovely roads which have no restrictions.


zzrman

670 posts

219 months

Wednesday 4th March 2020
quotequote all
You don't mention what bike you'll be riding but I see you have a H2 listed in your profile. If the R25 isn't sufficient then you'll have room for a tailback or the equivalent on the pillion seat so that should take care of kit. I've toured for over a week with just an R35 for kit so you should be OK.

Where in Germany are you headed?

Max5476

1,021 posts

144 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
I wouldn't bother taking any spare bulbs, just don't keep riding at night if an LED fails.

Their is no legal requirement to carry spare bulbs, but it is Illegal to ride with a blown bulb. (Like in the UK, but they are just more likely to stop you for it than here)

V8RX7

28,982 posts

293 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
Lemanandbeyond said:
Their are also restrictions on certain routes during weekends for bikes
WTF ?

BobSaunders

3,110 posts

185 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
There isnt. There are proposals. It is not in place yet.. or ever will be.

https://advrider.com/new-german-noise-regulations-...

Taff107

568 posts

179 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
Lived in Germany for 9 yrs and loved it.

Rode across to Germany a couple of times via Gent, Antwerp, Eindhoven, Duisburg, Bielefeld etc and it can be a bit of a grind. (Especially when it started snowing heavily at Antwerp resulting in 10-15mph speeds with your feet out either side) It's a good trek.

Don't go mad with the throttle on your way over either. I got pulled in Antwerp and got a hefty on the spot fine fine for speeding which I know for a fact was a crock. (The traffic was queued and as I had already been riding for hours, welcomed the chance to just pull up with the traffic and have a 'break'. Regardless, bike cop pulled next to me, said I was speeding and long story short, escorted me to a cash point)

As long as the pipes aren't stupidly loud, you should be ok. Obviously I cant quantify what you call 'fruity' but with the Akros I had on my R1 and blade never seemed to cause an issue and I never got stopped once with them when I was there.
More importantly is to be aware that although most people seem to believe that the autobahns have no speed limit, more and more speed restricted areas on the autobahns are / have been introduced. Same as everywhere, pay attention for the speed restriction notifications or ignore at your own risk.

Oh and lastly, do something that us British are terrible with and pay attention to your lane discipline on the Autobahns. Don't just sit in the left lane or you may get a suprise. Stay in the right lane, move out and overtake and get back in the right lane

Whereabouts are you heading to?

doogalman

836 posts

275 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
WTF ?
Yes due to bikers (not normally the local lads) riding certain roads like they are race tracks.

V8RX7

28,982 posts

293 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
BobSaunders said:
“studies have revealed that fifty thousand deaths and approaching a quarter of a million cases of cardiovascular disease every year in Europe are linked to traffic noise.”

That's just bks.

I suspect that being in Cities / traffic jams with the stress involved may cause heart issues but the noise is minor part of that.

A bike accelerating past is a mild annoyance (or a joy) a diesel truck next to you for hours is far more likely to cause stress


black-k1

12,807 posts

259 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
BobSaunders said:
“studies have revealed that fifty thousand deaths and approaching a quarter of a million cases of cardiovascular disease every year in Europe are linked to traffic noise.”

That's just bks.
It may well be bks but it doesn't stop it being a "point of reference" for those who have a particular agenda.

RemaL

Original Poster:

25,103 posts

264 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
zzrman said:
You don't mention what bike you'll be riding but I see you have a H2 listed in your profile. If the R25 isn't sufficient then you'll have room for a tailback or the equivalent on the pillion seat so that should take care of kit. I've toured for over a week with just an R35 for kit so you should be OK.

Where in Germany are you headed?
Yea taking the H2 and going to Frankfurt

RemaL

Original Poster:

25,103 posts

264 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
Lemanandbeyond said:
Be careful in Germany with loud pipes as they are starting to fine if over their accepted levels, proposing a complete ban on after market cans -

https://news.yahoo.com/major-motorcycle-noise-crac...

Their are also restrictions on certain routes during weekends for bikes, although their are plenty of lovely roads which have no restrictions.
what i've been reading also

rev-erend

21,624 posts

314 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
My brother and his mate went to Germany / Ring and got pulled.

The German cops just put a probe (stick etc) into the exhaust can.

You get an on the spot fine if it does not have a baffle.


V8RX7

28,982 posts

293 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
rev-erend said:
My brother and his mate went to Germany / Ring and got pulled.

The German cops just put a probe (stick etc) into the exhaust can.

You get an on the spot fine if it does not have a baffle.
confused

My OEM one doesn't have a baffle


zzrman

670 posts

219 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
RemaL said:
Yea taking the H2 and going to Frankfurt
Ride via the Ardennes and the Eiffel mountains - Namur, Malmedy and Nurburg

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
confused

My OEM one doesn't have a baffle
Usually an aftermarket thing - they're TUV-approved with a baffle to bring them down to a certain noise level which can be removed... On my Arrow cans they had a tiny spot-weld to show they hadn't been modded.

rev-erend

21,624 posts

314 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
rev-erend said:
My brother and his mate went to Germany / Ring and got pulled.

The German cops just put a probe (stick etc) into the exhaust can.

You get an on the spot fine if it does not have a baffle.
confused

My OEM one doesn't have a baffle
That's the test they used.

Guess if you protest and don's pay the small fine (17 EU?) they take you down the station to discuss further.

Gixer968CS

853 posts

118 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
I've ridden in Germany a lot over the years on noisy bikes and haven't ever had a problem. I believe you will need a breathalizer with you. It's a legal requirement in France. You can buy them at the train terminal for a couple of quid.

RemaL

Original Poster:

25,103 posts

264 months

Thursday 5th March 2020
quotequote all
Gixer968CS said:
I've ridden in Germany a lot over the years on noisy bikes and haven't ever had a problem. I believe you will need a breathalizer with you. It's a legal requirement in France. You can buy them at the train terminal for a couple of quid.
The breathalyser is not needed in France . I'll be in France for all of 10 miles. mostly Belgium and then Germany