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1 week to Assen, HELP!!

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Post  Snowcat Thu Jun 21 2012, 12:15

As the title suggests in a weeks time I'm embarking on my first Euro Tour (yeah we'll call it a tour) and I've found that I'm not the slightest bit prepared.

Apart from notifying my insurance I've done nothing at all in prep for the trip. I plan to get the bike out or a thorough check over of levels pressures and lube this weekend but apart from that and never having ridden in a foreign Country, (not counting Wales Smile ) I really need some help.

What do I need to be aware of, what do I need to take, any laws to bear in mind.

Getting a bit panicky now when I should be excited. Any assistance appreciated chaps Smile
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Post  SteveCat Thu Jun 21 2012, 12:25

You going through France? If so you should have one of those newly legislated breathalyser kits.
Maybe a good idea to get a bulb set and a HiViz jacket (like that stupid thing I had at BC).

Check your roaming facility on your phone, tell your credit card company if you planning on using one in case they decide to 'protect' you and block usage.

You got your Guilders and Franc's ? Laughing
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Post  Snowcat Thu Jun 21 2012, 12:32

Cheers Steve, not hitting France doing overnight Hull to Rotterdam, got a hi-viz (think I need to pack it but not wear it), getting my Guilders ordered this weekend Wink lol . Sorting a bulb kit ad basic 1st aid kit.

Checked my breakdown insurance and it appears to not cover European so spoke to the insurance and it's gonna cost me £70 unless I can get short term cover somewhere.
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Post  weasley Thu Jun 21 2012, 12:38

You have to take your original vehicle documents with you - insurance certificate and V5. I put these in a zip-lock bag in the bottom of my luggage, and then kept photocopies in a separate place. Also worth having photocopies of your licence and passport. If you have breakdown cover and holiday insurance, take these details with you too.

You should have a 'GB' plate on the rear of the bike - I got a GB number plate made up rather than try and find somewhere to stick a sticker.

I gave mine a good once-over to make sure fluids and pressures were OK, the Scottoiler was working and I had spare Scottoil. Spare bulbs are worth having, not only to appease the local plod but because if you have a bulb go you have a spare! I had a headlight bulb blow in Germany, where it is a requirement to always have your headlight on.

If you're taking luggage that you haven't used before, test fit it now! Don't make the day you are leaving the day you find it doesn't fit/bits are missing/you can't get your hairdryer in etc.

Most of all though, just get on with it and enjoy it!
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Post  weasley Thu Jun 21 2012, 12:39

Single trip breakdown cover.
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Post  Snowcat Thu Jun 21 2012, 12:54

weasley wrote:You should have a 'GB' plate on the rear of the bike - I got a GB number plate made up rather than try and find somewhere to stick a sticker.
Is this just a guideline or is it required by law, mine from memory doesn't have one
Also thanks for the link:)
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Post  Rampers Thu Jun 21 2012, 13:45

Not being funny but have you thought of get a book to translate from english to Dutch/German? Might help if you get stopped shows your trying to learn the lingo. Oh and how about bear grylls just incase you get stuck lol
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Post  Snowcat Thu Jun 21 2012, 13:50

Bear Grylls Chris, where do you think I'm going lol, and tbh I'm
Not to bad with the old German, not sure about Dutch though but I'm sure google translator can help if necessary, not that I plan to get stopped Wink
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Post  SteveCat Thu Jun 21 2012, 13:58

Think most Dutch folk speak English, 'fraid it not the same as German.

The only country in Europe where I can use my second language and they can generally all speak English wall
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Post  weasley Thu Jun 21 2012, 17:18

Snowcat wrote:
weasley wrote:You should have a 'GB' plate on the rear of the bike - I got a GB number plate made up rather than try and find somewhere to stick a sticker.
Is this just a guideline or is it required by law, mine from memory doesn't have one

Pretty sure it is required.

Also thanks for the link:)

No problems - I used this when I went to Germany 2 years ago, but never needed it so can't comment on the service.
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Post  Snowcat Thu Jun 21 2012, 17:54

Yeah that's my only worry, you never know how good something is until you need to claim/use it. I might opt for the greenflag cover (even though I've no experience of them at least I've heard of them).
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Post  0ldcat Thu Jun 21 2012, 19:35

TRAVEL & HEALTH insurance to cover medical costs and an EHIC for basic European (NHS) type medical entitlement . . . . . should things (and I sincerely hope they don't), go horribly wrong.
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Post  MiMa Thu Jun 21 2012, 23:06

get some holiday ins too. Make sure you get one that you are covered for riding a bike over 125cc as most ordinary policies only cover to 125cc for some strange reason.
Have done Assen a few times. The Dutch ferry is so much better than riding to France.
Take a decent lock.
Always worth having a hi-viz if the weather is crap.
Riding on the wrong side of the road is actually easier than the left!!!!
Just roundabouts can get confusing.... lol.
Much of your riding will be on the straights to Assen . Just follow the bikes.
Have fun
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Post  Rosco Thu Jun 21 2012, 23:28

All good advice thus far.

Some kind of reminder to ride on the wrong side.
Sticker / label for mirrors for example.
If there is no traffic when you set off it is really easy to revert to what you are used to.
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Post  Snowcat Sat Jun 23 2012, 18:55

Robbing RAC b@stards, £41 quid for European cover for 5 days!!! I know I could've got it cheaper but at least with the RAC I know what Getting!! Just travel insurance, bulbs, first aid kit to sort now. Tyres all nicely scubbed in so just a good old wash, wax and polish tomorrow (weather permitting) and we're good to go.
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Post  Radar Sat Jun 23 2012, 21:29

Apologies in advance to the mods for linking to another forum

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I rode up through France and it was a hard slog.

Assen is a great track though

Above all enjoy!
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Post  MiMa Sun Jun 24 2012, 12:33

I always make sure my ins has cover for Euro riding and breakdown. Costs an extra £10 over the cheapest policies and that way, you can go at a moments notice
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Post  weasley Sun Jun 24 2012, 12:38

This is pretty much the main reason I went for Carole Nash. wink thumb up
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Post  robertcains Sun Jun 24 2012, 12:54

Snowcat wrote:Robbing RAC b@stards, £41 quid for European cover for 5 days!!! I know I could've got it cheaper but at least with the RAC I know what I'm Getting

The RAC now refuse to recover vehicles involved in an accident, If you are fully comp your insurance company should deal with this type of incident though. I had to be a bit economical with the truth to get Ellies bike back home from BC.
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Post  ellie Sun Jun 24 2012, 13:36

Yes, Just remember....

General exclusions

1. RAC Membership does not cover:
– Vehicle Recovery following a road traffic
accident, fire, theft, act of vandalism or any
other incident covered by a policy of motor
insurance.

Is it not cheaper Steve, to take out a years cover?
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Post  Snowcat Sun Jun 24 2012, 14:47

ellie wrote:Yes, Just remember....

General exclusions

1. RAC Membership does not cover:
– Vehicle Recovery following a road traffic
accident, fire, theft, act of vandalism or any
other incident covered by a policy of motor
insurance.

Is it not cheaper Steve, to take out a years cover?

As an existing policy holder they still wanted £70 for the year. It won't be so bad after August, my Toyota Recovery insurance runs out so I have to sort my own breakdown ins for the company car and claim it back do I'm Opting for personal cover rather than vehicle specific so I can get the car and bike under 1 policy and it'll cost me exactly zilch Smile
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Post  Snowcat Mon Jun 25 2012, 22:27

1) UK sticker for plate done
2) Passport valid
3) NHS card thingy valid
4) Bike insurance informed of trip done
5) European Breakdown cover done
6) driving licence (both parts), V5, insurance certificate, MOT done
7) hi viz done
Cool phone set for roaming and free wifi in hotel confirmed

Just need to sort out bulb and first aid kit, bike getting thorough clean and check over tomorrow, levels, lube, lights etc.

What have I forgotten ??
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Post  Rampers Mon Jun 25 2012, 22:41

Money for bribes.......I mean for spending
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Post  Snowcat Mon Jun 25 2012, 22:50

Rampers wrote:Money for bribes.......I mean for spending
Yeah wife sorting my bribe, alcohol, drugs and prostitute money tomorrow Wink
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Post  SteveCat Mon Jun 25 2012, 22:54

Might be worth letting your bank know where you're going just in case you need to use a card in an emergency. scratch
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