You're either rich or retired to have 10 weeks to ride Europe. After I retire I hope to go over and spend a couple of months with my sister. She has 2 bikes and has ridden EVERYWHERE in Europe. She lives in Heidlburg.
Europe on a 1800
I shipped my 2001 Yellow 1800 to Germany this spring, rode on a 10 weeks camping tour of Europe from Holland, D-Day June 3-6, France Coast, Spanish Pyrenees, Canne, Italy (Goldwing TReffen), Switzerland, Austria Goldwing Treffen, England (around the Stonehenge, Yorkshire Moors, Scottish Border and Yorkshire Treffen), crossing back over Via Ferry at NewCastle on the Tyne to the Mosel river and back to Heidelberg home.
I will do 6-8 weeks next spring for Spain and Italy. Any Questions?
I will do 6-8 weeks next spring for Spain and Italy. Any Questions?
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
Just retired. Don't need to be rich to camp. 18 Euros a day for a campsite for two bikes. Plus Gas beer and food.
I shipped my 2001 Yellow 1800 to Germany this spring, rode on a 10 weeks camping tour of Europe from Holland, D-Day June 3-6, France Coast, Spanish Pyrenees, Canne, Italy (Goldwing TReffen), Switzerland, Australian Goldwing Treffen, England (around the Stonehenge, Yorkshire Moors, Scottish Border and Yorkshire Treffen), crossing back over Via Ferry at NewCastle on the Tyne to the Mosel river and back to Heidelberg home.
I will do 6-8 weeks next spring for Spain and Italy. Any Questions?
Just one question - how did you get to the "Australian Goldwing Treffen" in between Switzerland and England?:joke:
Wow, sounds like a fantastic trip! What did it cost to ship it over? I assume quite a lot?
SHipping differs, By plane 2200 ish by Ship from Seattle 1300 bucks including insurance. I did mine with Knouf Tours.. Riding partner shipped his own to Rotterdam. $500 but....$600 more in unexpected Port fees including 120 Euro for Tourist tax. It cost more to take it off the boat that to ship.
satkins93, I'm very jealous. That sounds like an outstanding adventure. :lol:
It was different for sure. I really didn't know what to expect camping. I did enjoy the Treffens. As an American on a US bike, I got hit up on with photos, questions and more than a few free beers.satkins93, I'm very jealous. That sounds like an outstanding adventure. :lol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxBNRuDcydk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejqyH-wwlo0
I have plenty of time since I retired in '06 and our lifelong dream was to take our Wing and Escapade trailer on a merchant marine ship to Europe at a fraction of the cost of air travel plus renting a bike once there for an extended visit (2 months +). The ships rent cabins and provide food and limited entertainment on-board on a 10-days Atlantic crossing.
When I spoke to a European friend he mentioned that my biggest concern would be the overnight security of my rig. After all, he said, 'you just can't park outside the hotels, on the street, and expect to find it there the next morning.' We weren't going to camp, but stay in hotels, motels and pensiones. Since I speak Italian and Spanish fluently we were salivating at the thought of riding the Alps, Apennines, Pyrenees and the Costa Del Sol. He highly discouraged us from attempting such a voyage, given the crime rate in Europe at the time, so we never again gave this a second thought.
Sure, it's easy to keep an eye on your bike/trailer if you're camping, but I would be very careful when choosing hotels, motels or pensiones, unless you choose one with a highly secured parking garage or parking lot.
When I spoke to a European friend he mentioned that my biggest concern would be the overnight security of my rig. After all, he said, 'you just can't park outside the hotels, on the street, and expect to find it there the next morning.' We weren't going to camp, but stay in hotels, motels and pensiones. Since I speak Italian and Spanish fluently we were salivating at the thought of riding the Alps, Apennines, Pyrenees and the Costa Del Sol. He highly discouraged us from attempting such a voyage, given the crime rate in Europe at the time, so we never again gave this a second thought.
Sure, it's easy to keep an eye on your bike/trailer if you're camping, but I would be very careful when choosing hotels, motels or pensiones, unless you choose one with a highly secured parking garage or parking lot.
Sure, it's easy to keep an eye on your bike/trailer if you're camping, but I would be very careful when choosing hotels, motels or pensiones, unless you choose one with a highly secured parking garage or parking lot.[/QUOTE]
Most pensions will find a safe parking place for you its expected. Often it will be a locked garage for the night. The way around that is take something no one wants. You can camp or tour on a super scooter. No need for a big rig. That said some mediterranean, Italy and Greece, and all East Europe areas its at a higher risk for theft.
Most pensions will find a safe parking place for you its expected. Often it will be a locked garage for the night. The way around that is take something no one wants. You can camp or tour on a super scooter. No need for a big rig. That said some mediterranean, Italy and Greece, and all East Europe areas its at a higher risk for theft.
I liked he color combo on that bike at 1:26 in the first video.
Does Europe get different color options,or is it custom?
Does Europe get different color options,or is it custom?
Color options, well.. The cost of a Wing is so much higher in the EU - Luxury taxes. That to own one is like owning a expensive sports car. Meaning they have money and pride in ownership. Meaning they love Paint, chrome, lights and aftermarket horns. They only color they never sold was YELLOW. If its yellow its an American bike. Mine was yellow 01, it had to be a US bike. I did see one 14 repainted yellow.
All EU 06 and above Wings have ABS and Airbags. Radios have no CB controls, that would be a North American Bike.
All EU 06 and above Wings have ABS and Airbags. Radios have no CB controls, that would be a North American Bike.
Am Jelious. This is my plan for the first summer I retire. Just 8-9 more years.
Can you givs us an overview of all shipping cost, fees, taxes, insurnace, duties, etc. Basically everything that it took to get you riding over there. Plus any tips like "where you shipped into" and did you ride over on the boat with the bike. And how will you ship your bike home? Or did you leave it so you could ride next summer?
The wife wont camp much so I imagine we will motel. We will have to work out the security question.
Can you givs us an overview of all shipping cost, fees, taxes, insurnace, duties, etc. Basically everything that it took to get you riding over there. Plus any tips like "where you shipped into" and did you ride over on the boat with the bike. And how will you ship your bike home? Or did you leave it so you could ride next summer?
The wife wont camp much so I imagine we will motel. We will have to work out the security question.
We flew the scoot over in 2011. Spent 2 months touring Europe. Great trip and many great memories. Never had any problem at the B&B's or pensions. Many of them had indoor or secured parking for the scoot. People were very friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend this adventure. :thumbup:
Knouf Tours / Camping ?
How was your experience with Knouf Tours? Would you use them again or would you suggest a different shipping approach? Also, I have never toured Europe and have heard that campgrounds are plenitiful .... did you have any difficulty finding campgrounds? I am hoping to do this same trip next year ..... Thank you for passing along the info!
How was your experience with Knouf Tours? Would you use them again or would you suggest a different shipping approach? Also, I have never toured Europe and have heard that campgrounds are plenitiful .... did you have any difficulty finding campgrounds? I am hoping to do this same trip next year ..... Thank you for passing along the info!
First question, fees change over the years. But, I got very good travel insurance from Steffen Knoff, ADAC for 1 year was about $120 plus... I did need towing in Italy, ADAC covered towing and 50 Euro for two nights lodging and a second tow. Insurance options, From Knoff Tours,, expensive but If I ran into trouble he was there to help.
Bike, three things,
1) rent a small bike direct from a rental company, Knoff tours rents older touring BMWs.
2) Buy one there from an American - easy paperwork. Steffen arranges buy and sell for 10% See Airbase in Keizerslanden!
2b)http://www.mobile.de/?lang=en for a EU bike and costs...
3) Shipping, they all cost the same to ship, AIR 22-2400 one way. By Ship, $500 plus port fees custom fees, insurance fees. As stated before, $1100 to pick up yourself...(A Pain unless at the Airport). I let Steffen handle all that... Gave him my bike $1300ish and he handled the Paper process for the import. You could sell the bike there later and cover all cost plus some to a EU member, remember Some bikes cost more ie the WING in the EU ..
I rented for three years, BMW and Road Kings...
Bike, three things,
1) rent a small bike direct from a rental company, Knoff tours rents older touring BMWs.
2) Buy one there from an American - easy paperwork. Steffen arranges buy and sell for 10% See Airbase in Keizerslanden!
2b)http://www.mobile.de/?lang=en for a EU bike and costs...
3) Shipping, they all cost the same to ship, AIR 22-2400 one way. By Ship, $500 plus port fees custom fees, insurance fees. As stated before, $1100 to pick up yourself...(A Pain unless at the Airport). I let Steffen handle all that... Gave him my bike $1300ish and he handled the Paper process for the import. You could sell the bike there later and cover all cost plus some to a EU member, remember Some bikes cost more ie the WING in the EU ..
I rented for three years, BMW and Road Kings...
Knoff has everything you need in one place..Pension rooms, Camping in his large yard, Shop to use including tools, Storage for bike and gear, insurance, bike rentals and tours, ADAC coverage and if called on the road for help knows what to do to get covered. He shipped my bike from Seattle fully loaded, I called to say when I would be there, he arranged a airport pick up limo, the bike was on a charger and a room ready. PS Frankfurt airport has a waiting area with the German word for Meeting point, TREFFEN POINT. All in all a very good experience.How was your experience with Knouf Tours? Would you use them again or would you suggest a different shipping approach? Also, I have never toured Europe and have heard that campgrounds are plentiful .... did you have any difficulty finding campgrounds? I am hoping to do this same trip next year ..... Thank you for passing along the info!
Room about 50 Euro
Storage about $300 a year.
Camping, I had a Garmin 665 with Archies Camping POI of about 32000 camp sites. http://www.archiescampings.eu/eng1/
Most camp sites also have cabins, huts or tents for rent. EU sport riders will make reservations at campgrounds. Everything is ready when they arrive..Just shower and eat and drink at their campground restaurant or bar. Me I had a American tent, that just didn't hold up to rain, I will use a British tent next year. One with a nice sitting area. See below Youtube. SamA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVwOF6op7dk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZmnrBnR47c
Most camp sites also have cabins, huts or tents for rent. EU sport riders will make reservations at campgrounds. Everything is ready when they arrive..Just shower and eat and drink at their campground restaurant or bar. Me I had a American tent, that just didn't hold up to rain, I will use a British tent next year. One with a nice sitting area. See below Youtube. SamA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVwOF6op7dk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZmnrBnR47c
Can you get those Vango's in USA or canada.....looking for a new tent for biking too.....I have a North face right now and it's been great.....but's it's 25 years old.....two flys later....she is done and needs a rest.
thanks jer
thanks jer
PS - I am semi re-tarted...oops retired but will be completely in the spring..well june actually. Want to do europe on MY WING.....thought about shipping but though it was more money..
I can do US trip and then hop on a plane and ship the bike from seattle.
I have friends in Austria and switzerland. So I could keep it there for a year or two if I want.
Questions:
Did you ship yours to Frankfurt or where exactly? I would do the tour thang too I think for atleast one of the trips.
Then probably sell her over there and buy another back home again.
Thanks Jer
I can do US trip and then hop on a plane and ship the bike from seattle.
I have friends in Austria and switzerland. So I could keep it there for a year or two if I want.
Questions:
Did you ship yours to Frankfurt or where exactly? I would do the tour thang too I think for atleast one of the trips.
Then probably sell her over there and buy another back home again.
Thanks Jer
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
GL1800Riders Forums
A forum community dedicated to Honda Goldwing owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, touring, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
clayusmc
650 Replies
VoicesInMyHead
415 Replies
ssncob
393 Replies
