European Motorcycle Vacation

[Motorcycle_Girl]

I don't know what section to post this in but I figured that I would start here....

I am thinking of embarking on a European Motorcycle vacation. Check out the Alps, explore the countryside etc. There is a lot of planning that I will need to do but I am curious if I can even afford to do this or if it will always be a pipe dream.


I am interested in talking to anyone that has done this from North America and what were the general costs for Flights, bike rental, accomodations and food. I figure that I should at the very least plan for two weeks. However, I may only be able to afford the bike rental for one week and then renta a car or use other modes of transport for the other. I don't need fancy hotels or expensive restaurants. Just the basics.

I want to start setting money aside now with the hope that we can go in about 5 years.

Any ideas, experiences, recommendations are welcomed!!!

Celeste

[Biff's R]

Celeste,
I have only traveled Europe by car and train, but I would love to go via motorcycle. You may want to check out some of the tour operators like http://www.edelweissbike.com , or www.motodiscovery.com . They would give you a ballpark price, and you wouldn't have to worry about paperwork and security issues.

With my driving experience in Europe, I would suggest staying in the countryside if you are going to ride, and if you are going to be in the city, just use public transit. And don't rent a Ninja 250 for riding the Autobahn.

[Mollygrubber]

That's something I'd love to do Celeste. I would tend to agree with Biff's R about the guided tours as a first-timer. Of course, if you're an experienced traveller, you may want to go it alone, but at least for me, there'd be a lot of security travelling with people who knew the ropes, at least initally.

Good luck with it, have fun!