Continental touring

[driverbrook]

Hi, although i have been riding bikes for the last 52 years (yes i'm ancient!), i have never been continental touring, my son has now passed his test and four of us are riding to Greece in August for a wedding, and doing a bit of sightseeing on the way/way back, basically i would like to pick a few brains of all you who are experienced tourers in regard to essential kit, items, what to take/not take, things to avoid etc etc as i do not want to bourden myself with a lot of stuff i will not need, any info and tips would be gratefully received, cheers, Arnie

[TLS-Moose]

First question, is hotels or camping? Followed by how long do you want to spend travelling?

If hotelling, it could be as light as a change of clothes, a toothbrush and a credit card

essentials are breakdown recovery (AA 5 star by far and away the best if you have a long way to go, in my unfortunately extensive experience....), EHIC medical card, travel insurance, green card.

Estimate the length of your journey - you might find a rear tyre won't get you there and back .....

[driverbrook]

Hi Moose, thanks for your very interesting comments, we plan on camping, and four days getting there (Kefalonia), staying in Greece for about 4 or 5 days, and probably about 8 or 9 days riding back. Thanks for the info about the AA breakdown will certainly take your advice on that, and the tip about the rear tyre, didn't think of that at all!! I am intending to come on the rideout on the 20th from Taunton if you are going as well then i will see you there (providing i am not working, which i'm not at the moment), thanks again, Arnie

[driverbrook]

Hi again Moose, forgot to say i will be on the black BMW R1200R.

[driverbrook]

Hi, thanks to everyone who gave me some invaluable tips for my trip to Greece, both my son and i (he rode a Suzuki V Strom 1000 i was on my BMW R1200R) completed the trip with no problems whatsoever, both bikes ran faultlessly. It really was a memorable trip, i just wish someone had warned me about the extortionate price of the toll roads on the continent, i think we spent more on tolls than fuel!! but we had a great time, cheers everyone.

[badgerKDD]

Best show us some pictures then

[TLS-Moose]

Yep, didn't happen without pics to prove it