Triumphrat

Saigon5

At the end of next week my little bike is leaving me and will take the boat to go to Germany. Don't ask me why Germany, it just happened like that. I will go and reach my bike in June and go somewhere. Not much of a plan as of yet, other than the Alps and some other riding around.



I have a hard time making a plan because of the distances we are use in North America. I may be tempted to reach the Pyrenees, depending on what can be done in a day. I guess the plan will take form as I move along.

I opted for the boat in all cheapest.

Transport to Montreal Port : I have a truck.
Ocean freight for 3.35 cbm : USD 175.00 ( to Hamburg )
B.L fee : USD 25.00
Our handling : USD 50.00
Port charges in Hamburg: 75 Euro
Transfer to Cologne: 75 Euro
Total on way: 450 US $
Optional insurance while the motorcycle is in transit in the container. 115 $ US

I opted to go without a carnet of passage because it is not mandatory and such a carnet is roughly 400 US $. Instead I have to pay these charges.

Transit documentation Hamburg -> Cologne EUR 35,00
Customs decl. on temp. import in Cologne EUR 65,00
Cust. inspection at cost EUR 34,00
Security fee on customs deposit EUR 25,00
re-export declaration EUR 65,00
customs inspection at costs EUR 34,00
========= EUR 258,00 or 332 US $

Since I am using a fairly new bike, I can not risk not having insurance for the motorcycle. They sure saw me coming. One month full coverage. 389 US $. I pay 245 US $ a year here for full coverage. What can I do......
Now the total of it all so we can compare the boat and the plane.

Transport both ways. 900 US $
Optional insurance for sea transport : 230 US $
Import and export documentation: 332 US $
Insurance while in Europe : 389 US $

Total price including all insurance for 3 ½ weeks of riding in Europe on my bike. 1851 US $

Price of the 2 tickets to go in Europe, Thank God I have them free on air mileage. This is why I can afford to ship the bike.

__________________
In doubt, crank the throttle.

Oban

In three and half weeks you'll have no problems gettingto the Pyrennes. Europe really isn't that large. I took a trip from Greece to England last year and I travelled for 12 days, allowing 3 non-riding days and a 13 hour ferry crossing to Italy and a fairly leisurely pace (250 miles a day).

I have never ridden to the Pyrennes but I can recommend North Italy and Austria. Excellent scenery and good roads, plus interesting cities to visit. Florence is stunning and well worth a look.

There is always Greece, where I now live. It is a pain with the ferries but has good roads, except around Athens.

Whereever you go you'll find most places biker friendly and English speaking so no worries. Just be aware that fuel prices are a lot higher than in the states. Don't know how they are in Canada though.

Timian

There's one MUST SEE : The Dolomites in Northern Italy (South Tirol)
Spectacular scenery, breathtaking passes, superb twisties and pink coloured mountains that used to be seabed a few years ago and no need to book hotels in advance (except August)
Plenty of hotels at approx 1500 metres altitude, making sure the nights are nice and cool.
How I know: I'm going down there for the 3rd time this year - it's addictive!!
Also, you might like to do the Stelvio Pass a little further to the West: 48 hairpin curves (REAL hairpin curves . inner radius is just about zero!) take you up to some 2750 metres for a stunning view and bikers meet. The road dates back to the 20's and is largely unchanged!

Saigon5

Don't remind me, the first time I rented a car in Europe, a small car, it was empty. I went to the gas station and I swear, at one point I stopped pumping gas, crawled under the car to see if it was leaking. I just could not believe that you could put so much money in a small car. On the trip, I was looking at bigger car thinking, WOW, imagine the cost of filling that baby.

Greece would be nice but I am not moving to Europe yet, only 3 1/2 weeks.

That is in the plan, I want to stay 3 days or 6 in that area.

__________________
In doubt, crank the throttle.