Our little belgium trip

[Albie]

Just asking a few questions to be prepared so please excuse my ignorance if it sounds a bit thick or obvious.

What do I need to take and what do you do about insurance etc.

Obviously Passport to even get there.
Do I need a green card for insurance
Spare bulbs ?

[rollo22]

If your fully comp you only have 3rd party with no green card,(Hastings Quote)

My insurance company covered me over the phone and only have to take certificate if i have a problem to prove fully comp

I will be taking a spare tail and head dont need to give the rozzers an excuse for ruining my weekend

[Albie]

I am fully comp so I will give them a ring then.

My rear is led so should be ok. I guess if we all take a few spares between us we can help whomever needs a bulb. No doubt Gadget will have all the tools required for a journey.

[Yorkie]

E 111 or equivalent (Should the worst happen, like you fall over after over indulgence)

Yorkie.

[Stafford]

E 111 or equivalent (Should the worst happen, like you fall over after over indulgence)

Yorkie.

You'll need to apply for one of the new cards, also you could try someone like Endsleigh insurance for a travel quote.
https://travel1.endsleigh.co.uk/SingleTrip.aspx?icid=&CompanyID=&ReferralID=

About £6.62

[slob]

toothbrush

[Albie]

and toothpaste of course LOL

[gary tompkins]

Yep the old renewable E111 form has been replaced by for life plastic card. I sent off for mine a few years ago and keep it in my wallet. It's worth checking small print on your green card cover as some companies only provide legal minimum (3rd party) when abroad. You can upgrade to fully comp but there's usually a fee, and some companies even charge for the green card.

I'm going to contact the my breakdown assist (RAC) about extending my cover for the trip. If you plan to speed bring a lot of cash. The cops in Europe tend to dish out on the spot fines or a stay in jail if you get caught.

Anyone know if the breakdown triangle, hi-vis vest and first aid kit rule applies to bikes in Europe?

[SazzaG]

It's still worth getting travel insurance, even with the E111. There's a few stories in the papers at the moment about people having accidents in Europe, then not being able to get home. The E111 only entitles you to the NHS equivalent care.

[Albie]

I have a triangle but dont want to take it as not got room. I would be willing to offer you to take if you wanted for that possible event. I will take a hi vis and if any one else would need one I can get another 2 if needed.

[gary tompkins]

Hmmm... I've just checked a couple of websites & some say the greencard is no longer legally required in EU countries, as long as you have valid insurance for the bike in the UK. Anyone care to confirm?

The BMF site also states documentation (V5) for vehicle needs to be carried?

The hi vis, triangle & GB sticker is also mentioned but not first aid kit?

http://www.bmf.co.uk/pages/bmf_main_pages.php?main_page_id=306

Lights on in daylight's also compulsory AFAIK in Europe

[J.P]

No Triangle or Hi Vis vest is needed for motorcycles, it's for car drivers.

Always worth having your European RAC/AA cover in case you get a flat tyre, breakdown etc.
Passport
Cash
Supple right wrist
Enthusiasm
and speak loudly, EUROPEAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND YOU BETTER WHEN YOU SHOUT !

[ladybird]

i'll add to the stupid questions:

do i need to change my numberplate to have a blue bit?
i heard you have to have extra reflectors on your helmet for france?
what's this about headlights and blanking half the beam stuff?
how easy is it to get accused/caught of speeding?
which side of the road to they all drive on?

[J.P]

Forget the blue bit on the number plate, no one cares any more. Don't worry about headlights pointing the wrong way, we'll be travelling in the day not night and it really isn't a problem for the short time you're approaching someone. No extra reflectors needed.

AThere are almost no speed cameras in northern France as if we go cross country as I've suggested there'll be no police either. But my sat nav has hot spots listed in case. It's mostly flat farm land and you've a low chance of getting caught as they'll have about 20 of us to choose from so you've only a 1 in 20 chance of getting caught !
Belgium does have some, and in stealth grey.

And remember France and Belgium have about 25% of the number of cars as we have in the UK, so it's much quieter on the roads anyway.

[mikej]

You do need a GB sticker on your bike, best to get one of the blue stickers for the corner of your number plate from Halfords.

No need to mess about with beams, have never heard of anyone getting pulled for that and you will be riding during daylight hours so shouldn't be a problem. You do have to have spare bulbs though.

Most of the fixed speed cameras in France are front facing so go as fast as you like!! To be honest the gendarmes we met last year had a relaxed view on speeding unless you were doing ridiculous speeds, as you will be in a herd (?) of monsters going at the same pace, i can't see them pulling you ALL over.

Also make sure your wallet is securely back in your pocket after filling up, my mate Johnnys came flying towards me as we pulled out onto the motorway last summer, after our first fuel stop out of the tunnel. Could have been a nightmare seeing as HSBC cancelled all my bank cards later that day due to a "security alert".

[slob]

do I Need To Change My Numberplate To Have A Blue Bit?
I Was Going To Cut Out The Blue Bit From A Sticker (local Car Accessory Shop) And Put It On The Side Of My Plate
i Heard You Have To Have Extra Reflectors On Your Helmet For France?
Dunno... Not Going To Bother
what's This About Headlights And Blanking Half The Beam Stuff?
Beam Benders (Car shop again)... One Set Good For Two Trips Or Two Bikes
how Easy Is It To Get Accused/caught Of Speeding?
Thought I Might Try To Stick To The Limit...the Cops Have Guns (remember Kph Not Mph)
which Side Of The Road To They All Drive On?
Other Side (my Mantra Is "Stay Right, Look Left")

[Grumpy]

Never need to put reflective stickers on me lid.

I've never had a problem with the cops in europe and speeding, they seem to be more relaxed than the british cops on speed.

Dipped beams......never worried about.

As for GB notification on number plate, the last couple of times i've not bothered with this, personal choice, never been pulled for this either.

All in all i've found riding in europe a relaxing and enjoyable experience, motorcycles, in europe, are seen and treated with alot more respect that in the UK.

Relax and enjoy!

[J.P]

Anyone want to add a stop on the way to Belgium on the Saturday morning just outside Ypres ?
Zimbo highlighted to me a number of the WWI cemetaries round there and it might make an interesting break for an hour to go to the one at Tynecotstraat in Zonnebeke, before heading off. It's pretty much on the way if we don't go the motorway route?

[gary tompkins]

Sounds like a nice detour JP if weather is ok

[Stafford]

Fine by me, weather dependant.
Just concerned about your obsessive behaviour towards cemetaries JP.

[scrapps]

happy to go with the flow....

[J.P]

Just concerned about your obsessive behaviour towards cemetaries JP.

My vivid imagination and depravity aside, there are very few things that can make you feel humble, and a war cemetary with 11,000 graves is one of them.

[JR]

You must be able to produce an original (not photo-copy) of your vehicle registration document (V5), insurance document and driving licence if you get "pulled" by the Police or Douane (Customs patrols in marked vehicles) in Europe, otherwise you risk an instant cash fine or an escorted trip to a bank cash machine!

To remind me to ride on the right i put a couple of elastic bands round the throttle grip and mirror stalk (or coloured tape on the stalk) - easy to get confused at juctions and traffic islands when traffic is brisk and your under pressure, so - if the elastic band and the kerb are to-gether then i know i am on, or heading for the correct side of the road.

[ladybird]

You'll need to apply for one of the new cards, also you could try someone like Endsleigh insurance for a travel quote.
https://travel1.endsleigh.co.uk/SingleTrip.aspx?icid=&CompanyID=&ReferralID=

About £6.62

E111 new card thing, not insurancehttp://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/staying-safe/travel-insurance/ehic

just applied for mine, needed my NI number though, already have travel insurance somewhere

[Stafford]

E111 new card thing, not insurancehttp://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/staying-safe/travel-insurance/ehic

just applied for mine, needed my NI number though, already have travel insurance somewhere

Weird, you say not insurance and then say you already have some.
The EHIC does not cover repatriation and private care.
As I originally said, you could try insurance, if you wish for around £7.00.

[ladybird]

yeah, i already have year long worldwide travel insurance, i guess it's a hangup from school and E111 so got a card as well as it's free :) all bases are covered

[Grumpy]

Having already visited the Somme & Verdun, plus part of my plan for the couple of extra days i'm spending in europe was to visit Ypre, i'm up for stopping at the battlefields.

[alan c]

sounds good jp, i will go with the flow !

oh little flow
i love you so
especialy in your nightie
when the moonlight flicks across your tats
jesus christ almighty !

[ladybird]

sounds good jp, i will go with the flow !

oh little flow
i love you so
especialy in your nightie
when the moonlight flicks across your tats
jesus christ almighty !

just the one was it?

[J.P]

And it's not even very good !!

Weekender 2008:
JP: 'Put it on a piece of paper, fold it up and put it in your pocket for later'.

[Albie]

And it's not even very good !!

Weekender 2008:
JP: 'Put it on a piece of paper, fold it up and put it in your pocket for later'.



LOL. I may bring a small pad for you justin. Just for the weekend. A few beers will do some strange wordings