European Tour in June 2006

[lovetomotor]

Folks,

I am planning 3 weeks in Switzerland, Italy, Germany and ? next June. I'm thinking of staying in Andermott and using that as a central hub for rides. Can any of you locals give me some guidance in any of the following:

1) Best to rent a bike or ship my LT (I live in Seattle)
If I do ship my bike, what insurance will I need in Europe?
2) Is Andermott a good place to have my home base?
3) Is June a good time of year to ride the Alps?
4) Any suggestions on rental organizations?

Also, any tips and suggestions on rides will be appreciated.

[Malki]

Joe

(1) I would rent a motorcycle when you get there, expensive, but saves hassle in the long run. If you do ship your bike, you will need a minimum of third party insurance to cover damage to any other vehicle and or property. Personal accident/property insurance is also a good idea to recover you home should the worst happen.
(2) I'm presuming it's Andermatt in Switzerland you are using as your base, I don't know it personally, but it's very central for your intended tour.
(3) June should be perfect weather wise, I've been to Switzerland & Germany in June and had no problems.
(4) You could try http://www.netbike.tv/netbikegb just as a start, they are based in Switzerland and the site will give you loads of info. They rent several types of bikes including BMW RT's (no LT's) Full insurance is included in the rental. They also rent rider equipment and GPS Etc. I'm assuming that it being a Swiss company, the bike will already have the Tax paid for the Swiss motorways should you use them.
This particular company is based in Morges, Switzerland about 141 miles from Andermatt.

Hope this helps a little.

[meese]

We did 3 weeks through the Alps a few years ago. It was absolutely amazing, and I'd go back in a minute.

First, pick up a copy of Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps and Corsica (http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=3753&whpsid=eda4faccbd50e8418865722e53b10120) by John Hermann. Get it now, and read through it before hand. Well worth the time, and you're guaranteed to find some unique routes and stops (ever walked through a glacier?).

Andermatt is a great central location. They are very biker friendly, and many of the hotels have covered bike parking. All of the roads leading out of the village are world class. Just pick a direction and then go. Interlaken is also good, as are a few of the other villages, but Andermatt is the best choice. Here is a pic of our hotel there:

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/7/8/Sonne.jpg

We did meet a couple of folks who had rented an LT out of the Munich BMW dealer, so you may want to check there. Some people say that the LT is too big for the Alps, but I disagree. If you're comfortable with the LT on tight, twisty roads, then you'll be fine. Just don't look down, as it's an awfully long way.

There's some more useful info in this thread (http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=K1200LT&Number=243498) on the old site.

Oh, and get a huge memory card for your digital camera. You're gonna need it.

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/7/8/Tremola.jpg

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/7/8/Grimsel.jpg

[simoncharles]

Agree about the bike rental advantages, when you could presumably change bikes during your stay from an RT to a GS to a GW, depending on the routes you have planned for the following days !!.

You can cover a LOT of ground in Europe in 3 weeks, especially being based in Switzerland. Don't forget Austria and Hungary are nearby as well.

Try and visit Venice for 2 days as well. If you do, I would highly reccommend this hotel with private parking http://www.hotel-venezia.com/ which is outside the city but only a 10 minutes bus ride away.
There are NO hotels with private parking in Venice itself (well just one, lots $) which means you have to leave the bike in a public parking and then walk "miles" with your bags to the hotel of your choice.

[lovetomotor]

Thanks for the information guys. I'm really looking forward to the trip and Ken your pics look awesome. I'm thinking I"ll rent a GS and just check out every road I can find, unless it turns out to be significantly less expensive to ship my LT round-trip and I doubt that.

I do have John Herman's book and think it is a real jewel.

[simon]

I'm coming back from a trip To Italy on the 10th of June. I'd be happy for you to borrow my K1200LT for your trip if you like? I'm in the UK (near London) and as long as your covered by insurance, it shouldn't be a problem.

Simon

[Paulo]

Thanks for the information guys. I'm really looking forward to the trip and Ken your pics look awesome. I'm thinking I"ll rent a GS and just check out every road I can find, unless it turns out to be significantly less expensive to ship my LT round-trip and I doubt that.

I do have John Herman's book and think it is a real jewel.

I'm from Oporto Portugal, and I'll go to Andermat (Alps) in this date.

I leave Oporto in 3th June in my LT, probably we go to know us personally

for me is difficult to write in English, it is more easy to read and to speak

[Steve_R]

for me is difficult to write in English, it is more easy to read and to speakYou are doing just fine Paulo. :thumb:

[Paulo]

You are doing just fine Paulo. :thumb:

Thank's, I made a conffesion, normally I use a web translation to Help me:)

[pomppe]

Just remember that Your home base in the most expensive country in Europe, and they don´t use euros. Jari