| Author | Message | ||
     Mikef5000 |
I've checked the (B)RAN, with no luck. I'm looking for a generous Bueller (or anyone really, know anyone at all?) That would provide me a floor to sleep on one night somewhere around southern Germany, Switzerland, northern Italy, or western Austria. Here's a plan for when I rent a motorcycle this summer:  And I need to find a place to sleep anywhere around B, C, or D, or really anywhere around the mountainous region. I don't want to be bothersome, but I'd much rather be at a house rather than some little hostel in the middle of nowhere, and a hotel is out of the question ($$$). Just thought I'd ask. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
www.couchsurfing.com saw it on the news last nite. Havent looked at it myself yet, but it is less than a hostel> Keep us posted. | ||
| Jayvee |
Hostels are better than sleeping under a bridge, in my experience. | ||
| Igneroid |
Off topic but in may of 2006, I went to Vienna to visit my daughter. She's back in Canada now. One thing I learned quickly is that as soon as the locals realized I was from Canada/North America, they treated me like crap. I watched it happen to alot of people so it wasnt just me. Its not a safety thing, just a rude attitude. The place is absolutely beautiful and there are some freindly folks there but you have to hunt for them. I wouldnt go back unless I had to. Be prepared. | ||
| Chainsaw |
I was in Vienna in April of 2007. I LOVED it. Can't say a had any sort of problem with the locals. I think making a effort speaking to them in my meager German made a good impression. I could easily live there for a year or two. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
CityX, that website is AWESOME! You may very well have just made my vacation 10 times better! Thank you thank you thank you! | ||
| Id073897 |
Hostels are rare in as well Germany and Austria and organizing the travel from the US might get a challenge. Getting a private accomodation is even more uncommon. As often, people who do you a favour want to have the feeling, you earned it in some way. Couchsurfing might work, might not. It might be a good idea to join UKBEG.com, as you will find some (former) UK forces members there who might help you further. Also some readers from Germany and Austria registered. I would absolutely recommend to register at some german forums, as BORG or XBORG. Even when writing in english you generally get some friendly responses. Be prepared, that people will push on you as soon as they recognize you as an US american, so many pretend being canadians. Regards, Gunter | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Speak as I find, having been driving trucks all over Europe for many years. Never had any problems in Germany the germans are generally pretty decent good people, Italy not much different to that either, except more class & better food. Swiss, not sure who they are really & they don't seem to be either. Austrians.....SuperKrauts with an enormous attitude problem, but well balanced, a chip on BOTH shoulders. Scenery down there is ECSTATIC (food's pretty good too) & worth any hassle you may get, DO NOT MISS the Stelvio Pass. Have a good time, Europe is pretty bike friendly no matter your nationality. My number is in the RAN if you need it. | ||
| Hammeroid |
Ingeroid, I was in Vienna at the beginning of July in '06 and didn't run into one rude person the whole time I was there. In fact I thought vienna to be one of the Best looking cities I have ever been to and definitely the friendliest. I recommend it to everyone. Chainsaw is right, try to speak a little german and they open right up. I would learn German just to live in that city. | ||
| Oddsc |
Mike, For me Austria is a second home. I've taught at a trade school in Tirol for 4 months each of the past 7 years. I always explain the Austrian people as a good mix of German love of order and Italian lust for life. Don't worry about rude people, especially where you're going to travel the main business is tourism so they know how to treat guests well. I also don't think I would recommend couch-surfing. Although you may not find many affordable Hotels in the sense we're used to, there are thousands of guest rooms. This is ski country and Tirol is Europe's most popular tourist destination, so in the summer there are lots of empty beds. If you stop at any Information office in any little town you will find listings of many private homes that offer beds for 20-40 Euros/night. It is common for private homes to have extra rooms set up for tourists, and you still get the experience of contact with a local. If you're the kind of person that needs to plan ahead, just look at your map, pick some towns and contact their tourism center online. Riding in Europe is pretty crazy if you've never experienced it before, be prepared for fast, aggressive drivers and riders. Plan your ride around the passes, these are the high routes up and over moutains, switchback heaven! I can give you some route recommendations if you need. Have you considered starting in Munich? You'd get more time in the good stuff. The best food in Austria is the simple local stuff, great beer, cheese, bread and speck (smoked, cured pork). Again, PM me if you need more info. You've got a great trip ahead of you! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Cheap & cheerful hotel rooms across Europe here. http://www.etaphotel.com/gb/discovering-etap-hotel /index.shtml | ||
| Igneroid |
Ingeroid, I was in Vienna at the beginning of July in '06 and didn't run into one rude person the whole time I was there. In fact I thought vienna to be one of the Best looking cities I have ever been to and definitely the friendliest. I recommend it to everyone. Chainsaw is right, try to speak a little german and they open right up. I would learn German just to live in that city. Heya Hammer. You are right about the city being beautiful. I stayed in district 1 near the big church. They sure keep up the place. Very clean a tidy. But, the people there were nasty to me and the wife. We were riding bikes on the excellent bike trails they have there. The wife wiped out and I was helping her up when this nasty guy starts cursing at me because "Dumb English is blocking trail! GET OFF!!" Another time sitting at an out door restaraunt, the waitress comes up all smiles, says somthing in Austrian that I cant understand(I did learn some of the language before I went), I said, smiling back, "Sorry, I dont understand." Her voice and attitude changed instantly and she said with disgust in her voice "Vat do you vant??" We just left. We also went on a Seguay tour of Vienna(neat two wheeled lawnmower type transportaion). The tour guide said during his familiarization speech( I will ask you to please forgive my countrymen in advance for being rude to you while you are riding these machines.) They are allowed on the bike trails but the locals don't like it. Sure enuff, there were alot of "comments" that thankfully I couldnt understand. Then there was the bus driver screaming at a little old lady in a USA tee shirt. I could go on for several pages. Them folks arn't normal when it comes to us. That Canadian shit is just that, shit! I'm a Canadian. I had a Canadian flag on my shirt/jacket and it didn't help one bit. I don't usually complain about things but I made a point after leaving Vienna that I would let as many people know about my experiences there. Im glad your experience was different than mine. They have a great system there,free university, cleanest city I've ever been in, rich heritage, coolest old buildings, and unfortunately, the rudest people I've ever met. (Message edited by Igneroid on February 29, 2008) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
eh, get yourself a good foreign dictionary, study the hell out of it and feign the local dialect; drink with the host families and most of the stupid policies that run through washington wont be heaped on your shoulders. Worked for me in every country I've ever visited. Really you only need about 150 key words to get by if you have a decent host. Make the attempt, dont act like you know it all, and by all means be the first to laugh at yourself. (looks like there is a new link to add to my favorites) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Thanks for the info guys! I'm very very laid back. I expect to run into some rude people, but it's not going to get me down, I'll do what I have to do and move on. I have looked at starting in Munich, I'd much prefer that... BUT the only affordable rental place is out of Frankfurt. I can get a nice bike for up to 5 day, and/or 1000 miles for less than I can rent out of Munich for 3 days and 500 miles. (The miles are what is important to me. Apparently I'm very weird, because the daily rentals usually only include 100 miles! I'm hoping to do about 300-500 each day. Even the Harley Huge-Glides come with 100 miles a day???!!! I don't get it) And PLEASE... SUGGEST SOME ROUTES!!! | ||
| Bad_karma |
Mike Checkout Buells Downunder. When you get there look up Mic. They should be able to get you the info and contacts you need. Wish I was going with you. One of the few countries that I would like to go see. Joe | ||
| Id073897 |
Mike, I'm from Frankfurt, so if I can be of any help, please let me know. BTW: Harleys are totally overpriced here, so you might consider to rent a Jap or a BMW (... latter would be very enjoyable in the alps. Believe me :-)). Regards, Gunter | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Going to Germany, I'd much prefer to rent a BMW, but they are more than Harleys! What I ended up finding for a great price is the Kawasaki ER6 (Or the new Ninja 650 here in the USA) Cool as heck bike! I don't know if it's the naked or faired version, but I don't much care, both are 'sport touring' more so than sportbike.  Oh, and I did find a company in Austria that rents Buell Uly's!  (Message edited by mikef5000 on March 03, 2008) | ||
| Id073897 |
This is the rate for a Kwak I found here in Frankfurt, but I didn't search, just went to the one rental service I knew about: 1st week 560.00 EURO (incl. 2500 km) 2nd week 490.00 EURO (incl. 2500 km) additional km 0.25 EURO How is this compared to your price? Just to get a feeling for that. Regards, Gunter | ||
| Hammeroid |
Inger, that sucks. sorry to hear it. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I've been talking to "Two Wheel Touring" out of Frankfurt. They have a rent 5 days for the price of 3 plan. That Kawasaki is the cheapest bike they rent (over 150cc), the plan is for 5 days, or 1500 km's, and comes with a full face helmet for 214 Euro. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Mike 300-500 miles a day may not be a great idea. You just can't cover distances like you can over here. You'll spend all day in the saddle and not have enough time to do anything else but ride. Just a thought. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Well, I know... but I have two buddies and a car that I will tour with. On the bike, I really just want to ride the Alps. I've been doing a lot with driving directions on Google Maps to get a feel for time in the saddle each day. | ||
| Id073897 |
I've been talking to "Two Wheel Touring" out of Frankfurt. They have a rent 5 days for the price of 3 plan. Sounds like a bargain, and I tried to find them but I did not get any results in serveral search engines. Could you tell me the URL? Regards, Gunter | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Sorry about that, I listed the name a bit wrong, it's actually 2wheel travel. http://www.2wheeltravel.com/Motorcycle%20Hire/germ anyhire.htm The bike I will get is listed as "Honda VT600C". I contacted them, and they said the Honda has been replaced by the Kawi I posted above, at the same cost. | ||
| Oddsc |
Mike, I'm lookin at a map and my heads spinning, there's too many great roads, and I don't know how to make the cool little map like you have at the top of the post. I'd start at by speeding to Salzburg and making a stop, head south through Zell am See and then over the Großglocknerstraße to Lienz, this is the heart of the Dolomiti mountains, great riding in every direction. Your "C" looks to be Bolzano, take the long way there, and then up to Meran, I know the road from Meran to Sölden in Ötztal is amazing, but you could also head any direction from there and find great riding. From there I don't know, maybe through Imst up to Warth over the Flexenpass to Bludenz. You might look at the Edelweiss site for route suggestions. In Salzburg you might find a good alpine route guide. You just can't go wrong | ||
| Brumbear |
I am going over in April for a week and hope to get a XB9 rented out of wiesbaden I don't have much time but at least I can get 1 day | ||
| Id073897 |
Thanks for the link. The bike I will get is listed as "Honda VT600C". I contacted them, and they said the Honda has been replaced by the Kawi I posted above, at the same cost. Obviously this company acts as a broker, and I seem to have found the bike offered to you at a local bike rental: http://www.gebrauchtmotorrad.de/ALLROUND/ANSICHT/p reise.htm Let's hope they got some with a stronger engine than that one listed there ... 34 PS/25 kW (a third of the XB12) would be nothing more than a joke for the alps. Regards, Gunter | ||
| Harleywern |
Check this out http://www.buffalo.at/ Ride safe Werner | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Let's hope they got some with a stronger engine than that one listed there ... 34 PS/25 kW That is very odd. But I think it's a typo. Notice how the same bike is listed in both group 2 and group 3. the difference on my website is that the more expensive one has ABS, where as the cheaper one does not. Notice the engine size and overall weight are exactly the same. Kawasaki would not make the ER6 with two completely different 649cc motors. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
And that Buffalo Harley Dealership... Do they rent? Or do they have an English side to the website? I found the "Weekend Tour" for 300 Euro. It looks like that would be on a Uly. If they would include the gear and lodging, that may be worth it! I'll email them for information in Engish. Any of you guys over there know of a BMW motorcycle dealership that does weekend tours or rentals for low cost? Being in Europe, I'd perfer the Beemer, although Buellin it up in the alps would be badass! |
