breakdown cover (Europe)

[G Beale]

Can anyone recommend a good company for European breakdown cover. Only need it for 5 days. Best (cheapest) I've found so far is this lot.
http://www.vehicle-rescue.com/european- ... -cover.php
Not that I haven't got faith in the old girl you understand.

[phuk72]

I can recommend the RAC as they are the only ones I have used.

Beware of going cheap because if they work out your bike is worth £1000 and it will cost £1200 to take home - they'll junk the bike and give you the money

[andre]

Sorry i have no suggestions, i have it included with my insurance with Footman James. Just asking where your off to. I have been to Europe on the TRX the last 5 years, but sob sob, i cant afford it this year due to the pound euro. Petrol will be more expensive over there now, and have had to spend money on cylinder heads etc. If weathers good at the end of August gonna do northwest Scotland instead.

[Jak]

Slightly off topic - I heard something on the radio about petrol in France. Apparently there's some 'different' petrol there but it's not clearly marked ... I'll try and find something online about it because that really isn't helpful

[G Beale]

I can't afford it either really but needs must & all that. I'm going to the Nurburgring at the end of August for a long weekend. 1000 mile round trip plus commuting. I went last year in my old car & found the track time almost addictive ! Not sure how I will cope on the bike but it will be an experience for sure. I can't wait, just hope I've cured my oil leak for good.
Still making last minute adjustments to my luggage & trying to decide what clothes to travel in. 1 piece leathers or 2 piece armoured textile jacket & trousers ?
I must have spent £300 on fuel last year in the car which did about 25-30 mpg but drove to Holland for a day out too. Never bothered clocking the TRX consumption but if I'm late using a mixture of motorway & A roads I'm getting 110 mile before reserve. I can only do 15 miles on reserve too. Found that out a few months ago coming home from Santapod. I'm guessing between £150-200 on fuel this year then. Only in France very briefly so I will remember not to fill up there thanks Jak.

[Tarwetijger]

The warnings of the fuel in France is about E10, which replaces the Euro95 petrol. It has 10% of ethanol in it, which can damage hoses or even the engine of older cars and bikes. I'd take no risk and fill up with Euro98 or V-power and the look-a-likes.

Why have you've been to (flat) Holland if you can ride trough Germany, the Ardennes, etc.?

[G Beale]

I was in my car last year with a bunch of others & we went to a car show in Holland. Seemed to spend more time studying the sat nav than taking in the scenery.

[Jak]

The warnings of the fuel in France is about E10, which replaces the Euro95 petrol. It has 10% of ethanol in it, which can damage hoses or even the engine of older cars and bikes. I'd take no risk and fill up with Euro98 or V-power and the look-a-likes.

Ahhh that was it ... thanks Tarwe saves me looking it up

[andre]

110 miles to reserve, bloody hell thats poor. Is it all standard. Mine is apart from dyno jet needles and standard size jets. Best so far is 185m to reserve. and worst 160. My water pump had the usual oil leak, that was very small until i did the head. Must have disturbed it and now its worse. Anyhow managed to put a bloody great crack in the pump body whilst prysing it off. Waiting for a second hand one to be delivered now, thats another £50 on top of the £250 already spent.
Not heard of this petrol in France. Dont think they had it last year we went through on the way to the alps. Got as far as the Dolomites in Italy. Came home via Black Forest Belgium and Ardennes. Was better than previous trips when we came home through France. Have a good trip and hope the weather is ok.

[G Beale]

I thought 110 miles was bad but I was running very, very late that day. Sat nav said I was going to be 20 minutes late but I managed to prove it wrong by 25 minutes. Poor bike. I've fitted a K&N filter, factory pro needle jets & a very noisey exhaust but that's all.
I've gone with the company in my 1st post now, vehicle rescue direct, £21.75 Read the small print last night & any ferry crossing fees incurred by the recovery vehicle are to be paid by me ! As long as they can get the bike back to Dunkerque I will push the sodding thing on.

[andre]

I have always travelled in leathers and take a 2 piece waterproof. I find fabric can be to hot and sweaty in summer. But going off the weather we have had in the last few weeks, a full winter outfit might be the order of the day.

[G Beale]

I'm leaning more & more towards 1 piece leathers with gortex ? RST jacket minus the lining on top. I had zipped the lining out of the matching trousers in readyness but I've just remembered I won a pair of waterproof kegs on ebay the other day.
If recent weather is any indication I will be ditching the bike & hiring a jet ski !

[Bikemike]

AA five star euro cover is pricey but covers everything, getting car/bike back, hotels if needed etc.
You can buy it for as much as you need, i.e. 2 days , 1 week, 2 months etc.
As usual, you pays your money you takes your choice, your quote was way cheaper.

Lets hope you don't need it!

Mike

In case you are wondering, Yes I do work for the AA. I'm not blind to their faults though....