Post: #1

Is it possible/realistic to get a small motorcycle ( 150cc?) and just ride all over Europe? Spain to France to Italy...maybe Poland in the summer

My main concern is gas mileage and reliability, maybe there are even 100cc models.

Would it end up being cheaper than trains?

I went to some cities in Italy which didn't have train service and it was kind of nice (although I love trains), they were more local type places.

Here in the USA I have a Harley, but it's not great on gas.

Post: #2

I've had several kinds of bikes from a 50cc Piaggio scooter to a 750cc Ducati SuperSport.
Basically, small bikes are for the city only. If you tried to ride a 100-150cc bike in the European summer at max speed (which would be only 80-100kmh anyway) it would quickly overheat. Many of them are not allowed on the interstate or whatever the speed road is called in Europe (autostrada in Italy, autobahn in Germany, etc.)
I imagine you'd have to buy it, register it, insure it, and sell it at a loss in the end. So probably not cheaper than a train, overall.

Post: #3

(07-01-2011 04:21 AM)iknowexactly Wrote:  Is it possible/realistic to get a small motorcycle ( 150cc?) and just ride all over Europe? Spain to France to Italy...maybe Poland in the summer

My main concern is gas mileage and reliability, maybe there are even 100cc models.

Would it end up being cheaper than trains?

I went to some cities in Italy which didn't have train service and it was kind of nice (although I love trains), they were more local type places.

Here in the USA I have a Harley, but it's not great on gas.

that sounds like a fun idea.

Post: #4

Personally I would never ride any bike long-distance that couldn't get me out of trouble (read: 400cc minimum).

If you like bikes, and are totally happy doing 500km in a day then go for it - you'll have the time of your life. Now if only I had a bike..............

Post: #5

Thanks for responses.

EDIT: I should clarify-- I don't want to go on the Euro equivalent of the interstates. I want to go on small roads, see the countryside, and specifically go SLOW, max 40-50 MPH. I'm not on vacation with a time restriction, or, rather, I'm on permanent vacation so have neither a youthful desire to zoom along at 120KMH nor have any time restrictions on what I want to do.

I see all the Rocket-Ship BMWs people tour with in the US, and I want to just go hostel to hostel, seeing things on the way.

Thanks

Post: #6

One could only dream about all the pussy you'd get rolling through Europe on a harley. If I moved there I'd take mine with me.

Post: #7

(07-01-2011 10:23 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  One could only dream about all the pussy you'd get rolling through Europe on a harley. If I moved there I'd take mine with me.

I had use of an 883 sporty in Greece for a few weeks, Ali is right about that.
I rode a suzuki burgman scooter the other day that may be a slow ride worth looking at. Stay away from all that chinese junk its very unreliable.

Just because you want to stay slow, that should not be a determining factor when choosing a bike. Make sure the seat is very comfortable,the wheels are'nt too small (potholes) and you have enough power to get yourself out of trouble when needed. Single cyl bikes without balance shafts will vibrate you to death so it may be best to get a twin at least, look for rubber mounted engines and handlebars also.If you tell me a budget and which country you want to get the bike in I will give better suggestions

Post: #8

(07-01-2011 10:49 AM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(07-01-2011 10:23 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  One could only dream about all the pussy you'd get rolling through Europe on a harley. If I moved there I'd take mine with me.

I had use of an 883 sporty in Greece for a few weeks, Ali is right about that.
I rode a suzuki burgman scooter the other day that may be a slow ride worth looking at. Stay away from all that chinese junk its very unreliable.

Just because you want to stay slow, that should not be a determining factor when choosing a bike. Make sure the seat is very comfortable,the wheels are'nt too small (potholes) and you have enough power to get yourself out of trouble when needed. Single cyl bikes without balance shafts will vibrate you to death so it may be best to get a twin at least, look for rubber mounted engines and handlebars also.If you tell me a budget and which country you want to get the bike in I will give better suggestions

you seem to know about bikes. What do you think about this one?

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/produc...specs.aspx

Post: #9

Think this, roll thru Europe this way
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hKOXQfQszLk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Post: #10

(07-01-2011 04:21 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Think this, roll thru Europe this way
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hKOXQfQszLk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ok will someone please tell me how to embed

Post: #11

(07-01-2011 10:49 AM)el mechanico Wrote:  Single cyl bikes without balance shafts will vibrate you to death so it may be best to get a twin at least, look for rubber mounted engines and handlebars also.If you tell me a budget and which country you want to get the bike in I will give better suggestions

Thanks for the technical pointers. I just got my Italian citizenship, so it might be good to get a bike there and set it up legal.

People here are giving me some ideas, maybe I can just ship My Sportster and get it legal there. It gets about 40 MPG.

But I imagine I'd have to get quieter pipes, etc, shipping would be at least $1000, a lot of headaches...

One type of bike I had that I think would be great would one of the [Honda] 250 twins.

I understand motorcyclists are always arguing you need a powerful bike to get out of trouble, and I've found cases where it's true, but in my experience going too fast is by far a greater danger. I'd like to stay out of that debate however, what I am asking about is

1) Reliability
2) comfort
3) Gas mileage.

I am willing to take the risks of going slow and not being able to accelerate quickly.

The Honda Rebel 250 I had ran smooth, went up to 80MPH, got 75 MPG, and was idiotically reliable as well as having a motorcycle form factor which seems more efficient than a scooter. Is there anything available in Italy along those design lines? I guess my budget would be about US$2500.

Post: #12

(07-02-2011 07:15 PM)iknowexactly Wrote:  

(07-01-2011 10:49 AM)el mechanico Wrote:  Single cyl bikes without balance shafts will vibrate you to death so it may be best to get a twin at least, look for rubber mounted engines and handlebars also.If you tell me a budget and which country you want to get the bike in I will give better suggestions

Thanks for the technical pointers. I just got my Italian citizenship, so it might be good to get a bike there and set it up legal.

People here are giving me some ideas, maybe I can just ship My Sportster and get it legal there. It gets about 40 MPG.

But I imagine I'd have to get quieter pipes, etc, shipping would be at least $1000, a lot of headaches...

One type of bike I had that I think would be great would one of the [Honda] 250 twins.

I understand motorcyclists are always arguing you need a powerful bike to get out of trouble, and I've found cases where it's true, but in my experience going too fast is by far a greater danger. I'd like to stay out of that debate however, what I am asking about is

1) Reliability
2) comfort
3) Gas mileage.

I am willing to take the risks of going slow and not being able to accelerate quickly.

The Honda Rebel 250 I had ran smooth, went up to 80MPH, got 75 MPG, and was idiotically reliable as well as having a motorcycle form factor which seems more efficient than a scooter. Is there anything available in Italy along those design lines? I guess my budget would be about US$2500.

How much tax is it to bring the sporty to Italy and what is the exact year and model? They are not bringing good money stateside now so you may want to ship it even just to use long enough to find out what you like there..You could trade it for honda rebels for everyday of the week if you like!!

Post: #13

(07-01-2011 04:22 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(07-01-2011 04:21 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Think this, roll thru Europe this way
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hKOXQfQszLk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ok will someone please tell me how to embed

Post: #14

(07-01-2011 03:28 PM)Pete Wrote:  

(07-01-2011 10:49 AM)el mechanico Wrote:  

(07-01-2011 10:23 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  One could only dream about all the pussy you'd get rolling through Europe on a harley. If I moved there I'd take mine with me.

I had use of an 883 sporty in Greece for a few weeks, Ali is right about that.
I rode a suzuki burgman scooter the other day that may be a slow ride worth looking at. Stay away from all that chinese junk its very unreliable.

Just because you want to stay slow, that should not be a determining factor when choosing a bike. Make sure the seat is very comfortable,the wheels are'nt too small (potholes) and you have enough power to get yourself out of trouble when needed. Single cyl bikes without balance shafts will vibrate you to death so it may be best to get a twin at least, look for rubber mounted engines and handlebars also.If you tell me a budget and which country you want to get the bike in I will give better suggestions

you seem to know about bikes. What do you think about this one?

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/produc...specs.aspx

Very nice, not my style but you know yamaha makes no junk. Ever.Thank you Anthlone again I need to work on my computer skills.

Anybody feel free to ask me bike questions. I used to own a Bike shop and have been building and restoring them my whole life.