I have been given a pass out for late August/Early September and fancy popping across to the Mainland Might do a Pyrenees, Alps and Vosges run, probably 3K+ miles or so. Else a shorter 2K run into Germany.

Just wondered what the experienced Swing rider does before such a trip and on the journey?

Oil will be swapped in engine and final drive, belt was swapped 1500 miles ago as were tyres. Usual walk around, kick tyres etc... What else? I checked brakes at the same time as I swapped tyres and they look OK. Coolant too I suppose.

I did notice the bike had a real strong rubber smell after prolonged high speed running when I was coming back from Scotland a few weeks ago, I haven't pulled the belt cover as it went away with some sensible speeds and I havbe not noticed it since Anything to worry about?

Having done a lot of miles in Europe in the 20 years I lived there, on bikes but also quite a few on my Vespas only think you need to carry spare belt and tire repair stuff and pump, and some tools. And some sort of Automobile club membership for towing.

Fill tank when it gets at the half mark....walking sucks.

I'd research the area where you're going, book a decent ferry cabin, some accommodation, take T shirts, socks, and underwear, that's easily washed and dried, a big wedge of €uros, but you probably do all that sort of stuff already as you're not a touring novice.

I'm doing a similar thing about the same time, Vosges and the Black Forest (I'll be with two BMW motorcyclists !!). I'm not in the least worried about the SWing altho' I do have breakdown cover, my main concern is whether my plastic card will be acceptable to the French automated fuel pumps as we have had variable success on previous trips when I was a motorbike rider.

The plastic card pumps are less problematical than they were but do be aware that petrol here is now more expensive than in the UK (on average).

Fill up before you cross the Channel on the outward trip.

My take on fill at half mark......you might spend the rest of the tank looking for a pump. Small tanks suck.


I ran out once in a million and a half miles.....Hokkaido Japan, top of hill was able to kinda coast to station------but have had many close calls and nervous minutes hoping I could find some gas. Looking and worrying can ruin trip. In pinch camp stove gas will work, too. Italy don't they close at noontime for nap?

Italy, France, Belgium - indeed they do.....and some petrol stations are open 24/7 but permanently unmanned.
Here, the petrol is cheaper in them.

I will have space under the seat for a gallon fuel can but I am not sure if this is a good idea especially as we are using Eurotunnel !!

It's not illegal in the tunnel but check the rules about carrying spare fuel in France - it seems to be illegal here in Belgium.

German motorcycle accessories shops like Hein Gericke, Polo, and Louis all sell a 2 litre polyethylene reserve fuel can which give you extra range without taking up too much storage space.

I was a bit worried about not being able to find the usual 95 octane bleifrei in Germany when I was touring there in April, but I had no problems at all. I had read of the change over to biofuels, but it seems the motoring public are aren't happy with it and buying the usual stuff. I was in Munich all last week and I can't remember seeing a petrol station selling biofuel.

Does anyone have a good idea on carrying extra fuel, such as in your top case.

I've got one of those 2 litre fuel canisters and I've yet to use it, but I'd store it either in the top case or under the seat at the rear. I wouldn't store it in soft saddlebags as it's in a vulnerable area in a crash, if the scoot slides far enough it could wear through the can and ignite the fuel.

I can't say I've ever had a problem from loading up any size top case on any bike or maxi scooter I've owned either. I'm currently using the Givi E55 and if they ever bring out the Givi E60 I'll have one of those too.

Is it illegal to carry extra fuel in some areas?

There's so many gas stations, even in the wild west, that no one carries extra fuel in N. America. Maybe if someone were going up into the Canadian Arctic, but otherwise not necessary on our side of the pond.

As I said in an earlier post in this thread, it appears that it is illegal to carry spare fuel here unless one is going to a vehicle which has run out - that used to be an offence in itself but may have changed.

One would need to be a bit inattentive to do so here as the furthest one can ride directly in Belgium is 193 miles!

There are roads (paved) that have over 150 miles between gas stations in the desert South west.

Are the weirdos and lunatics on your side of the pond doing that to avoid stopping to use the dirty bathrooms in Tennessee?

I've just got back from France and found Leclerc took my Visa debit card but at Intermarche I had to use a Visa credit card. I'd advise taking both if you have them. As an aside, I averaged 50mpg (48-52) over 1300 miles running at 70-80 mph on Autoroutes and at a "fast pace" on the other roads.
My best was 156 miles before the warning light came on.

Ian