What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[crump]

Are they required everywhere in France or just certain cities?

[Rixington43]

Only certain cities, details can be found here and then each city will have it's own site for further information.
https://www.France.fr/en/article/crit-air-anti-pollution-vehicle-sticker/
https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/countries-mainmenu-147/France

Long and short is very few areas will concern a bike unless it's really old and most cities which have had the common sense to exclude autoroutes, even if they do pass through the ZFE.
Generally speaking, I think you've already gone wrong if you're close enough to a city to need one

[Upt North]

Yes, it's the Frenchies deeming we're all dirty.
Pffffffftttttt.
I can't actually say if we'll be going through France or not this Autumn but we will end up in Italy via Amsterdam. But as we don't know where we're going on a daily basis and the French are adding new areas all the time then.....why not. It's cheap, it lasts forever, and it's one less reason to have a gun pointed at you by a gendarme. Although technically it wasn't me, but it's a long story for another day.
One good example would be Grenoble where you could easily find your way into.
It just means if we end up in a controlled area we've complied.
Upt.

[Upt North]

And on the note about stupid EU legislation, although technically Swiss, but who cares.
What about the Swiss Motorway Vignette. Blummin rip off.
Pffffffftttttt.

[Rixington43]

Ah yes, the Swiss, your money is always welcome, even if you aren't ;)

[graingerblaze]

I used to live in Switzerland and can confirm your only welcome if you have money and spend it there 

[Upt North]

We were somewhere near Interlaken staying in a fairly ordinary roadside hotel. We asked for a bottle of red to go with the meat feast which was to follow.
Well you'd have thought I'd asked to elope ( I've cleaned that up) with the owners wife.
Monsieur et Madame will have a a 25 cl carafe and no more.
When we were told the price we knew why.
No desire to return to the place, Switzerland that is. Austria and Northern Italy has the same at half the price, or less.
Upt.

[nigel s]

So.. with the strom.......nowt.... bar check it over ( I am ....ALMOST ...getting bored with the amount of good garage time I have to spend on it , nothing ever goes wrong..........I know , not something to complain about , but there you are  ) I had two days off work and so far on the first it has rained all day.........
Went out on the gasgas but... not the same.
And got even wetter.


Ho Hum

[Phild]

Switzerland….. we generally by passed it in some way or travelled as little as possible on Swiss roads. We’ve picked our routes carefully and never had the need to buy a vignette.  Beautiful country, but way too expensive for my pockets. 🤷‍♂️

[crump]

Last year we didn't find Switzerland significantly more expensive than Germany or France, cheaper than Austria. The vignettes are a bit of a pita but probably cheaper than French toll motorways. Let's face it who wants ride on motorways.

[NeilM]

I Got to say, you boys are REALLY selling European travel to me.

[Phild]

Europe is fantastic for motorcycle touring, Neil.

As Spain is only 110 Road miles from Weston (Weston to Plymouth for the ferry), it became our favourite place to tour.👍

Our bikes used to do more Continental miles than UK miles.😁

[Gillie76]

Thanks for the clarification chaps! Man, it does sound like a lot of research and planning to go touring in Europe 😫

[Rusty Nuts]

I managed to travel through Switzerland twice without spending any money whatsoever. A major achievement.
First time I was an Interrailing teenager. Coming from Venice, got in the wrong half of a splitting train and ended up in Zurich. Brilliant mistake, to get back on track I was 'forced' to travel the Rhine Valley line.
Second time, working in eastern Turkey, flying home we stopped at Zurich airport. Great fun watching the gantries going round spraying de-icer on all the planes.

[The Doctor 46]

I've only been to Switzerland once. I was camping on The German side of lake Constance and was persuaded by two mates  to drive into Switzerland so they could have their passports stamped, I know, why would you? Anyway as it was so misty on the lake and no wind either we couldn't do any water sport so I agreed. I don't remember if they had their passports stamped or not but I know I didn't. We were soldiers and I'm not sure that passports were required at the time. I do know that I didn't even get out of my car. 

[nigel s]

A trip out to Bury using the tenuous excuse of testing the Beeline which has been playing up........again.
Did a factory reset, got rid of the app and redownloaded it............Nope... it still wants me to turn right on the dual carriageway in 100 meters.
Dog Dirt...............
As a last resort I will try what worked last time........throw it in a drawer and forget about it for six months.
Back to google maps and the Ultimate Addons case then.

Still ......... Nice day for a ride out.

Ho Hum

[SD12463]

Hello...
Set off with a plan to head for Moniaive in the Dumfries and Galloway area. Pretty much went to plan, took what ever road looked the smallest when I arrived in the area and ended going round in large circles for a while. Visted Newton Stewart then headed back via Dumfries, up the M74 and back on the A702... 275 miles total. Yeah, that got it out my system. Joined by another V-Strom by chance on my way to Newton Stewart, nice to have the company of another V-strom!
Made an effort this time to take a few photos. Tried to attach them and Google Maps co-ordinates of where the photos were taken are in the file names, if it shows them!

[MilozFolly]

Very nice jaunt out in a wonderful parti the country. Impressive mpg too!

[NeilM]

I keep saying it, but D&G is a hidden gem of a County.

I hope to be passing through that way in early September, and really do need to spend some time up there, exploring.

[Upt North]

We also enjoy Dumfries and Galloway and it is truly Scotland in miniature. Isn't it so often the case that you travel though areas to get to a destination and you'd have been better staying in that area all along.
Nice pictures.
Upt.