Well I suppose I’ve always travelled on new-ish bikes when over there, I guess if you’re going by ‘bird it’ll be a fair bit older. But life is for living if you put off doing something you may look back and regret not just ‘doing’
My new Blackbird in 99 had a duff battery, but soon learned to bumpstart it 2 up with luggage. we were at the Bol D’or in the south of France in 40 degree heat.
My Busa broke up a rear wheel bearing in Germany on my way back from Poland, it was 4/5 years old then. The AA got me sorted and I wasn’t unduly inconvenienced, it just extended my trip by an extra day.
I cut open my left ankle badly in a swimming pool in Andorra and rode home after treatment, that was fun (not), but the hospital was very quick and efficient.
I dropped my ZZR1400 in Sardinia on gravel and tore a hamstring, but although painful I rode home OK.
None of that put me off going.
I think something has happened on every trip I’ve been on, but mostly stuff tolook back on and laugh about, but mostly nothing nasty and I’ve been amazed at the friendliness of most of the people, from strangers stopping alongside when we looked lost, we weren’t we were waiting for someone to turn around, who enquired if we needed directions. Can you imagine that happening over here? Then the time we were looking for an overnight stopover, walking up the main street in Andermatt CH, as we approached a hotel the lady owner greeted us with “if you want rooms do you want to see the garage first for the bikes to be safe?” I’ve been back there nearly 15 times. Several hotels took their cars out of their personal garage so we could park our bikes safely. And the cafe that opened on a Sunday night in France specially for 5 bikers to make us food.
I could go on. But honestly, if I had the opportunity to go off a short notice I’d grab the stuff I’ve mentioned first and GO.
Make sure your tyres will last the trip, it was awkward finding 2 tyres for one muppet in Budapest one year.