New guy needs help!

[David W. Johnson]

Sob story - sold my Bird because the US Army was sending me to Belgium and I could only bring one vehicle. Found out too late that bikes don't count as vehicles. They ship with household goods. I got a VFR800 as a replacement, but it isn't the same.

Hope - I found a Bird in the UK at a good price with low miles. I really want to head over there and grab it. My thought was that I would take the train there (Sudbury, Suffolk) and ride it back.

Problem - Although the train is more expensive than I had expected, it can be done. My concern is now getting back. I guess I could take my GPS and try to figure out how to wire it in quickly. But I'm a bit concerned about getting across the channel. Never done it. First time in Europe as well. How painful is this process?

I'm presuming UK riders cross the channel from time to time and can help. Any advice is very much appreciated. I need a Bird again...badly.

David

 

[Artemis]

Norfolk Line is generally the cheapest, but the tunnel is the quickest. Don't like it much personally though, you ride in last into all the cage exhaust fumes then put the Bird on the sidestand and stand around for half an hour or sit on the steel deck, then finally, you ride through the train and all the cage exhaust fumes again.

Depends very much on whether you can handle ferry crossings or would prefer speed.

Motorsport Travel always used to give good prices for ferries. 01759 301010 fax 01759 301030 or www.motorsport-travel.com

 

[David W. Johnson]

Thanks for the response. I'm looking online at the ferries and chunnel. No real preference on my part. But my timeline isn't solid and I don't want to try to adhere to a schedule. Can I just walk up and buy a ticket to either? The website wants me to book early.

 

[regh]

Depends if you want to do the miles in uk or in Europe.
Found www.ferrycrossings-uk.co.uk
As your used to riding on the wrong side of the road I would get over to Europe. Hope it helps. Your right with your choice of bike. w;;v

 

[regh]

http://www.ferrycrossings-uk.co.uk/operator-p-and-o-ferries.htm

Harwich
Depart: Fri 30 Nov @ 09:00
Ship: Stena Britannica
Hook of Holland.

Arrive: Fri 30 Nov @ 16:45


06h 45m
£62.00

Other Information: Onboard Accommodation/Seating/Extras are available, this may be selected on the following page

Should be Harwich to Hook of Holland.

 

[damientt]

What does the 'W' stand for?????????

 

[David W. Johnson]

Ummm...William?

It's not a screen name. I use my actual name online.

 

[damientt]

Ummm...William?

It's not a screen name. I use my actual name online.

Your actual name! I'd never have guessed. Can we call you 'Bill' or is it 'Dave?'

 

[David W. Johnson]

lol Bill was my grandfather. I'm usually David, but Dave is just fine.

 

[damientt]

Try Nutt Travel (yes, really) for ferry prices. I'm not sure how they compare for cross Channel but they're very good for Ireland --> Scotland.

 

[ov24604]

Getting to Harwich from Sudbury is easily under an hour's riding. Longish ferry trip but gets you over to the continent with not many UK miles. Not too bad riding down to Dover though and I'd assume you could just turn up and find a ticket office (maybe give them a call first to check though). Then you could cross channel just like you guys did on D-Day, except you'd go to Calais in France where Jerry would least expect it!

 

[Jaws]

DFDS ( was Norfolk Line ) go from Dover to Dunkirque and a one way ticket is only about ?30

Here is an idea

Why not hope a plane to Stanstead.. For petrol costs I could collect you and take you to Sudbury.. Round trip of maybe 120 miles for me

Orrrrrr.. If you are in the USAF, hope a transport to Lakenheath of Mildenhall ( only about 15 miles away from me and I could take you from there

Then just book a one way ticket on DFDS back to Dunkirque .. Easy @tu*

 

[4_4_2]

Getting to Harwich from Sudbury is easily under an hour's riding. Longish ferry trip but gets you over to the continent with not many UK miles. Not too bad riding down to Dover though and I'd assume you could just turn up and find a ticket office (maybe give them a call first to check though). Then you could cross channel just like you guys did on D-Day, except you'd go to Calais in France where Jerry would least expect it!

great post, still laughing.....

ps Dave, this lot take the piss for the "All England Championship Piss Taking Team", and they won Gold at the recent Olmypics.. be warned, its not personal.

As to the chunnel, its dead simple on a bike, I have done it a few times now, although, yes its not a pleasurably experience, and there are no facilities, but it is quick, and you can just turn up, pay and go, although the process is a bit easier if you pre book. If you pay with a debit/credit card on line all you do is turn up and put the same card in a ticket machine. That finds your booking details and prints your ticket. Then you are directed onto a train, and you leave soon after. 35 mins later you drive off in France. Easy peasy.... good luck. Make sure you get insured before you ride the bike over here, the UK cops will impound your bike on the spot if they stop you with no insurance cover, no excuses will be accepted... and they have ANPR cameras in the traffic cars...especially on motorways.

 

[David W. Johnson]

Actually, I thought that was pretty light stuff. Made me smile.

I appreciate the help from everyone. Now, I'm going to try to figure out how to hook up my GPS without too much trouble. I don't think there's much chance I would make it back without a GPS. I can't find much of anything in Europe without one.

 

[4_4_2]

if you have a cigarette lighter type lead for your GPS its easy. When I collected my bike, I went into a petrol (read GAS) station and picked up a lead with a female cig lighter socket on one end and bare wires on the other for next to nothing. I just unscrewed the battery terminals and connected it across them (with an inline fuse, steady boys) and had that wire taped to the side of my tank and then into my tank bag. The GPS sat in the clear map cover on top of the tank bag and connect the male and female together, all you need is a half decent swiss army knife and some masking tape in your pocket to do all the work... easy as Apple Pie..oh yeah and a tank bag

post some pics when you get the bike!

 

[David W. Johnson]

Thanks! Going to go by a shop tomorrow to see if they have a female end.

 

[4_4_2]

bought mine off an accessory stand in a petrol station so getting one should be easy enough...