I just did a power trip to England over the weekend for my brothers wedding. He lives there now and married a Britt over the weekend.
It was a complete blast, although I am bummed I couldn't stay longer. The country is amazing and the people were great!
I was only about 40 minutes from Heathrow on my way in a hired car to Saffron Walden when I saw some weekend hooligans out for a ride (on the wrong side of the road, mind you). About 8 of them.
I saw a Speed triple and it looked like at least 3 Monsters. I could only make a fix on the one off the back as a 696 (maybe?).
The roads in England seem awesome for riding? They are VERY winding and even the very curvy roads have a pretty high speed limit. My brother took me around some corners that had a posted 60 mph (yes, they use mph too) and there was no way he could maintain that speed in his car without sliding off the road.
Any Duc owners from England on this forum? How are the roads? Where do you ride? I'll bet you don't need big bore engines on those curvy roads?
Cheers,
Bryan...
P.S. I'll be coming over again soon to your amazing country for a longer visit.
There are a few UK members here, but they don't have a separate board, hopefully they'll see this thread.
Yeah, nice open curvy roads there, I've ridden on the back of an R1 and driven on some pretty good roads.
Quote from: MTBryan on September 17, 2008, 03:01:29 PM
I just did a power trip to England over the weekend for my brothers wedding. He lives there now and married a Britt over the weekend.
It was a complete blast, although I am bummed I couldn't stay longer. The country is amazing and the people were great!
I was only about 40 minutes from Heathrow on my way in a hired car to Saffron Walden when I saw some weekend hooligans out for a ride (on the wrong side of the road, mind you). About 8 of them.
I saw a Speed triple and it looked like at least 3 Monsters. I could only make a fix on the one off the back as a 696 (maybe?).
The roads in England seem awesome for riding? They are VERY winding and even the very curvy roads have a pretty high speed limit. My brother took me around some corners that had a posted 60 mph (yes, they use mph too) and there was no way he could maintain that speed in his car without sliding off the road.
Any Duc owners from England on this forum? How are the roads? Where do you ride? I'll bet you don't need big bore engines on those curvy roads?
Cheers,
Bryan...
P.S. I'll be coming over again soon to your amazing country for a longer visit.
Hey Brian-
Glad you had a good trip. Sounds like a memorable one. I spent 3 years in Old Blighty on an expat work assignment. Half that time I lived in Nottingham (yeah, that one) and the other 1/2 in Exeter (south Devon). In Exeter, I bought an ST4s and rode the stink out of it as much as I could. I only regret that I didn't get it sooner. Ripped around all over the place, from Land's End in western Cornwall, as far north as Manchester, east to Dover, etc.
I agree with your assessment about the UK roads: most excellent for riding. However, the weather can be really crap, but can be dealt with. It never gets really cold, so you can ride pretty much year round with the proper gear. IMO, I found UK drivers and riders to be extremely skilled and courteous, likely due to the high degree of training and qualification required to get a license. They tend to be fairly aware and tolerant of bikers. Most definitely, though, you must familiarize yourself with the quirks of their road rules before attempting to ride over there (roundabouts, etc.).
My brother came to visit one summer. He is an HD dude, so we rented a couple of them for a weekend from a dealer in Bridgwater, Somerset (by chance, my ST was in for it's 6K service) and we toured around the south of England. Even went to Stonehenge. Have to say, we got a lot of attention on the hogs as there are not many of them in the UK. Personally, I was jonesin' for my Duc. The hd's are just waaaay too slow for the UK environment!
I brought up the Harley weekend because you mentioned you might go back to visit your bro. I'm confident that you can rent bikes if you have a motorcycle endorsement from the US (my bro sure did). Certainly, they take a pretty hefty deposit on your credit card, etc., so you need to be prepared for that.
So, good luck on your future travels. If you'd like any more info, drop me a pm. But, i have to throw out a disclaimer that it's 5 years since I left - jeez, time flies - and I'm sure a thing or two might have changed!
John
I would think that their are quite a few UK Monster owners who frequent this site as I do. Check out www.ukmonster.co.uk for information about the UK Monstering activities, along with www.Ducatisti.co.uk.
The sun is shining in the UK at the moment, but this year and last year have both been "wash outs"!
Jim R
Hey John. Thanks for the input.
I'm not sure I would rent a bike just yet in England. The left side of the road thing really bothered me for some reason. My brother was driving me at night in his BMW, railing a very tight left hand curve (in the left lane) at about 60 mph and I was just sure some Yank would be coming head on in the same lane. I had to keep my eyes closed like a little baby.
Of course, that wasn't going to happen. But even with I left, my brain just couldn't wrap around the concept of the left hand driving. I think it would take a while for me to be ready.
My brother told me it is much easier to grasp if you drive yourself, instead of riding in the left seat as a passenger. So maybe I just need to take the plunge. It might also be easier if I rode with other riders and followed the pack.
Interestingly, when I got back to the states, I got in my truck at the airport, and pulled in the left lane at the airport exit, only to find a truck coming at me head-on. Dooooooooh!
As far as the skill of the drivers, I completely agree. I was just telling that to my wife last night at dinner. And, the road system seems quite sophisticated. To navigate, my brother would just write down a series of 'turns' to get to where he was going.
The round-a-bouts are scary at first. But my driver explained how they work, and they are actually quite efficient and quicker than waiting for traffic lights. And he said in general, people follow the round-a-bout rules and avoid mishaps.
I was also impressed that the drivers there actually honor the fast lane on multi-lane highways. Of course, it is the opposite of here. They are on the left side of the road, and the fast lane is on the far right of that lane. But the drivers would only use that lane to pass, and would give quick right of way to drivers overtaking them from behind in that lane.
And, my driver said it was illegal to pass faster cars on the left, so you had to go to the fast lane to pass. With people honoring that fast lane, it all works relatively smoothly.
What a concept!
I did notice a few bikers doing the center lane thing (I think they call it split lane?) ,which is legal over there.
I'll bet the weather would be a big issue. It was nice while I was there, but it had rained for weeks. And, my brother said it pretty much rains all winter. Yuck!
Cheers,
Bryan...
I think driving on the other side is a bit easier than riding, as you have the physical differences in the car as a constant reminder. You actually adapt pretty quickly.
Having traffic around reminds you where to go. ;)
Quote from: MTBryan on September 18, 2008, 04:40:20 AM
I did notice a few bikers doing the center lane thing (I think they call it split lane?) ,which is legal over there.
It's lane sharing or lane splitting in California, filtering in the UK.
Quote from: msincredible on September 18, 2008, 06:20:30 AM
I think driving on the other side is a bit easier than riding, as you have the physical differences in the car as a constant reminder. You actually adapt pretty quickly.
I was wondering about that. It might actually be more difficult on the bike.
Quote from: msincredible on September 18, 2008, 06:20:30 AM
It's lane sharing or lane splitting in California, filtering in the UK.
Yeah, that's it! Filtering. I learned so many new phrases, I can't remember them all.
Quote from: MTBryan on September 18, 2008, 06:45:12 AM
Yeah, that's it! Filtering. I learned so many new phrases, I can't remember them all.
Yeah, no doubt.
Dogs Bollocks. [laugh]
You should try Wales, if you can dodge the coppers. ;D
hi guys,
yes we do ride on the wrong side of the road compared to the states but i find driving or rideing in europe or the states second nature once you get on the road.you don't after be mad to live in jolly old england but it sure helps what with the bad weather and the heavy policeing of everything to do with motorcycles.as for the roads we have some fab routes to ride in the dales and lake district plus wales which is very heavy policed so if you come over be warned.if you want to ride some of the best roads in the world treat yourself to a vacation in the Isle of Man for the TT,you will be blown away with the whole experience.[take a look at a duke DVD for an insite].another thing to do before you grow to old is to go to misano to WDW it realy is the place to go for a true ducatista plus a visit to the ducati factory and museum,roll on next july.hope this wets your appetite.
well all the best geoff [thumbsup]