Europe
- Photo radar is everywhere.
- Some countries have made photo radar GPS alerts illegal, like France. Some posts suggest if your GPS is found with warnings for ANY COUNTRY, France will clip your wings.
- Garmin has gotten around at least having GPS speed warnings in France by alerting now on "safety zones", which are expressly legal in France.
- Many countries require having a reflective vest with you on the bike, in case of a breakdown, an accident, or rain. Makes sense to always have one regardless of what countries you'll be visiting.
- Many countries, with France in particular, require you to have a full complement of spare bulbs for your vehicle.
- Speed signs are round, unlike in North America.
France
- Though they apparently aren't checking much yet, you are required to have 2 breathalizer testers with you.
- Speed limits are often 120km/h on motorways, and 130km/h on the tolled Autoroutes. They're not fans of speeding.
- All safety zones (speed cameras) are marked, afaik. The markings on the sign also specify if the cameras are front-facing or rear-facing; if there is a motorcycle on the sign, that's a rear-facing camera that can grab the motorcycle plates.
- Not terribly big fans of credit cards in some restaurants, at least in smaller towns like Saint-Genis-Pouilly near Geneva. Even the customers are offended if you pull out a credit card.
Germany
- Look up the German signs for right of way; streets that merge from your right have Right of Way by default.
- The Autobahn has lots of unrestricted ("unlimited speed") sections, but there are lots of traffic calming sections especially around population centres.
- Don't hang out in the left lane on the Autobahn; you are not the fastest vehicle on the road anymore.
- It is illegal to run out of gas on the Autobahn, as that is a preventable calamity.
- Expect to be seated with strangers in Bavarian beerhalls. Hope you get both East and West Germans at your table, as the cultural lessons are beyond measure.
- Don't jaywalk. What kind of example are you setting for the children, you monster?
- Lane Splitting isn't officially accepted. Some feel you're setting a bad example for the children (see above), but some do it anyway. It is only really accepted in heavy traffic. You may run afoul of the law.
Austria
- Vignettes (toll stickers) can be purchased for Autobahn travel in short and long term forms. Fines are high for being caught without one.
- The Austrian Autobahn has a 130km/h speed limit.
Switzerland
- Vignettes are only sold for the calendar year; If you're riding a motorway from Dec 29 through Jan 2, you'll need two yearly stickers. Last I bought one, they were 40 Euros per year.
- Don't seed in Switzerland; their speed cameras are tuned really low.
I'll post more later.
