First, look at the mileage. Maybe a thousand miles each way depending where you start/finish, and fuel is at least as expensive as here. Then look at overnight stops, maybe £70 per night per couple if you're hotelling. Then work out your daily costs for food, beer, etc, plus the crossing costs. Riding holidays ain't cheap, but they are not as expensive as the Ducati Manc route.
I've just had a quick look at euro tunnel costs and in June you can cross the channel with a bike for £70 return (cheaper if you want off peak hours). Thereafter I'd be looking at around £300 for fuel and you can get decent b&b's for €35-50 per night and subsistence at probably €25-30 a day too. So all in all I'd be looking at a budget somewhere in the region of £1000 including a contingency too.
We did 3k when we did Mugello last year, we did also do Assen en-route plus spent 2 weeks enjoying Europe, the scenery, people, and some special destinations... It wasn't cheap but we planned a holiday rather than a blat to Mugello and back, but DM's pricing is ridiculous given what you get, I'd rather ride and enjoy myself and the adventure within.
On the other hand me and a mate spent two and a half grand each in six days thrashing round France. But that was a proper hardcore week, 3000 miles in all.
That seems reasonable to me, next year will be a first for us so planning to do a UK trip early in the season and then maybe a short Euro one later one, just not decided on the exact locations yet.
that would be my option too, sod giving Ducati Manchester thousands to fly my bike out there, would rather ride, plus the northern france bit can be toll roaded pretty quickly i see france as the gateway to somewhere nice (i've missed three phone calls this weekend from someone at Duc manchester i know)
id love a blast through Europe..its been on my bucket list for a few years..subject to finances and my neck, i'd really like to organise a ride down to Italy through France if its of interest to anyone..?
If finances allow I'll be heading into southern Germany for maybe 4 or 5 days, probably early May sort of time. If anyone fancies a go at foreign riding they're more than welcome to tag along.
id like to go to ring at germany, but will probably go about easter time if the weathers ok, i got free ferry ticket to use up wont manage an italy trip next year
Dont fancy the 'Ring' unless its a bike only day! But would like to see more of Europe in general imho we ride on the wrong side in the UK anyway one of the few things the Brits got wrong
Took the Panigale on a 3500 mile trip last sept. Ferry to Santander, down through Pyrenees and back through Andorra, Southern France and into Italy for factory tour and musuem visit etc. Heading north, stayed for a day at Lake Como, then 2 days to get back to uk, over Alps, through Switzerland, Germany, (stopping at 'the ring") Holland and ferry from Rotterdam. Did it with a mate on an R1 and although a fantastic trip, we both agreed we wouldn't want to ride the Panigale back home through Europe again next year! The 2 days riding back was all in lashing rain and around 9C through the Alps. Would recommend a trip using the ferry back from Spain too. that way ypu get to use the fantastic roads, and weather again, and less mileage. We both had to find places to replace the rear tyres on our bikes also, so budget that in if you are riding sport bikes!
Easter sounds fine to me. No such thing sadly, but it is a great experience. If you fancy a go, do it on a weekday as it's a lot less hectic than the weekends. Put it this way Pete, my Griso has got half the power and twice the weight of your Multi, so no matter how restrained you might feel the journey is, I'll be like a swan - all serene on top, but paddling away like buggery underneath...
