| Author | Message | ||
     Hooper |
I was in London, Paris, Milan, Parma, Florence, and most of Tuscany over the last two weeks (honeymoon...no beach laziness for us). Saw an orange Uly in Florence around mid-day on 11/24, on the road into town along the river. I about flipped out. Was that anyone here? Going to Europe is always exciting for motorcyclists - the bike culture over there is so different and so inspiring. The weather was perfect the entire time, so there were lots of bikes out - only saw two Buells, but did see this in Florence, which made me sad:  Can you imagine this in the US? A Harley/Buell ad on a city's roadside clock? The one thing that really surprised me was the scarcity of motorcycles in Italy. I'm serious! We were in Milan, Parma, Florence, and all over the Tuscan countryside (oh my lord, the roads in Tuscany - "curvy" does not adequately describe them...I MUST get back there on two wheels) and I saw fewer bikes in 6 days than I do in 2 here in the states. Obviously, there were TONS of scooters, but nowhere near as many motorcycles as there were in London and Paris. Naturally, there were more once we got into some big cities, but I was surprised to not see as many as I did in other countries. There were some cool late-model Multistradas, as well as funky models that we rarely see in the US, like the Versys, Transalp, and Stelvio. Those are some potential Uly replacements I'll be keeping in mind for the future. LOTS of BMWs, of course, but most were R1200Rs, R1150RTs, and then a bunch of GS. I think I recall seeing only seeing one Ducati sportbike and one Hypermotard, other than the Multistradas, and very few Guzzis. In Milan, I noticed a LOT of home-converted, Japanese-made supermotos/motards blatting around, mostly piloted by young hooligans and followed by his equally loud but less moneyed pals on scooters. Maybe it's the weather, but I saw much more in the way of protective gear on riders in London than in Paris or Italy. Driving in Italy was a riot, and mostly in a good way (though not if you ask my wife, the passenger). The lane lines are really just suggestions there...cars and two-wheelers float around the road at will, positioning themselves here and there depending on what they're probably going to do a few hundred yards up the road. Scooters and some motorcycles expect that you will allow them space on either side of you so they can get ahead. Tailgating is de rigeur. All the behaviors that will get you a day in court for reckless/aggressive driving here in the States are standard practice over there. What I DID appreciate was the sanctity of the left lane on the Autostrada...it's what we need over here. The only cars in the left lane were the ones that were hauling arse. There were definitely some nutjobs drafting each other in their Mini Coopers and Fiats, but most of the time it was big engine cars doing fast, safe cruising. Oh, and when that Lamborghini shrieked by at 180kph, I thanked God I had finally gotten to Italy. | ||
| Mnrider |
Congrats on your wedding.  | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I had a conversation with my uncle about the speed limits in Italy. I think he told the official limit on the Autostrada is about 130 kph. So I asked what the highway police do when a Ferrari or Lambo goes by at 250 kph. He replied "They salute!" | ||
| Hooper |
Word. There were no police on the Autostrada...just a handful of RADAR boxes that were unsure of. Locals only slowed for them when the speed limit was under 100kph. I just didn't know when to slow down or not. Just roar by with confidence, and you're a hero on the Autostrada. | ||
| Thesmaz |
The Italians are a fickle bunch when it comes to riding when it gets cold. After living here for the last 18mos it seems strange to me when I'm out in the winter and I'm the only guy on a bike. Come back in the summer, it's like a race track around my house! Day and night! The speedlimit is 130kph but I've talked to several folks on bikes and the cops on the highway will pull you over to look at your bike and come along side and motion you to go faster! Being at the base of the Alps is fantastic, never at a loss for a good place to ride! | ||
| Slipknot |
It is fun to ride in Italy, passing the cops on the autostrada at 90-100 mph. They don't even notice. | ||
| 88b |
So your 35 miles from me and you don't call  London can be a dangerous place thanks to our government letting in any azzhole for Africa and the middle east. Most of them don't have licenses or insurance and as a tax payer I probably bought the car they are aiming at other traffic. rant mode off Austria and switzerland are the places for good roads, italy is broke and although the autostradas are good ( toll roads ) many other smaller roads are like dirt tracks. wife & I were in Florance at the end of august, we flew into basel Switzerland and drove to Germany, then down the Stelvio pass to Lake Garda for a few days. Then onto Florance via Venice. I didn't see any Buells, saw several Harley's , lots of BMW's and millions of scooters. Stelvio pass, we are riding this next Sept  and a few of Florance and Piza       | ||
| Hooper |
MAN, they love The Simpsons over there! I took the same pictures as you...I did break down and bought a "Harley Davidson - Firenze, Italia" t-shirt from a vendor (my other ride is a Dyna). They didn't have a Buell option. |
