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    UK to Greece (Athens) and o to islands

    I tell you I look at the posts of rides
    in the US and it pains me. I so want to
    ride from east to west but cost has always stopped me.
    To do that on a GS must be positively wonderful.

    Anyway this thread is the next expedition.
    Having ridden round Crete 2020 on a hired Yamaha
    550 trial type road going thing and finding the
    expense detracting from the ride I need to
    ride there on the GS. Crete is simply amazing
    by the way. This one would be Crete, Rhodes
    and on up back to Athens.

    A few years ago i went round Europe on
    my GS , 5000 miles in total as far east
    as Prague and then back round spain. This
    in a tent on back of bike. An awesome time.
    The best. Made easier when I broke down
    this site assisted in the fix in Holland.

    Has anyone gone from uk to athens to get the ferry ?
    2100 miles one way.I usually do no more than
    200-270 mile hops per day checking out sites
    as I go. How has the mental torture of
    a return of 2100 miles gone ?

    IMG_20170526_094535_resize_21.jpg
    UKJULES
    ---------------------------------
    Owner of following bikes:
    1980 Suzuki GS550ET
    1977 Yamaha RD 250D
    1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
    1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

    #2
    Now that would be the ride of a lifetime for me.

    I've never traveled abroad and couldn't imagine how to plan a ride like that. Do you have trouble passing from one country to another? Maybe it's just like toll roads here in the states with a booth on the roadside kind of checkpoint. Don't even dismount, just pay the toll or show your identification?

    Here in the states, it's easy to just ride. Grab a map, or just wander for days. Well, pre Covid anyways...

    I plotted a course on the map. Is this the route you'd take?


    Attached Files
    Roger

    Current rides
    1983 GS 850G
    2003 FJR 1300A
    Gone but not forgotten 1985 Rebel 250, 1991 XT225, 2004 KLR650, 1981 GS850G, 1982 GS1100GL, 2002 DL1000, 2005 KLR650, 2003 KLX400

    Comment


      #3
      I so must get to states ...
      If I was rich I'd bring my bike over and just head
      west.

      Yes your route is a way. However I find
      the route opens up as you get going.
      I always get stuck in Normandy, Somme
      and must visit Amsterdam again. Down to Colditz castle
      Prague and down to Croatia to check Snorkeling
      beaches then somehow down to Greece but hell there
      is Corfu to see too.
      So the route will just happen. Being jobless and
      almost homeless helps !

      I find on my GS it is not the same as hammering
      through the countryside on a BMW 1200 ...
      It is harder for sure but with my new headlight
      fairing it might save my neck in the wind.

      If america was cheaper I'd be there in a shot,
      by a GS in Boston or somewhere and get going.

      When I do this trip I'll blog on here as before.
      Hope it comes off
      UKJULES
      ---------------------------------
      Owner of following bikes:
      1980 Suzuki GS550ET
      1977 Yamaha RD 250D
      1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
      1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Burque73 View Post
        Now that would be the ride of a lifetime for me.

        I've never traveled abroad and couldn't imagine how to plan a ride like that. Do you have trouble passing from one country to another? Maybe it's just like toll roads here in the states with a booth on the roadside kind of checkpoint. Don't even dismount, just pay the toll or show your identification?

        Here in the states, it's easy to just ride. Grab a map, or just wander for days. Well, pre Covid anyways...

        I plotted a course on the map. Is this the route you'd take?
        Many of those countries are in the Schengen Area (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area) and there are no border checks at all. You just drive on through, only a sign to mark the border. (and maybe a change in speed limits.)
        For the Balkan countries you'd have to check to see if a visa is needed for US citizens but I highly doubt it.
        Basically, moving about in Europe is very easy and hassle-free.
        '20 Ducati Multistrada 1260S, '93 Ducati 750SS, '01 SV650S, '07 DL650, '01 DR-Z400S, '80 GS1000S, '85 RZ350

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by RichDesmond View Post
          Basically, moving about in Europe is very easy and hassle-free.
          Not after Brexit, it won't be.
          ---- Dave
          79 GS850N - Might be a trike soon.
          80 GS850T Single HIF38 S.U. SH775, Tow bar, Pantera II. Gnarly workhorse & daily driver.
          79 XS650SE - Pragmatic Ratter - goes better than a manky old twin should.
          92 XJ900F - Fairly Stock, for now.

          Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

          Comment


            #6
            Athens, along with Rome, is a place where I absolutely loathe driving.
            "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
            ~Herman Melville

            2016 1200 Superlow
            1982 CB900f

            Comment


              #7
              Honeymoon, 1997, we rented a dual sport motorcycle for a day to ride around Mykonos from one clothing-optional beach to another (we prudish Americans opted to leave ours on). No helmets. The guy in the shop gave me kind of a funny look when I asked about them. He waved a hand at a couple of very vintage helmets way up high on a shelf and covered in an inch of dust. So in sandals, swimsuits and bare heads, we rode all the way around that island and visited some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. 3 days there, 3 days on Santorini, 4 days in Athens (3 too many). As an Architecture buff, the Acropolis was sort of a pilgrimage, and walking, shopping, visiting cafes in Plaka was great. But Athens is stinking hot beginning of August and our hotel AC was not sufficient. I would be scared and never want to drive any vehicle in Athens, and I’m a seasoned Boston driver. We’d really love to go back someday and see some more of the islands.
              Last edited by Rich82GS750TZ; 11-21-2020, 09:21 PM.
              Rich
              1982 GS 750TZ
              2015 Triumph Tiger 1200

              BikeCliff's / Charging System Sorted / Posting Pics
              Destroy-Rebuild 750T/ Destroy-Rebuild part deux

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Grimly View Post
                Not after Brexit, it won't be.
                Yeah, but Britain has decided that it’s not part of Europe. So my statement stands.
                '20 Ducati Multistrada 1260S, '93 Ducati 750SS, '01 SV650S, '07 DL650, '01 DR-Z400S, '80 GS1000S, '85 RZ350

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by GS1150Pilot View Post
                  Athens, along with Rome, is a place where I absolutely loathe driving.
                  Originally posted by Rich82GS750TZ View Post
                  .I would be scared and never want to drive any vehicle in Athens, and I’m a seasoned Boston driver...
                  Athens is insane, for sure. Pretty much the outer limit of what I’m willing to drive in.
                  '20 Ducati Multistrada 1260S, '93 Ducati 750SS, '01 SV650S, '07 DL650, '01 DR-Z400S, '80 GS1000S, '85 RZ350

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I tend to camp outside cities and bus in if they need
                    visiting. Athens only need to get to port and then to islands.
                    You can get anywhere from that port.

                    I am a month back from Rhodes in between uk
                    and greek lockdown. I hired a 80cc 2 stroke
                    scooter and circumnavigated the island. A good
                    chap who gives me the bike for 10€ a day
                    as I'm a fellow 2st rider. Nice and easy up the
                    winding mountain roads ......

                    I hate hiring a bike. Mad costs. Simply no
                    good for travels as held back by time and money.
                    Having your own GS is like having a horse I
                    found. Just needs food and water (and the gs forum).

                    The issue is can one mentally take the trip back ? I Wonder if
                    you can out bike on a train ?
                    Way back would have to be greece to southern italy
                    on the ferry and up to make it different.

                    let's see how the world is on march !
                    UKJULES
                    ---------------------------------
                    Owner of following bikes:
                    1980 Suzuki GS550ET
                    1977 Yamaha RD 250D
                    1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
                    1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

                    Comment


                      #11
                      do any ferries run from Greece to southern Italy?
                      you could go full magna graecia

                      are you thinking of travelling back home on train with bike?
                      air Canada had a package deal once to cater to the mare usque ad mare types who could only stand 3000 miles not 6000
                      1983 GS 550 LD
                      2009 BMW K1300s

                      Comment


                        #12
                        You can take a ferry to Corfu, and then from there to Bari. I've spent a good amount of time on Corfu, but never took the ferry over to Italy.
                        "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
                        ~Herman Melville

                        2016 1200 Superlow
                        1982 CB900f

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by GS1150Pilot View Post
                          You can take a ferry to Corfu, and then from there to Bari. I've spent a good amount of time on Corfu, but never took the ferry over to Italy.
                          My "Best Man" said he loved Corfu...wish I woulda made it there!

                          Ed

                          ****
                          GS750TZ V&H/4-1, Progressive Shocks, Rebuilt MC/braided line, Tarozzi Stabilizer[Seq#2312]
                          GS750TZ Parts Bike [Seq#6036]
                          GSX-R750Y (Sold)

                          my opinion shouldn't be taken as gospel or in any way that would lead you to believe otherwise (30Sep2021)
                          Originally posted by GSXR7ED
                          Forums are pretty much unrecognizable conversations; simply because it's a smorgasbord of feedback...from people we don't know. It's not too difficult to ignore the things that need to be bypassed.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by GSXR7ED View Post
                            My "Best Man" said he loved Corfu...wish I woulda made it there!

                            Ed

                            ****
                            One of my personal favorites among the islands around Greece. It has a special place in my heart for its significance in The Odyssey.
                            "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
                            ~Herman Melville

                            2016 1200 Superlow
                            1982 CB900f

                            Comment


                              #15
                              On a previous "odyssey " again hiring scooters
                              not taking a motorbike with me , I went from
                              Rhodes, Greece and ended up in Pompei, Italy.
                              This all buy Ferry bar the Athens to Corfu
                              segment.

                              Corfu is wonderful especially the north east
                              area. I checked that out on my usual scout machine
                              a 125 scooter.

                              I went from Corfu to Bari, Italy overnight on the ferry and a bus
                              from Bari to Naples (few hours) and a train
                              to Pompei (an hourish).
                              The greek ferries are fantastic and you can
                              get around all te islands.

                              It all was amazing but I say it would be
                              simply magnificent with ones beloved partner
                              in travels ..... Ones GS !

                              If the pandemic has as i assume killed my career
                              I'll try and get to athens on the bike in april.
                              After that it is easy to get to any island.
                              Last edited by ukjules; 11-25-2020, 03:59 AM.
                              UKJULES
                              ---------------------------------
                              Owner of following bikes:
                              1980 Suzuki GS550ET
                              1977 Yamaha RD 250D
                              1982 Kawasaki GPZ 750 R1
                              1980 Suzuki GSX 250E

                              Comment

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