L
Living4now
Guest
Going to Italy next month and just wondering what it's like to ride there! 
DECIMIS
Well-known member
The roads are absolutely insane. I was nervous driving a car, the roads are narrow, constantly bending and elevation changes. Would be a dream to ride a bike on some of them though. Some of the roads there would not be allowed here. Take it easy, and it will be thrilling!
I've only been in the Alps in northern Italy. In a word: awesome.
There is one fundamental difference in motorcycle riding patterns. Here, we are taught "blocking position" - left side of the lane. There, standard practice is "take as little space as possible" - right side of lane. Many roads are not two full lanes wide. If there is a car coming the other direction, they will give you the space you need, but not more, and if there is room to pass, they will not slow down. As long as you live by "take as little space as possible" it's not a problem, it's just different.
if you have not driven/ridden outside US/Canada, educate yourself on the international traffic signs and laws, because there are some differences. CAA has a booklet that you get when you apply for an international driving permit. No right turn on a red traffic light. The sign with the name of a town on it also implies "default urban traffic rules" - basically, 50 km/h speed limit unless signed otherwise, and that speed limit applies right where that sign is - there are no "50 km/h ahead" signs. The cancellation sign (same sign with a diagonal strikethrough) means the restriction no longer applies; a cancellation of a town-name sign means "default rural traffic rules", I think Italy's default rural speed limit is 90 km/h. Watch out for photo radar but from what I saw, that was mostly in towns and on motorways. There is a big sign before any permanent speed camera location ... it's in Italian but not hard to figure out.
European drivers are much more used to having motorcycles on the roads because there are a lot more of them (mostly scooters).
I spent about a week there on a rental BMW F800ST. Enjoy.
There is one fundamental difference in motorcycle riding patterns. Here, we are taught "blocking position" - left side of the lane. There, standard practice is "take as little space as possible" - right side of lane. Many roads are not two full lanes wide. If there is a car coming the other direction, they will give you the space you need, but not more, and if there is room to pass, they will not slow down. As long as you live by "take as little space as possible" it's not a problem, it's just different.
if you have not driven/ridden outside US/Canada, educate yourself on the international traffic signs and laws, because there are some differences. CAA has a booklet that you get when you apply for an international driving permit. No right turn on a red traffic light. The sign with the name of a town on it also implies "default urban traffic rules" - basically, 50 km/h speed limit unless signed otherwise, and that speed limit applies right where that sign is - there are no "50 km/h ahead" signs. The cancellation sign (same sign with a diagonal strikethrough) means the restriction no longer applies; a cancellation of a town-name sign means "default rural traffic rules", I think Italy's default rural speed limit is 90 km/h. Watch out for photo radar but from what I saw, that was mostly in towns and on motorways. There is a big sign before any permanent speed camera location ... it's in Italian but not hard to figure out.
European drivers are much more used to having motorcycles on the roads because there are a lot more of them (mostly scooters).
I spent about a week there on a rental BMW F800ST. Enjoy.
Riding in Italy is not easy, driving a car can be just as difficult. I had taken both and I would carry a towel in the car to wipe off the sweat and I drive a lot here.
In some of the other threads, members complain about cars in their lane, being cut off etc...I laugh cause wait till your driving/riding there , no rules it's a question of just getting where and how you want to go and how fast you can get there.
In some of the other threads, members complain about cars in their lane, being cut off etc...I laugh cause wait till your driving/riding there , no rules it's a question of just getting where and how you want to go and how fast you can get there.
Stephen W.
Well-known member
Europe is a motorcycle society and Italy its spiritual capital. It can be very intimidating at first but the more you ride the easier it’ll get. You can split lanes and car drivers actually pull over to allow you to pass. Some highways have very high speed limits or none all but they do enforce the limits including using speed cameras. You need eyes in the bake of your head to keep up with whose where. It’s not uncommon to find people trying to split lanes in cars and drive on the sidewalks.Be forewarned though, after riding in Europe you’ll wish for the same laws here. Enjoy your time in Italy. Why and for how long will you be in Italy?
L
Living4now
Guest
Meeting my sister there who's currently traveling around the world. Booked for two weeks but thinking of extending it to three. We're hitting Rome, Tuscany, Florence and Venice, we think. Never been before. Really excited!
They have a 3pm siesta, so make sure you hit a card pay pump or dill up before they shut down.
Northern Italy is incredible with the Dolomites. Can't say enough how beautiful the passes and road conditions are, but as Brian P stated, many roads are only lane and a half, so take it easy on blind corners.
The photo radar is forward facing, unlike Austria which is rear facing, pretty much only seen in towns.
Enjoy!
Northern Italy is incredible with the Dolomites. Can't say enough how beautiful the passes and road conditions are, but as Brian P stated, many roads are only lane and a half, so take it easy on blind corners.
The photo radar is forward facing, unlike Austria which is rear facing, pretty much only seen in towns.
Enjoy!
Rome, like any big city, can be a little hectic to drive or ride because you may not know where you need to go. The Tuscany area is spectacular , you'll love it, why not take a trip to Bologna while in Tuscany to visit Ducati? Venice , as I recall, you will need to park before entering the city as no cars are allowed, and beautiful.
I drove many times from the south of France to Sicily on both east and west sides, simply gorgeous and as I , you may comeback with a totally different perspective on driving/riding, will certainly improve your skills and respect for the "left lane".
I drove many times from the south of France to Sicily on both east and west sides, simply gorgeous and as I , you may comeback with a totally different perspective on driving/riding, will certainly improve your skills and respect for the "left lane".
The first time I rode a street bike was 6 years ago in Italy. My cousin had to go to work and gave me the key to his f4i to get around. IMO the drivers there are much better than drivers here. There is a certain etiquette they follow, and as long as you learn that etiquette it's actually much less stressful. I went back last year and drove a fiat punto from Rome to sorrento. When in Rome, drive as the Romans drive. Or you will get yelled at.
L
Living4now
Guest
All great advice! Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I adore Ducatis so it would be great to swing by Bologna and check that out.
It's called Pranzo, and most parts of the country in the North stopped this about 20 years ago. You can certainly buy gas.
The best part of the Italian experience is the Autogrills on the Autrostrada, these are proper restaurants with real food, not that Timmies fat and sugar crap we have here on the 400s.
Riding has changed significantly since they brought in a licence points system in Italy. Some cities are still difficult, as riders will lane split and pass on both sides in a left turn in an intersection. Scooters rule the roads in cities, where you will see gorgeous women in 5 inch heels ride those things like trackdays.
In Milan, throttles have two positions: 100% and off. Everyone wears gear, no squids. Lots of people in cafes in casts and slings, as crashes are really common. Do not try and follow an Italian rider: they are better than you and will do stuff that you won't believe, like lane splitting on the yellow lines on a narrow two lane highway between car travelling in opposite directions. I had one bounce off the side of my rental car at 120 km/hr and apologize to me.
The Autostrada now all have speed limits. No fatasses in pickups in the left lanes drinking double-doubles, people take road rules seriously there and beware Germans in Mercedes booking it above 200.
The alps are gorgeous, but there are a lot of fatalities as there is little road runoff and very little guardrails. Italians believe in personal responsibility for safety.
See two cities: Bologna (Ducati) (Lamborghini) and Modena (Ferrari), mecca for gear heads. Modena has the best food in Italy.
Also: don't leave anything of value on the bike, thieves will pick it clean and crime is wayyy up post 2008 depression.
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I've driven (cage) in Italy a number of times, mostly in the north, mostly in the Aosta Valley (sister-in-law lives there). Many of the mountain roads are drool-worthy, and envisioning a ride there on a sport bike often occupies my idle thoughts. As most have observed, the overall level of driver competence and discipline in Europe is generally far higher than what see here at home.
Italy has some of the best roads in the world. I was lucky enough to ride through them the last two years, with last year being just incredible when we had around 4 days there. I'm starting my ride report of our 13 days through Europe last September if you'd like to see photos and videos (+ Maps) of some of the best roads you can ride.
Here's the link:
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...omites-Alps-and-Vercors&p=2189549#post2189549
Here's a video from our 3rd day riding through Italy:
[video=vimeo;97730118]http://vimeo.com/97730118[/video]
Here's the link:
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...omites-Alps-and-Vercors&p=2189549#post2189549
Here's a video from our 3rd day riding through Italy:
[video=vimeo;97730118]http://vimeo.com/97730118[/video]
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Now you got me wishing I went inside to eat... assumed it would be sub-par food so we used the washrooms and moved on.
No, they are awesome. People actually wait and drive from France to eat at those places, they serve all the regional foods, cheeses, cured meats, breads, everything fresh.
There are McDonalds in Italy, but I've only seen tourists eat there.
Cafe Ray....you seem to sure know Italy....and you spot on with the auto grills...they are the best rest areas I have ever seen.
But to make the following statement,
"Modena has the best food in Italy."
C'mon Ray, all of Italy has great food ! World Cup soccer team on the other hand, a different story.
But to make the following statement,
"Modena has the best food in Italy."
C'mon Ray, all of Italy has great food ! World Cup soccer team on the other hand, a different story.
Lol. I was there two years ago in Bolzano and ran across it a couple of times.
I like the food in the North, Tuscan cuisine doesn't work for me (still cook with no salt over an argument with the Romans 2000 years ago..time to let it go.). Southern food is all tomato and pasta.
But, Italians have high standards for food, so some of the best Indian and Sushi restaurants are in Milan.
Modena is famous for balsamic vinegar, 100 euro an ounce for the good stuff, and Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine.
Stephen W.
Well-known member
We were fortunate to spend 10 days riding and sight seeing as the guests of Ducati. We saw Bologna, Modena, Florence and Tuscany. It all culminated with the MotoGP at Mugello. In 2005, most everywhere we rode shut down in the afternoons. Museums, parks and the like didn't. Speaking of museums, you have to book your Ducati tour in advance. There was no charge and often it's just a day or two but organising this before you leave would be best. You can also visit it via Google Earth's Street View. As many work Saturdays it was hard to find anything open on a Monday. Even the Ducati Factory Store closes on Mondays. Gas was fine as all the stations we used had automatic pumps. Feed in your Euros and the pump would spit out the exact amount. Knowing how much you needed was the problem as they didn't give you change.
Oh and because they take a mid day break they work late. Be prepared, most Italians have supper at 8:00 or 9:00 ish. It's the one thing the wife and I could not get used to. On the other hand we never had to wait to be seated at restaurants around our usual 6:00 ish supper hour.
Oh and because they take a mid day break they work late. Be prepared, most Italians have supper at 8:00 or 9:00 ish. It's the one thing the wife and I could not get used to. On the other hand we never had to wait to be seated at restaurants around our usual 6:00 ish supper hour.
