Greetings! Just finished a holiday that included driving by car around Tuscany, Chianti,Apuane Alps and so on. I was struck by the crazy hair pin runs, stunning countryside and endless places to visit with weather that made me wish for my bonnie...but.. Italian bikers (and scooter riders) are evidently mad-the majority thrash around in and out of traffic,ignore lights,crossings,arrive either side of vehicles (including when turning) and wear nothing but helmet (usually),shorts,T shirts,flip flops..on the motorway or in open country side.The car drivers also thrash around. On bends they appear through blind corners and I can’t believe I never saw any carnage... It is though an improvement on Vietnam!! Has any one ridden these runs on a bike? Did you were your leathers or what? M
Love the Italians! The speed limit signs are a minimum, you'll get pulled over if you're going slower. Arrested if you're in a Ferrari or on a Ducati!
In 2017 I had a similar Italian trip with 2 pals on our bikes - it was 11 days of beautiful women, corners, pasta and red wine. And brilliant architecture. I want to go back......................................................
Did a village south of Venice, cobbled streets with scooter riders falling off the corners as it rained. Whatever happened to Italian common sense? It was a good adventure as we came down from the Austrian alps then back up into French alps
Hello Martin and welcome to the forum Been to Italy a couple of times on bike once to the Dolomites and to Lake Garda. There’s plenty of good roads to be enjoyed on the journey there.
Hi, Yes the roads are epic,especially off the motorway. The startling thing was the riding with no protection coupled to the speeds and road behaviour. Thanks for the welcome,I’ve sung the forum praises in a couple of threads!
Welcome in Martin, yes, great place to ride, once the bug bites difficult not to keep going back. And yes they're mad but mostly competent and paying attention, it all seems to work some how. You're more likely to see road rage for being too slow and getting in the way.
Hi, Yes...I think that’s a great view...they are all over the place but in control of it,and the car traffic copes with it as well...I must go back on a bike then!
Welcome here. And have fun in Italy when you're going Even I (and I'm known for speeding) was to slow on the highway for the average Italian. I'd do a slip course and speed training on a circuit before I would go and drive my Bonnie there.
I visited Rome last year on the way from Albania to the FIM Motocamp in Poppi near Florence. I woke early in a campsite near Rome and decided to see what the commuter traffic was like, and set the satnav for the Colosseum. At the first traffic lights it was a Grand-Prix start with the scooters surrounding the cars and shooting away before the cars had moved, after a few more demo traffic lights I began to join in although on a 900 Trophy loaded with camping gear I couldn't keep up with the scoots. A little more sightseeing and a coffee to calm down I left for Pisa having learnt a lot about getting ahead Italian style.
Welcome to the Asylum you should fit right in. To keep the inmates happy we will need photos when going out for a ride on you're bike make sure you have every thing you need just in case. Tucker
That’s nothing compared to Thailand and Vietnam ,they have greenhouses,four kids,spare engines..and the list goes on!!And on!!
