riding in Spain | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

riding in Spain

@ lightcycle or anyone else...how do you carry it on the plane?...mine fits in a backpack but it's bigger than the personal items dimensions on AC's website...hubby's doesn't fit, he'd have to get a helmet bag and they too are over their dimensions...thinking of putting them (we decided to take our own for hygiene and communication reasons) into checked baggage (with lots of towels/bubble wrap around them)...any other suggestions (first time doing this)
 
ifiddles said:
@ lightcycle or anyone else...how do you carry it on the plane?...mine fits in a backpack but it's bigger than the personal items dimensions on AC's website...hubby's doesn't fit, he'd have to get a helmet bag and they too are over their dimensions...thinking of putting them (we decided to take our own for hygiene and communication reasons) into checked baggage (with lots of towels/bubble wrap around them)...any other suggestions (first time doing this)
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It counts as your personal item (ladies might have to give up the purse).

When i brought mine to thailand it fit under the seat in front of me, so that's where it stayed. (In the cloth bag)
 
ifiddles said:
@ lightcycle or anyone else...how do you carry it on the plane?...mine fits in a backpack but it's bigger than the personal items dimensions on AC's website...hubby's doesn't fit, he'd have to get a helmet bag and they too are over their dimensions...thinking of putting them (we decided to take our own for hygiene and communication reasons) into checked baggage (with lots of towels/bubble wrap around them)...any other suggestions (first time doing this)
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Most airlines are pretty lenient about the personal items dimensions. We've flown many many different ones - Air Canada included - and not one has ever turned us away when we showed up helmets in hand (or in a helmet bag).
 
I dunno I wouldn't take a chance like that with Air Canada they can be such a-holes with it comes to policy (not budging). Never mind their customer service is crap to begin with.
 
@ sburns and that's my concern...what if they turn around and say we can't bring it on board, then what happens to them?...but i'm nervous about putting them in a soft sided suitcase (albeit wrapping them in bubble wrap and towels for protection) and being knocked around or thrown around...thought of buying one there, but their prices are ridiculous...and really don't want to use a rental one...ugggh...too much stress...
 
ifiddles said:
@ sburns and that's my concern...what if they turn around and say we can't bring it on board, then what happens to them?...but i'm nervous about putting them in a soft sided suitcase (albeit wrapping them in bubble wrap and towels for protection) and being knocked around or thrown around...thought of buying one there, but their prices are ridiculous...and really don't want to use a rental one...ugggh...too much stress...
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There is no reason they would not let you take it as a personal item, don't stress over it.
 
I've flown a few airlines with my helmet, most of the time, I'm quite a bit over the carry-on limits.
No issues with the trans atlantic/pacific flights, but if you were going to take any regional flights within the EU, pay DOUBLE attention to their carry on limits. That $50 flight includes diddly.

Usually have a small backpack, a duffle, and a helmet in a cloth bag.
 
MSRP said:
I've flown a few airlines with my helmet, most of the time, I'm quite a bit over the carry-on limits.
No issues with the trans atlantic/pacific flights, but if you were going to take any regional flights within the EU, pay DOUBLE attention to their carry on limits. That $50 flight includes diddly.

Usually have a small backpack, a duffle, and a helmet in a cloth bag. If you encounter any hesitation, just put the helmet on your head, and "I don't speak _____ language" until the complaints subside.
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Man just buy a helmet there. There is a store called Motocar in Barcelona and several others. They have models/designs we will never have here ... Roof etc..
 
vanjka said:
Man just buy a helmet there. There is a store called Motocar in Barcelona and several others. They have models/designs we will never have here ... Roof etc..
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Sounds expensive, or are helmets cheap there?
 
vanjka said:
Man just buy a helmet there. There is a store called Motocar in Barcelona and several others. They have models/designs we will never have here ... Roof etc..
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they start at $53 Euro, which is about $75 CDN...but then I'd have to bring it back, so same issue, and we already have our Sena's in our current helmets for talking to one another...we're bringing them as our carry on and checking in our clothes...it's all good... :D
 
OK start shopping around, there must be stores in Barcelona that can get you a helmet at a price you like. Do not convert into CND $ try to think like the locals.
 
ifiddles you are correct. When I lived there I carried my Suomi as hand luggage and enjoyed it there. They can do the same ;) (y) :cool:
 
vanjka said:
OK start shopping around, there must be stores in Barcelona that can get you a helmet at a price you like. Do not convert into CND $ try to think like the locals.
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What is the point of "thinking like a local" they don't live there, don't earn money in Euros, and don't know where the local moto shops are? Why waste time shopping around when they could be using this time to ride.
 
sburns said:
What is the point of "thinking like a local" they don't live there, don't earn money in Euros, and don't know where the local moto shops are? Why waste time shopping around when they could be using this time to ride.
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Not sure what the point is that I'm trying to convey, but riding in Spain/Italy is so unfamiliar if all you've known is riding in Ontario/New York/Pennsylvania. Most of my riding locally is "spend x hours on bike until daylight, then rest".

Riding over there is way more 'rewarding'.. each road side stop = jaw dropping views and food. I found myself intentionally stopping WELL before dusk to enjoy the EU evening-life with the locals. "shopping" at a Dainese store is fun. I guess to sum it up, slow but rewarding riding to be found in Italy/Spain. 5 hours of saddle time there > the same 5 hours here. Lots more blind corners that are nerve-wracking in the first hour, but much easier as the day progresses or if you get to follow a local rider and their pace.
 
Done northern Spain and some riding around the coast (Barca to Valencia) long time back. Spain is for riding but not so much in the city, it was nuts back then I can only imagine now. Since you'll be on a scooter, just rent the helmet, they're fine. As adventure touring goes, soap,water and alcohol gets rid of everything. Also, you can pick up a very decent helmets for under 50 euros in most shops down there.. Not sure what kind of scooters you're going to get but Southern Spain would be super ideal for more touring pace, Madrid to barca is fun on a 1000RR :)
 
BB722 said:
3. A-397 from Marbella to Ronda, Spain

Heard this is a really nice road over there
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I rode this with my wife in 2012... first ride outside of Canada. Rented a FZ7 for 3 days starting this route to Ronda, Cordoba, Seville, Grenada and Malaga. Amazing Ride. Used a map so got lost a lot but a great place to get lost. In the middle of nowhere I took off my helmet to take a pic and two cops on bikes gave me a no helmet ticket. Had to pay on the spot.

As much as I loved riding in Southern Spain, we did the Alps later in the year and again the next year in 2013 and the roads were even better.
 
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Also to add, if you're looking to rent a bike in Southern spain, this is the place to do it. https://www.motomercadorent.net/

We used the Fuengirola location – Jack was the guys name (nicest guy you'll ever meet). He chatted on the phone with me from Canada for a half hour on our first call and explained everything. He even gave me his own jacket and gloves to use, and his wife's for my wife. He marked up the map with the routes to take and sent us off. Top notch experience. If anyone uses them again, please let me know if Jack is still around (pretty sure he was the owner). Would love to hear about it.

Just found my old Flickr album of the trip for those interested. Bike trip starts when you first see the FZ7 out front of Moto Mercado's shop:
Spain 2012
 
Trials said:
Fit for sure, I might even take an open face if that was more appropriate, hygiene is huge, I'm no germaphobe but helmets can get absolutely gross fast on some heads. Also because my helmets are pretty good compared to the average cheap helmet that you will be seeing at a scooter rental place.
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I rented a bike in Barcelona...very reasonable and unlimited kms. - rode all the way north to Andorra and then to Normandy. Amazing roads and people...very little English. Many mountainous roads in the north with tons of switchbacks. great riding, but be careful! Cars are no problem and give way to bikes - kick your right leg out to them as you pass to say thank you!
 
lowrider said:
I rented a bike in Barcelona...very reasonable and unlimited kms. - rode all the way north to Andorra and then to Normandy. Amazing roads and people...very little English. Many mountainous roads in the north with tons of switchbacks. great riding, but be careful! Cars are no problem and give way to bikes - kick your right leg out to them as you pass to say thank you!
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Oh is that what that means? I thought he just had a bee up his pant leg :|
 
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