International Motorcycle Riding

[Nalayah]

For 10 months this year, my family is hosting an exchange student from Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Due to training in the Army, I plan on visiting her and her family in 2010, provided she keeps thinking that I'm a good host-brother. Now, at that time, I'll be 19, and near an Autobahn. Provided meine kleine Schwester and her mother are ok with it, I plan on seeing what a Busa/ZX-14R can really do in a straight line.

So, the question I have is, is it possible to rent bikes in Europe as a tourist? What kinds of things do I need to do to get an international driver's license? Right now I have my full license with a motorcycle endorsement for IA, with just a parking ticket on my record.

And, on a bit of a different subject, would my DOT approved helmet pass for helmet laws in Germany? Or would I need something with a European certification?

[Saleenguy]

if you ride a zx14 it will only do 300 km/hr stock....it has a restrictor on it.
A simple chip programer defeats it though.
by the way a ZX14 feels rock solid at 300 km/hr, like it was born to run there all day long.....at 350 its still not bad.

[Fried Chicken]

To be honest, I wouldn't count on it. You will have to find someone at least 25 who will rent it for you, but I think they can sign you up as a second driver (for cars anyway, I don't know how it would be for motorcycles).

Also, the Autobahns near Frankfurt am Main are incredibly full. Don't expect to be able to just ride as fast as you want, unfortunately due to congestion and mommy laws it's not possible everywhere.
You will have to look on a map and travel at weird hours to get that truly awesome Autobahn experience... but boy is it there.

Also, when you're on non-autobahn roads, obey the speed limit. Not like here where you can w/o hesitation drive 5-10 mph faster, there they expect you to hold to the speed limit.

[Box]

You helmet is no use here, must have a European standard safety sticker.

[Nalayah]

Thanks for the advice, Fried. I'll see if I can pay her mother to sign the paperwork. And thanks Box. Do most of the same Japanese/Chinese companies sell European standard helmets in Europe?

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by Nalayah

Thanks for the advice, Fried. I'll see if I can pay her mother to sign the paperwork. And thanks Box. Do most of the same Japanese/Chinese companies sell European standard helmets in Europe?

Just get the sticker on ebay and slap it on your helmet.....seriously thats what I did.
I have ridden in Europe several times.

[Nalayah]

Sneaky . Thanks! The police there aren't very anal about checking, are they?

[Saleenguy]

Originally Posted by Nalayah

Sneaky . Thanks! The police there aren't very anal about checking, are they?

Not really.
And if you already have a DOT approved helmet its certified by a governement, just not theirs is all....its not like its not safe.

[insolentminx]

you should be able to hire a bike on your US license... You might be able to hire a helmet and safetey gear from them too to save taking your helmet with you.

try and contact bike hire places near where you're going. that's the best way to find out and they're probably the best people to ask about riding there.

i've done France but not Germany.