Emmenrausch 2009

[djsbriscoe]

Hi,
Anybody going this year? If so, where exactly in Germany is it being held?
Just curious,as my long term aim is to go along at least once, once I've worked up the courage.
It's a long way to travel especially for someone who has no experience of continental travel.
Which ports and routes are the best?
Anyway it'd be nice to hear if someone is planning on going.

David.

[Norman Wade]

The rally is held at the MZ factory in Hohndorf, next to Zschopau. If you look at a map of Germany, this is in the south of the former East Germany, between Chemnitz and Prague.
A group of us went from the UK in 2002, and I traveled from Rosyth to Zeebrugge as I live in Central Scotland. There's report of my trip at http://www.mzskorpion.net/page9.htm and another by Mike at http://www.mzskorpion.net/page8.htm
It's about 500 miles/800km from most of the Channel ports, so is fairly easy to do in two days. For route planning, have a look at http://www.mappy.co.uk/ Very useful for organising European trips.
It's a great rally and well worth going to. Also, if you're going it's worth driving on another 80 or so miles and visiting Prague, one of Europe's most spectacular cities.

Norman
http://www.mzskorpion.net

[DAVID THOMPSON]

hay dave
just remember to drive on the correct side of the road or should that be the right side of the road

get some higher bars on that traveller or a tank bag to lay on ....

i have just put 25 miles on mine to day and the bars are too low for me
and i did a r90s bmw for 28 years
try for more like the rt125 seating position....
dave

[Norman Wade]

Riding on the right isn't that difficult, and is a lot easier on busy roads (where you've got other vehicles to 'remind' you). If you're going to the Emmenrausch, you'll come out of the ferry port straight onto a motorway, and riding on them is easy enough. Just watch out on country roads, in town, and when turning out of petrol stations. Also, going round a roundabout the other way is 'interesting' the first time! I found riding a bike on the right a LOT easier than driving a car. On the car I made a sticker for the RHS mirror that said 'kerb' and an arrow pointing right.
Before changing the handlebars, try a long run to see how you get on. Personally, I've had no problem with them and have ridden 500+ miles a day on numerous occasions. (Glasgow to South Coast). Perhaps it's a regional thing. Traditionally, bikes have had higher bars in the US than they had in the UK, so possibly it's a case of what you're used to. I remember when I first started riding in the mid 70s, bikes sold in the US usually had bars 3 - 4 inches higher than the same model sold in the UK.
If you feel that the Emmenrausch is a bit far for your first trip abroad, then perhaps the Dutch MZ rally might be a better introduction to European riding. See:http://mzskorpion.mybb3.org/mzch-30th-anniversary-rally,-netherlands-t42.html
Since you live in London, it might be worth looking out for cheap 'special deals' on the ferries and popping over to France/Belgium/Netherlands for a few days to get the 'feel' of riding abroad. (plenty of cheap hotels and campsites in France, see:http://www.mzskorpion.net/page19.htm for details of touring in France.)
I remember the trepidation I felt when I first rode abroad (26 years ago!- I'm getting old!), but once you've done it, you'll wonder what you worried about. Riding abroad is great fun, there's so much to see, and the locals are more 'motorcycle friendly' than here in the UK. Go for it, you won't regret it!

Norman
http://www.mzskorpion.net