Speed limits in France

[Dusty ST]

I thought this was another piece of fake news, but apparently as from 1st July the 90km/h speed limit in France drops to 80.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/10/france-cuts-speed-limit-rise-deaths

Opps, looks like this is already covered...

[seth]

it was mentioned in another thread but its good for it to be highlighted again .
france seams to see drivers/riders as an even bigger cash source than here with all the strict rules on what you need to carry and have with you at all times.
now lowering speed limits and now they can chase us back here too.
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?topic=2168.0

[gsxbarmy]

Also note for France that since May 2017 you are required to wear CE certified gloves when riding

[Andre]

I'll try to not cross the border to France when riding in Belgium and Luxemburg.

[seth]

I'm with you andre.
france is a stunning place but not worth the hassle going there.
i prefer Netherlands , Germany , Belgium , Austria  and Luxembourg.
also anywhere northen europe .

[Blubber]

- Have you tried to look up the maximum speeds of a motorcycle with a trailer behind it in Germany ?

That's even worse .

[Andre]

I'm with you andre.
france is a stunning place but not worth the hassle going there.
i prefer Netherlands , Germany , Belgium , Austria  and Luxembourg.
also anywhere northen europe .

Yes, France has some stunning places. So has Norway. But the fines for going just a little over the low speed limit in Norway make it an undesirable place for me to ride.

@Blubber Don't know about that speed limit for bikes with trailers.

Speed limit here for country roads, unless noted otherwise, is 100 km/h. Some of my favorites have 70 km/h limit and a watchful bike cop with a video camera. However, he says that he doesn't bother with anyone going 20 over. He is only interested in those who confuse the public roads with the race track. Going 90 in those corners is more than plenty for me, my skills and pleasure.

Being retired, road closures for bikes on weekends and holidays don't bother me much as I don't ride in those areas on these days. Too much traffic and way too many drivers/riders who come across the line into my lane. Not my cup of coffee. But then I have the luxury of being flexible.

[Timothy Spencer]

On last years Euro trip we spent one night in France, just over the border from Geneva where we waited for the bike to arrive on a lorry. The result was we spent just 5 or so miles in France on the bike and then into Switzerland, Italy, Switzerland again, Austria, Switzerland again, Germany Luxemburg, Belgium and home - we avoided France on purpose.

The French ignore EU laws as it suits them and they will obey this change in the law as it suits them too. They will of course penalise tourists to the letter of the new law.

[Andre]

Unfortunately Switzerland is on my no-ride list too. Opening the throttle too much and you run the risk of getting your vehicle confiscated. Or worse, you land in jail. With no prior record, guy going 200 in a 120 zone got 2 years. I understand pulling racers off the road but that's a bit heavy imo. I loved the years I lived there and enjoy looking back. If I want to be in the Alps I head to Austria.

[Mick_J]

Should be an ambulance driver in the UK.  Chap got caught doing 116 in his own car and got off cos he drives an ambulance for work.  One law for some another for some others

[lil4399]

The New speed limit here is because France has one of the highest road death figures in Europe.

Fuck all to do with speed though, you can buy and use a 2 stroke car with no licence (either never had one or lost it for drunk driving) they do 45 kph and force articulated wagons to pass them on minor roads. You come the other way and the truck wipes you out and dumps you in a 1 metre deep ditch.

[lil4399]

Also on a separate but close, point. If you visit us here, make sure you carry spare bulbs and a hi vis vest in case of breakdown. Fines for both if you don't have them.

It does all make France sound anti motorist/cyclist but in reality we have few speed cameras  (and they all have a warning sign approx. 1 kilometre before), and in my 3 years here, I have seen 4 mobile radar traps. Two of them police Yamaha XJ1300 riders.

[Andre]

And don't forget them CE1 (or whatever) gloves Anything else we need to carry?

Bit off topic but this makes a good watching imo:

HIT AND RUN - the Christmas Vigilante in Paris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muAPJiMho2Y&feature=youtu.be

[gsxbarmy]

Really looking forward to my trip down to Switzerland later this year through France  (sic)

[lil4399]

And don't forget them CE1 (or whatever) gloves Anything else we need to carry?

Bit off topic but this makes a good watching imo:

HIT AND RUN - the Christmas Vigilante in Paris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muAPJiMho2Y&feature=youtu.be

The police, as yet, are not hot on checking gloves, there are also rules on having reflective strips on helmets (even the manufacturers ignore this) and carrying your own breatheliser though they have dropped the fine on this one so wtf?