Italy recommendations

[burridge01]

Off to Italy August/September, will be doing the San Marino MotoGP and all things Lambretta related.Then I will be riding further down and want to visit the monastery at Monte Cassino and the Gustav Line as well as a trip into Rome.Anyone recommend an area(will rent an apartment for a week)that can cover all these as well as some decent roads to ride.Thanks for any tips

[Steve398]

Hi Gary

We’ve toured Italy a fair bit but headed towards predetermined destinations, staying for a night and then moving on to the next stop. Been to Naples and Rome, and stayed at Tivoli for a couple of nights to see the Cardinals house.
If you join MyRoute App there’s lots of recommended runs on there like this one -

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I’ll have a look through some of our old routes to see if there’s anything that may suit you.

Also have a look at Simon Weirs webpage, he’s been touring forever and has a stock of routes that may appeal… there is a charge because that’s how he makes his living, he can also design a personalised route for you if you tell him exactly what you want to do.
https://www.simonweir.co.uk/italy-swiss

Steve

[burridge01]

Hi Steve(happy new year)Since I posted and got no replies(not many on here that tour on a touring bike i spose )I've done research and booked 3 places.
Anzio-Monte Cassino,Gustav line,Rome
Pietrafitta-Rides discovering inner Italy(researching routes)
Rimini-MotoGP,all things Lambretta(alot round that neck of the woods)a day up to the biggest auto jumble in Europe at the Imola circuit.

Not yet booked
Austria-Dolomites
Germany.

And lastly,but the most important bit.BUY THE BIKE FOR THE TRIP

[Steve398]

Looking good, I’m sure you’ll have a great time

Check your daily travel times carefully, the difference between the time taken on the motorway as opposed to what is essentially A class roads (but frequently in very poor condition especially in the south), or municipal roads can be huge.

Speed limits, as you’d expect, are generally disregarded except when approaching a hidden camera when suddenly you realise you’re on your own and everyone else is braking. The average Italian motorist appears to believe they’re invulnerable, so expect some crazy overtakes, and they do like to drive really close up behind you before darting out for a death defying move.

The language - You may hear the word “Vaffanculo” being shouted in certain such moments. It directly translates as “F**k you”, however a more acceptable and useful phrase is “Scusa... sono inglese, non parlo italiano” accompanied by a submissive hands up gesture. Worked every time!

PS - Enjoy, I’m very envious Have you got a shortlist of bikes yet?

[burridge01]

I did a bit of Italy 8 years ago(on me 50th big tour-13 country's in 6 weeks )Did San Marino and then down to Ancona for the ferry to Split(never again)The plan is a leisurely ride down to Anzio,over or around Mont Blanc and try and stay of the Tolls(question-are the tolls free for bike,I'm sure I went through gaps at the barrier with a bike painted on the tarmac last time)The driving skills of Italians is duly noted I thought thr reply to abuse was a hand flick from under the chin

Regards bike,I'm on the hunt for a 24 plate GS1250 with sub 5k on the clock.When I had a nose before Christmas, Sycamore was stuffed with them,had a look Wednesday and they had 1(23 plate)Salesman told me they are flat out and can't get enough of them.Will have to look further afield

[Steve398]

Re. The 1250GS… due to the lack of sales and general lukewarm response for the 1300GS/A there is a real shortage of the 1250 model, and dealers have been contacting 1250 GS owners offering cash or a very good deals. Sadly (for you especially) there has been a poor take up of their offers.

I can’t remember any free tolls on the Italian motorways for bikes, in fact due to there being no difference on the charges for cars/bikes the Italian tolls are more expensive than the French.
I take it you have a toll blipper thing to avoid searching for cash or cards at the tolls? Be aware that France is changing over to cameras similar to the M25 tolls, and you must have a blipper or go online to pay.

Mont Blanc - I think the tunnel is closed for repairs throughout most of 2026 but only between 2200-0600 unless problems arise. We tend to go via Val Cenis, this may not show up on online maps just yet as they’re only open during the summer season. I’ve enjoyed the unique experience of riding down the road on the bike in June that I skied down 5 months before. If you can’t find it I’ll look it up and send you the route. In the meantime here’s a shot to give you the idea…

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[burridge01]

Cheers Steve,the 1250's pop up regular, but sell bloody quickly. Got me eye on one as I type that I'll go and see monday.

I've driven through Monte Blanc before,so is over,or round this time(thanks for the map)I do have a tag for France but I'm hoping to stay off the tolls as much as possible,and hopefully ive given meself enough time to do just that.

[Steve398]

Off the subject… have you tried one of these?

https://www.vogemotorcycles.com/model/2 ... rally-2017

A mate has one and loves it, BMW engine and ‘loaded’ as he describes it (he’s younger than me… but then again, so are most people!)

https://vogemotorcycles.com/post/review ... r-ps9k-867

[burridge01]

Me head is pretty much set on the GS Steve,especially the European cover they offer with the 2 year thingy they give on a used bike,it will be bought from a dealer


Can't quite work this out on Google maps,


Is it the only route over/around the mountain.If so,it's the one I'll be taking (via me TomTom with Tolls turned off and shortest route)

[Steve398]

There’s probably others but we’ve skied at Val Cenis so we kinda know the town, and the road’s suitably wiggly. There’s a bar/diner where you see the food stop (#2) when we stop for brunch, good food, coffee, and parking.

I loaded the map from MyRouteApp directly onto my Tomtom, Google won’t display the wiggly road out of Val Cenis because it’s winter and is currently a Green ski run named ‘L’escargot’, it won’t show as a road until probably March when the snow’s gone.

Just for interests sake MyRouteApp is available free but with limited options, I buy the Gold version for about £32 annually. It’s a really good route planner.

[Steve398]

This is why it won’t show up as a route, that section of the road is closed.

-

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[burridge01]

I'm glad we eventually got to the bottom of that road Steve.Everything is booked up and as you know,I now have the GSA1250. I'm booked up as far as this place

Tibet hut/hotel on the Stelvio Pass.


When I leave here,it starts the last leg and homeward bound.Will be looking to spend the last 10ish days in Austria/ Germany.
This is whats booked/payed for so far.

Got a fair bit to see and do,looking forward to it

[Steve398]

Looks a great trip well done

[Doctor T]

Just don't leave your helmet unlocked. I found out the hard way when in Italy. Some bugger nicked it. Had to ride with a hard hat on before i could find a motorbike shop

[burridge01]

Never leave me lid unsecured in any country Doc.Wankers everywhere.