How to prepare for a trip abroad?

I'm something of a paranoid list-maker and have already realised that this weekend is the last one I have to prep the bike for Germany, as next weekend is my sister's wedding. As far as I can make out it is much like prepping for ToL but with some additional factors. As a Euro-touring virgin any advice would be welcome. So far I have:

- ordered a GB-logo number plate (no obvious space for a GB sticker)
- bought a puncture repair kit
- checked the bike over for fluids, pressures, pad thickness, tyre condition etc
- cleaned it!
- sorted out my passport, driving licence, insurance, log book, travel insurance, EHIC (and it is taxed and MoTed)

One thing yet to look as is how do you mask/convert the headlight? Was planning to park in front of the garage door and go at it with some insulating tape.

The AA seem to suggest that I don't need a warning triangle since I am on a bike, not in a car. I plan to get a couple of spare bulbs but don't have a compact hi-vis vest.

Obviously I'll need clothes, including a stout pair of drinking trousers it seems. Oh, and a camera.

Am I over-analysing? It's a thing I do. I really am looking forward to it!

mobile phone - have roaming switched on by your service provider before leaving the uk.
phone charger.
euro electric plug adapter/converter.
Beer chits.
visa card (for emergency).
Paracetamol (to go with the stout drinking trousers)

you do need to have a day glow hi-viz vest to travel through France and Belgium (tho you don't need to wear it).

I remember packing spare headlight bulbs, spare glasses and a first aid kit as these are all required to be carried in some European countries. I think. I'm looking for the information with no luck yet. Maybe I was just being super-paranoid?

Lee

good point with the glasses and contact lenses if required. 1st Aid kit I carry too not sure if it's law tho.

Also don't forget any meds you may have to take

And don,t forget to take your bikes spare keys i also took a can of slime in case of punture
& one of that things that can pump petrol from 1 bike to another incase 1 of you run out
pete hope you have A great time
fred ^ pete

Here's some stuff I took.... some of it was required by law (I think) in the different countries we went through.

Spare bulbs (I think they're required in Germany) (no requirement to tape up your headlight as far as I'm aware)
High Visibility Vest - Amazing how small you can fold these things up (Don't have to wear it but I think it's the law to have one with you in France?)
First Aid Kit (I think this is a requirement somewhere?)
GB Sticker (I Had one on my pillion seat)
Rain Suit (Would never go abroad without one - the best £40 I've ever spent)
Cable ties
Bungees
Electrical Insulation Tape
Couple of bin bags / carrier bags (don't know why.... but you never know )
Couple of old rags / cloths
Replaced standard Yamaha toolkit with some decent spanners / sockets / multitools etc.
Torch
Swiss Army Knife
Spare Gloves
AA Europpe map (You never know when the sat nav will stop working)
Good old fashioned compass (got laughed at by my mate but we used it loads as we didn't take a sat nav)
MOT / Insurance / Logbook
Small note pad and pen
Get yourself some European Breakdown Cover
Euro Eltectrical Plug Adaptor
I have a dark helmet visor and so I usually always carry a spare clear one with me anyway so this came with me too.
Decent disk lock.
Some sort of locking cable so you can leave your lid with the bike when you go for a walk.

You'll probably find that you won't use half the stuff you take. I think Charlie and Ewan have as lot to answer for with their trips around the world. It makes you think you have to take the kitchen sink. The reality is that Europe isn't that different to here and you can always buy anything that you forget when you're over there.... It's mad.... they have shops and everything over there !!

If I remember anything else I'll post on here again.... if not... Good luck... Not that you'll need it. You'll love it and won't be able to wait until next year so you can do it again!

Think i'm gonna go in the car if we gotta take all that stuff !, lol

You don't even need to take the car. Just put the telly in the garage, sit on the bike and watch a few episodes of Allo Allo. To make it more real go out for dinner in the evening and talk loudly to the waiter and moan that they don't do 'just normal fish and chips'. To top it off get your wife to act 'a bit foreign.

Dont forget to inform your insurance company where you are going and when. They like to know this stuff for some reason.

.. and your bank would like it if you told them too - might prevent a stopped card.

Might want to take some chain lube/wax.

Bike, clothes and lots and lots of beer tokens!!!