From 1st January 2016 it will be compulsory for all motorcyclists to carry Gilet de haute Visibilité (High Visibility Vest to those not fluent in French ;) ) and wear them in the event of an emergency/breakdown, whilst in France. 

A fine of €11 will be given if you are spot checked by police and you do not have one carried on your motorcycle and if you are not wearing it at the roadside (in the event of a breakdown/emergency and/or on the hard shoulder) the fine is €135. Please note this also applies to the pillion passenger.     

This issue has been talked about for a few years, but with protests from the FFMC – French Federation of Angry Bikers, the (former) French Interior Minister, Claude Guéant did not implement it and for a time compulsory reflective straps around the arm were worn instead. However with a rise in road deaths on French roads the law has been brought in. 

Other rules

Motorcycles must display dipped headlights (even in broad daylight - Ed; "Harley owners will be happy then!"), along with carrying a full set of replacement bulbs. 

French law also states you have reflective stickers on your helmet - (four of) front, back and one on each side. We have found that this is a French law and not a European law, meaning it 'should' only apply to a French citizen and with a motorcycle registered in France, however would you really want to argue this fact in your pigeon French to the local Gendarme on a summer afternoon in a picturesque village?

Great riding and Biker Friendly Places to stay

Wheather it is your first trip to France and you are to explore the historical and emotional WW1 and WW2 sites, museums and war graves in Normandy, or you are heading down to the South of France, for the renowned Mediterranean coastline, give yourself time to enjoy the lovely minor roads, quaint villages and open countryside - avoiding the fast pasted motorways and saving the cost of the tolls!

It may be tempting to just pack your kit-bag onto your bike and just head off, however it is the experienced traveller that plans the routes and where to stay prior and in this modern age it has never been easier...

For example if you give yourself a daily how many miles you want to travel, along with places you really want to visit/stop at, you can then plan your route via Google Maps, pin-pointing an area you wish to stay and then source the accommodation prior. Many do like to just be spontaneous, however once you have ridden in France, during bad weather or when a festive/bank holiday was on and have tried to find room in the proverbial Inn, you will wish you had planned and booked prior.

Once the route is planned and places to stay booked, you can then load this information onto a Sat-Nav to help you get there. We are not saying to purely use this technology to get you there alone, however it is a far easier (and safer) way to tour on roads you do not know, with a plan and schedual to adhere to. 

On THE BIKER GUIDE we have lots of Biker Friendly Accommodation in France and many with British owners who are happy to give advice on routes, where to go and more...

A day at the beach, from Countryside Holidays in France

A Low Emission Zone has also been introduced in Paris, initially affecting only older (Euro 1) trucks and buses. Restrictions will be extended to all older vehicles from 1 July 2016 and tightened progressively between 2017 and 2020.

More information for Urban Road Tolls, Traffic Limited Zones and Traffic Restrictions to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion and make historic city centres attractive to tourists can be found on www.urbanaccessregulations.eu

It’s not only Honda fans who have waited a long time for this: the CRF 1000 L Africa Twin, a reinterpretation of the legendary XRV 750, which was based on Honda’s successful Dakar bikes. At EICMA 2015, exactly one year on from the presentation of the highly regarded prototype at the fair, the new Honda flagship celebrated its launch – as did the Touratech accessories for it.

Honda called the project “True Adventure” – after all, the Africa Twin sparked the urge to travel in a whole generation of adventurers, and still has a loyal community of fans. A motorbike that invented the adventure segment in 1988 and now wants to win it back is certain to attract the interest of Touratech’s R&D department. Touratech has more than 20 years of experience in developing and manufacturing accessories for the Africa Twin. So it comes as little surprise that Touratech can present an extensive range of accessories for the new Africa Twin.

Special custom parts for the reborn cult bike include tried-and-tested Touratech pannier systems in various sizes and variants, topcase and topcqase rack, an aluminium luggage rack, GPS mounting adapter, *Works* long-distance foot pegs, and a handlebar riser that significantly eases the strain on your shoulders and wrists.

Stainless steel crash bars and engine crash bar, side stand base extension, headlight protector, auxiliary lights and the robust *Expedition* engine guard make the Africa Twin ready for any adventure. And of course Touratech offers seats with a choice of versions, plus extensive soft luggage solutions.

The complete range of accessories for the CRF 1000 L Africa Twin appears in the new Touratech catalogue, which comes out in January 2016, and will be available in the Touratech web shop at shop.touratech.com.

www.touratech.com

After a record breaking season for Kawasaki, which includes winning the World Superbike Championship, the Manufacturer’s Championship at British and World level and being top of the table in Superstock 1000 and 600, Kawasaki UK has today launched Team Green – a banner to cover both the on-road and off-road racing efforts at all levels.

Originally launched back in the 1980s by Alec Wright – Racing Manager at Kawasaki Motors UK Ltd – Team Green represented the pinnacle of racing. Back in the day, Team Green became the name on everyone’s lips and something everyone wanted to be part of, both on the dirt and tarmac, and success followed with John Reynolds winning one 600 Championship and two 750 titles and other riders sweeping the board winning all the UK schoolboy championships plus the AMCA 125 and 250 titles in 1985.

In 2013, Team Green Youth MX Team was launched and represented Kawasaki UK at all major British Youth Championships. There was success on track with the team winning the Small Wheel 85 Championship in 2013 and the Big Wheel 85 Championship in 2014.

Mark Spiller, Kawasaki UK Marketing and Brand Development Manager, said: “Racing has always been an indulgence and the personal pleasure of many and that is certainly very true of all at Kawasaki Motors UK. However, the KMUK Team Green approach to racing includes more than the action on the track. We have reinstated the values of the past and this means we operate in a true working partnership with all our officially supported teams at every level.”

“2015 saw the re-launch of Team Green in the UK, an umbrella brand supporting all UK off-road race activities from Youth to GP’s. Team Green is a community that introduces the Kawasaki brand to the youngsters at club level, providing the “ladder of opportunity” to help achieve aspirations and remain with the family at every level of the sport.”

For the 2016 season, all on-road and off-road teams will be under the Team Green umbrella, a term that also covers the Team Green Sport partners, including: stunt performer Lee Bowers and Freestyle MX rider Jamie Squibb as well as Team Green Kids Ambassador seven-year-old, Lottie Trenchard.

Ross Burridge, Senior Racing Co-ordinator, said: “We’ve created a team that’s very much akin to how Team Green was in the 80s and 90s in that the riders – despite some being young – operate in a very professional manner. This has helped, not only our success on track, but also created a desire for many other riders to want to be a part of it. For 2016, I’m personally very excited to see Team Green feature in the road racing scene too with GBMoto and I feel that the ethos of Team Green will be replicated at the highest level of road racing in the UK. Roll on 2016.”

With the Ninja 300 Cup run by the British Motorcycle Racing Club entering its fifth season, now known as ‘The Team Green Junior Cup’, and with Team Green being represented in a number of British Championships – including: Superbike, Superstock 1000 and 600 and Supersport – and across a number of off-road disciplines, Kawasaki is the team on track to watch out for in 2016.

Keep up to date with the latest Team Green news on the website at: www.kawasaki.co.uk

With wet weather continuing to engulf the UK, the Institute of Advanced Motorists’ (IAM) director of standards, Mark Lewis, looks at how drivers can best prepare for driving in heavy rain.

1. Before setting off, check for any weather alerts, traffic updates or planned road closures that may affect your journey. Only travel in extreme adverse weather conditions if it is really necessary.

2. Check lights and windscreen wiper blades are clean and working properly. Also check the tyre pressure and tread depth to ensure the best possible grip on wet surfaces.

3. Plan your route in advance and try to avoid any roads that are prone to flooding, even if it extends your journey.

4. Heavy rain often leads to damaged road surfaces and puddles can hide deep potholes – look for clues such as loose chunks of tarmac.

5. In heavy rain, don’t forget to switch on your dipped headlights so other motorists can see you easily. Reduce your speed when travelling in the rain to decrease your stopping distance. This will also help you pass through large puddles and potholes smoothly, without spraying other road users or risking aquaplaning.

6. Torrential rain may interfere with the electrics of a vehicle causing a breakdown. Prepare for the worst by keeping your mobile phone charged and with the number of your breakdown service provider already saved on it. While you wait for help keep your bonnet closed as soaking the engine will only make it worse.