BEST roads in Europe on a BMW 1250GSA // Bike gets STOLEN!

[@MrTbirkett]

I had no trouble travelling around France on my GS. I did deliberately avoid Reims and Paris, they're shit holes. I always removed luggage / satnav. always had a chain / pad lock on the rear around something if possible, always had a disc-lock on the front, always put an oxford cover on and avoided parking where other bikes and motorbikes parked (they're the first place scumbags will go shopping). I also always have the alarm on and have an active Datatool subscription. IMHO the shabby oxford cover is what probably prevented any drama... makes your bike invisible, they'd have to spend time trying to work out what the bike is.

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Yeah I’ve seen people covering their bikes. I. The future I’m just going to ensure I have enclosed parking, won’t even park outside anymore! Can’t be bothered with the hassle of it getting stolen!

[@MrTbirkett]

⁠@@BikeLikeMike92Bet it was a nightmare. Hope you get everything sorted soon and get back out on the road!

[@martinbfj]

Second video I’ve seen recently of a GS being stolen in Reims! I stayed there on the last leg of my Europe trip in June and it felt Ropey for sure! Will be avoiding it next year

[@BikeLikeMike92]

I think the city is alright, you can stay there just get enclosed parking or something secure. If they don’t tackle the crime more people will just avoid it.

[@소금노동자]

저는 한국에서 R1250gs를 타고있어요.. 제가 꿈꾸는 삶을 살고계시네요 부럽습니다 언젠가는 그길을 가보고 싶습니다 😢

[@BikeLikeMike92]

We all live each others dreams! I’m sure you will get here some day! Set a date and make it happen!

[@daystate123]

Recently got back from Troyes... I stayed at the ibis styles hotel with it's underground garage... perfect

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Nice! I stayed here in 2022. Good location

[@jimwood1068]

Sorry to hear this mate. Another one from Reims!!

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Thanks 👍🏼 indeed it is! Hopefully this vid will help some avoid it!

[@jay26cee]

Really sorry to hear about the theft (another after seeing Two Wheeled Dreamer's GSA got snatched too in his vid)!! Seems the best places to stay are going to be those in the countryside where bikes are out of sight ... but also remember to lock them up (and if in a group, lock them together!).

[@IrelandRider]

That's shit, sorry to hear your bike got stolen, the upload was great to watch and I hope you'll be back on 2 wheels again soon. Thanks for sharing and see you on your next adventure ✌️ 🤙 🤟

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Thanks very much for watching! Yeah… it happens! 😅😭🍻

[@Motoscotty]

My r1300gs got stolen in Portsmouth on Sunday, I absolutely feel your pain

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Sorry to hear that. I’m not far from Portsmouth. You’re the second to comment about Portsmouth and having your bike taken from there.

[@jimwood1068]

Where from mate? I live in Portsmouth. Hate hearing this.

[@Motoscotty]

@@jimwood1068 the “secure” car park opposite the Premier Inn at the dockyard. Absolutely gutted, they took mine and came back for my mates but a warden scared them off and called the police. Sadly they didn’t know they already had one taken away

[@jimwood1068]

@@Motoscotty Sorry to hear mate.

[@garyogden5873]

I watched Two wheel dreamer vid re his stolen bike at the same time I was in France on my 2024 RT and that got me do do several things. 1.check and understand and even upgrade my insurance via Bennetts. 2. Order a monimoto tracker (£150) which I installed when I got back - brilliant bit of kit. And 3 I bought a Hiplock 1000. Belt and braces but if they get through the hillock I can track the bike.

[@johndillon1027]

Someone tried to move or take my Suzuki Dl 1050 in Granville France . Bike was parked in a lane across from the apartment we were staying in . No damage thankfully but parking in city’s and towns on main streets for me is a no no for the future ..Dublin Ireland is getting bad for bike thefts so don’t and I mean don’t leave a bike on the streets in Dublin Ireland or in the car parks . Stay out of the city and book somewhere that has secure parking .. get a bus or train to see the city then . That goes for all European city’s

[@carlhutchins7091]

Two wheel dreamer had his GSA stolen in france a few weeks ago, whats going on ?

[@BikeLikeMike92]

A wee bit of organised crime I’d say.

[@markbayford5739]

Had my bike stolen in Amiens (France) back in July, bike insurers paid out but the travel insurers would not pay for my repatriation costs, the bike insurers refused to pay for my Mosko Moto luggage. Eventually my house insurers agreed to pay for the luggage and my tent, in the end I was only £800 out of pocket but the greef of getting home from rural France to the UK was an ordeal in 30 degree heat carrying all your bike gear. I have emailed MCN, TRF and ABR asking if they can do some research into who will get you home if your bike is stolen so far no responses. Since I got home I have added trackers to all my bikes and invested in a hiplock DX1000

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Yeah that sounds about right. Insurers are a joke. I’m in a similar boat the moment as my other bike as got an engine issue and I’m stuck in France again 😂🤷🏼‍♂️

[@MarkN67]

Most travel insurance companies will cover repatriation if you add it at the time of buying your insurance and ask them to add it.

[@markbayford5739]

They cover repatriation for health issues but not if your mode of transport is stolen, I hired a loss adjuster and he went through the AXA wording and confirmed that it's not covered, I have asked MCN and ABR to investigate but not heard from them yet

[@MarkN67]

@@markbayford5739 I’ve just checked my breakdown cover with GreenFlag, and repatriation is covered if the stolen vehicle isn’t recovered within 8 hours. It says that they will take the insured person only though - so your pillion is walking!

[@andygiles4036]

Reims seems to be a place for it.... Two wheel Dreamer had his GS stolen in the last couple of days!!!........

[@jay26cee]

Yeah, I saw that too! Avoid Reims at all costs!! Two Wheeled Dreamer's GSA was stolen within 10 mins of them arriving at accommodation. Myself and a mate stopped in Reims centre (1 block from cathedral) for a Coke - our GSs were parked over the road (only steering lock). Just as well as we had no idea how "hot" the GSs are to be stolen there!!!

[@Scouse.Malinois]

Fucking hell man😫 dealt with it a lot better than i would of. Ive been toying with buying a GS for europe for a while but this is a concern that'd stress me out. Id rather just take a sport bike over in the back of a van i guess

[@BikeLikeMike92]

@@Scouse.Malinois sport bike is more fun, I had a GS as a long term loaner, so it wasn’t my bike so didn’t make me rage too much 😂 but it was annoying. It is a great bike for it though… just add as much security as possible and you’ll be alright!

[@Martin_Lauter]

In France and Italy better avoid cities, stay on the country side and you are safe. Rest of Europe is fine and not so much issues with stolen bikes like in France and Italy. I'm very often travelling on the Balkans with my GS and never had an issue.

[@leesbian]

I’ve been there too, mate I had my KTM Super Enduro stolen whilst staying overnight in Paris. My girlfriend’s GSXR 600 parked next to it was untouched 🤷‍♂️ The French police were polite, and helped me to get all of the paperwork completed that the insurance company wanted, but made no attempt to investigate Luckily, the insurance company paid for a hire car, so I could chase my gf around on her bike for the rest of our holiday, and when I got back, the insurance company actually paid out a decent sum too Hopefully, it will be the same with you 😊

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Ah that sucks! At least you got a nice payout for it. These things just happen sometimes I guess! I was actually impressed with the politeness of the French police, although not really able to help.. they were nice and helped me out with other things to get home.

[@martincornish3179]

Was that an Airbnb

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Yes it was

[@martincornish3179]

@@BikeLikeMike92 Seems to be a link going on

[@BikeLikeMike92]

@@martincornish3179 quite possibly!

[@milerale5286]

My GSA got stolen just yesterday in Reims, France from hotel car park

[@BikeLikeMike92]

They have a real problem in Reims atm. They should address it

[@YorkshireTiger.-nu8ii]

Sorry it happened to you as well. It's a horrible feeling I have known only once thankfully. We were in Reims the same day two wheeled dreamer got his nicked. We left the same morning they did, wish I'd known I could have ridden back with his son. I'm sure I passed an English lad on a triumph on the way to Calais. Got to check the footage when I get around to editing it. We stayed at the Sure Hotel which advertised as secure parking, that wasn't quite the case. It was a private car park with cctv and 24/7 reception but are they really running out to confront bike thieves if the worst happens, I doubt it. I sat watching the bike all night, I'd come to realise there was a lot of vehicle crime related activity amongst other crime, bag snatching seems to be popular there as well. Cars and bikes were haring around all over doing as they pleased, doughnuts, wheelies, no reg plates. 1 totalled his car in a car park near by doing stupid stuff. The same vans driving round and round constantly. Not a police car in sight despite the illegal activity and disturbance it created. Was packed and gone by 6am, couldn't leave fast enough tbh.

[@jay26cee]

@@BikeLikeMike92 They should, going to be REALLY bad for tourism too! Something tells me the Frenchies don't really care if there is a GB/UK plate on the bike.