Touring the European Alps by Motorcycle

Good Loop has partnered with AllroundRent, a company with 30 years of experience in Germany, to provide motorcycle rentals in Europe. AllroundRent can help you with your touring by renting not only bikes, but also helmets, clothing, and other equipment.
Motorcycle and Oldtimers in Munich – AllroundRent

The Good Loop also offers overseas travel insurance, so please consult with us. Our representative has experience touring Europe and is available to discuss your travel needs.

Alps Touring Chronicles

In the fall of 2022, our representative toured the European Alps on a motorcycle. It was a week-long, 2,000+ km trip with a BMW R1200GS, which was a lot of fun.

Day 1
Arrival at Munich Airport and train to AllroundRent. I checked in my unneeded luggage and departed around noon on the BMW R1200GS. After purchasing an Austrian vinette (pass) at ADAC, the equivalent of Japan’s JAF, I ride onto the Autobahn. Since snow is forecasted for tomorrow, I have to cross the Alps today, but the traffic is jammed due to the transport of wind turbine generators. I stop in Salzburg and catch a glimpse of Hohensalzburg Castle. Arrive at the Großglockner mountain road when the shadows stretch long.


I wanted to drive more of the majestic mountain winding road, but I had to find lodging. I drove down the mountain to Lienz, but could not find one, so I returned and stayed at a small pension. It was late, so there was no food, only beer.

Day 2
I woke up late and headed west with the Loacker wafer factory on the side. At the Jaufen Pass (Passo Giovo), there is an icy rain and thick fog.


I cross the Timmelsjoch Pass and visit the TOP Mountain Motorcycle Museum in Hochgurgl. More than 500 motorcycles are on display, from Brough Superior and Münch to Elf Honda.


Return to Moso in Passiria and lodge in Dorf Tirol.

Day 3
Rain.


I ride through Merano to the Stelvio Pass (Passo Stelvio).


After a tight winding road, the summit was rained out.


Pass through Santa Caterina to the Gavia Pass (Passo Gavia).


Lunch at the fountain of Santa Apollonia and drive along the cobblestone road to the inn in Rovere.

Day 4
Fine weather and hot. I drive to Monza via Bergamo. The circuit is not open, so I go to the Royal Palace.


At the border checkpoint in Breggia, I buy a Swiss vignette (pass) and drive to Camorino. In Switzerland, German Vodafone cannot roam, so I change to a Three SIM. Return to Sigirino and taste the famous Cordon bleu.

Day 5
Travel to Wassen via the Gotthard Tunnel. Aiming for the Susten Pass, but it was closed due to snowfall. The temperature in the tunnel was 35°C (95°F), but only 2°C (35°F). Freezing as I descended the mountain, it cleared up and I had a view of the Bernese Oberland.


Passing along the coast of Lake Lucerne to Grindelwald. View of the Eiger North Face.


I continue on to Montreux via Bern. Visit the Queen Memorial.


Day 6
Greet Freddie Mercury statue on the shore of Lake Geneva (Léman) and drive to Gruyère.


Visit the HR Giger Museum.

Speed cameras, which takes pictures from the front and rear, is a common sight in Switzerland.


View of the Kurfürsten Mountains over Lake Valen. Visit to Faduz Castle in Liechtenstein.


Taste schnitzel in Füssen.

Day 7
Rain. Visit to Neuschwanstein Castle.


Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche).


Return to AllroundRent in Munich.


In Munich, I enjoyed the BMW Museum and the Oktoberfest beer festival, returned the bikes to AllroundRent, and the rest of the trip was by train.

It was a long and unplanned trip, but it was a good touring. The fact that I was able to ride the same distance between Sapporo and Nagasaki with little fatigue was due in large part to the engineering excellence of the BMW R1200GS. From the ultra-high-speed autobahn to the snowy narrow roads, I could truly feel the BMW slogan of “Sheer Driving Pleasure”.

Monument to the Battle of San Matteo