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Best to keep to speed limits at the w/e, especially at this time of the year. Also worth pointing out that you should make sure that your credit card has a reasonable amount on it, because they can impose an on-the-spot fine for non-EU vehicles. And they CAN impound your bike, either if you don't have sufficient funds OR the offence is suffiently serious. Forget what urban myths say, if you're doing more than 30 kph over the posted limit, they can impound your vehicle. In fact they can impound your vehicle for any offence that would normally carry a ban, so that includes Drunk Driving. They don't normally impound your vehicle for those speeds, but the law allows them to. OTOH, if you get caught at double the posted speed, you will almost certainly have your vehicle impounded and later it will almost certainly include having it legally seized and sold to "Cover the court's expenses". No matter the situation, do NOT argue with the police, as the legal amount of leeway they have is immense. This is neither the USA nor the UK, and the Policia Nacional have no sense of humour. BTW, Border control is carried out by the infamous Guardia Civil. they have even less of a sense of humour.

I love your top tips. many thanks for video!!!! I particularly enjoyed your second top tip min 2: 20 " just because you find 1 hole, don't stop" got me out of trouble many a time

Same when I used that ferry, loads of bikers on it. Bike well tied down.

A nice helpful video. Thank you.

Confirmed! I was just there, and parking was quite easy.

Tunnels ...where you rev the arse of your bike just for the sound 😇😅 They can get bloody cold too 🥶

They are short of funds !

If you want people to follow your journey you will need to either put them in a playlist or put episode numbers in the beginning of the title.

Thank you ! Just planning my journey now and fell onto your very helpful tips ! I believe I would have been going round in circles if it wasn’t for your video 👍👍 all the best and thank you once again.. Paul

Hi Oly thank you first time thinking of riding in Spain aged 64 your top tips are so helpful 👏

Help please Can I use my paper driving licence in Spain ?? Or do I need a IDP thank you for your help

I use my sat nav as a Speedo as well you are so right about speeds in tunnels

Good tips .thanx

We have usually seen the police in the morning on the edge of town stopping riders/drivers. Usual stuff checking early morning drink drivers and docs etc. This happend again when in the Pryenees in June. Speaking to locals they love to stop foriegners as we tend to drink in bulk the evening before!!!!!!

What fantastic views. .🏍️💨👍🇬🇧

Love it! I always watch these videos before a trip for ideas, for comparisons to my gear, and for insightful comments. Cheers

Excellent descriptions really great quality and informative video

And put in first gear as well!

Hi sir. I recently bought moto morini xcape. I would like to change the oil. I am facing hard time finding the drain bolt

I like your style of presentation, straightforward and informative with compact reasons for your choices. Very watchable, thanks.

In my experience, those of a liberal bent view a knife as a weapon. Those of a conservative bent view a knife as a tool. Now ask yourself, "how many times have I used a knife as a tool vs how many times have I used a knife as a weapon?"

Nice bit of kit, I am fortunate enough to have very good backpacking gear and I'm able to travel light, and also comfortable. It also makes a real difference in time when you have a small organized bit of kit. So often I see folks burdened with far too much, and also inappropriate gear, it not only takes away from the enjoyment, but can also be a safety issue. Thanks for sharing!

In England and Wales It is illegal (without lawful authority or reasonable excuse) to possess a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place. Unless it is a folding pocket knife with a blade Less than 3 inches long 7.62cm. The blade must not lock into place. Similar rules apply in most of Europe.

Seems to be an issue just at customs. I'm a Brit living and riding in Portugal for the last 10 years and wear a Leatherman on a belt every day. Yes, any locking blade is a no, no but "reasonable excuse" comes into play....So it then becomes an "effort -vs- reward" thing... Do you really want/need a bladed item for a 10 day razz around Europe anymore than you would around Blighty, or should you just carry correct tools?.....If you do, remove the blade from your multi-tool and stow them separately. Neither "separate" item is illegal then...(blade length considered).....

Great choices of gear! I have a Vango Tay 300 for bikepacking, a tiny self inflating mattress, which needs the bin, and a decent sleeping bag. Cooking equipment is a Jetboil system, always have a few canisters and the rest is as I need!

I went through Plymouth 2 weeks ago. The customs guy asked if I had a penknife or other blade. I said yes I had a multitool under the seat and he said as long as it remained there whilst on board that was fine.

I was stopped last year going into Spain. My registration was checked on a data base. Obvious I hadn't been drinking, as we chatted. They sent me on my way with a smile. Credit to their country. Polite, professional and just doing their job. Such a different experience to interacting with the power crazy UK wankers. You feel like a support puppy for their emotional problems and you have to take it, as they hang the imaginary speeding/dangerous driving offence over you straight away.

The answer is in Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Any locking blade is a prohibited item, as is a folding blade longer than 3 inches. That is subject to a lawful excuse/good reason defence so I would always carry one with my tools. It will not stop them trying to seize it but the last time I asked a customs officer if he had ever heard of Section 139 he just stared at me blankly 🙄 ….

The law is simple in the UK, you can carry a knife if you have a "good reason". If you have a folding pocket knife with a blade less than three inches long, that does not lock or have serrated edges or slogans of harm on it and you are not carrying it to cause harm or threaten harm, you do not need to demonstrate a good reason. This all applies in public places; if you are not in a public place the rules may still prohibit the possession of a knife (ferries, aeroplanes, night clubs etc)

Just because someone sells something doesn't make it legal to use or own. The problem is the locking of the blade (and also the length of it too)

I had my multi tool confiscated at Plymouth. They asked if I had a knife so I showed the tool as I thought nothing to hide it’s a tool! The reason given was the blade was over 4” and locked in the out position. I asked to see the supervisor who said he would keep it for me and I could pick it up on return, which I did, otherwise I’d have lost over £100 to replace. The advice he gave unofficially was hide / lock it away in the bike somewhere so it stays in the cargo decks not with you on board.

Thanks for the video. Nice tip

I have booked one for myself. What's the difference between the standard variant and the X variant

it's just a knife policy forced on law abiding people. Bade length(to where it goes in the handle) and if it locks are a factor. it is not exactly a great law as even one of these can do serious harm. Part of this is due a decline in a shifting mindset of the inner city, and how some who are coming in unfiltered have no problem finishing a minor disagreement by turning to a knife. as usual the kind and law abiding suffer. A decent thoughtful police officer though would not have a problem with it.

I Personally use the Exped 7 down I got 2 for £100 had them 11 years now 😁 with constant use on the bike and car camp. I see you have the same Cooke as me, a Coleman my first I had in 79 till 95 it had been thrown out of the back of Bedford 4 tonners out of planes in a bergen generally used and abused in rough environments, I have 2 now 1 has little legs on the spordsman and the same as yours both are multifuel, my mrs can cook a full hot meal on just them 2.

Dumb but yes Brittany terminal are randomly selecting bikes and ask if you have a knife or multitool. I showed them the KLM cutlery I 'borrowed' from a recent flight, the butter knife was deemed okay. A win/win - security had done their job (which they know doesn't make much sense - as the more irate like to inform them) and my Gerber multitool was kept secreted elsewhere.

Nextool has recently introduced the Sailer mini multitool. It has no locking blade. God bless the 2nd Amendment.

I was carrying a leather man multi tool in my top box which was searched. They found the tool and explained that as the blade locked, it couldn't go on the ferry. It was put in a plastic bag and I was given a reference number to quote on my return to the UK. It was returned to me via courier at a cost of £37. The border official was apologetic!! I don't think they really wanted to 'find' it.

This is a timely discussion, I’m in France having travelled by car on a ferry. No questions were asked but I have a Swiss Army knife that I mainly carry for it’s corkscrew. That knife was gifted to me in 1981 and I’d be very sad if it were confiscated. I have been bit concerned, so for the return trip I’ll stash it with the wheel nut spanner and Jack in the boot. Overkill but better safe than sorry!

My original Leatherman PST has a non-locking blade which is less than 3 inches so no problem. I believe that their Bond model (?) is the modern equivalent?

what's the difference between a multitool and a caravan/ motorhome full of FIXED blades I.E. bread, chopping knifes etc. The world is full of knobs worth balloons at boat ports now.

Carry mine in me boot.

Okay having just come back from Northern Spain. On the outward journey I was asked at UK customs if I had any ‘Knives or Sharp implements’? I said no as I didn’t, apart from a Multitool which at the time and in all honesty, I didn’t think it qualified. But curious I did some research. This is new security measure as a result of the knife and Machete attack here in the UK and Europe. It’s for security on the trains & Ferries. In Spain of course you can buy hunting knives 12 inches long! So, although it’s still would be subject to confiscation if found, put the multitool with your tools for the journey accross the boarders. One could argue it’s a tool and the chances of it being search for there are slim.

I purchased a multitool of amazon spain last month. Yes it has locking blades and I carry it in Pannier.

EU laws states quite clearly that any art of '"pocket knife" with a locking blade or opening system (eg flick knife) or over 3" / 76mm is not allowed to be carried. Multi tools sadly fall under this law.

Went to Spain via Plymouth in early May this year. There were literally hundreds of bikes boarding the ferry. They got together around 30 bikes at a time at security and shouted "Is anyone carrying a multitool". No came the reply. The guy smiled and just let everyone on.

I suggest you leave it in a locked tool compartment while crossing borders and when getting close to Redlight districts and city centers.

I have no experience of this, but I have carried SAKs and a multi-tool in ‘hold luggage’ on an aeroplane. I would have thought that if a multi-tool is visibly part of a tool kit (ie, kept with your spanners etc) then it’s ‘obviously’ part of a tool kit. If the tool comes apart it might be worth taking the cutting blade out and replacing it with another tool (or a spacer) to keep the M/T functional. My Gerber allows the saw blade to be removed/replaced, but not the knife blade. Thanks for an interesting question! Les

You can have these at home legal in EU countries. Many countries have security zones in which these tools will be considered a weapon and confiscated as illegal. Some countries also have a law saying that a knife blade length of 7cm or thereover, a lockable blade or a spring assisted blade are illegal. Usually, when you have a legal purpose with a multitool, no customs or police will take it from you (scout, sailors, camping, motorcycling, craftsman etc.), however, it is YOU that have to convince the authority about this. In some countries you may even risk prison. Europe is a much safer area to travel than the US because you won't as many maniacs carrying guns and such. Because of law.

The regulations for aircraft & ships are the same when it comes to knives, both can be carried in hold luggage but can’t be carried on-the person. So if you have a multi tool it should stat locked in your luggage on the bike as just like on an aircraft you don’t have access to this during the journey, if I remember correctly this is covered by the Aviation & Maritime security act.