Taking a Motorbike on the Channel Tunnel train
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
- If you have never done it, taking your motorcycle on a Channel Tunnel train may pose quite a few questions. How long does it take? How do the bikes get loaded onto the train? Do the bikes get strapped down? These are all common questions and this video shows you the answers!
We run motorcycle tours in Europe and other countries too, for Harley-Davidson riders. Check us out at tour1.com 
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Also, remember the Road Traffic Act applies everywhere on site, so resist the temptation to ride from the Passenger Terminal Building to the Passport Check Booths without a helmet on 👍
Spot on!
I put my gloves away at the check in screens otherwise would have been taking them on and off about 10 times. Also for the queues at passport control I switched the engine off and paddled the bike. I didn't fancy starting it every time I inched fowards 2 yards (or 2 meters if you're on the French side). It was boiling hot, I ride an air cooled and have long legs so decided to paddle it.
You can be offered a choice of train times at the check in screen so first person to check in makes sure everyone knows which train time to select.
There's bike specific lanes but Google Street view has the entire journey through the port if you want to rehearse the lanes.
Thanks mate, I am planning on going to Europe in August and knowing the procedure beforehand is absolutely great !👍🙂
No problem 👍 Glad you found it helpful.
Looking for others’ thoughts please on current motorbike parking procedure on the Eurotunnel trains, and why we park facing left. Love using their service, however last time we used it with the bikes, the train driver had to apply slightly firmer braking pulling in at the end (nothing major), and some bikes then literally domino’d into each other causing some damage. Would there be more advantage for bikes to park facing right, so that any extra force (caused by unanticipated train braking) is then applied against the side stand? Is the current parking procedure (left-facing) the safest, if train braking can negate the side-stand? After this incident we will try to park up with more space around us in the train (if able of course), should the same happen again. Really interested in people’s thoughts please👍
That is a really interesting point you make. I suspect in their minds, it is better for Eurotunnel to have the bikes pointing to the left because the front wheel is against the kerb and this prevents the bikes rolling forward in the vent of hard braking. They presumably think this is needed because bikes don't have hand brakes. If placed against the right kerb which way would the front wheel face, left or right? If left, putting the wheel against the kerb becomes less effective. If right, then the bike is more upright and could face a problem if the train pulls away quickly. Not sure about that last bit.
The same happened to our group with a sudden braking. My mate’s bike tipped onto mine and lodged in the pannier. Luckily I caught mine before it tipped onto an expensive Audi sports car in front of me. I now take a strap to tie my bike down. Oh, and take a peg to clip your paper sheet to the screen!
I don’t believe you.
Thank you.
Excellent guide, thanks!
Thanks. 🙂
Thank you. Very informative.
Thanks mate. Really appreciate your time putting this out. Happy travels!
You are very welcome Dave.
Spot on. Thanks for posting!
Very handy thanks
👍good this video✌
Awesome guide Gary very informative.
You ar every welcome Mark. 🙂
@@GaryFrance_Tour1A few of us from the Wiltshire Gloucester area are visiting Normandy in May for the 80th on our HD's, so looking forward to the experience.
@@markstevens501 Nice! I might see you there because I am leading a Tour1 Harley-Davidson tour to Normandy for exactly the same reason on 16-19 May. Have fun and enjoy the ride!
Really helpful, thank you
Thank you. :-)
I think you answered all questions I had. Cool! Thanks
I'm pleased it help you. 🙂
Very helpful. Thanks m8.
No proble.Glad you found it helpful.
Done this many times
Nice vlog Gary 👍
Thanks!
thanks for the video, you mention in the description "do the bikes get strapped down?" but I don't seem to see anything about that? (unless I missed it..?)
No they do not get strapped down. Gary.
Here's me panicking, I thought I'd have to take loads of documents to the. Check in both passport checking in ticket, license, insurance, bike docs, ffs😂. I've only got small hands 👏
I’m glad I’ve put your mind at ease! It’s really simple going on the train. 😀
Make sure when entering the train tall riders headroom limit if your on an adventure bike? Also give riders enough space too dismount in comfort. Had many riders getting to close for comfort🤔.
Both very valid points. Thanks!
Hi. Thanks for the video . I have a question for you. If your train is at 12 let’s say , how long before you should get there ? Thanks
Our tour group send to get there about an hour and 20 minutes before departure time. That works well for us.
Surprised there are no searches at border control. The French are usually quite strict on that front.
In the hundreds of times I have used the tunnel to get to France, the French customs people have never searched me / me bike.
I'm considering making the journey alone on my tracer so the video is much appreciated. With regards to comments about the train braking harshly, is this only towards the end or when should you be prepared for this?
Good question. I have been on the Eurotunnel many times (maybe 10 times a year for the last 12 years?) and have never seen a bike falling over due to heavy braking of the train. The trains tend not to brake during the main part of the journey, but only at the end.
@@GaryFrance_Tour1 thanks for that! I presume the staff make sure there's enough room behind each bike to be able to back up and straighten the bike?
@@Juvie99 Yes, they do.