In addition to being home to some of the most famous cars on earth, Germany is also the birthplace of the motorcycle. The first model was built here in 1894, and, as riders know, some of the best motorcycles in the world are made in the country. The latest initiative to stimulate motorcycle tourism was the demarcation of the German Motorcycle Route, a 9,000km track that starts and finishes in Badenweiler, the mountain with the highest bikeable road in the southern Black Forest. There are many options closer to Berlin, be it a jaunt into Brandenburg or some city racing. There are motorcycle clubs in most of Berlin’s neighbourhoods (see Motorrad Club Kreuzberg, http://mc-kreuzberg.de), as well as internationally known groups, such as the Hell’s Angels (www.hellsangels.de). Consistent perhaps with the sports rebellious image, there is no central body or unifying association.

It is required that all German driving instructors have motorcycle as well as car licences, so training for a motorcycle licence is easy to come by if you speak German. Motorcyclists are required by law to wear a helmet.