Europe on a naked bike - silly idea?
Discussion
Hi everyone
I know quite a few people here go to Europe on their bikes, and I've often toyed with the idea of getting a ferry to Bergen (Norway) and working my way back down to Calais.
Unfortunatly my taste in bikes means I have a naked SV650 which suits me fine and is great for terrorising the roads of North Norfolk, but I'm guessing it won't be well suited for long distance cruising.
So, is doing 400 miles a day on a naked bike a good idea or should I get a cheap bike with a screen for this?
I know quite a few people here go to Europe on their bikes, and I've often toyed with the idea of getting a ferry to Bergen (Norway) and working my way back down to Calais.
Unfortunatly my taste in bikes means I have a naked SV650 which suits me fine and is great for terrorising the roads of North Norfolk, but I'm guessing it won't be well suited for long distance cruising.
So, is doing 400 miles a day on a naked bike a good idea or should I get a cheap bike with a screen for this?
OK, serious head on... of course you can. Just depends what level of discomfort you can cope with, which in turn is of course related to the speed you travel and what the weather's doing...
Norway is a HUGE country. They have about 2 miles of motorway and not much dual-carriageway besides that. So it could take a while just to do that bit. On the upside the traffic tends to be light, but then the speed limits tend to be laughable.
Norway is a HUGE country. They have about 2 miles of motorway and not much dual-carriageway besides that. So it could take a while just to do that bit. On the upside the traffic tends to be light, but then the speed limits tend to be laughable.
It will be no more difficult on a naked bike than on a fully faired bike. The only difference will be that your motorway cruising speeds will be a bit slower. I would suggest getting a good tank bag and filling that with your luggage. That’ll help keep some of the wind pressure off you when cruising at speed. If you give it a go I’m sure you will have a great time.
I would add that your wet weather gear is going to need to be pretty good as its a lot more exposed than on a faired bike. I've done some europe tours and found it needed to be hoying it down to consider stopping and fitting the old oversuit (over leathers) on when on a sports bike but if that was unfaired then it would have been needed a lot earlier. Beware of cordura type stuff with gortex liners as the outer can waterlog when exposed for not even long periods leading to a cold damp feeling as your body sweat can no longer evapourate out through the liner. Also the drying time for the outer may be longer than ur overnight stops, which is nice pulling on the cold damp kit in a morning.. PS if it doesnt rain on the journey u got planned buy a lottery ticket!, with that much luck you cant lose ;p
I did Munich and back on a DR800, can´t get much more nekid than that...
That trip would normally take about 12 hours (one way) on the Tiger, took me 22 (6 of which were a stop for a broken chain repair) on the way there and 16 on the way back....
Would I do it again, certainly, but then I´m a bit mental innit
That trip would normally take about 12 hours (one way) on the Tiger, took me 22 (6 of which were a stop for a broken chain repair) on the way there and 16 on the way back....
Would I do it again, certainly, but then I´m a bit mental innit
I have an unfaired Bandit which i have used to go to Germany and back.This year im am using it to travel across France to Switzerland and then into Italy.I have never found it a problem on long journeys and often ride back from the Nurburg ring without stopping other than to fuel up.
You will look like a body builder by the time you get back if you hit the Peage
Last year 3 of us went away , 2 Busas and an unfaired CB1300.
Coming back through Belgium the Honda rider took a hammering as we had the Busas at the top of their comfortable cruising speed , with us just dipped down behind the screen
This was non stop for near 3 tankfulls
Last year 3 of us went away , 2 Busas and an unfaired CB1300.
Coming back through Belgium the Honda rider took a hammering as we had the Busas at the top of their comfortable cruising speed , with us just dipped down behind the screen
This was non stop for near 3 tankfulls
In 1979 I did France, Monaco, Italy (including Sicily), Switzerland from Seplon pass to Geneva, back along the lake and west into France again, Chamonix/Mont Blanc, haute Savoir, Geneva, Germany, Belgium (be VERY careful in belbium), Netherlands and back to Manchester. It took 6 months is is probably my best life thing!!!
All on a Nekid Suzuki GS850 with tank bags and saddle bags... When men were men eh? Now I have a 'staid' VN1600 Meanstrak and am about to do the whole thing again! With a bikini fairing - old age and all that...
All on a Nekid Suzuki GS850 with tank bags and saddle bags...
When men were men eh? Now I have a 'staid' VN1600 Meanstrak and am about to do the whole thing again! With a bikini fairing - old age and all that... Jesus! It seems as though everyone is a lot harder than me. I've got a naked Bandit 600 and riding from London to Newcastle and back in a weekend was damn tiring. I had a severe case of "numb bum" when I get home.
Normally I'm only riding a max of 30 miles a day, but usually only a 8 miles round trip commute.
Normally I'm only riding a max of 30 miles a day, but usually only a 8 miles round trip commute.
ec1 eex said:
Jesus! It seems as though everyone is a lot harder than mee.
Nah, just more practiced
For example, I´ll be popping home on Thursday night on the Tiger (from the Netherlands) then back again on Tues....it´s only 350 miles each way, a mere warm-up for the weekend
I have been know to commute to places slightly futher away before like Zurich, Toulouse, Copenhagen etc......it ain´t long distance unless you´ve done 12 hours in one go IMO
Bu then I´m a lightweight compared to These guys
Oh yus.......
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