Touring Advice
Discussion
A mate and I have booked on the Portsmouth to Santander Ferry crossing this July to go touring around Spain for a week. [If anyone else fancies tagging along then just let me know!]
Can anyone offer any general advice when it comes to touring?
What MUST we take?
What should we take? [Were thinking Walkie-Talkies would be a good idea]
What’s the best was to attach luggage to a GSX-R 600 and a Honda Hornet 600?
Any good routes suggested? – At the moment were thinking about up into the Pyrenees and then down into Barcelona for a day or two off before going full circle back to Santander.
Can anyone offer any general advice when it comes to touring?
What MUST we take?
What should we take? [Were thinking Walkie-Talkies would be a good idea]
What’s the best was to attach luggage to a GSX-R 600 and a Honda Hornet 600?
Any good routes suggested? – At the moment were thinking about up into the Pyrenees and then down into Barcelona for a day or two off before going full circle back to Santander.
Hi mate, my touring experience is limited, but after a few trips to Belgium etc, I would recommend taking duct tape, cable ties and waterproofs. All our issues were solved with duct tape and cable ties. Make sure you have roadside assistance in case the worst happens.
I use soft luggage - loads about - just make sure it is waterproof or you wrap your things up inside.
Have a great trip.
TH
I use soft luggage - loads about - just make sure it is waterproof or you wrap your things up inside.
Have a great trip.
TH
I'm booked on the Bilbao ferry in August. I have a very similar itinerary to the one you've planned.
Best advice I can give is take as little as possible.
Couple of routes I've looked at. Emphasis on big scenery rather than big miles;
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...
For luggage, they're not cheap, but Baglux tank cover and tank bags are great. They clip on and off the bike very easily and can just be hinged up to refuel (something you'll be doing a lot whilst touring).
A tank bag also makes a great place to keep your toll money.
Best advice I can give is take as little as possible.
Couple of routes I've looked at. Emphasis on big scenery rather than big miles;
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&ge...
For luggage, they're not cheap, but Baglux tank cover and tank bags are great. They clip on and off the bike very easily and can just be hinged up to refuel (something you'll be doing a lot whilst touring).
A tank bag also makes a great place to keep your toll money.
I used an 50 litre Ortlieb duffle/roll bag strapped to the pillon saddle on my 999 when I did a tour of the french Alps to Nice and back(from Newcastle). Only downside was my sweaty keks seemed to self brew in the pack in the baking heat (+35degC) suggest u consider occassionally laundering or binning them on route or alternatively keep them on top for the customs inspectors to sniff .
I’ve done a fair bit of touring and I always find that you end up taking more than you need, so pack light. Other than passport, driving documents, tickets and credit cards, the only thing you really need is one change of clothes. Everything else is optional so ask yourself if you REALLY DO need it. Use old clothes that you are about to bin so that you can wear them then ditch them while away.
If there is no pillion on the bike then I like soft luggage strapped to the pillion seat and a tank back. This keeps the extra weight in the right place, keeps it out of the wind blast and keeps the bike narrow for filtering etc. The heavier and more valuable items go in the tank bag, with a soft layer around them so that I can lean my chest onto the bag if I end up doing a lot of slow speed work. The bulky items go in the pillion seat bag.
For the pillion bag I use some of that ‘grippy mesh’ stuff across the seat and any surrounding plastic. I then sit the bag on that and use a cargo net over the top and, if possible, hook that to the sub frame. I have used masking tape in the past to protect plastic from being scratched by the luggage so may be worth thinking about.
I am now a total GPS convert. If you’re touring on a bike it is an essential bit of kit in my opinion, so you may want a mount for that along with a power supply. (Program it to get to your destination using the shortest route, but avoid motorways and towns and you will likely get some excellent roads to ride on.)
I always take some extra bungees as I find I need to remove/add layers as the temperature changes during the day. I also find somewhere easily accessible to strap a nice big bottle of water for when I stop to admire the views or simply stretch my legs.
Have a great time.
If there is no pillion on the bike then I like soft luggage strapped to the pillion seat and a tank back. This keeps the extra weight in the right place, keeps it out of the wind blast and keeps the bike narrow for filtering etc. The heavier and more valuable items go in the tank bag, with a soft layer around them so that I can lean my chest onto the bag if I end up doing a lot of slow speed work. The bulky items go in the pillion seat bag.
For the pillion bag I use some of that ‘grippy mesh’ stuff across the seat and any surrounding plastic. I then sit the bag on that and use a cargo net over the top and, if possible, hook that to the sub frame. I have used masking tape in the past to protect plastic from being scratched by the luggage so may be worth thinking about.
I am now a total GPS convert. If you’re touring on a bike it is an essential bit of kit in my opinion, so you may want a mount for that along with a power supply. (Program it to get to your destination using the shortest route, but avoid motorways and towns and you will likely get some excellent roads to ride on.)
I always take some extra bungees as I find I need to remove/add layers as the temperature changes during the day. I also find somewhere easily accessible to strap a nice big bottle of water for when I stop to admire the views or simply stretch my legs.
Have a great time.
rsv gone! said:
For luggage, they're not cheap, but Baglux tank cover and tank bags are great. They clip on and off the bike very easily and can just be hinged up to refuel (something you'll be doing a lot whilst touring).
Much better than using a magnettic tank bag (if you have a steel tank) that WILL scratch your tank eventually, regardless how carefull you are.
Might be an expensive option but I've got a pair of Scala rider Q2's.
These are blue tooth headsets that do a lot of things.
They connect to a blue tooth phone and gps and provided bike to bike comms up to 500m in open areas.
If you have something like a garmin zumo you get sat nav voice directions.
The bike to bike can also be used as a conference call on the mobile phone.
I highly recommend them,
These are blue tooth headsets that do a lot of things.
They connect to a blue tooth phone and gps and provided bike to bike comms up to 500m in open areas.
If you have something like a garmin zumo you get sat nav voice directions.
The bike to bike can also be used as a conference call on the mobile phone.
I highly recommend them,
When we go touring for a week or so i have the following.
All documents for the bike,V5 mot,insurance and driving licence.Breakdown cover.
In case it rains one piece light-weight waterproof suit to go over leathers.
A torch,change of clothes,pair of trainers,washing gear and towels some head ache tablets,sun cream etc,Dome tent,air bed and sleeping bag.
Some extra spare tools like small ratchet and sockets,duct tape,cable ties,A few spare fuses and a couple of spare bulbs.
Sat nav and 12v power lead,Mobile phone and 12v charger.
To charge/run the sat nav and mobile phone i brought an extension lead cigarette plug and wired this to the battery and fitted it under the seat allowing me to plug the items in.
This all goes in a tank bag with waterproof cover and a hard top box then the tent and sleeping bag are strapped down on the pillion seat in plastic bags to keep dry.
All documents for the bike,V5 mot,insurance and driving licence.Breakdown cover.
In case it rains one piece light-weight waterproof suit to go over leathers.
A torch,change of clothes,pair of trainers,washing gear and towels some head ache tablets,sun cream etc,Dome tent,air bed and sleeping bag.
Some extra spare tools like small ratchet and sockets,duct tape,cable ties,A few spare fuses and a couple of spare bulbs.
Sat nav and 12v power lead,Mobile phone and 12v charger.
To charge/run the sat nav and mobile phone i brought an extension lead cigarette plug and wired this to the battery and fitted it under the seat allowing me to plug the items in.
This all goes in a tank bag with waterproof cover and a hard top box then the tent and sleeping bag are strapped down on the pillion seat in plastic bags to keep dry.
As well as taking a little bit of decent stuff for the evenings, wear old t-shirts etc under your riding gear.
That way, at the end of each day's ride, you can throw your old stuff in the bin and lighten your load, making space for any shopping etc.
Plus -less to wash when you get home!
That way, at the end of each day's ride, you can throw your old stuff in the bin and lighten your load, making space for any shopping etc.
Plus -less to wash when you get home!
black-k1 said:
I am now a total GPS convert. If you’re touring on a bike it is an essential bit of kit in my opinion, so you may want a mount for that along with a power supply. (Program it to get to your destination using the shortest route, but avoid motorways and towns and you will likely get some excellent roads to ride on.)
You can just about make out the top of my Zumo in the above picture, by the LH mirror.
Ever since I tried finding my way across Paris, in the sweltering heat, with two other bikes following me I vowed I'd get a satnav.
The ability to search for Formule1 hotels, in strange towns, in the pissing rain - well, you can't put a value on it.
The bag on the back of my bike is made by Kreiga (they of the fantastic rucksacks). It is essentially a rectangular dry bag with straps which just run under the pillion pad. Simple, rugged and 100% dry.
As a previous poster mentioned, I've also just used a bungee net over an Ortlieb bag.
John Laverick said:
I don't have a pillion so will probably go for a small tank bag for essentials and then two soft panniers? Or would a top bag be better?
If it were me, I'd go for a top bag that sat in the seat to keep the width of the bike down. It makes filtering so much easier.Another tip - put all your luggage in bin liners before it goes into the bags and take some spares. This means that if you do get a heavy downpour then everything stays dry and with the spares you can seperate the clean and the dirty clothes.
Edited by black-k1 on Wednesday 19th March 20:06
Be realistic about the mileage you intend to do each day; 600 miles in one go "just to get there" isn't only boring and crap (you see nothing but motorways), it's also pretty unsafe by the last 200 as you're so knackered.
Better to do 300 max but have a big stop in the middle (200 as soon as you get up, stop, have lunch, go see/do something nice, another 100 and it's time for tea).
Even better is to plan your stops by tank capacity and only do 2/3 tank fills per day stopping to see something each time.
Don't get hung up about "destinations;" be flexible or you will miss things. Hence, don't bother booking accomodation in advance; I've never yet turned up in a strange town and not found somewhere to sleep (though the amphetamine fuelled punk squat in "Bad Nowherestein" east Germany was an eye opener...).
Don't be scared to go off the main roads and get lost; you're never far from civilisation, and buck-toothed, sodomising hillbillys are rare in Europe (though not unheard of...).
If you are doing big miles, have a small bottle of water and a light snack each time you stop for fuel; it's amazing how de-hydrated you get and how much energy you use concentrating on riding a bike.
Always fill your tank before you stop for the night; that way you can just get up and ride away without hunting for a petrol station. Ask about local holidays and opening times for the next day.
Carry cash in two or three different pockets; you only have to lose one wallet to be scuppered, but you're unlikely to leave your jacket and pants and shirt lying on the counter in a petrol station. Keep a credit card in an inside pocket "just in case."
Keep your luggage simple; tankbags and tailpacks. Tesco give away free waterproof liners with your groceries so don't spend fortunes.
Pack only essentials; they have shops over there too, and every country has discount warehouses that sell cheap t shirts.
Worn socks and pants tied in a polly bag will anaerobically clean themselves in two days so won't pong (seriously, it works!), but keep a "lucky" pair for going out...
Trousers with zip off legs give flexibility and an old rugby jersey instead of a jumper is a better ice-breaker and talking point than a footy strip (and less likely to end up with a sore face too somehow).
Smart trainers are lighter and take up less space than proper shoes, and cheap flip-flops take up zero space and are ace when it's roasting.
Take a decent lock and chain (there are thieves over there too) and chain both bikes together each night. Also take disc locks for short stops. Thin cable locks (Oxford) help keep luggage on bikes while you have lunch, and small padlocks on the zips stops children pinching your smalls, but a proper thief will just slash the luggage and tip the contents in a polly bag anway.
If you have to park out of your sight it's better to have five minutes inconvenience carrying your stuff to a cafe with you when you stop for lunch than to come back to slashed bags and sod all left behind.
When sightseeing park near entrances and ask wardens/guides/ticket collecters to keep an eye.
Be polite and deferential, especially when drinking or talking to the police (don't do both at the same time). Try a few phrases of the local language. Try the local food and beer. Don't mention the war...
Enjoy!
Better to do 300 max but have a big stop in the middle (200 as soon as you get up, stop, have lunch, go see/do something nice, another 100 and it's time for tea).
Even better is to plan your stops by tank capacity and only do 2/3 tank fills per day stopping to see something each time.
Don't get hung up about "destinations;" be flexible or you will miss things. Hence, don't bother booking accomodation in advance; I've never yet turned up in a strange town and not found somewhere to sleep (though the amphetamine fuelled punk squat in "Bad Nowherestein" east Germany was an eye opener...).
Don't be scared to go off the main roads and get lost; you're never far from civilisation, and buck-toothed, sodomising hillbillys are rare in Europe (though not unheard of...).
If you are doing big miles, have a small bottle of water and a light snack each time you stop for fuel; it's amazing how de-hydrated you get and how much energy you use concentrating on riding a bike.
Always fill your tank before you stop for the night; that way you can just get up and ride away without hunting for a petrol station. Ask about local holidays and opening times for the next day.
Carry cash in two or three different pockets; you only have to lose one wallet to be scuppered, but you're unlikely to leave your jacket and pants and shirt lying on the counter in a petrol station. Keep a credit card in an inside pocket "just in case."
Keep your luggage simple; tankbags and tailpacks. Tesco give away free waterproof liners with your groceries so don't spend fortunes.
Pack only essentials; they have shops over there too, and every country has discount warehouses that sell cheap t shirts.
Worn socks and pants tied in a polly bag will anaerobically clean themselves in two days so won't pong (seriously, it works!), but keep a "lucky" pair for going out...
Trousers with zip off legs give flexibility and an old rugby jersey instead of a jumper is a better ice-breaker and talking point than a footy strip (and less likely to end up with a sore face too somehow).
Smart trainers are lighter and take up less space than proper shoes, and cheap flip-flops take up zero space and are ace when it's roasting.
Take a decent lock and chain (there are thieves over there too) and chain both bikes together each night. Also take disc locks for short stops. Thin cable locks (Oxford) help keep luggage on bikes while you have lunch, and small padlocks on the zips stops children pinching your smalls, but a proper thief will just slash the luggage and tip the contents in a polly bag anway.
If you have to park out of your sight it's better to have five minutes inconvenience carrying your stuff to a cafe with you when you stop for lunch than to come back to slashed bags and sod all left behind.
When sightseeing park near entrances and ask wardens/guides/ticket collecters to keep an eye.
Be polite and deferential, especially when drinking or talking to the police (don't do both at the same time). Try a few phrases of the local language. Try the local food and beer. Don't mention the war...
Enjoy!
just thought of another. ive seen metal meshes you can wrap soft luggage in so its not slashable. cant remember where from though.
oh & www.horizionsunlimited.com has a wealth of info for touring
oh & www.horizionsunlimited.com has a wealth of info for touring
All good advice, only got to add:
Take some cheapo face wipes with you. They're great for washing hands, wiping sweaty brows and backsides, etc.
If you've got some pockets, then stash some KFC cleaning wipes, in there. They're handy for wiping the flies, etc off your screen and visor.
Photocopy all documents, and give the copies to your mate & visa versa.
Check your tyres are good for all the milage and then get them gell filled, to help if you get a puncture.
Cannot emphasise the previous posters comments about having short regular stops. Getting dehydrated is really easy, especially if you've been on the pop the night before.
If you've got a Fabric jacket, stick some dried fruit/fruit bars in pockets. These will help get you through the intial excitement of being on foreign soil. Before you realise that you need to take regular stops, to eat and drink.
Be very realistic about the distances involved. It is easy to say "well it is only 200 miles, I'd do that on a Sunday". Trouble is, doing every day is not nice, you'll be knackered and you want to see some places.
Get some spare batteries for your camera, if it is a digital one, buy them online, along with some memory cards, and charge them before you go. Write a number of each one and use them in sequence, when you take lots of piccies.
Pack stuff in to lots of seperate plastic bags, rather than one per side. So socks and undies in one, tshirts in another, etc. It is unlikely that all of them will leak and less likely that you'll put a hole in all of them. It also makes it easier to compress them to get all of the air out.
Have a great time.
Take some cheapo face wipes with you. They're great for washing hands, wiping sweaty brows and backsides, etc.
If you've got some pockets, then stash some KFC cleaning wipes, in there. They're handy for wiping the flies, etc off your screen and visor.
Photocopy all documents, and give the copies to your mate & visa versa.
Check your tyres are good for all the milage and then get them gell filled, to help if you get a puncture.
Cannot emphasise the previous posters comments about having short regular stops. Getting dehydrated is really easy, especially if you've been on the pop the night before.
If you've got a Fabric jacket, stick some dried fruit/fruit bars in pockets. These will help get you through the intial excitement of being on foreign soil. Before you realise that you need to take regular stops, to eat and drink.
Be very realistic about the distances involved. It is easy to say "well it is only 200 miles, I'd do that on a Sunday". Trouble is, doing every day is not nice, you'll be knackered and you want to see some places.
Get some spare batteries for your camera, if it is a digital one, buy them online, along with some memory cards, and charge them before you go. Write a number of each one and use them in sequence, when you take lots of piccies.
Pack stuff in to lots of seperate plastic bags, rather than one per side. So socks and undies in one, tshirts in another, etc. It is unlikely that all of them will leak and less likely that you'll put a hole in all of them. It also makes it easier to compress them to get all of the air out.
Have a great time.
How many sweaty backsides do you need to wipe? No …… don’t answer that one!Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff