Euro trip on a 125 scooter with a Pillion???
Discussion
Any advice?
Life feels like it's given me a kicking recently. So I read this book on positivity. And it basically says you are what you think. And I think it would be fun to get the ferry over to Dunkirk from Dover, and then ride around the Netherlands. So I've booked the ferry for my and my girlfriend (about 20 mins ago). She has been daft enough to go along with it. I have a good friend who lives in Belgium (Brussels) so I might have a day or two there. But I am only going for 8 days.
Now we have gone on Amazon and got her a bike jacket. She already has a helmet. I am thinking some Givi side bags might help out. I want to take my tent etc...
But the problem is I only have a little Honda PCX scooter. So does anyone have any advice or tips? Even just routes or places to see. I know it's not the right bike for the trip - so unless you want to lend me your bigger bikes there is no point in going into that.
Cheers.
Life feels like it's given me a kicking recently. So I read this book on positivity. And it basically says you are what you think. And I think it would be fun to get the ferry over to Dunkirk from Dover, and then ride around the Netherlands. So I've booked the ferry for my and my girlfriend (about 20 mins ago). She has been daft enough to go along with it. I have a good friend who lives in Belgium (Brussels) so I might have a day or two there. But I am only going for 8 days.
Now we have gone on Amazon and got her a bike jacket. She already has a helmet. I am thinking some Givi side bags might help out. I want to take my tent etc...
But the problem is I only have a little Honda PCX scooter. So does anyone have any advice or tips? Even just routes or places to see. I know it's not the right bike for the trip - so unless you want to lend me your bigger bikes there is no point in going into that.
Cheers.
This one looks pretty well loaded so it might give you a few ideas. Your route is pretty flat so your little 125 will be fine, just stay off the main routes as they are as busy as f
k with lorries and they are fast. Weekends are better as most lorries are not allowed to move around but the main roads are still no place for a fully loaded 125.
If you want to get modern life into prospective as you're weaving your way through the beautiful Belgium countryside have a little stop at a few WW1 & WW2 graveyards. There are loads of them and reading the headstones of the young men from both sides that lost their lives always makes me appreciated what I have.
In what now seems like another life I also had a great time touring on a 50cc moped so get out there!
k with lorries and they are fast. Weekends are better as most lorries are not allowed to move around but the main roads are still no place for a fully loaded 125.If you want to get modern life into prospective as you're weaving your way through the beautiful Belgium countryside have a little stop at a few WW1 & WW2 graveyards. There are loads of them and reading the headstones of the young men from both sides that lost their lives always makes me appreciated what I have.
In what now seems like another life I also had a great time touring on a 50cc moped so get out there!
Nothing particularly useful to add (beginning rider).
But what a bloody superb attitude. Crack on chap, you'll be OK.
Soon as you're in a city, you'll be on the best transport available, judging by the amount of scooters I see in Amsterdam and Brussels. God knows what the in between bits are like.
Strongly recommend the war cemeteries and sites. Powerful stuff, and certainly put my issues into perspective and gave me a fresh outlook when I visited.
Enjoy (and if you're ever near Chichester, and 'think' a pint or a decent bbq might be nice, drop me a PM).
But what a bloody superb attitude. Crack on chap, you'll be OK.
Soon as you're in a city, you'll be on the best transport available, judging by the amount of scooters I see in Amsterdam and Brussels. God knows what the in between bits are like.
Strongly recommend the war cemeteries and sites. Powerful stuff, and certainly put my issues into perspective and gave me a fresh outlook when I visited.
Enjoy (and if you're ever near Chichester, and 'think' a pint or a decent bbq might be nice, drop me a PM).
Justatwist said:
To save on weight could you not post some clothes to your friends in Belgium then when you arrive there post back all the stuff you’ve already used?
Even better, save the postage and do a Jack Reacher. Shop for T shirt three packs (8 Euro last time I bought some) and other cheap garments at LIDL (or similar) on the continent and recycle them in one of the many fabric recycling bins before you leave. (I was in Merzig last week and noticed that I could also have bought some lederhosen had the mood taken me!)This is what I do when we drive my Alfa Spider on the continent, as my wife circumscribes most of the limited boot storage with whatever it is she packs in her case (I don't ask). We also need to leave space for fag stock replenishment in Luxembourg. The rest of the space is for the spare parts stash, tools and petrol can that any sensible owner of an elderly Alfa keeps, so I have very little space left for my own garments
. Don't have any advice other than to start a thread on here and post at the end of the day with photos, maybe a lunchtime post if you stop in a cafe with wifi. Don't overthink it just phone shots and a few words for context. It'll be a brilliant thread.
If you're taking a tent, why do you need a plan? If you're staying at a friends he'll have a washing machine so you only need clothes for half the trip.
I've been talking to some friends about a trip on smaller bikes. We'd all have to buy them but I've seen so many people downsizing and having more fun (e.g. a bunch of guys in the VMCC did a 1000 mile trip on BSA Bantams, a friend did the Dragon Rally from East Sussex with 11 mates all on C90s and said it was more fun that taking their GSs).
Really wish I had time for something like this...need to adjust a few lifestyle things I think....
If you're taking a tent, why do you need a plan? If you're staying at a friends he'll have a washing machine so you only need clothes for half the trip.
I've been talking to some friends about a trip on smaller bikes. We'd all have to buy them but I've seen so many people downsizing and having more fun (e.g. a bunch of guys in the VMCC did a 1000 mile trip on BSA Bantams, a friend did the Dragon Rally from East Sussex with 11 mates all on C90s and said it was more fun that taking their GSs).
Really wish I had time for something like this...need to adjust a few lifestyle things I think....
Krikkit said:
Could you beg/borrow another scoot to take for your other half? Having a pair would be really fun.
She doesn't even have a cbt let alone a full licence. I've suggested she does one and I'll let her use the scooter. But she has zero interest. In fairness I have zero interest in make up or clothes so I cant really judge her for that.
I'm generally more of a lurker than a poster but your plan resonates with me - In Jun I and 2 mates (along with about 250 other Lambretta owners) did a 1900 mile round trip to Poland (Zakopane) to the Euro rally - as other have said the motorways and autobahn are hard work when your speed is close to the hundreds of lorries so if possible take to the back roads. Also be aware of weight distribution - being two up already loads up back wheel so you might need to consider a rack at the front. I presume it's a 4 stroke so you won't need to set off with 6 litres of 2 stroke oil to carry like us !!
Cheers guys. Didn't expect so many positive comments. Turns out Amazon next day delivery actually means they will deliver the saddlebags on Wednesday. Fortunately Beths Jacket will turn up today. So luggage is down to one 40l bag. Plus all the space I have under the seat.
This bike actually makes it easier in some respects. It has a 12V output so I can charge a phone. It has space under the seat so I can throw in heavier stuff there. It's great on fuel so £10 takes me 200 miles. And it's relatively comfortable and handles surpisingly well. It even had a cubby hole to throw my wallet and vape etc.
I have done 'big(ish)' trips on bikes in Asia. Even did Chiang Mai to Pai through the mountains in monsoon on an old crappy scooter. If I could do that when the roads were flooding means this should be easy. When I did that I had a 80l bag between my legs on the scooter, the back brake didn't work and any protection for my eyes came from my sunglasses. So I have luxury now. Even had the brakes overheat and stop working when going down one part - managed to not come off so either I'm lucky or really good.
Ferry Tomorrow is at 10am. We are heading from near Southampton. So I'll be leaving at 5am. I need to keep the costs low - so it will be hostels and really cheap accomodation. I'm taking my jetboil so I can pull over and make a coffee. I'll utilise Aldi and other supermarkets to buy a baguette, brie and ham for sandwiches and use the bike to find fun stuff.
Really really appreciate the advice on seeing the historical sites. I am going to do that for sure. Kindle will be charged. We have no real plans. I have waze on my phone and will stop as and when I see something interesting or fancy a break. I'm going to avoid motorways totally. It should be a laugh. I'm going to see if I can find a way to attach the tent - but due to space and the passanger it might not be possible.
This bike actually makes it easier in some respects. It has a 12V output so I can charge a phone. It has space under the seat so I can throw in heavier stuff there. It's great on fuel so £10 takes me 200 miles. And it's relatively comfortable and handles surpisingly well. It even had a cubby hole to throw my wallet and vape etc.
I have done 'big(ish)' trips on bikes in Asia. Even did Chiang Mai to Pai through the mountains in monsoon on an old crappy scooter. If I could do that when the roads were flooding means this should be easy. When I did that I had a 80l bag between my legs on the scooter, the back brake didn't work and any protection for my eyes came from my sunglasses. So I have luxury now. Even had the brakes overheat and stop working when going down one part - managed to not come off so either I'm lucky or really good.
Ferry Tomorrow is at 10am. We are heading from near Southampton. So I'll be leaving at 5am. I need to keep the costs low - so it will be hostels and really cheap accomodation. I'm taking my jetboil so I can pull over and make a coffee. I'll utilise Aldi and other supermarkets to buy a baguette, brie and ham for sandwiches and use the bike to find fun stuff.
Really really appreciate the advice on seeing the historical sites. I am going to do that for sure. Kindle will be charged. We have no real plans. I have waze on my phone and will stop as and when I see something interesting or fancy a break. I'm going to avoid motorways totally. It should be a laugh. I'm going to see if I can find a way to attach the tent - but due to space and the passanger it might not be possible.
Sway said:
If you want a bacon sarnie on your way to Dover, give me a shout. Halfway loo/brekkie break on offer, five minutes from the a27 at Chichester.
Enjoy - and post up loads of pics!
That's a really generous offer. But I'll be passing through there really early. I used to drive for a supermarket and went along the 27 to Brighton etc regularly. And always thought it would be more fun on a bike. Enjoy - and post up loads of pics!
I will be posting up some pics. Probably when I'm back as I'm not taking a laptop. I am being the world biggest cheapskate. When you buy truck diesel from moto you get a 50p voucher for each 100l. I usually put these in my wallet and forget. You can use them at Costa and food outlets at moto services (except Burgerking) - so I'll treat Beth to some free drinks and food when we get to Eastern Dock Moto services.
I don't post a lot here, but browse it daily.
This sounds brilliant.
My advice is, take your time, avoid motorways and dual carriageways obviously.
Stop frequently, pillion is a lousy place to sit and they need to stretch their legs a lot.
Enjoy and loads of photos please! I like this kind of thread and I love Belgium
This sounds brilliant.
My advice is, take your time, avoid motorways and dual carriageways obviously.
Stop frequently, pillion is a lousy place to sit and they need to stretch their legs a lot.
Enjoy and loads of photos please! I like this kind of thread and I love Belgium
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