Newbie tourer bike advice please
Discussion
Hello all,
Thinking about buying a bike in the next few months. Currently have an Mt07. First bike, have 18 months riding experience with only 6k miles under my belt. Obviously inexperienced but would love to do some touring around Europe soon. Question is use a tail bag and soft panniers on my mt07 and go for it or look at getting a used sports tourer/ adventure bike circa £6 - 7k. Concerns are heavier, more power, not suitable for a relative newb. I know the mt07 is a budget bike but it’s all I have experience on. I know people say you can tour on any bike but are others such as versys 1000, bmw 800gs or Gt, tiger 800 etc such a massive step up in quality suspension, brakes etc that make you enjoy touring much more as they are supposed to be more comfortable for longer journeys? want to keep the mt07 for commuting and occasional weekend rides but if there is bike that could do both I’d happily trade in and spend more. Or am I being naive and there is no such motorbike? The market seems full of big adventure type bikes which don’t really appeal to me, or am I being narrow minded till I try one?
Thinking about buying a bike in the next few months. Currently have an Mt07. First bike, have 18 months riding experience with only 6k miles under my belt. Obviously inexperienced but would love to do some touring around Europe soon. Question is use a tail bag and soft panniers on my mt07 and go for it or look at getting a used sports tourer/ adventure bike circa £6 - 7k. Concerns are heavier, more power, not suitable for a relative newb. I know the mt07 is a budget bike but it’s all I have experience on. I know people say you can tour on any bike but are others such as versys 1000, bmw 800gs or Gt, tiger 800 etc such a massive step up in quality suspension, brakes etc that make you enjoy touring much more as they are supposed to be more comfortable for longer journeys? want to keep the mt07 for commuting and occasional weekend rides but if there is bike that could do both I’d happily trade in and spend more. Or am I being naive and there is no such motorbike? The market seems full of big adventure type bikes which don’t really appeal to me, or am I being narrow minded till I try one?
Statement: none of my questions are intended to cast aspersions on your credentials as a: a man (if indeed...) b. a biker
Why does more weight bother you? Make sure you can get your feet down reasonably well, once you're on the move you won't notice.
A Tiger 800 will have similar power to weight as your MT07 so why do you think it'll be "too much"?
Comfort is very subjective - ride many bikes for as long as the dealer will let you. (Triumph seats are not very comfy imho)
I would advise you to about double your miles covered in this country before adding riding on the other side of the road, signs in a foreign language and other different driving standards and rules into your journeys.
Why does more weight bother you? Make sure you can get your feet down reasonably well, once you're on the move you won't notice.
A Tiger 800 will have similar power to weight as your MT07 so why do you think it'll be "too much"?
Comfort is very subjective - ride many bikes for as long as the dealer will let you. (Triumph seats are not very comfy imho)
I would advise you to about double your miles covered in this country before adding riding on the other side of the road, signs in a foreign language and other different driving standards and rules into your journeys.
Thanks for your reply pothole. Yes want to test ride more bikes to compare and do more miles. Always find myself looking at other bikes and think what they are like to ride? Only one way to find out obviuosly. Having an mt07 as a first bike as reference point and really enjoying it, I just wondered how much better other more expensive bikes are for touring?
For my tuppence worth I would say just get on the bike you have, ride it and enjoy. Don't worry about another bike, you're not even sure what you're looking for yet. After a few thousand miles on the Yamaha you'll have a good idea if a) you like touring and b) requirements for any new bike. I tour on a naked bike (Z1000) and apart from long stints on the motorway, it's fine. Solution: avoid motorways.
Regarding luggage I have a top box and Givi soft panniers, which is way too much for a bloke on his own, but about right when I'm with the missus. Bear in mind that for the panniers you'll have to buy the supports too, which will up the cost a bit and probably be specific to the bike.
Regarding luggage I have a top box and Givi soft panniers, which is way too much for a bloke on his own, but about right when I'm with the missus. Bear in mind that for the panniers you'll have to buy the supports too, which will up the cost a bit and probably be specific to the bike.
Back when I used to do Euro jaunts, I used to use a 20 litre Kriega tailpack (which are excellent, by the way) and despite having tools and winter gloves/waterproofs, I always took too much stuff.
If you take a tailpack and panniers, you'll fill them with rubbish you don't need and cart it round Europe for no other reason than to make your bike more of a pain to load up in the morning.
Trust me, your MT is plenty big enough.
If you take a tailpack and panniers, you'll fill them with rubbish you don't need and cart it round Europe for no other reason than to make your bike more of a pain to load up in the morning.
Trust me, your MT is plenty big enough.
I'm sure the MT07 is up to the job but as others have said there are other bikes designed for the task.
In your shoes I'd just get on with it. Bungee some panniers to the bike and point it towards the sunshine. Once you've toured a bit you'll have a better idea about the things that you want and you can shop accordingly when getting your next bike.
I used to tour on my TL1000S with camping gear strapped to the back. Then I got a GSX1000R and changed to a Kriega tailpack (no camping). Downside of both was that nagging worry about leaving my stuff on the bike if I stopped anywhere. I never had any problems because most people are honest, but it would only take 1 a
hole to ruin a holiday.
Finally I got a S1000XR with hard panniers and a top box. I've got space for camping gear for weekends away and for longer euro tours any valuables can stay safe in the locked cases.
In your shoes I'd just get on with it. Bungee some panniers to the bike and point it towards the sunshine. Once you've toured a bit you'll have a better idea about the things that you want and you can shop accordingly when getting your next bike.
I used to tour on my TL1000S with camping gear strapped to the back. Then I got a GSX1000R and changed to a Kriega tailpack (no camping). Downside of both was that nagging worry about leaving my stuff on the bike if I stopped anywhere. I never had any problems because most people are honest, but it would only take 1 a
hole to ruin a holiday.Finally I got a S1000XR with hard panniers and a top box. I've got space for camping gear for weekends away and for longer euro tours any valuables can stay safe in the locked cases.
SidG said:
Hello all,
...others such as versys 1000, bmw 800gs or Gt, tiger 800 etc such a massive step up in quality suspension, brakes etc that make you enjoy touring much more as they are supposed to be more comfortable for longer journeys? ...
What makes touring enjoyable is touring itself, you'll soon forget about suspension and brakes when you're on a bike you know riding around the Alps or along the seaside in Italy. If you find the MT uncomfortable, get an airhawk seat pad and fit a fly screen to reduce wind at speed, and go!...others such as versys 1000, bmw 800gs or Gt, tiger 800 etc such a massive step up in quality suspension, brakes etc that make you enjoy touring much more as they are supposed to be more comfortable for longer journeys? ...
I have a MT09 which I use for short term touring... I strap a dry bag onto the pillion seat and also have a small tank bag.
However, if I'm going anywhere longer than 2 weeks, I have my trustly old Pan European - 1990 vintage with 95k - 35k of which are mine.
I've been around Europe 3 times with it, bought as a drunken Ebay purchase a few years back to go touring for 3 months, and I've kept it ever since.
OP - I would look into getting one of them, cheap(ish), reliable and a superb touring machine, single or 2 up, and can do the winter commute too..
However, if I'm going anywhere longer than 2 weeks, I have my trustly old Pan European - 1990 vintage with 95k - 35k of which are mine.
I've been around Europe 3 times with it, bought as a drunken Ebay purchase a few years back to go touring for 3 months, and I've kept it ever since.
OP - I would look into getting one of them, cheap(ish), reliable and a superb touring machine, single or 2 up, and can do the winter commute too..
When and where are you thinking of going?
Keep the mt07 for at least one tour then you will definelty know if it fits the bill, I’ve been on loads of tours with naked bikes and they were great fun.keep distances realistic, try and stay off motorways as much as poss.
Wouldn’t worry about panniers, roll bag or large tail pack will be fine, tanklock bag are good for keeping wallet, passports , sunglasses etc in
Keep the mt07 for at least one tour then you will definelty know if it fits the bill, I’ve been on loads of tours with naked bikes and they were great fun.keep distances realistic, try and stay off motorways as much as poss.
Wouldn’t worry about panniers, roll bag or large tail pack will be fine, tanklock bag are good for keeping wallet, passports , sunglasses etc in
Trying to tour on any bike you are not comfortable on will make touring hell, regardless how "good" that bike is supposed to be.
You can tour on anything so your MT07 will be fine IF you are happy with it. And by happy, I mean both riding it for long days/big miles and with regards to carrying luggage. Only you will know if the MT07 ticks the boxes.
Look at the Old Gits website and see the range of bikes used. If you're looking for alternatives then the list shows the bikes that have worked for others.
http://www.old-gits.org/TripHistory.htm
ETA Feel free to PM me if you'd be interested in joining us in Northern Spain in June next year. It's a very easy introduction to touring as we well ferry there then base ourselves at a couple of hotels to do daily ride outs.
You can tour on anything so your MT07 will be fine IF you are happy with it. And by happy, I mean both riding it for long days/big miles and with regards to carrying luggage. Only you will know if the MT07 ticks the boxes.
Look at the Old Gits website and see the range of bikes used. If you're looking for alternatives then the list shows the bikes that have worked for others.
http://www.old-gits.org/TripHistory.htm
ETA Feel free to PM me if you'd be interested in joining us in Northern Spain in June next year. It's a very easy introduction to touring as we well ferry there then base ourselves at a couple of hotels to do daily ride outs.
Edited by black-k1 on Thursday 26th September 13:29
You can definitely tour on the MT07!
I have a Yamaha XJ6 (Naked) and have done a few little trips with zero issues.
Have been to the Black Forest in Germany for 5 days. (my 1st trip ever)
4 day trip to the Lake District.
Been to Wales twice for 4 days at a time (last one only 2 weeks ago)
Have only used a Givi 15lt tank bag + 20lt Kriega tail bag for these trips (apart from last Wales trip where i used a top box + tank bag)
Only been riding just over 2 years, but done close to 25k miles in this time (commuting + touring)
Yes at times it can get uncomfortable on a bike not designed for "touring", but you should be taking regular breaks anyway for fueling, a bite and a drink (+ a wee) etc so it's definitely managable.
Im sure you can be a lot comfier on a big GS, but you can really tour on anything you want!
I suggest you go on a little UK trip somewhere (Wales, Peak District, Lake Distric, Scotland) and see how you get on with the bike. I'm sure you will be fine though!
Just do it!
I have a Yamaha XJ6 (Naked) and have done a few little trips with zero issues.
Have been to the Black Forest in Germany for 5 days. (my 1st trip ever)
4 day trip to the Lake District.
Been to Wales twice for 4 days at a time (last one only 2 weeks ago)
Have only used a Givi 15lt tank bag + 20lt Kriega tail bag for these trips (apart from last Wales trip where i used a top box + tank bag)
Only been riding just over 2 years, but done close to 25k miles in this time (commuting + touring)
Yes at times it can get uncomfortable on a bike not designed for "touring", but you should be taking regular breaks anyway for fueling, a bite and a drink (+ a wee) etc so it's definitely managable.
Im sure you can be a lot comfier on a big GS, but you can really tour on anything you want!
I suggest you go on a little UK trip somewhere (Wales, Peak District, Lake Distric, Scotland) and see how you get on with the bike. I'm sure you will be fine though!
Just do it!
Thank you all for the replies. Much appreciated. I've only done day trips to Wales and the Peak district so far due to work and family commitments. But I will do weekends further around the UK soon and when holidays allow next summer look to venture across the channel into Europe. You've all made me think about my bike and I do feel comfortable on it apart from long motorway journeys. So plan is to keep the MT07, get more miles/experience, avoid motorways unless necessary and see how next year goes. After that if I can convince the wife to come along as pillion, perhaps a bigger bike would be more suitable.
Think I just get drawn in by watching Youtube reviews of different bikes and ask myself "would riding that be so much better?"
Think I just get drawn in by watching Youtube reviews of different bikes and ask myself "would riding that be so much better?"
I think adventure tourers are perfect for touring on as there is so much space to move about on them etc and they just soak up bumps and the like. They're the swiss army knife of the biking world imho.
Having just returned from a 1000 mile long weekend on mine I'd far rather be doing this journey on the Adv tourer than any of my others. I know you can tour on any bike, but they do make it easier and more pleasurable imho. Just get one that has some go and handles well.
I have an Aprilia Caponord ETV1000, it doesn't have all the latest tech but it's a solid touring work horse and it is easy to service at home without requiring main dealer only servicing which if you enjoy or want to learn working on your own bikes then it's perfect, particularly with such a friendly and knowledgeable owners base.
If not, and you want a warrantied or far newer ride, again there are plenty to choose from
As advised, go visit some dealers and ride as much of whats in budget for as long as you can....
Enjoy!
Having just returned from a 1000 mile long weekend on mine I'd far rather be doing this journey on the Adv tourer than any of my others. I know you can tour on any bike, but they do make it easier and more pleasurable imho. Just get one that has some go and handles well.
I have an Aprilia Caponord ETV1000, it doesn't have all the latest tech but it's a solid touring work horse and it is easy to service at home without requiring main dealer only servicing which if you enjoy or want to learn working on your own bikes then it's perfect, particularly with such a friendly and knowledgeable owners base.
If not, and you want a warrantied or far newer ride, again there are plenty to choose from
As advised, go visit some dealers and ride as much of whats in budget for as long as you can....
Enjoy!
StreetDragster said:
I'd recommend starting with the north coast 500.
In the UK, great route, nice mix of A- roads down to single track, and if you find your uncomfortable , turn round and come back.
You'll know if you like touring then, and where your/ bikes shortfalls are
Matt
You'll certainly get to know if your luggage is waterproof! In the UK, great route, nice mix of A- roads down to single track, and if you find your uncomfortable , turn round and come back.
You'll know if you like touring then, and where your/ bikes shortfalls are
Matt
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