Viva la españa - 10 day tour
Discussion
Well I skipping IOM TT this year for something a little different. A good friend I've been riding with for 18 years turns the grand old age of 60 this year... So, we all decided to do a 10 day tour
5 of us going, all sena'd up with the route sorted. 1 bought a £1100 blackbird with a top box and 62k. We call it the flying fatbird as its rapid and looks like a boat when he wheelies it in 2nd gear for 1/2 a mile down any road
Another on his MT10 did a DIY special £25 bracket with gumtree special top box
The other two are pretty sensible with their S1000R and Multistrada and then there's me
Trying to make a super naked a tourer for 10 days
Bought a set of metz m7rrs to be fitted, double bubble already fitted, some medieval cruise control (I learnt from nurburgring in April I badly needed this on the crap motorway part initially)
The hepco and beca sport rack got a adjusted once I put it together to be as snug as possible and the kriegga straps hidden away which I used on the us20 will come to good use in really strapping the sport rack down as although the say upto 5kg I don't trust that much weight on a seat hook and clip
I bought a givi 45lt top box and base knowing it could be made to fit with a bit of tweaking
Getting the base as tight to the edge as possible it just about aligned two of the fixings but the other two I had no chance so I trimmed as you can see put the spacer in and voilà!
The choice was this or 2x us10s which look a million times better to the eye but don't offer the security and I can't lock my lid away when at the spa
I still can't get over how damn ugly it is but if it means I can take everything I need then it's worth every penny
Last bit to do is 12k service Inc valve check in 3 weeks and a set of rear pads (done front 500 miles ago) and that's it!
Hopefully some great sites, riding, no mechanical failures or injuries
Should be a fair few miles on the route below
5 of us going, all sena'd up with the route sorted. 1 bought a £1100 blackbird with a top box and 62k. We call it the flying fatbird as its rapid and looks like a boat when he wheelies it in 2nd gear for 1/2 a mile down any road
Another on his MT10 did a DIY special £25 bracket with gumtree special top box
The other two are pretty sensible with their S1000R and Multistrada and then there's me
Trying to make a super naked a tourer for 10 days
Bought a set of metz m7rrs to be fitted, double bubble already fitted, some medieval cruise control (I learnt from nurburgring in April I badly needed this on the crap motorway part initially)
The hepco and beca sport rack got a adjusted once I put it together to be as snug as possible and the kriegga straps hidden away which I used on the us20 will come to good use in really strapping the sport rack down as although the say upto 5kg I don't trust that much weight on a seat hook and clip
I bought a givi 45lt top box and base knowing it could be made to fit with a bit of tweaking
Getting the base as tight to the edge as possible it just about aligned two of the fixings but the other two I had no chance so I trimmed as you can see put the spacer in and voilà!
The choice was this or 2x us10s which look a million times better to the eye but don't offer the security and I can't lock my lid away when at the spa
I still can't get over how damn ugly it is but if it means I can take everything I need then it's worth every penny
Last bit to do is 12k service Inc valve check in 3 weeks and a set of rear pads (done front 500 miles ago) and that's it!
Hopefully some great sites, riding, no mechanical failures or injuries
Should be a fair few miles on the route below
Edited by Birky_41 on Friday 25th May 09:38
moto_traxport said:
Not too much Viva Espana there - is the title to throw the French Gendarmes off the scent?
Blackbird's are better than they look for the twisties, you can get about a foot of fairing down on both sides, not just catch the back edge - looks well 'ard and feels even better!
It was more in my drunken state reading that French post but yes I'll go with what you said Blackbird's are better than they look for the twisties, you can get about a foot of fairing down on both sides, not just catch the back edge - looks well 'ard and feels even better!
As for the blackbird, completely agree! He does Sunday rides with us and is forever decking it. It wobbles about a bit but it's definitely capable
naetype said:
That is a serious amount of mileage with no breaks. Assume the 'ring visit is to actually to do some laps? I'd be absolutely shattered by the time I got there after all those miles. Good luck.
BTW: Don't let others or kid yourself - that top box does your bike no favours in the looks department
Bloody awful isn't it! BTW: Don't let others or kid yourself - that top box does your bike no favours in the looks department
I might (will) do a few laps Im sure. 300 miles in a day given its all day is quite easy really. I did 'ring to Calais avoiding all motorways leaving at 9am and getting to the tunnel at 7pm - that was a very twisty near on 600 miles in a day and I felt quite battered after that one
Chipchap said:
Myself & Spareparts will be visiting the MV Factory on Thu 21st quite near the end of our 3300 mile tour of Switzerland/France/Italy/Croatia/Bosnia/Slovenia/Austria et all.
Enjoy
A
This was me on the way to dinner one fine clear evening near Lisbon in 2015. Just to horrify those on the protective clothing thread.
2000 miles through Portugal on an MV using an R30 Kriega back pack. Lovely job.
Awesome!! What a bike and tour to do it on tooEnjoy
A
This was me on the way to dinner one fine clear evening near Lisbon in 2015. Just to horrify those on the protective clothing thread.
2000 miles through Portugal on an MV using an R30 Kriega back pack. Lovely job.
Ive ridden enough times without kit...its quite liberating but longer rides I dont. I did really think about the Kriegga setup, its nicer and works really well but literally helmet storage and ease of access was all that held me back. 2 x US10 would've cost me £140. My top box w*nker look has cost me £240
5 day to go so getting the final few bits done
Metz M7RR's fitted and noticed this. All jokes aside who has ridden with one of these and what were these like at speed?
Also for the ones who have posted and have done tours like this before what did you pack? I have my 40lt givi top box, a bum bag and a phone holder on the bars that holds minimal else
Any tips here?
Metz M7RR's fitted and noticed this. All jokes aside who has ridden with one of these and what were these like at speed?
Also for the ones who have posted and have done tours like this before what did you pack? I have my 40lt givi top box, a bum bag and a phone holder on the bars that holds minimal else
Any tips here?
3DP said:
I had side cases fitted with frame to my ZZR1400. Max speed was supposed to be 130kph when fitted. The only ill effect I noticed was that above 170mph there was a front end weave and peak speed was a GPS 190mph downhill with a tail wind in Spain. They also held on fine with 130mph+ wheelies and some false neutral heavy landings when going up the box!
Not only that on one high speed filtering run in traffic in Italy that got a bit mental I had 3 different colours of paint on the panniers when we stopped. They still stayed on!
It's like the 5kg top box limit that everyone packs with 20kg of stuff. Just covering their arses. In reality if you couldn't put more than 5kg or go over 70mph, no-one would use them. I wouldn't worry about it.
If really worried just take a load of cable ties to act as secondary tethers
That's me on the ZZR in the pics Spareparts and ChipChap posted above.
Appreciate dude - exactly the sort of answer I was hoping. I'll be doing exactly that with additional strapping from my Kriegga tie downs underneath. I think realistically I'll rarely go past 130 but I typically cruise at 90ishNot only that on one high speed filtering run in traffic in Italy that got a bit mental I had 3 different colours of paint on the panniers when we stopped. They still stayed on!
It's like the 5kg top box limit that everyone packs with 20kg of stuff. Just covering their arses. In reality if you couldn't put more than 5kg or go over 70mph, no-one would use them. I wouldn't worry about it.
If really worried just take a load of cable ties to act as secondary tethers
That's me on the ZZR in the pics Spareparts and ChipChap posted above.
poo at Paul's said:
Hope you get sorted.
Only just saw this thread, wish you all well, two things.
1- ref the top box, I have one on the 1290 GT and panniers, and with 2 people on it, seems fine up to 140mph where legal. BUT, on IOM few weeks ago, took panniers off, left box on and went over mountain.........just shy of 120mph and it started weaving, tried to ride through it, no chance. 116mph, fine, 120mph, like a switch, started wobbling. BUT two up and back with panniers, fine....!! Must be aero, box was empty at time. So be careful, KTM say panniers only good to 110mph, nowt mentioned ref top box.
2. St Tropez- great part of world but as others elude to expensive for food and drink. Do yourself a favour, ride out to Ramatuelle, 10km of so, and go down to the beach and eat at L'Esquinade. it's an amazing place, it's right on the beach few yard from water, decent car park, great food a t decent enough price, and good views round to Monaco, mountains behind etc. Only serve food til 3pm lunch though, but well worth a trip out there, vinyards round and about all v pretty!
Course you may end up in a €30 Formula 1 for 4 days til Johnny Foreigner recovery arrives and throws a bike on back of is flatbed for €300! If so, enjoy!!
Cheers for the heads up. We've all switched to km. We mainly were around 130-180 and avoided every motorway. Never went past 202kmh and at that speed it's fineOnly just saw this thread, wish you all well, two things.
1- ref the top box, I have one on the 1290 GT and panniers, and with 2 people on it, seems fine up to 140mph where legal. BUT, on IOM few weeks ago, took panniers off, left box on and went over mountain.........just shy of 120mph and it started weaving, tried to ride through it, no chance. 116mph, fine, 120mph, like a switch, started wobbling. BUT two up and back with panniers, fine....!! Must be aero, box was empty at time. So be careful, KTM say panniers only good to 110mph, nowt mentioned ref top box.
2. St Tropez- great part of world but as others elude to expensive for food and drink. Do yourself a favour, ride out to Ramatuelle, 10km of so, and go down to the beach and eat at L'Esquinade. it's an amazing place, it's right on the beach few yard from water, decent car park, great food a t decent enough price, and good views round to Monaco, mountains behind etc. Only serve food til 3pm lunch though, but well worth a trip out there, vinyards round and about all v pretty!
Course you may end up in a €30 Formula 1 for 4 days til Johnny Foreigner recovery arrives and throws a bike on back of is flatbed for €300! If so, enjoy!!
Front wheels not been balanced very well though, I've got a slight shake at about 45-70kmh then it goes
Lots of pictures but need to drop the resolution as it'll only put upto around 2mb on here
400 miles done so far
Cheers guys and toxicnerve it's the exhaust valve / servo that's playing up I've worked out. Still doing it now but I'll just ride it around the problem
Today was without question the hardest, physically and mentally for me. ALOT of miles, ridden down to the south of France, the pyrenees and now north Spain
Never ridden in that kind of heat before. Bike was always in the low 100c which for it is hot
One mate ran over a huge snake that came out in the middle of the road, as he went over it the bugger stuck it's head up and then one of my other lot directly behind couldn't avoid so kicked it full in the head
Been eating and drinking every few hours (or basically every 100-120 miles) and enjoying the culture, different types of food etc
Couldn't be without our sena systems. Mixture of 2 smh10r and 3 on the new mesh system been working great
Few pics that I can upload easy as it's had the resolution dropped from Instagram already. I've taken loads but I'll upload a few right at the end
Leaving in next hour east to Sigean hotel via
Esterri D'Aneu and El Pas De La Casa avoiding all motorways as we have done since leaving calais Friday
Today was without question the hardest, physically and mentally for me. ALOT of miles, ridden down to the south of France, the pyrenees and now north Spain
Never ridden in that kind of heat before. Bike was always in the low 100c which for it is hot
One mate ran over a huge snake that came out in the middle of the road, as he went over it the bugger stuck it's head up and then one of my other lot directly behind couldn't avoid so kicked it full in the head
Been eating and drinking every few hours (or basically every 100-120 miles) and enjoying the culture, different types of food etc
Couldn't be without our sena systems. Mixture of 2 smh10r and 3 on the new mesh system been working great
Few pics that I can upload easy as it's had the resolution dropped from Instagram already. I've taken loads but I'll upload a few right at the end
Leaving in next hour east to Sigean hotel via
Esterri D'Aneu and El Pas De La Casa avoiding all motorways as we have done since leaving calais Friday
Can't believe how it can go from being so hot to absolutely freezing as we rode up the mountain
Temps dropped from 20s to the point there was snow as you can see here
Coming back down the guy on the left riding the 'fatbird' blackbird slid off. Dented the tank with his knee as he got stuck under it
Annoying I didn't have the gopro on, was about 20mph on tarmac that had lifted from the weather. He's OK and bikes rideable so all good
Doing so many miles and all the chatting on the coms you notice some funny stuff and geeky things for sad people like me
For starters an MT10 over reads by near on 10mph at higher speeds. I reset my trip computer at the same time as his and at 220km I hit reserve. I filled up at 235km give or take. His bike doing exactly the same journey was reading 254km
Also the fuel range on all the different bikes and performance. I'd never have thought a £1100 70,000 mile blackbird would be such a good all rounder tbh. It does on average 70 cents less on fuel each tank unless we both ride hard then it uses a fair bit more
The performance is also so on par to my 1100 its unreal. Off the mark he can keep the wheel down a touch easier and maybe get half a bike on me, soon as he changes to 2nd I'll get maybe a bike on him and it stays that way until 140mph when he reels me in quick
Anyways enough geeky talk I'm going for breakfast
Temps dropped from 20s to the point there was snow as you can see here
Coming back down the guy on the left riding the 'fatbird' blackbird slid off. Dented the tank with his knee as he got stuck under it
Annoying I didn't have the gopro on, was about 20mph on tarmac that had lifted from the weather. He's OK and bikes rideable so all good
Doing so many miles and all the chatting on the coms you notice some funny stuff and geeky things for sad people like me
For starters an MT10 over reads by near on 10mph at higher speeds. I reset my trip computer at the same time as his and at 220km I hit reserve. I filled up at 235km give or take. His bike doing exactly the same journey was reading 254km
Also the fuel range on all the different bikes and performance. I'd never have thought a £1100 70,000 mile blackbird would be such a good all rounder tbh. It does on average 70 cents less on fuel each tank unless we both ride hard then it uses a fair bit more
The performance is also so on par to my 1100 its unreal. Off the mark he can keep the wheel down a touch easier and maybe get half a bike on me, soon as he changes to 2nd I'll get maybe a bike on him and it stays that way until 140mph when he reels me in quick
Anyways enough geeky talk I'm going for breakfast
So hot today... Touching 35c right now, heat from the bike and sun is doing me in
Gone through Andorra, never seen so many petrol stations in such a short distance. Then through the boarder to France. Some great roads along the way
Stayed at an amazing place, swimming pool, food galore and costs as usual bugger all
Now going through Cote d'Azur to Nice then through Italy and up through the alps to Switzerland
The bike is brilliant, takes on everything and anything. Seen 240km and no reserve light before filling where I was barely on the throttle down some of the mountains. The Spanish open sweepy roads were just amazing. Big lean angles, 3rd gear tapped knee down being a topbox w*nker
Anyways had some ice cream so I'm doing the next 100 mile stint
Gone through Andorra, never seen so many petrol stations in such a short distance. Then through the boarder to France. Some great roads along the way
Stayed at an amazing place, swimming pool, food galore and costs as usual bugger all
Now going through Cote d'Azur to Nice then through Italy and up through the alps to Switzerland
The bike is brilliant, takes on everything and anything. Seen 240km and no reserve light before filling where I was barely on the throttle down some of the mountains. The Spanish open sweepy roads were just amazing. Big lean angles, 3rd gear tapped knee down being a topbox w*nker
Anyways had some ice cream so I'm doing the next 100 mile stint
Zarco said:
Loving the updates Birky. Very jealous. Only done one road trip around the Alps and it was fantastic.
Know what you mean about the heat. Think there's a reason you don't see the locals in full leathers! I'd get some lighter textiles if I did it again. Honestly thought I wasn't going to make it out of a tunnel beneath a town somewhere that was just getting hotter and hotter as we rode through it.
Could not agree with this more having done near 400 miles today at 35+ degrees in full leathers. You see YouTube and FB videos of people riding in no kit and taking their skin off etc but I can see why so many ride without kit. I honestly have never ridden in heat like that. Even my bike (you learn your own bike) which runs about 69c winter and mid 80s summer was constantly at 100-105c... I've never seen it above 105 in the UK even in summer in trafficKnow what you mean about the heat. Think there's a reason you don't see the locals in full leathers! I'd get some lighter textiles if I did it again. Honestly thought I wasn't going to make it out of a tunnel beneath a town somewhere that was just getting hotter and hotter as we rode through it.
The rare time I wasn't moving at 70kmh-150kmh it went upto 110c and cooked my legs and everything in between - fortunately I have 2 kids and don't want anymore as that part of me got cooked
Following on from that today was hot... Really really hot. Just cracked 20,000km on the dash today bless
Went over some of the nicest flowing mountain roads today. Got a few pics but mainly with mates and I try to keep posts on here as bikes where possible
Road into St Tropez got dinner, beer and some creme brulee which I really need to lay off as its making me muffin top which the wife's going to definitely notice
Then got to Cannes... Wow how the other half live. As said all pics are with mates so just this below but the night life, the women, the views (did I mention the women?) it's amazing that's all I can say about that although parking up and walking around like a gimp in leather when everyone around you is half naked was a bit awkward
After maybe an hour of perving and ice cream we went through the coast last all the casinos, night life etc to our motel
Just as we arrived and you need to picture it. Our bikes are on a pavement designed for bikes to be locked up that's 5ft away from the main road built up on a high kerb we saw a car come bombing past us a parked up unloading... Feet away at atleast 70mph
It went through the red light and about 50ft further on screeched its tyres just as I said to my lot about him being a douche for going so quick on a 30km coast road... Bang...
Next pic don't look at if you don't like twisted legs. I didn't go over, I thought they just went into the back of another car so took my stuff upstairs thinking what an idiot and thought nothing of it however my mate an ex marine went over to see if all ok (that makes me sound a bit bad now) and took a few pics in case they needed for insurance. It looks like a scooter rider pulled out as the car come down. Either ways the riders leg was a mess and the car was hit hard at the front
Again I got more but you get the idea
Anyways now we're drunk and getting ready for shut eye until 7am leave tomorrow for Italy and Switzerland
My bum is very sore...
Went over some of the nicest flowing mountain roads today. Got a few pics but mainly with mates and I try to keep posts on here as bikes where possible
Road into St Tropez got dinner, beer and some creme brulee which I really need to lay off as its making me muffin top which the wife's going to definitely notice
Then got to Cannes... Wow how the other half live. As said all pics are with mates so just this below but the night life, the women, the views (did I mention the women?) it's amazing that's all I can say about that although parking up and walking around like a gimp in leather when everyone around you is half naked was a bit awkward
After maybe an hour of perving and ice cream we went through the coast last all the casinos, night life etc to our motel
Just as we arrived and you need to picture it. Our bikes are on a pavement designed for bikes to be locked up that's 5ft away from the main road built up on a high kerb we saw a car come bombing past us a parked up unloading... Feet away at atleast 70mph
It went through the red light and about 50ft further on screeched its tyres just as I said to my lot about him being a douche for going so quick on a 30km coast road... Bang...
Next pic don't look at if you don't like twisted legs. I didn't go over, I thought they just went into the back of another car so took my stuff upstairs thinking what an idiot and thought nothing of it however my mate an ex marine went over to see if all ok (that makes me sound a bit bad now) and took a few pics in case they needed for insurance. It looks like a scooter rider pulled out as the car come down. Either ways the riders leg was a mess and the car was hit hard at the front
Again I got more but you get the idea
Anyways now we're drunk and getting ready for shut eye until 7am leave tomorrow for Italy and Switzerland
My bum is very sore...
Andybow said:
#topboxw
ker
Hahaha is that you on my instagram? I only got back this morning and already at work so will put the last few days on here shortly...what an experience thoughkerEnded up doing 3000 miles and both front and rear (Front was part worn) are completely dead. Wear limiters on both
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