View Full Version : Two-up Euro-touring
gettin2dizzy
08-01-09, 08:21 PM
Possible on an SV? Two people, for 2 weeks in Europe ... possibly with with camping gear ? I'd bodge on some big panniers
I'm yet to talk the gf in to this though, I presented the idea tonight.... it still needs some work ;)
Well I've been to the south of france on the SV, did 1700 miles over 2 weeks. And we had alot of stuff.
This is me in Amille Les Bains and Jax is taken the photo, as you can see we'd taken most of the luguage off.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/thegrinch/photogallery/bikes181103/meonsvinamillie.JPG
But the tail pack is still on the Renteck rack. I had the Oxford panniers on and a tank bag too, plus Jax behind me and the for mentioned tail pack. All loaded up with more stuff then we really needed, but it was a last minute rush to get to the port as we mixed up the days. Max cruising speed 120mph on the clock, Happy kept up with a BMW GS12 or something and a Aprilia Milli R, infact we made the BMW look slow through the mountain roads, had to keep waiting on him.
Well I've been to the south of france on the SV, did 17000 miles over 2 weeks. And we had alot of stuff.
Grinch, you sound like you'd know a fair bit about riding through France.
Could i trouble you for some advice on routes and roads i could take on the way to Toulouse??? Is heading down the east or west of France better. Any tips/road suggestions would be great, if you have time.
Sorry Dizzy for butting in on your thread...
Grinch, you sound like you'd know a fair bit about riding through France.
Could i trouble you for some advice on routes and roads i could take on the way to Toulouse??? Is heading down the east or west of France better. Any tips/road suggestions would be great, if you have time.
Sorry Dizzy for butting in on your thread...
Opps, one zero to many. lol.
The roads are great and so much easier to navigate then over here.
gettin2dizzy
08-01-09, 10:04 PM
Well I've been to the south of france on the SV, did 1700 miles over 2 weeks. And we had alot of stuff.
This is me in Amille Les Bains and Jax is taken the photo, as you can see we'd taken most of the luguage off.
.
Awesome. Were you staying in hotels?
Sorry Dizzy for butting in on your thread...
Not a problem :thumbsup:
missyburd
08-01-09, 11:55 PM
Possible on an SV? Two people, for 2 weeks in Europe ... possibly with with camping gear ? I'd bodge on some big panniers
Don't see why not, YC's SV seemed happy with panniers and camping gear strapped on for AR and the Glencoe Massacre. Obviously we weren't on it for quite as long as a fortnight in Europe so can't really compare, but we did a fair number of miles and I was more than happy to be sat on the back, didn't get too much of a numb bum :-D
Are you asking more in mind of comfort for you and your gf on the back with all the stuff or long distance fuel drinkage for the SV?
mrs mousetrapper
09-01-09, 10:08 AM
Possible on an SV? Two people, for 2 weeks in Europe ... possibly with with camping gear ? I'd bodge on some big panniers
Mousetrapper & I have done a couple of 3 week tours and it was fine - although we didn't camp! We took oxford paniers (not fully extended), a tank bag & a rucksack and managed to get round the alps no probs :D
Air hawk seats are a godsend though if you're doing a long stretch in one go, especially on the pillion seat with the panier straps.
gettin2dizzy
09-01-09, 12:25 PM
Cheers guys :thumbsup:
I think I'll try a 'dry run' weekend away. See how it goes.
philbut
09-01-09, 01:13 PM
If you dig out the thread about myself, warthog and Walkabout Andy riding to bosnia, you'll see my bike had the rear seat free for a pillion - I had a top box, two home made panniers and a tank bag - and that was far too much stuff, as I took complete cooking stuff and an entire tool kit. i reckon if you can persuade the mrs to do without the 30 pairs of shoes you should be fine - just invest in a renntec rack or similar for a tail pack.
gettin2dizzy
09-01-09, 01:36 PM
If you dig out the thread about myself, warthog and Walkabout Andy riding to bosnia, you'll see my bike had the rear seat free for a pillion - I had a top box, two home made panniers and a tank bag - and that was far too much stuff, as I took complete cooking stuff and an entire tool kit. i reckon if you can persuade the mrs to do without the 30 pairs of shoes you should be fine - just invest in a renntec rack or similar for a tail pack.
And when I get back to the UK i'll be bodging those panniers like yours on. Kept that email aside - thanks! Just need to be back in the UK to do it.
Those two crates full of stuff + pillion will be ... interesting weight distribution!
missyburd
09-01-09, 01:36 PM
just invest in a renntec rack or similar for a tail pack.
+1 racks are really useful, tent and rollmats etc, fit nicely on that, with a sleeping bag in each pannier and bits and bats on top.
philbut
09-01-09, 01:39 PM
And when I get back to the UK i'll be bodging those panniers like yours on. Kept that email aside - thanks! Just need to be back in the UK to do it.
Those two crates full of stuff + pillion will be ... interesting weight distribution!
I've taken my housemate on the back with a full load (box plus two panniers) of heavy food shopping. Whilst you wouldn't want to do a track day like that, it actually handled OK - but low speed cornering is a bit strange.
There is no problem at all touring two-up on an SV:D
We don't camp, and found panniers, tank bag and top box were more than enough for luggage. We do only pack enough clothes for 5 days though, then will spend a couple of days in one place, wash everything, and have clean stuff for the rest of the holiday:D
philbut
09-01-09, 02:00 PM
There is no problem at all touring two-up on an SV:D
We don't camp, and found panniers, tank bag and top box were more than enough for luggage. We do only pack enough clothes for 5 days though, then will spend a couple of days in one place, wash everything, and have clean stuff for the rest of the holiday:D
Alternatively take 3 t shirts and don't wash them - just smell bad for the last week :p Worked for me, but then I didn't have to share a tent with anyone!
Alternatively take 3 t shirts and don't wash them - just smell bad for the last week :p Worked for me, but then I didn't have to share a tent with anyone!
Where's the 'holding your nose smiley' when you want one!:D
missyburd
09-01-09, 02:17 PM
Alternatively take 3 t shirts and don't wash them - just smell bad for the last week :p Worked for me, but then I didn't have to share a tent with anyone!
Even 3's generous as far as YC would be concerned #runs#
yorkie_chris
09-01-09, 06:17 PM
Simply use jungle tactics. Bike shirt and other-shirt.
When you can smell yourself when cruising on the motorway, wash it or something :-P
Tim in Belgium
10-01-09, 10:49 PM
What's the "something" ? :)
missyburd
10-01-09, 11:09 PM
What's the "something" ? :)
In his case "roll around in something smellier as a coverup...ooo look petrol!"
gettin2dizzy
10-01-09, 11:20 PM
Somehow the girlfriend has agreed to a 'trial weekend' touring on the bike, with Europe in mind this Summer :thumbsup:
She's a dancer though. So if I crash... I'll be leaving her there and heading for the hills!
missyburd
10-01-09, 11:25 PM
She's a dancer though. So if I crash... I'll be leaving her there and heading for the hills!
lol, no pressure!
gettin2dizzy
13-01-09, 07:36 PM
lol, no pressure!
I know....nightmare!
I've taken my housemate on the back with a full load (box plus two panniers) of heavy food shopping. Whilst you wouldn't want to do a track day like that, it actually handled OK - but low speed cornering is a bit strange.
Don't you worry about the weight over the back?
Passenger - say 80kg
Panniers - 20kg (ish...)
Luggage - Poss 30kg
130kg over the back wheel!?
I'd be terrified of the rear subframe just snapping! Or the shock just giving up!
-Ralph-
13-01-09, 10:59 PM
Was talking with Kilted Ginger about this last night as I am considering an Sprint ST and he is considering a Tiger or an ST.
Perfectly possible to tour two up on an SV, it will do it no problem and I think the SV is quite a comfy bike as pillion standards go, but once you'd done it on a more 'designed for the job' bike you'd probably never do it on the SV again.
Just like it's perfectly possible to drive to France in my wifes 1.2 Seat Ibiza, but if have the choice of that or my Vectra, guess which I one choose....
yorkie_chris
14-01-09, 01:20 AM
I know....nightmare!
Don't you worry about the weight over the back?
Passenger - say 80kg
Panniers - 20kg (ish...)
Luggage - Poss 30kg
130kg over the back wheel!?
I'd be terrified of the rear subframe just snapping! Or the shock just giving up!
You ain't gonna get that much weight on the back, unless you really let your wench pack for you.
Subframe is a really strong bit anyway.
Shock will give up if you try and use it properly with only rider on anyway! Fit a different one and it be fine.
philbut
14-01-09, 02:22 PM
Don't you worry about the weight over the back?
Passenger - say 80kg
Panniers - 20kg (ish...)
Luggage - Poss 30kg
130kg over the back wheel!?
I'd be terrified of the rear subframe just snapping! Or the shock just giving up!
My passenger is way lighter than 80kg :p
I've never had any issue with over loading the back (but remember mine is not an SV). i have an after market Hagon shock anyway as the stock would have been too saggy for the job. I've carried some really heavy stuff (welder etc) and the sub frame is fine. The rack is braced at three points (plus the cross member to reduce moment on the mounts) to spread the load, thus I think reducing the chance of damaging the frame.
Luckypants
14-01-09, 02:33 PM
Don't you worry about the weight over the back?
Passenger - say 80kg
Panniers - 20kg (ish...)
Luggage - Poss 30kg
130kg over the back wheel!?
Somewhere in the specs for your bike will be the max load for the rear sub-frame. On my viffer there is a sticker under the seat :rolleyes: Two up with loaded panniers is no problem.
BTW loaded panniers would be maybe 20KG - where does the 30KG for luggage come from?
philbut
14-01-09, 02:51 PM
Somewhere in the specs for your bike will be the max load for the rear sub-frame. On my viffer there is a sticker under the seat :rolleyes: Two up with loaded panniers is no problem.
BTW loaded panniers would be maybe 20KG - where does the 30KG for luggage come from?
I think he is refering to the ammo crates that I have welded to the side, as I believe he is considering making a similar set up. They are HEAVY. with the mounting frame they weigh just shy of 10kg or so each.
The subframe is essentially a tri-angle, it can take loads before it could give up.
If I can go round France with me, Jax (20+ stone) and full Oxford panniers and tail pack on the SV then it will be easy for anything else.
STRAMASHER
14-01-09, 03:42 PM
Somewhere in the specs for your bike will be the max load for the rear sub-frame. On my viffer there is a sticker under the seat :rolleyes: Two up with loaded panniers is no problem.
BTW loaded panniers would be maybe 20KG - where does the 30KG for luggage come from?
Can you post the maxload for your viffer Lucky, as the only bike I checked was a KTM990SM which had a max of 100kg. Be nice to get an idea if this is high or low etc. Alloy subframes are a worry are they not Suzuki?;)
I have a 52L Givi Portapotty which has a 30kg limit and I am sure SWMBO tests this with all those hair tool ****e. (ok and my "15kg" of chargers):rolleyes::)
Luckypants
14-01-09, 04:52 PM
Can you post the maxload for your viffer Lucky, as the only bike I checked was a KTM990SM which had a max of 100kg. Be nice to get an idea if this is high or low etc. Alloy subframes are a worry are they not Suzuki?;)
I have a 52L Givi Portapotty which has a 30kg limit and I am sure SWMBO tests this with all those hair tool ****e. (ok and my "15kg" of chargers):rolleyes::)
Mine quotes 35KG max luggage capacity presumably with the Honda panniers / top box. Each pannier has max weight of 10KG and the racks are about 5KG leaving 10KG for the top box (which I do not have). 10KG of stuff is a lot! Even stuffed my panniers rarely weigh over 10KG and I reckon I have some spare capacity due to no topbox.
The total max load for the bike 195 KG to include rider/passenger/luggage/accessories. Funny enough no difference between ABS / No-ABS models even though ABS model heavier, I'd have thought that extra 5KG of ABS gubbins would have come off the load capacity, so all up weight is the same. Having ridden two up with panniers, the suspendies are struggling at the load limit.
Final thing, the VFR has a cantilever subframe design to accomodate the underseat exhaust, which may account for some lowish values for luggage.
gettin2dizzy
14-01-09, 11:58 PM
I think he is refering to the ammo crates that I have welded to the side, as I believe he is considering making a similar set up. They are HEAVY. with the mounting frame they weigh just shy of 10kg or so each.
Somewhere in the specs for your bike will be the max load for the rear sub-frame. On my viffer there is a sticker under the seat :rolleyes: Two up with loaded panniers is no problem.
BTW loaded panniers would be maybe 20KG - where does the 30KG for luggage come from?
As philbut said above! MASSIVE ammo crates, which weigh enough themselves. I'm sure I could load them up with 15kg each. Doing 2000 miles in a week or so with that much weight can't be good :(
Think I may need to investigate a new shock...
Maximum recommended pillion/luggage weight for the SV is higher than a lot of touring bikes, suspension is well set up for this. I found 200kg+ with pillion/luggage no problems (I do need to eat less cake)
yorkie_chris
15-01-09, 12:13 AM
Problem with using a taller shock is that it makes it a handful stationary. Sidestand leans over further too, so really makes you use your legs!
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.