My European Tour. HELP!

[JakeUK]

Hi guys,

this is my first post on SV650. I Have an SV650 SK6 fully faired with tail tidy. I am planning a 3 - 5 day trip to France with my girlfriend riding pillion. I need some advice on what luggage system to use and also the sort of things that are really handy when touring, but i don't know about yet!

I bought myself a Hein Gericke tank bag recently wich is a good size for all the odds and sods that i will be carrying such as over jacket, GPS, wallet, etc. But currently have no luggage system for clothing. I dont plan on camping at all on my first trip.

Also any advice on clothing or helpful tips will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Jake

Portsmouth, UK

[jacksuzukisv650]

well were do you start list can go on and on lol.. how far you planing on riding??

[JakeUK]

to be honest not really sure. at the moment thinking about going to Caen, riding to the Normandy beaches, then maybe down to spain, then back up through France. does that help?

[ejohnh]

to be honest not really sure. at the moment thinking about going to Caen, riding to the Normandy beaches, then maybe down to spain, then back up through France. does that help?

I've done Normandy beaches, and down thru France & Spain. Unless you want to do an Iron Butt experience, forget going south to Spain and back, as well as the rest, in 5 days. Aim to do about 200 miles per day if it's your first time abroad.. Luggage for 3-5 days for you and a pillion? I took a double tank bag and big topbox which was ok for 10 days down thru France and Spain (and it rained on 8!). Don't take the throw over bags, they are a real pain. If you have to get panniers get the proper clip on stuff.

John

[zunkus]

I've done my fair share of touring two up on my old curvy. Was also planning to go to France after taking a boat to Genoa, Italy and taking off from there. I live in Malta by the way. But having been hit by a car from a junction ruined my plans for this year it seems.

I've always used throw over bags and a tank bag. I like to stick some protective vinyl to the rear plastics as some protection from bags rubbing against them. We always slept at B&B's or hostels so never took tents or cooking material. We both carry a pair of comfy jeans, tennis shoes, 5 t-shirts, 3 underwear, a zipper top, extra gloves, waterproof overs and 3 pairs of socks. Also toothbrush & paste, shampoo/shower-gel & facecloth, small towel, an artificial chamois cloth to clean our stuff/bike with, chain lube, anti-theft chain and disc-lock, bike tools that come with the bike, first aid kit, LED torch, camera, mobile, GPS, video-cam, wallet, visa, ID, driving licence, insurance papers, pen and a small notebook, and money. The wife adds make-up things, brush and other womanly stuff.

We like to throw everything into a garbage bag first so that everything keeps from getting wet. We used to cover the textile bags in their plastic covers at first but found these to blow away inconveniently normally in the most dangerous of places such as in motorways so we're not using them anymore on saddlebags. we use the tank-bag plastic cover though.

A good idea for your first time travel is to make your daily destinations about 200miles apart or less. This way you can start your travels at around 9ish which is a nice time to do so as you'll avoid the rush hour madness and you'll arrive at your destination in the daylight. We even did this without planning and just went to the village information centre and had plenty of time to check and search our night logging this way.

Also a good idea is to book a good location where there are plenty of places you can ride to and back. This way you can ride there in your first day and then travel using only the tank bag. That way it's more liberating for riding and convenient knowing you don't need to hassle finding a new place to sleep every night.

Hope this helps mate. Good luck!

[ejohnh]

Nice post Zunkus - love the name!!.. My gripe about throwovers is twofold: They always seemed to mark my plastic however much care I took and you can't leave them locked on the bike.

Italy is a place I would love to bike to. Dunno if it's really on the cards now - as next year will see my 70th,, Damn!! Time surely does fly when you are having fun.. ;o)

John

[zunkus]

Mine are still without a scratch. I use the thick felt sticky sheets they use to cover speaker boxes. Super though. I layer two on top of each other for added protection :)
Italy is easier for us Maltese, where France is easier for you. I think that France has better roads and has more civilized drivers. Southern Italy is a nightmare especially in cities. It's common for vehicles not stopping for pedestrians even to red lights or zebra crossings and filtering from scooters is impressive and very dangerous to everybody. Nothing comes close to the madness, not even playstation games. Couriers in London? Gentleman compared to these nutters.

[JakeUK]

sorry to hear about your run in at a junction zunkus.

thanks for all the tips. i am having trouble with the throw over panniers that were given to me ans they are quite square and bulky. they seem hard to position and due to the fact that i have a tail tidy, they seem to sit on my indicators. this makes the indicators difficult to see from the sides.

does anyone have any recommendations for throw over panniers? and any recommendations for bits of kit or clothing would be appreciated.

i have a pair of hein gericke textile touring trousers (weather proof), an alpinestars summer jacket (not weather proof), summer gloves (leather), arlen ness race style boots and an arai corsair helmet.

my girlfriend has hein gericke textile trousers (weather proof), hein gericke jacket (weather proof), textile gloves (weather proof) and a helmet. looking at investing in a better helmet and good boots.

thanks guys and girls

[zunkus]

I solved the indicator issue by fitting Buell Firebolt items which are smaller and cheap. Your gear seems ok for summer touring, I'd buy plastic rain overs though just the same. These have the added benefit of protection from wind chill. Friends who don't use winter gloves wear surgical gloves underneat. I've recently bought plastic rain covers for my boots and they're great. Keeps my feet warm and dry. I forgot to mention that we have the habit of washing our underwear as soon as we arrive at our destination and leave them to dry over the bathroom heater overnight.

[JakeUK]

i have a hein gericke full one piece oversuit which i have used a number of times, its very comfortable. i like the idea of washing clothes as soon as you arrive, v sensible.

what panniers do you have? and what was the best way to secure them? also are there any tools that you take? thanks for your patience in answering my questions. i appreciate it.

[zunkus]

I have Oxford panniers and tank bag. Up to now I've used the straps that come with it and some bungee cords but I'm thinking of building some sort of support frame in the future. Givi have such frames, you could buy one or if you've got a pal with a welding kit make your own. I mostly take the tools that come with the bike and duct-tape (I had forgotten about this previously sry). If you're travelling with a friend you could bring more tools and share the load but don't over-do this. If you've never thinkered with your bike before you're not going to start now, so don't bring things you never use. Another thing I forgot is chargers; bring all the chargers for your gadgets and check that the country you're going to has the same electricity sockets; if not take an adapter.

[jacksuzukisv650]

last year i had a week off and planed to go spain but i got half way to spain and i fort this is some long motorway lol . so i just pulled over and stayed in a hotel in france was about 32celcuis was very nice .. i wouldnt go that far for ur first time but every ones difrent.. ahhh dw bout luggage nick sanders went round the world with just leathers and a camera ..:-)

[JakeUK]

although the idea of getting on my bike in my gear and riding through europe with nothing but a camera and my wallet is my idea of some sort of motorcycling heaven, i don't think my girlfriend would share my feelings of freedom. hehe.

if i was going to buy soft panniers does anyone have an idea of the sort of litre size i would need for the trip im planning?

[zunkus]

I don't know the litre size of mine but they do extend by unzipping an extension. I'll tell you this. You'll never have enough space with the other half onboard. My advice is to make a mock-up of the things you're going to take with you. see if you can fit them into some existing bags you've got lying around so that you get an idea of the amount of space you need. Remember this, don't go overboard with cloths, if you do get cold you can always stop and buy something. If you take too much with you you won't like to throw things away. You'll be tempted though :)

[JakeUK]

yeah, the missus will want to take everything and anything! i will have to be firm with her. ah who am i kidding she is the boss! lol.

can anyone enlighten me as to the requirement to carry certain documents and safety gear e.g. warning triangle, in France? and i have read alot about the police being fairly hard on people, especially on roundabouts.

also i read in a copy of ride magazine once that sachets of sugar, like the ones from Mc Donalds, are great for getting oil and grime off of your hands by the roadside. the article said to carry a small bottle of water for keeping up your liquid intake, and that mixing the sugar with some water in your hands gets the worst off the muck off fairly easily!

[Tim in Belgium]

Take originals of registration, licence and insurance certificate (and MoT where applicable) in case you are stopped, I have been askied to provide all of the above apart from the MoT during certain infringements with the law when abroad (France and Austria). And of course your passport.

[jacksuzukisv650]

i bought my bags from hein geriek pretty decent got extendable zips aswell the less stuff you take the beta eles u might aswell go in a car

[jacksuzukisv650]

i was gona go wiv my bird on this trip in 2 mounths but i changed my mind and my mate is kumin with me now i dont fink i could deal with the moaning ...lol

[zunkus]

Here's an example of my SV650 in travelling mode...
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3738/188/78/1198189012/n1198189012_30487767_3307437.jpg
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs022.snc1/4256_1059270322471_1247285795_30137873_5682021_n.j pg
http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3840/29/69/534319622/n534319622_2589313_7727733.jpg

[jacksuzukisv650]

same as mine basiacly ...but its a pointy ;-)

[Tim in Belgium]

It's the way Suzukis are designed to roll:

9 day trip

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/11803/2023932240084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2023932240084392296QRvWsf)

Two week trip:

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/16523/2821957220084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2821957220084392296nbcTAr)

Just keep the tank bag small, a useful headrest for motorways and job jobbed.

Soft Panniers FTL. 1 week where I packed way too much:

http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/8197/2897662180084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2897662180084392296FKUMmd)

[Ed]

Tim, where did you take that last pic? Looks lovely.

[Tim in Belgium]

It was between Nice and Monaco on the Cote D'Azur.

[jacksuzukisv650]

nice i hope this flight disrupptions dont disturb my planss

[Stu]

can anyone enlighten me as to the requirement to carry certain documents and safety gear e.g. warning triangle, in France? Jake, in France you do not need a warning triangle if your vehicle has hazard lights (which your Pointy does) take a Hi Viz vest though and spare headlight bulb if you want to comply with the law.
also i read in a copy of ride magazine once that sachets of sugar, like the ones from Mc Donalds, are great for getting oil and grime off of your hands by the roadside. the article said to carry a small bottle of water for keeping up your liquid intake, and that mixing the sugar with some water in your hands gets the worst off the muck off fairly easily!Sugar will get your hands sticky - so a different problem, but a sachet of salt + water would work well :thumbsup:


Soft Panniers For The Lose.
You forget the OP is taking a pillion.

[RichT]

Welcome to the org. My Oxford Sport throw overs do the same thing to my indy's. I just live with it.

I agree aim for apx 200 miles each leg.

Add yourself to the map(s) below (sig) and keep your eye on the South & West Surfers section for meets etc.

[jacksuzukisv650]

very simurlar to wot i pak my bike like with a pilion aswell same color aswell lol