Trip abroad

[ryancor]

I've been invited on a trip to Slovakia next year with some mates. I'm looking forward to it as I've never ridden more than 300 miles before. My only concern is they all ride VFR's and GS's. Does anyone have any experience of touring on an SV or any hints / tips on how to prepair and what to take? I ride a 2001 SV650s.

[Stig]

I did a 3000 mile trip to the south of Spain and back a couple of years ago on a naked SV. A friend of mine (female) joined us on her "s". Four of us went and between us all we made sure we had everything we needed.

Basic tools for taking wheels off and general small maintenance.

Puncture repair kit, enough to fix at least two punctures.

First Aid kit.

Wet weather gear.

Warm clothing, even if your going somewhere warm.

Local currency, and phrase book.

Map of intended route and surrounding area.

Make sure you all each have everyone else's mobile number.

Some local currency in cash. Not everywhere will accept card.

Sense of humour is a must. Things can go wrong.

Camera, spare film.

Passport

Clothes pack as little as possible, but enough to get by.

Toothbrush and toothpaste.

Proof of insurance, vehicle documents.

Make sure you have tyres that will last the trip or at least have a plan if you don't.

Water for drinking and for the bikes.

Oil.

Chain lube if you haven't got an automatic oiler.

Make sure you have the bike properly serviced before you go.

I managed to get all my stuff for our 10 days in to Oxford sports panniers. and a tank bag.

Always put all valuables and important documents in the tank bag and take it with you EVERYWHERE.

[lynw]

Ape, you forgot the most important thing.

Ride at an agreed pace or have some agreement of what those who want to go faster than the others will do

in the case of my ex he blatted back up to the top of the mountain and did the alpine pass twice while slow old me was bimbling down the mountain. :D

[Jelster]

I took my '01 SVs to Europe for 5 days (1300 miles) - You'll be fine. Last year we had 'Busa, a 'Blade, a Speeed Trip, my Gixer 600, 2 SV1000's and 4 SV650's (one of which was 2 up) and they all kept up.

It's about how you ride, not how fast you ride, and if they're mates they'll wait for you to catch up anyway.

Go for it, take plenty of pics, and have some fun.

.

[ryancor]

Some good advice there, thank you. I spoke with the mechanic who services my bike last night. He gave a few recommendations about what I would have to get replaced before I go (nothing more than chain and sprocket and a new tyre) and said he knows of plenty of people who have toured on SV's. I've also been looking into luggage. The guys I will be travelling with aren't exactly fashion gurus so a few old T-shirts and clean pants should do it. A lot of people seem to use Oxford luggage. Is that the best choice or are there other brands worth looking at?

[Peter Henry]

Jelster wrote:
Last year we had 'Busa, a 'Blade, a Speeed Trip, my Gixer 600, 2 SV1000's and and they all kept up with the 4 SV650's(one of which was 2 up) .
:lol: :lol: 8)

[Jelster]

Heres a good tip...

When you wear a T shirt in the evening, wear it the next day too. You're all mates together and not exactly on a "pulling" expidition (or maybe you are? :? )

Take just a few sets of undies & socks, and wash them with travel wash before you go out of an evening. Come morning they'll be nice and dry ready to use again.

Try not to over pack. Last year I had it down to a small tankbag and a large tailpack. For a week I take 1 pair of jeans, a pair of trainers, 4 sets of undies and 4 or 5 T-shirts. Normal wash/shaving kit, waterproofs and a microfleece. Spare gloves, take BOTH keys & alarm fobs, always keep them in separate places (1 in jacket, 1 in tank bag). Don't forget phone and camera chargers.

Oxford luggage is fine, this is from last years trip:

http://www.urbanbiker.co.uk/tour04/images/sv1k.JPG

http://www.urbanbiker.co.uk/tour04/images/drrichsv1.JPG

Hope that helps