Two-up Euro-touring

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.



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.

[Binky]

Originally Posted by Grinch

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...

Originally Posted by Binky

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.

Originally Posted by Grinch

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?

Originally Posted by Binky

Sorry Dizzy for butting in on your thread...

Not a problem

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

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

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?

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

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

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.

Cheers guys

I think I'll try a 'dry run' weekend away. See how it goes.

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.

Originally Posted by philbut

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!