2003 setting up for touring.

Hi all.

I would like to do some touring on my SV K3 naked, but as we all know, it's not the BEST bike for the job. For various reasons, a new bike is not going to happen for a bit, so I want to do the best I can with what I have now.

Primarily I need a good touring screen. I have the luggage dealt with, and I can't think of much else I need. Clothing is sorted, camping/travel gear sorted. It's just the bike I want to get as comfy as possible for those long hours eating up the miles. Are there any decent generic hand/wind covers? Thinking as I type, Oxford heated grips are going to be among the suggestion, but I have to tell you, I find them too hot and can't switch them on for more than 2 minutes before my hands feel like they are burning and that is in 0*C weather!

Can someone suggest a good screen to get? Adjustable? I've seen a few on Fleabay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MRA-Varios...item4182307e1b

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...creen&_sacat=0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MRA-Vario-...item339ba33149

Is there anything else I should be considering? I really don't care too much about how the bike will look, as it will be loaded down with gear anyway. I'm assuming anything that I bolt or gaffa tape on can be removed when the adventure is over.

I am even open to taping on some cardboard boxes to cover my legs if it will work! haha (half joking on that)

Nutter.

[Bibio]

dont bother with the screen as it wont add that much protection. add the cash to a decent seat instead.

i have heard that the DL hand guards do keep a bit of the wind blast off the hands

Originally Posted by Bibio

dont bother with the screen as it wont add that much protection. add the cash to a decent seat instead.

i have heard that the DL hand guards do keep a bit of the wind blast off the hands

The Wee-Strom or the DL traily guards?

[Bibio]

dont think it would matter. there is a thread on here somewhere about it

[Nutsinatin]

Rebuild seat with memory foam, biggest comfort improvement I made to my bike, a Scottoiler could be useful to reduce chain maintenance (especially adjusting) whilst touring. Making sure your bike is in good condition e.g. tread depth, enough brake pad and up to date with servicing is also good. Prevents uncomfortable sitting on the side of the road!

[Jayneflakes]

Originally Posted by Nutsinatin

Rebuild seat with memory foam, biggest comfort improvement I made to my bike, a Scottoiler could be useful to reduce chain maintenance (especially adjusting) whilst touring. Making sure your bike is in good condition e.g. tread depth, enough brake pad and up to date with servicing is also good. Prevents uncomfortable sitting on the side of the road!

The above is good advice.

I had my seat repadded with different densities of foam in different places on the saddle and I can now sit on her for hours because she feels like an armchair.

I have a Tutoro chain oiler because they are cheap and simple to fit, getting the flow rate right takes a bit of practice, but you should get good mileage from single refill.

If you are going somewhere quiet where there are not many shops, carry a spare head light bulb with you. Think of them the same as a Johnny, it is better to have one and not need it than... You get the picture.

Also chuck in a couple of glow sticks, if you get up for a pee in the night while camping somewhere remote, it makes finding your tent really easy in bad conditions. If you break down on a dark road it makes you slightly more visible to traffic from a distance.

Watch out for Hillbillies, once they have had their wicked way with you, they may chop you up and make a stew!

Thanks everyone. Some good ideas. I have a pretty tough butt after 20 years of riding a zero padding saddle on my road bicycle, so I may try and do without that.

Hand guards would be great for me, my hands suffer the most from the cold when at motorway speeds. I may also still fit a bigger fly screen if I see a cheap one.

As for the camping, it's a bit of a hobby of mine. I have some pretty good gear, ex surplus, tactical super LED torches, military spec rucksaks etc. (got a mate who runs a survival training school and sells all the gear) Those Hill Billies will have picked the wrong tent if they come my way...