Setting my sport up as a first tourer

Hello everybody.

I'm new to road biking and after loads of browsing this forum I've ordered these bits for my SV sport.

Helibar risers
Fuel stainless oval end can
Chewys mirror extenders
Light smoke double bubble screen

I want to do some touring in the UK (sometimes with a pillion) so is there anything apart from luggage i need to consider adding?

I'm still on the lookout for a good puncture repair kit and have found hein gericke do a good first aid kit (that fits behind the number plate). I'm considering a tail tidy but can't work out if they keep the original number plate light.

Any help you guys can give me would be great cheers.

I would say go for some soft throw over panniers, but I'm not sure how much room there would be for your pillion's legs, someone else might be able to help, Billy came to the AR this year with pillion and tent.

Well she is quite small so won't need too much room for her legs! I've been looking at the oxford throwover panniers and 2nd hand givi stuff on ebay.

For the tail tidy, I would say Hamicad. And yes, it does keep the original number plate light. As for the first aid kit, just be careful about putting in behind the number plate. I know that people who have mounted the Scot Oiler touring kit there have problems with the sub frames cracking.

And on that note: Get a scotoiler!! Saves you having to lube your chain

That hamicad tidy looks pretty good. I think i'll go for one of those, cheers for that.

Didn't consider a scottoiler, would probably go for the little one. Can it be mounted easily under the seat?

I went for 6 days to France at the end of august using double Bagster tankbags and a 46 L Monokey Topbox. Worked great(the missus stayed home though) I also have a Scottoiler which meant that the chain stayed lubed even though we rode thru kent and France in lashing rain for about 500 miles.

[Lissa]

Hi Jackie

When we tour we use a Givi topbox, soft panniers and a tank bag. That does the two of us fine for 10 days.

I don't have any problem with room on the back of the bike, but then I'm only 4 ft 10

The only thing I have to do is use Pete's footpeg for getting onto the bike, but once on I can put my feet on mine with no problem at all.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

Well she is quite small so won't need too much room for her legs! I've been looking at the oxford throwover panniers and 2nd hand givi stuff on ebay.

I have a set of Oxford Humpback Panniers for sale here if you interested. The Humpback panniers are a bit smaller than the standard Oxford panniers so would give your pillion more room at the rear.

That's a good deal on the panniers but i'm spent up for a while! those risers are expensive (although £70 cheaper imported from the states).

Vario flip up screen was the best screen for touring I've used. Ugly, but practical. I'd fit a scottoiler & lube tube if you're going to be doing any serious miles.

As to mounting stuff on the back of numberplates, I'd steer clear of that; I've not heard of cracked subframes, but I have experienced (as have others) cracked number plate hangers.

If you are taking a first aid kit, do you (and/or the missus) have first aid training and the knowledge/willingness to use it? If not leave it behind: Never carry anything you don't know how to use.