Touring

Sorry if this has been covered before but has anyone done a trip to the continent on their SV and if so how does it cope witha 2000 mile round trip?

My Brother is going to the football next year in Austria and Switzerland, I was going to ride there from Scotland, hence the reason I was considering upgrading to a Bandit 1250s or Vstrom 1000 with hard luggage as I plan more longer trips.

Any thoughts?

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by Endellion

Sorry if this has been covered before but has anyone done a trip to the continent on their SV and if so how does it cope witha 2000 mile round trip?

My Brother is going to the football next year in Austria and Switzerland, I was going to ride there from Scotland, hence the reason I was considering upgrading to a Bandit 1250s or Vstrom 1000 with hard luggage as I plan more longer trips.

Any thoughts?

Pete and I have done several 2,500 mile Euro tours two-up on the SV and it's never let us down. Coped with everything we've thrown at it, including the Pyrenees and the Alps.

Originally Posted by Lissa

Pete and I have done several 2,500 mile Euro tours two-up on the SV and it's never let us down. Coped with everything we've thrown at it, including the Pyrenees and the Alps.

Lissa,
Very interesting, had any issues with comfort, I do
What do you use for luggage?

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by Endellion

Lissa,
Very interesting, had any issues with comfort, I do
What do you use for luggage?

We've never had a problem comfort-wise, but we do have custom seats on our SV. Even before those, though, we never suffered, not even after a 550 mile day.

For luggage we have soft panniers, tank bag and a dreaded top box. We find that does the two of us for the ten days.

You'll have no trouble with the SV, other than perhaps white finger syndrome due to the vibration. But then I guess he v-strom might suffer the same thing? V-strom would be a better bike though if your going to do a lot of touring (a 2-3 long trips a year) but if it's just for this one off, don't change your bike especially. You can tour on an R1 so long as you don't intend to make a habit of it. When you say you want to do more touring is that more than 1 or 2 holidays a year?

Easily capable, and it will be comfortable. An extra layer of trousers will make the seat more comfortable if you struggle already. As for luggage, I use the pacsafe tailsafe (http://www.bykebitz.co.uk/acatalog/P...e_Luggage.html). It's the best quality bit of kit I have bought for the bike, and lovely to know it is secure - locked to the bike. It can also be locked in a hostel to a bed or something sturdy. A tankbag is useful for valuables as it is removed so easily (again - pacsafe do a great one creatively named.....tanksafe!). I have a set of oxford first panniers which are rubbish and only used when essential. I'd choose a tail/tank combo any day.

Other advice - beef up your tool kit with some good allen keys, tape, wd40 (they do mini bottles). And drive within the speed limit - on a 2000 mile journey it'll pay for a few nights out

edit: you'd think I had some association with pacsafe! Other than handing over my money I don't! 2300 posts would be a lot of time wasted for a sale

Originally Posted by Lissa

We've never had a problem comfort-wise, but we do have custom seats on our SV. Even before those, though, we never suffered, not even after a 550 mile day.

For luggage we have soft panniers, tank bag and a dreaded top box. We find that does the two of us for the ten days.

Do you have any pictures of your setup, where did you get your seat cause I find that the standard one is a pain, I silde forward towards the tank and at my height 6'4" its not comfy

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

You'll have no trouble with the SV, other than perhaps white finger syndrome due to the vibration. But then I guess he v-strom might suffer the same thing? V-strom would be a better bike though if your going to do a lot of touring (a 2-3 long trips a year) but if it's just for this one off, don't change your bike especially. You can tour on an R1 so long as you don't intend to make a habit of it. When you say you want to do more touring is that more than 1 or 2 holidays a year?

It would be 1 trip a year of this length i think

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by Endellion

Do you have any pictures of your setup, where did you get your seat cause I find that the standard one is a pain, I silde forward towards the tank and at my height 6'4" its not comfy

Here's the bike luggaged up at the start of our trip this year. The seats are by Bagster, the same people who make the tank covers. They ain't cheap, but well worth it we think.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

But then I guess he v-strom might suffer the same thing? V-strom would be a better bike though if your going to do a lot of touring (a 2-3 long trips a year) but if it's just for this one off, don't change your bike especially.

I see your point. However if you're vaguely fit, and not hugely overweight then 2000 miles is absolutely fine. I reckon with standard seat & suspension you can do 450 miles (3 tanks) without a sit down and coffee. Keep warm, keep a spare pair of gloves, keep your back rugsack-free (huge difference during long mileage) and keep your ear plugs in and you'll be happy A windproof buff works wonders at keeping you warm

...ramble...(but i have done another 400 miles today, and have another 350 on Sunday)