Heading off to Europe

don't forget to take a spare pair of kegs

I am off round Europe this summer. Aside from all the other great advice here, I have just switched insurance to Carole Nash who not only beat my premium, but give 90 BREAKDOWN cover for europe free! (Includes replacemnt bike and bike transport back home!). AND third party cover for riding other peoples bikes!

Just come back from halfords to get some bits and bobs and they do a leaflet 'Info motoring abroad'. It lists 9 countries.

The first aid kit is only compulsory in germany and austria, in other countries it's recommended so you can share.

Spare bulbs compulsory in france, spain, italy, austria only.

This is obviously for a car, don't know how it translates to bikes.

I toured Wales for two weeks last July and it rained and rained. So don't take chances and put your things in a garbage bag before putting them in you panniers. That way if water seeps in your things will still stay dry.
I had soft panniers and a tank bag with my wife riding pillion so you should be more than ok. For clothing I suggest you take two extra t-shirts, 2 sweaters, 2 pairs of socks and underpants, an extra jeans and your comfy shoes or trainers for walking around when you stop at places. Your riding boots aren't nice in the evenings. I washed my t-shirts and underwear wherever I stopped for the night and found them dry by morning. I wore my leathers and also took waterproof plastic pants and jacket which are great to keep out the cold, wind and rain. I also suggest you buy rubber overboots which keep your boots dry. If you start to feel chilly just stop at a store and buy an extra sweater or something but don't overfill your bags with rubbish you won't wear. Better more layers of cloathing than one thick jersey to keep out the cold, when you feel hot strip layer by layer. Oh I also took my beany hat.
Here's a video of our travels...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCDYZJMAEAY

Cheers for the help everyone. Got a lot more ideas of what to take and sort out now. Think i'll be going for a tailpack and tankbag. Oxford sport tailpack has 45 odd litres so should be plenty with all spares papers etc. in the tankbag. Got an 95 so the GPS will come in handy on that, as well as some maps etc...

Originally Posted by zunkus

I toured Wales for two weeks last July. Here's a video of our travels...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCDYZJMAEAY

Didn't take me long to spot places I know only too well... first time I've seen the video.

BTW, the tram station in Llandudno, I used to live in the building directly opposite it. Why you spent so much time (on the video at least) in Llandudno is beyond me...

Sorry, carry on.

Sounds like a good option, there are some pics in my thread below of the SV with tank bag and first time oxford tail pack:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...11#post1294911

(Apologies for the pic whoring).

The best thing about using a bungee net over the tail pack is that you can dry your undies/socks/thermals etc by sticking them underneath

Insect repellant
Lip salve
Ibuprufen
Sun cream - essential I think
A few other supplies from Boots

Originally Posted by Tim in Belgium

Sounds like a good option, there are some pics in my thread below of the SV with tank bag and first time oxford tail pack:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...11#post1294911

(Apologies for the pic whoring).

The best thing about using a bungee net over the tail pack is that you can dry your undies/socks/thermals etc by sticking them underneath

They are v nice pictures Tim, I'm sure no-one minds seeing them again

Spare bulbs are compulsory for bikes too.

I wouldn't bother with brake fluid, just make sure the levels are topped up. I would take spare levers and a fixer peg.

I do take oil but it's easily available at most service stations. Check you have a toolkit suitable for basic roadside maintenance.

The zip tip bags you can buy in Tescos/Sainsburys in various sizes in 25/20 packs are ideal for all the documents and also for putting money and moby in too.