Just saying hi

Originally Posted by F4LL3N

Sounds good, I'm new to the trip/camping thing. How much will it cost all in, spending included?

Ferry is approx £53
Camping is approx £5 a day x3= £15
Fuel probably about £100
Food, not sure cos we will probably do some tent cooking, BBQ etc so not much.

I think it should be around £300, maybe less.

Btw, being as you haven't met ralph I'll help describe him...

Tight,
Ginger,
Scottish,
Likes getting in to sticky situations on his bike then expect everyone to help him out

[Drew Carey]

Welcome to the madhouse.......

Ralph - "There's an old married couple over Birmingham way who left us; maybe next year they'll decide they can afford bikes again and come back."

Not us you are describing?

Awesome, I'll come out with you guys first and I'll start putting some money away. I'll probably be needing help too anyway. Need to get some cheap gear, or make existing luggage work. Main thing is tent and that. Could possibly borrow one for the purpose of the trip =)

Oh and I know I've asking stuff in the main sv forum, but how do you guys find room on the back of your bikes? Noticed tailback/bag on pillion and there's tent etc. rolled up behind. Do you have a rack for that (where top box would usually go) or do you just make it work somehow lol?

[Drew Carey]

Hi mate.......most people tend to use the soft luggage panniers as the base.....ie put those on as usual, then if you have no pillion, you strap the tent / sleeping bag / roll matt down onto the seat and the panniers etc.

If however, you will always have a pillion, you can get away (if stuff is light enough) with strapping things to pannier only - however, it would be much safer to get a luggage rack. These usuallt bolt where the pillion grab handle is - with the benefit that the stuff can be strapped to it and thus also forms a back rest for the passenger.

This kind of thing;

[Drew Carey]

PS - copious quantities of bungee cord are your friends - along with some ratchet straps. You can get soft luggage sitting very firmly with a bit of time and planning. Just make sure you protect any paintwork etc.

What rack you got there mate? =)

[Drew Carey]

I haven't......as I don't own a motorbike anymore

That was just one of the generic google lookups. However, here is the one that people have recommended;

http://www.renntec.co.uk/suzuki_sv65...s_rack_carrier

It is pricey but really would make touring easier.

PS - if you have any conerns re the weight etc - its all been discussed before;

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=127532

Brilliant, I've heard about the renntec, I think people have managed a tent and what not on them.