Touring

I like the look of that seat, looks far comfier than standard, had a look at their website maybe this is the answer?

[Lissa]

Originally Posted by Endellion

I like the look of that seat, looks far comfier than standard, had a look at their website maybe this is the answer?

Well, it certainly works for us. Corbin seats are very good too apparently, or you may even find someone local to re-model yours!

as a cheaper alternative, the sheepskin covers are meant to be pretty good

[northwind]

The most i've done is 1000 miles in a weekend, but the SV laughs at it really, I checked the oil and tyre pressures and went, no extra prep needed if your bike's in good shape. COmfort is a personal thing, but it does have a lot to do with riding style- if you're used to short hops you can ride pretty much however you want without problems, but ride in an awkward position for hours on end and you'll end up twisted like a pretzel. But myself, I have higher pegs which should by rights be les comfortable, a slightly lower front end, and a leg which cramps up if I sit in a comfy chair for too long, and I'm still fine on the bike for hours at a time.

I rode to France and back last weekend (1000 miles round trip) on my SV and it was no problem. I had a tankbag and a tailpack and had room to spare but then I was only going for 2 nights. The standard seat was no problem and I found that after stopping for fuel every 130 miles or so was enough to stop me getting a numb bum and stiff legs.

+1 on the earplugs and no rucksack.

I did 2000+ miles on a French tour at the end of August.

Standard Naked SV650 with Civi screen, double bagster tankbags and a 44L Givi topbox.

First day rode from South Wales to Medway services, most in pssin rain - about 240 miles. Second day thru chunnel and did 500 miles south to Bussiere Poitevine( between Poitiers and Limoges) in driving rain. Stopped @ 2 hrs for a stretch. No aches or pains at all. Well pleased. What a fantastic bike! Only one 5min hiccup due to 'normal' wet front plug problem.

Coming back was dry, sunny and much quicker - between 90 and 110 for long stretches(I had to keep with Bandit 1200, Fazer 1000, and FJR 1300).

The cheaper option, which works for me, is to ware a pair of cycling shorts under my trousers.
The gel pads in the ar$e work a treat.

Chris

[embee]

Originally Posted by ejohnh

I ...First day rode from South Wales to Medway services, most in pssin rain - about 240 miles. Second day thru chunnel and did 500 miles south to Bussiere Poitevine( between Poitiers and Limoges)

There may well have been good reason why you did that route, but just as a heads-up, remember the longer channel crossings with Brittany Ferries.They do various routes, Plymouth/Poole/Portsmouth to Caen/Cherbourg/St.Malo/Roscoff or even Santander.

I've just received a leaflet from them with next years crossings, all the Portsm/Chbg are on the fastcraft, only a 3hr trip.

If you're heading for the western side of France it can be a lot more convenient than Do/Ca. For me it saves doing the M25-20 nightmare stuff.

I've done a fair few longer trips on the SV, this year a 1400 mile weekend tour of Scotland and a 4000+ mile two week tour of Europe, taking in the Nurburgring, alps, Slovenia and black forest.

Luggage wise I now tend to go for a tailpack and tank bag and do the odd bit of washing on my travels, last year I went round the Alps for 1 week, took too much stuff in soft panniers, but they worked pretty well, but limit your ability to filter.

I've found the SV is ok on the autoroutes/autobahns, happy to sit at 110 with luggage, although it does get a bit tedious, but once on the twisties it's fine. Some SV trip threads of mine are here:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=97400

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=82336

I'd say keep the bike unless you were planning to change it anyway. My dream is to tour on a 675 Daytona!

Originally Posted by embee

There may well have been good reason why you did that route, but just as a heads-up, remember the longer channel crossings with Brittany Ferries.They do various routes, Plymouth/Poole/Portsmouth to Caen/Cherbourg/St.Malo/Roscoff or even Santander.

I've just received a leaflet from them with next years crossings, all the Portsm/Chbg are on the fastcraft, only a 3hr trip.

If you're heading for the western side of France it can be a lot more convenient than Do/Ca. For me it saves doing the M25-20 nightmare stuff.

I agree. It wasn't my choice. Best way I reckon is the Portsmouth/Caen crossing, if you're traveling from South Wales. We are doing that next June, then returning via Santander.