Scotland touring 2up on a 600 bandit can it be done ???????

tpsutton · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Karma :

Hi there i am thinking about going on i tour up to scotland i live in the south east so is a long hog and the GF wants to come aswell i was hoping to camp (more fun) but do people think that

A) is a bandit suitable for 2up tourning

B) am i going to be able fit all the camping gear on or am i best to cheap hotel it

C) Any one know of a good scenic root up to scotland from the south

D) any good places to visit

thanks for any help

Keef · Nova Slayer Joined: 01 May 2006 Karma :

i do alot of touring / camping in scotland . use a blackbird with full panniers (3) 134 litre's of space . only been a few times with the GF though. really makes for tight space . saying that i like my luxury's .
met a guy with his GF last year on a 1200 bandit they where up touring from down your way . they had planned to stay in b&b's hotels etc . found them really dear . so bought them selfs a tent and sleeping bags ' while they where up there . they seemed to be managing ok .
think you would have to get some really small sleeping bags and tent (if you dont have them already) camping gear aint that heavy so the 600 would probably be ok???
stick to the west coast of scotland . its by far the nicest .
expect to pay around £20 pp b&b £30/35 pp .
if you decide to camp you MUST take (avon skin so soft) to stop the midge's eating you .
best of luck mate. which ever way you decide to do it . you will love it . dont beleive what they say . it dont always rain up here
Rolling Eyes

Keef · Nova Slayer Joined: 01 May 2006 Karma :

her is a few place's that i use . nice and cheap.?

https://www.thearchinn.co.uk
great place right on the shore in ullapool . bike friendly ' great beer . bike will be nice and safe in the court yard

https://www.route-u55.co.uk/
really nice bike folk own this place on skye . always a good laugh .

phil2alp · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Karma :

I toured two up with luggage around Western Scotland on a 600cc Honda Transalp with no problem.

Most of Western Scotland & The Highlands are very scenic.

We stayed in b&b's and Cheap hotels and didn't find them too expensive- depends on your budget I suppose.

The only thing is I was surprised by was how many tourists there were in Scotland and how accomodation filled up quite quickly especially in the "touristy parts" e.g Loch Lomond- this was in June.

We rode nearly all the way up the A6 from Stoke on trent (our journeys start) so avoiding the M6. I find motorways very boring.

You'll have a great time I'm sure.

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

I came down from the north east of england to the south of france last summer on my hornet two-up with luggage and it was fine, the bandit should be the same Thumbs Up

we stayed in cheap hotels though and I think its better, camping means taking so much extra weight when its for 2.... we're doing italy/corfu next week and we've decided against camping again.
Saying that I want to do some weekend camping trips later in the summer so I'm gonna buy a renntec sports rack for some extra carrying space. Look for camping equipment designed for backpackers (light and compact), I have a very small backpacker-type 2 man tent and some thin summer sleeping bags which are great for on the bike.

If you end up passing through the north east of the UK then the A68 from Durham to Edinburgh is a great road Thumbs Up

____________________
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tpsutton · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Karma :

thanks for all the help, thinking i may take the bike up on a trailer then just park the trailer up and bike during the day would take me a week to get up to scotland if i dont use motorways as i find them hard work on an unfaired bandit !! then can camp and enjoy the out side and it doesn't matter if it rains !!!!