Getting Started With Touring What Do I Need And Where To Go?

d19yda · Derestricted Danger Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Karma :

Right here goes...

From - Glasgow
Destination - Nurburg Ring
Time Scale - 7 Days aprox

My friend and i have decides to go for a tour next year after watching The Long Way Rond lol. Next summer is a long time away and we have no experience in touring at all, the furthest we have really been is a few hours of B roads.

The Bikes...

David’s (me) - Fazer 600 1999
Iain’s (pals) - GSXF 600

I am looking for help with planning a nice leisurly route to take in some sight seeing. If anyone has any suggestions for B&B, tourist attractions, great roads to ride on all these things will be graetly appriciated.

Im also looking for information about everything from modifications needed, intercoms, Visa / passport s, tools, money. As we are complete beginners and want to start touring we really don’t want to balls this one up that’s why it’s getting planned so far in advance.

Even some links for web pages with helpful info….

Many thanks in advance

Davie and Iain
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1999 Fazer 600

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

First thing I'd suggest is have a look at the threads sticky'ed at the top of this forum.

Your bikes should be well-suited Smile

phil2alp · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Karma :

Don't fix your route in stone especially as you're planning early. It's good to get in the mind set that you can get off your planned route if you see something enroute that you fancy taking a look at.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I believe there is currently an offer on for the Rosyth Europort to Zebrugge sailing whereby motorbikes go free (check this though).

This may have an influence on your choice of crossing.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

Rik · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Karma :

hey stinkwheel

im just in the process of booking this ferry, im assuming it would have been in a magazine or paper recently?

thanks
rik
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I was speaking to someone at a rally about a month ago who'd been on it with the bike going free and a couple of mates did it about four months ago. I know no more details than that.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

They did it a year or two ago aswell.

quik_d · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Karma :

Its not a legal requirement but play it safe and get european breakdown cover, take spare bulbs, fuses, connectors and wire, tools to adjust the chain as it'll be sods law one of these things will go. visa's are not necessary as your not going for long. I stayed in hostels and camping on my trip and if your not bothered about sharing a room then they can be got very cheap.

I had a pda with tomtom on it which wasn't used to dictate my route but came in handy when i wanted to get to a specific place (hostal, petrol station etc). I wouldn't have thought intercoms are necessary but they can be got cheap if you wanted one.

Stop in Brussels if you can, its really nice to wonder around in for the day, i really liked it there.
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Dave_ZedDragen · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Karma :

I'd recommend this small toolkit: https://www.woolworths.co.uk/product_images//12/77/56/12775641.jpg

and one of these fold-up allen key sets: https://www.dealclick.co.uk/ukimgs/image/image.php?id=185564

Along with the original toolkit and some extras its a good basic set of tools.

I agree with the mention of spare fuses, bulbs and wire.

Also take small cans of WD40, chain lube and some gafer tape (a true esential Wink

)

I'd recommend a puncture repair kit Thumbs Up

A good length clear tube, If one of you gets stuck for a fuel you can syphone off from the others tank to keep you going.

Look at fixing a 12v power outlet to your bike, this can just be a ciggie lighter under the seat. It's useful for re-charging mobile phones etc and for powering a few items (like an air compressor)

Look into renntec racks or similar to increase your luggage carrying capacity.

Take plenty of bungees and cargo nets etc Wink

You can use elastic bands to help compress down clothes for packing.

I'd definately recommend you have a tankbag with a clear map pocket as part of your luggage.

Sign Up to the AA or RAC incase you get really stuck, and possibly an emergency credit card.

Try to share things between you's to keep luggage weight and bulk down.

If your up for modifying your bike then maybe look at a suitable touring screen
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Dave_ZedDragen - (2005)Z1000

https://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/zeddragen/zeddragensig-1.jpg

d19yda · Derestricted Danger Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Karma :

WoW! thanks everyone for the warm welcome and taking a genuine interest in my tour.

Brussels sounds great.... so many handy tips and suggestions.

I think il start with getting a basic route planned so i can do some sightseeing as apposed to 800miles of M/Way.

Equiptment

Forgot to mention in my origional post that i have a large tank bag a set of pannairs (some kind of material though) and im thinking about getting a Givi Mono Rack and top box.

Anyway thanks again for all the help etc.
Keep it cumming!

Davie
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1999 Fazer 600

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

For the love of god cable ties! , and gaffa tape, I used quite a fair bit of it , ride with them at your peril,
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Adam_P · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Karma :

If you can get into it, stay here.

https://www.ringhaus.com/

It's, literally, about 100 yards away from the entrance to the Nordschliffe Wink

I stayed there about three weeks ago, if they can't put you up there, they have a sister hotel about 350 yards further up the road, either way, really nice, very welcoming, beer is good etc.

The hotel also used to be the base for the Mercedes Grand Prix cars of the 50s, there's a load of memorabilia on the walls in the bar of the hotel. </sadtriviafact> Wink

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d19yda · Derestricted Danger Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Karma :

that place looks great i suppose if i book it early enough then il get a place.

Did you have a good time there Adam P?
Let me know all the goss!!!

Well i was away for the weekend there so didn't get much research done but plenty time.

Take it Eazi.

Davie
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1999 Fazer 600

Adam_P · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Karma :

d19yda · Derestricted Danger Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Karma :

awsome!! im gettin excited already!
Cant wait!

I think if the weather is good in a couple of weeks time we will take a we trip to cambletown for a day or 2 just to see how we get on with luggage etc. and its just an excuse to p1ss off for the weekend!

Davie
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1999 Fazer 600