Can the bike cope?

[Trylski]

My girlfriend and I are thinking about going around france and spain for a month or two after we finish college. We're planning to do this on a Honda Varadero 125cc. Just wanted to know if it would be able to cope with us both and a full load of kit.
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Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[Itchy]

It'll probably make it but I'd expect the MPG to suffer a fair bit since it'll have to be working fairly hard 2up on 14bhp.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Radar]

I would try and get a 500cc bike for the trip to be honest

[EuropeanNC30R...]

It isn't going to be pleasant being the absolute slowest thing on the road for two months.

[carlnicholson...]

There is no reason at all why it shouldn't cope just fine. It will ride differently, use loads more fuel, and be veeeery slow, but as long as you take all that into consideration and take it steady, you'll have a blast. Maybe plan a few different routes to shorten the journey if the lack of speed becomes a problem?

All good experience.

Enjoy.
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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[heroes legend]

Good luck when (if?) you get to the pyrenees. My bike (at the time a 1200GS) struggled with the inclines (both up and down) due to the luggage, me, and the altitude.

[Trylski]

Could I get a 500 at 18?
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[Itchy]

If you have passed your test yes you can get a 500cc bike at 18 , phantomtek got an SV650 at 17, needs to be 33bhp though, and some people forget to put the restrictors in, though this is at your own risk!.

But hold on , you aren't still riding around on your L plates are you?, L plates + CBT means theres alot of wrong things with your trip.

No pillions and CBT is no good for France as in a thread a few weeks ago, unless you want to be riding a 50cc which will be even worse.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Trylski]

Im on L plates and riding a 50cc now because im 16, id be 18 and a half by the time we we're planning to go.

What would I need to do to be able to ride a bigger bike by then?
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[Itchy]

[Trylski]

cheers for your help.
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[carlnicholson...]

Probably be best contacting a local bike school to confirm what you have to do to get through the new test, and find out exactly when it comes into force.

Plenty of horror stories about it, some even claim most bike schools will simply have to close, and some say there will only be a handful of test centres spread over the country.

Bloody shame if they're true.

Do a search on these forums aswell, must be some more relible information about it on here somewhere.
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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[ms51ves3]

If it's going to be your first tour, would it not be better doing something closer to home.

During the summer holidays, hopefully I'll be planning a ride around the coast. Good thing about that is if anything does go wrong I won't ever be too far from home but it's still a pretty long trip (3000 miles).

[Trylski]

This isnt gonna happen til about 2010 so ive got loads of time to plan it out etc.

My mate and I are planning to go up to scotland for a couple days or a week next year in the colege hols. So should get some idea of whats its gonna be like.
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[Itchy]

[Trylski]

Well, ill get myself a bigger bike and restrict it.

Can anyone reccomend a good touring style bike. MUST be suitable for pillion plus quite a bit of touring kit. Ideally id like a bike that can have a top box and hard panniers fitted. Basically anything you guys would think appropriate for a loooong tour of europe two up.

I need something ill be able to insure as ill be 17 when i get the bike. Id prefer not to go over 650cc if possible.
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Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[mad4it028]

https://www.bike.co.za/images/forsale/030716HondaAfricaTwin_Francois0832844702.jpg
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[Itchy]

Africa twin seems a good choice 74ish BHP , but lots of torque its a 750 though IIRC , but only grp11 insurance.

SV650 can get them cheap as chips these days grp 10 insurance again torquey and can handle it.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[colin1]

[Trylski]

Nnnnnno... Bicycle would be like too much hard work. Ill look into the Africa twin. It does look nice. Im just not sure about the cost of insuring anything big.

Any others?
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[mad4it028]

honda dominator 600cc should be cheap to insure
https://www.manfreds.de/dominator/domi-02.jpg
____________________
always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[Trylski]

The dominator would suit my needs better
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[element]

id look to find something thats gonna be comfy too especially for the gf else you will get it in the ear when her ass starts hurting!


to be honest i dont think id ever go touring with a girl.. seriously that is the biggest mistake ever!!
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04' DT125RE (run-a-bout) // 89' DT125R (rebuilt + supermoto conversion)
SPARES FOR SALE. 2RK TZR // 82 DR125 // DT125R/E .... PM ME...

[Trylski]

Nah she's cool. She won't mind as long as its fairly comfortable.
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[colin1]