Touring on 125cc

[waspy]

My boyfriend 'David' and I 'Sarah' are setting off day after glastonbury finishes. We'll need a decent sleep and wash.

Travelling to my homeland (Scotland) on my gs 125 Suzuki z. Both of us will be on my bike until we get to 'Brechin', at the east coast of scotland to collect Davids bike which is the same model as mine. From then on we'll tour Scotland and ride both bikes back down to England, Oxford.

Correct me if I'm wrong

I have not passed my test and David has so he will have to insure himself on my bike. I gather you can't buy a days insurance so will have to buy a years worth then cancel it and pay the fees.

We need to know the correct tankbag and tailbag for my bike, to buy secondhand. I have a rack on the bike, but l've been told to opt for bags instead of boxesinfo on as it it closer to my centre of gravity while riding.

Any info on anything we should look out for the bikes sake that won't be in the bikes manual.

Any recommendations or advice greatly appreciated.
many thanx

Sarah

[G]

Your boyfriend would have to get insurance and ride your bike. Ebikeinsurance will do a month's insurance, or you could see if you can add him to your policy - but check the cover will cover him to take a pillion.

Any magnetic tank bag should be fine. Soft luggage tends to be more flexible than hard too, as well as being cheaper - if you've already got a rack, you may be able to strap stuff you've already got ontop of it.

How much luggage are you planning on taking? Obviously the more luggage the more over-loaded the little 4 stroke is going to get.

You do realise it's going to be very, very slow two up with luggage on a 4 stroke 125? I'd be worried about taking faster dual-carrigeways and definitely motorways may be a bit 'concerning', but minor roads are going to make it take even longer.
Fine if you want to see the country side at a leisurely pace, though.

[Zen Dog]

As G said, its going to take forever 2-up on a 125, but it'll be an adventure...

Tankbags and Tailbags arent generally model specific, you just strap them on and make them fit. But there are 2 tips i can give you with regards to touring on a budget.

1) Get over to LIDL's and ALDI's and see if they have any of their bike kit in. I paid £8 for my tankbag from there, and it works perfectly, though i havent tested it in a serious downpour. Given that most tankbags start at £40-£50, its a bargain.

2) Rather than spend a load of cash on panniers etc., last time i went touring, i just wrapped my tent and sleeping bag in my waterproof bike cover and bungee'd it to the back of the bike. Worked perfectly, didnt let in a drop of water.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, '11 600 Hornet - Previous - '11 CBF125, '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[waspy]

Thankyou guys

I have 2 weeks off work and the getting up there will be the hardest/slowest part of our adventure but the alternative takes roughly the same length of time and less enjoyable. I am doing this for the experience, the adventure, so the 2up travellling isn't an issue.

Tent etc is in scotland at home so were less the weight of that baggage on the way up. I will have minimal luggage, were on bikes and it isn't going to be a 3 star holiday. I don't mind roughing it.

Investing in cargo nets.

Plan to do oil change, get new clutch cable, tighten chain all of which are due maintenance.

Bringing spare fuse, bulbs...

PS thanx 4 the heads up on the insurance option x

Regards
Sarah

[Deano_44]

Sounds like fun to me!

I plan on doing my first ever tour this year to Wales and Scotland on a 125, although I won't be carrying a passenger!

Good luck and have fun!

[waspy]

WOW ON UR OWN!

I was goin to get a Marauder before i saw My Bike. You should have a comfy journey.

I will enjoy being the pillion but will get use of My Bike after we get to Scotland and we pick up Davids Bike.

When you going?

[Deano_44]

Well hopefully I won't be on my own. My best mate is sorting out his bike licence and bike - so if all goes to plan I'll have a companion.

I am going the first week in October, so it is probably going to pour down with rain knowing my luck!

[waspy]

Well it's all about the adventure.

Despite the weather at least u have time to save up for decent waterproof gear if u havn't already got.

As u read were going june/july. Not counting on weather being particularly great.
Were camping most places, tho where I don't know!
Never been one to plan, David's quite good at that so i'll leave it to him lol.

Where are you travelling from?
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SHORTSEXYGIRAFFE

Zephyr 550 baby!!

[Deano_44]

Yep, I found out at the weekend that my gloves aren't nearly as waterproof as I thought they were and my boats turned into two buckets full of water by the end of the trip, although I think that was because of the massive river the road had turned into that I had to ride through.

I am coming from London and then stopping off at Wales before heading to Scotland. I have a week to get up to Scotland so there is no rush. SHould all be good fun!

Nervous and excited at the same time, don't know what to expect and looking forward to what I will see!

[waspy]

haha a week to get to Scotland your not holding out much hope are you...

I got boots., leathers, helmet, gloves.
I got drenched in the rain yesterday, awaiting the arrival of my water proofs from ebay....

Need tank/tailbags.
I'm also looking for headsets with a push to talk (PTT) facility to use on the bikes with my rather cheap but good walkie talkies, at the mo it's taking precedent over the other things i should be preparing for.

Let me know how your prep goes for ur trip, find any decent bargains gimme a heads up. vice versa.

take care

[Deano_44]

Don't worry, I have every confidence that I'll get to Scotland. I have just given myself a week as there are things I want to see along the way. I am stopping off in Wales to see the mountains and stuff, plus I am useless at navigating so I'll probably end of getting lost somewhere.

My prep is going well, I have my tent and sleeping bag and have tested them in the garden! Going to venture out a little further sometime in the summer I think! Just need to get some gas for the stove, didn't realise it wasn't included when I ordered it. I have bought myself a map, and I have my iPhone and sat nav (just in case) but want to use the map as it doesn't need batteries.

All going to plan, 4 months to go!!

[waspy]

uurgh the weather is horrible. Got the bus today thinking i'd stay dry but the 1 min walk to work drenched me (i did have a brolly).

Got my waterproofs now tho, so at least i can test them out!!
Won a tailbaag and tankbaaag at very reasonable price on ebay, still to find headsets tho..

3 weeks to go ooohh!!!!

SO EXCITED!!!!

[Deano_44]

[waspy]

https://www.bikerparadise.com/

Found a site where you can buy headsets for hand-held walkie talkies!

The going is good.
All I need now is to buy these and a cargo net and i'm sorted!!!