Touring for a beginer.

Force Majeure · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Karma :

I am hopefully going to be passing my test in the coming weeks. I am a student, so I have a long summer.

Between now and then, I will have bought a CB500.

Then, I plan to ride to istanbul on it.

Ambitious I know, but screw it. I think its possible.

What book can I go out and buy that will give me some basic info/guide to touring?

thanks

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

google.
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Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Its Istanbul barely 3000 miles away , sealed roads all the way there and back , you don't need a carnet , visas or much money to bribe officials.

Just :

Install a scott oiler + new chain and sprockets
Adjust the valves before you go.
Change the oil + filter
change the battery
Carry some cash + cards
Take your V5C and insurance cert
Fit new tyres as you'll be burning 6000 miles there and back on the middle of the tyre for 60% of the trip.

and off you go.

There is a massive short cut though in that you can ride to Italy and take the ferry to Greece skipping out most of the Balkans...

You don't need GPS , just head south until you hit water, (Nice) then go east and cross Italy into Austria and go south along the coast the coast of the Balkans is a green route.
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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Force Majeure · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Karma :

Thanks for the advice guys.

Another alternative is to actually just tour the balkans. Its a lovely area, ffascainting history, great weather and very cheap.

For me, the main aim of this trip is to do my first bit of touring and basically get outside the Euro.

What would be really adventours would be Eastern Turkey. But if I broke down there, well, I had may as well dig myself a grave.

Force Majeure · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Karma :

Is there anything else I should consider bike wise for better MPG?

Has anyone thought of doing this on a cg125 lol

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Force Majeure · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Karma :

I jest, of course.

But as a newbie rider, new to touring, I would be concerned if I hurt myself as I would be riding alone. ie, If hit a pot hole or something.

I am a relatively advanetrous traveller, though, and dont normally needlessly worry! Smile

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

RidersRest · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Karma :

going to Istanbull is an excellent idea and would be a good journey.

I did South Turkey avoiding Istanbull and going via Galipoli and taking a small ferry accros the Bosphorous - the route down and back is documented here with pictures etc.

If you are entering Turkey you will have to ensure you have insurance to cover you as it is not part of the EU worth asking when taking out the insurance some cover you for nothing within your policy. You do need a crisp £10 note to get over the border and imaculate original paperwork. Wink

here is the link to the trip I did in 2006 hope it is of use Wink

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Touring France not sure where to go? Central Massif on a motorcycle...

Toukakoukan · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

A SPOD beacon you mean , those things aren't cheap £4-700 for one, I considered one but thought nah...

The reasons being is that somebody has to be listening and tuned in to it to be able to get your distress call..

Much like a satellite phone its useless unless you know somebody useful to call , ie I could take a satellite phone with me but I have my sister and my globe trotting dad.

My dad would phone his equally useless mates ,

My sister would panic and do nothing.
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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.

RidersRest · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Karma :

Toukakoukan · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Karma :

njd27 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 14 May 2007 Karma :

multijoy · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2008 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Toukakoukan · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Karma :

RidersRest · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Karma :

I used AA Travel insurance for the states and tested it - it worked real well... remember though Turkey is in region 2 when you apply online...
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RidersRest Bikers only B&B in the beautiful Central Massif - France
Touring France not sure where to go? Central Massif on a motorcycle...