Touring - does bike type change your plans?

willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

I know there are bikes more lent to touring than others, however I have a GSXR1000 and am thinking about a trip. I am drawn to camping but put off by the amount of stuff that needs ot be carried. I reckon I'll be able to fit it on the bike (on the pillion seat and rethal rack) but this may effect the handling so much I wouldn't enjoy the tour.

Does anyone have any experience on camping on a sportsbike?

Is staying in motels/hotels worth the cost for the saving on carrying all the camping stuff?

FURBAR · Banned Joined: 04 Apr 2010 Karma :

Camping barns and or hostels ... cheap and facilitys, no tent needed ... Thumbs Up

https://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/types-of-accommodation/Camping_barns.aspx
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willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

That's good - I never knew about those, may be an option when I do a UK ride Karma

motoman · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

anything is possible if you put your mind to it. heres a pic of my old R1 on a camping trip with a tank bag , with bits and bobs in it, a kriega tail pack on rear seat with clothes ,food ,toiletries and a renntec rack with tent and sleeping bag. the handling was not affected at all with this load on and i reckon i could have put more on if required.

https://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e282/marksmug/R1/P1010004-1.jpg

and without rack ...

https://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e282/marksmug/R1/P1010042.jpg

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

Lol put off by the amount you need to carry?

You mean a small tent, small pack-size sleeping bag and a matt?

The bike you ride makes pretty much no difference at all.

Camping gear is hardly going to affect the handling unless you are trying to set times at the ring.

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

Well I go camping at rallies throughout the spring/summer/autumn (I'm really gonna have to take a photo next time to show peeps), and I have under the seat panniers, then across the rear cowl just behind my bum I have the tent, then behind that I have the roll bag with blanket, sleeping bag, jumper inside. In one pannier I have my stove/food/kettle/pan/mug/alcohol/wetwipes. In the other I have a small selection of clothing, flip flops, toiletries, exped airbed. Then I use bungees diagonally across the lot, and use a couple of rokstraps to fasten to the grab rail.

I usually have a tiny tank bag as well with bits in, map/directions etc.

I actually prefer having the extra weight on the sv, as I find it more planted (I'm skinny and less than 9stone), and I can cane it a bit more. Thumbs Up

I have experimented a lot over the years, and found having the tent (heaviest bit) just behind me, is the best positioning.
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c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

I would argue the OP won't need stove/food/kettle/pan/mug/alcohol/wetwipes for camping. I've never taken any of those things.

The tent should be somewhere between 2.5-3.5kg, so will be simple to carry on an R1

willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

Cool R1 - I may try the full on camping with tent then. I'll prob be going on my own (yes seen other thread), Germany/Austria, maybe elsewhere (put off France as always going there with the mrs and kids as she's a native). Thanks for the comments all.

Any more pics of sports bikes with full travelling kit on would be appreciated for more ideas Thumbs Up

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

https://eastcoastlacrosse.co.uk/carl/eurotour2009/P6070236.JPG

https://lh6.ggpht.com/Carl.Michael/SN-rMqPIgwI/AAAAAAAAAHA/CWeDlBMSgNs/dscf0333.jpg?imgmax=800

Lol that's probably not the best image, with the bike pissing out coolant and the raincovers on the panniers torn. lol Good times

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

barnhatter · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Karma :

I always camp as its cheap and easy. I ride a hornet and tour for 11 days at a time.
I am slowly evolving my equiptment but want to carry the minimum. I use a rack and 2 hard panniers.
Camping stuff.
Small tent, fits on rack
Mummy 2 season bag
Wee Alpkit mat, rolls small although not tried yet
Torch
mini trangia stove and fuel bottle
Plate/cutlery
wash up kit in small pot
cans of food for a few days
packets of rice

Thats about all you need.
Food you cen get along the way, drink beer or wine from can/bottle
Esentials take up more room than extra clothes and luxuries. Take the minimum you will find that you dont need as much as you thought.

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

ram_doom · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Karma :

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

Everything except the tent in one big bag bungeed the pillion seat.

https://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2004%5C10%5C13%5Cbikepics-227420-320.jpg
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Paxovasa · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Karma :

Any bike can be used to tour on Thumbs Up

All you need to do is load up the bike properly.
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willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

Cool pics - the comments are inspiring me to try camping - whats the smallest stuff to carry if you just want to make a "cuppa tea" when you make camp? Happy to eat out along the way (so can sample the local delights).

I reckon I'll hotel (Premier Travel Inn / BnB - UK or Motel - abroad) maybe now and again though Thumbs Up

(I know, I'm soft).

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

I thought that - then I thought what about a flask? That'd work, where ever I stop for dinner get a cuppa tea and pour in flask for later - do you reckon it'd stay hot til morning?

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

kingsknight · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Karma :

https://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs223.snc1/7031_161800323621_500588621_2680619_3602407_n.jpg

This my little XR all loaded up for the weekend on the Isle of Wight! Learnt a lot about camping that weekend!
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willis1337 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 06 May 2009 Karma :

Today I went to Decathalon and bought a tent, sleeping bag and roll matt. I should have also bought a Hexamine cooker (found that when browsing tonight). I have downloaded POI files for campsites and YHA places (joinded YHA on Saturday - surprised they allowed me to as I had to give my DOB). I have booked week after next off work.

I shall be camping, on my own, next week, for the first time since I was 12 Shocked

Now, where to go.......

PS Shaggy - if I tried to make that the only place I'd be having a cuppa tea is A&E (with a straw, while they stitch my fingers up - good idea though Thumbs Up

)

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

If you're worried by the weight, set up the preload on the rear with the bike loaded, however I expect your bike will be fine.

I found it did mess the handling of my KTM up quite a bit, however not only was the preload set to low to start with (was on the list to do before I left, but ran out of time), but I added a metal rack, two tyres and loads of other stuff - all on a bike a lot lighter than the GSXR. With basic camping stuff it was fine.

Should have a fair bit lower affect than having a pillion.