Overwhelming urge to go touring, one problem...

[Martay]

I dont have a bike license or bike!!
Well, car license + CBT, so im on L's.
I think it stemmed from Ewan + the other bloke riding their bikes everywhere. I just love the idea of riding off somewhere, with all the kit on the bike, parking up, camping, cooking on a lil' gas stove, seeing the sights, taking 100's of photos, riding all day, the lot!

My main transport at the mo is my car, my real pride+joy. Its great, but its not really touring material. 1.2 1997 fiesta with 123k on it! The only other transport i have thats not in bits is my '93 SH50 project scooter!! As it stands, theres nout wrong with it, but, ...really? ...i mean its an ancient moped with a top speed of 30! Ive spent a couple of months fettling it and getting it MOT'able.
I rode my first moped from mine to the coast, about 75miles, and seem to remember it took about 4hours!
Ive seen people on here going touring on c90's etc but theyre in a large group, not quite the same as going on your own. I would prefer to ride with someone else, have an epic time, laughs etc, but i dont think anyone i know has the patience to come along for the ride! Only person i know with a bike owns a VFR400, and i dont think that would work somehow!
Ive got 2 weeks off work start of May, so do i go for it!, or hold back, and quickly forget the idea of touring? How far could i get in 2 weeks? Any imput greatly received
Got any pics of travelling on inappropriate bikes?
Ta
____________________
Eat well, poo hard
Drives: Cavalier 2.0 16v
Rides: Slightly ratted Honda City Express

[Marmalade]

Why not make sure you sort breakdown cover, head to the coast and stay the night, pack up in the morning and make you way along the coast, as long as you don't thrash the nuts off your bike you'll be ok
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[Bendy]

Could you squish the scooter into the back of the Fiesta? Drive to somewhere and then ped about for a bit, rinse and repeat.

That way you could scoot on the more scootable stuff - find places with twisty slow single track lanes and such.

[yen_powell]

Service the moped then ride coast to coast on as many green lanes as you can find joining them up with minor roads, trust me, lack of top speed will not be a problem.
____________________
Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[pepperami]

Shame you hav`nt got the time to sell the ped and buy a 125 .

Plenty of peeps go touring on thier 125`s with L`s on, so why not you?
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[itsdave]

if you can head for mayday for hastings then see whats are there see if you can ride from there with anyone then ride from town to town from then on just have fun not about where or how far its that you do it. Just ride thats all you need to tour.
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Project cg125 current bike cbr600f sport white+ black watch out for me in central London.

[Martay]

Thanks for the encouragement
From the top,
Im liking the sound of running the coast. I live in East Anglia, so could start at the top, work my way round. That way, if i get really stuck / broken down, the furthest it is will be 80miles home.
I dont have breakdown cover, but i have a car / trailer, so could always sort something.

Unfortunatly, although the SH will fit in the Fiesta, theres not alot of room for anything else:
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk125/MartayP/P271210_13210001.jpg
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk125/MartayP/P271210_13460001.jpg

Im liking the sound of green-laning. Is there a map or website showing all public byways? I wouldnt want to be riding through someones field!

I have a 125, but its far from roadworthy

Ive been planning all evening, ive dug out my saddlebags (throw over panniers) Im going to hasstle my friend to 'lend' me MY tankbag Ive found most of the camping gear, and ive fitted the topbox to the scoot.

Here she is:
(excuse the 2 huge 55w spotlights, i was experimenting )
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk125/MartayP/P020211_16460002.jpg
____________________
Eat well, poo hard
Drives: Cavalier 2.0 16v
Rides: Slightly ratted Honda City Express

[yen_powell]

For green lanes the best thing to get is the Landranger 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps for the area you will be crossing. These show just enough detail but also cover a reasonable distance. Get a see through map holder and tie it to your handlebars.

Having a light bike like a moped means you are less likely to get stuck even if the going gets rough and you will see bits of the countryside you would normally miss on tarred roads. Why not try riding the Peddars Way as a test to see if you like it or absolutely hate it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peddars_Way
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/PeddarsWay/uploads/Vehicle%20information%20sheet%20v5(1).pdf
____________________
Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Martay]

[pepperami]

I live in East Anglia and was toying with the idea of some mini tours last year on my CG 125 of lovelyness, but lack of bottle and the need to earn cash meant I never did it .

Dont fall into my trap and keep finding reasons not to go....... just do it .
you never know we may pass each other on the road this year
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Rogerborg]

What happened to Project Vixen? I did a decent run on my HN in 2009, although trying to keep up with a CBR125 wasn't the best idea.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[G]

Don't see what's up with your Fiesta for 'touring'?

Frankly, a hell of a lot of bike 'tours' could be more happily and comfortably done in a car.

Ok, if you want performance (harder to afford performance cars) or off road (even harder to afford performance off-road cars) or the ability to very easily pass traffic. then there's more of an issue. But I see plenty of people not looking for any of those.

Me 'wild camping' on the return leg of a LetJoG bike ride (note the panniers ):
https://gees.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v1/p722158320-4.jpg
This was what I was given when my bike got a puncture and I called the RAC.

[Martay]

Im in 2 minds now. I no longer want to go, i NEED to go!!
Im now undecided about transport, old faithful fiesta, or the SH.
Weighing it up:

Car + & -

Warmer
Faster
More comfortable
Carry more kit (not sure if this is a good thing!)
Safer (not sure if this is a good thing!)
I know it well and can work on it.
Can go further, scotland? hmmm

Bike:
Freedom
Carry less stuff (not sure if this is a good thing!)
More fun!
It has preciesly 2 moving parts, and its a Honda, so will NOT die
Only problem, it currently has no MOT, so that is something i would have to do at the end of this month, after being paid, but before my holiday. Not alot of time!

Roger:
Project Vixen is going, slowly.
So far, the wheel is out! After a fight with the jammed disc brake. Ive removed the caliper to strip. Ive started unplugging and de-piping the engine for removal and overhall. The wiring loom will be coming out too, hopefully to de-chinese-it!!

G - Ta for the pic, it does look mighty tempting!! Only thing putting me off the car is its high milage. Also, its only a 1.25 (Mk4 with the Zetec engine) Nippy for what they are, not great at carrying or towing!

If i knock together a kit list, would someone be willing to cast a knowing eye over it, tell me if im barking up the wrong tree!
Thanks guys
____________________
Eat well, poo hard
Drives: Cavalier 2.0 16v
Rides: Slightly ratted Honda City Express

[Bendy]

[Martay]

[Bendy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXiCXJLIsh8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6obVA_D79fE&feature=fvsr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybzZP2FdiXs&feature=related

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5on10mYj1J0&feature=related

There really is a wealth of road porn.

[G]

'Touring' on a 50cc scoot would annoy me a bit too much I suspect.
Though, limit the area and it's probably really not TOO different.
Car will be much better at 'carrying' stuff than the bike. Easily get everything you might want to live in there with room to pick up hitch hikers etc.
As from the pic - I had everything I needed on the bike, which didn't take up much room at all in the car. Car should be absolutely fine to tow a lightweight one bike trailer if that's what you wanted.

While your car is a bit high milage for one that size, you're still probably not going to be doing miles than many do in a couple of weeks of commuting. Take some tools and should be fine if you're not in a hurry .

As for a kit list - stop worrying, stick some spare clothes, tent/sleeping bag/mat in, tooth brush and you're sorted.

[mysterious_rider]

why are you on L plates CBT and a full car licence= Full moped licence. That means ditch the L plates fella...

Nice wee bike.

[Devans]

Get yourself a CG125 and get yourself to Wales/Scotland/Lake district/Yorkshire etc.

Scotland here i come a week tomorrow!