Touring Tips for a New Rider

[Springbok_Rider]

Hi,

I just passed my Mod 2 finally yesterday and am caught in a dilemma. I am living in Norway for the summer and will be leaving to go to Australia permanently in September in October. Having passed in England and due to the high bike prices in Norway (and for a little adventure) I'm tempted to buy a bike here (CBR600FS) and ride it to Norway where I'll use it for the summer and then back again to be sold before Oz.

I'm 28 and have been driving/travelling for the last 8 years, but as a new rider am curious as to whether I should get some more experience before taking on a 1200 mile road trip? A part of me thinks it'll be a great way to learn some new skills and gain some experience while my lessons are still fresh in mind, while another part of me wonders if all the foreign motorway riding and cities (if they can't be avoided) will be a bit of a danger for a novice rider.

Anyway, would be interested to hear opinions on the matter, and if you guys have any tips if you think it's a no brainer.

Thanks,
Antony.

[Enduro Numpty]

Go for it, without a doubt. You've been on the road for 8 years and the chances are you'll never get the chance to do it again. It will be a great experience that will be all the better because it's all new.

Motorways are a breeze and a 600cc bike is quick enough for them. If your worried about cities get a sat-nav. I used one for the first time last year and rode through some of the craziest cities in Europe, including Istanbul in rush hour and it was brilliant. I actually enjoyed riding in the cities because I could concentrate on the riding and traffic with the voice in my head taking care of the directions.

[Scotsman37]

Just buying for a short period doesn't seem financially good idea when you'll need all the money that you have for a permanent move to Australia because once out there you would be exchanging your driving license for an Australian one instead.

So, in my personal opinion if you want to see some areas of Europe then Hostel it and save your money instead of wasting it on paying for Insurance with European breakdown cover, huge amount of fuel for all that distance you'll be travelling, possible road tax and/or MOT and of course the bike itself because once ridden with amount o f extra miles on the clock you will depreciate the value of the bike.

So, in the end you will no doubt be out of a lot money which could far better spent on buying a new or nearly bike in Australia because you will definitely want to tour out there in all that sunshine and it's a massive continent equivalent to the entire size of Western Europe!

Here's info on british license that would have to be exchanged for an Australian one if you plan to drive for more than 3 months, but if you've held your license for less than two years you may have to take the test over again or be restricted, and as it states in the link you need to confirm with the local state authorities if such a rule applies to you - good luck!
https://emigratingtooz.com/pages/motoring/drivinglicense.aspx

[Springbok_Rider]

Thanks for the replies so far and I dig the encouragement to make the trip. As long as the weather behaves itself it would be a great opportunity. I'm not so much concerned about finances since I want a bike anyway and in Norway I would likely spend more on an older bike. The CBR600FS' seem to hold their value pretty well though.

My main concern is whether it's a good idea due to my relative inexperience, and if anyone has tips if I were to make the journey. A GPS wouldn't be a bad idea actually.

If I were to make the journey I'd take the ferry to Calais and then go through Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and then finally Norway to our place near Oslo. All within a couple of days which will be fatiguing no doubt.

[barrkel]

[Enduro Numpty]

It's a fair distance to do in a couple of days but not impossible by any means. A sat nav will take you the quickest route if that's what you tell it to do and if that's your priority. Like Barkel says it might not be the most interesting route.

Like most riders I like decent roads but when you're trying to do 500+ miles a day sometimes you've got to take the fast roads. Last year we arrived in Amsterdam on boat and did around 450 miles to Berlin in what seemed like no time using the Autobahns. I really enjoyed it, riding at a good pace and no worries about police.

It's up to you how you do it, but I really wouldn't worry about inexperience, if they gave you your licence they must think your safe enough.

[Springbok_Rider]

Thanks for the responses. I work through my laptop and was hoping to let my fiancee take it back with her to Norway while I ride. However, I guess if the trip is going to take a few days I'll have to figure out the best way to bring it with me.

Thanks for the route recommendation and road tips, as well as thoughts on using the autobahn - definitely worth a trip on since I'm heading that way.

What do you guys usually average on fuel consumption? And do you worry about bringing a chain and padlock on trips like this? I would prefer to keep the luggage down to a minimum but will take what I need.

[barrkel]

[Springbok_Rider]

[Enduro Numpty]

If you're planning on staying in hotels then book one with suitable secure parking. On our 2 month trip last year we took a big padlock and chain but only used it a few times.

Regarding computer, we took a net book with us for booking hotels a day in advance. Also using sat nav to find your hotel is brilliant - absolute pandemonium when we arrived in Istanbul & sat nav got us there with absolutely no drama. This was the case for our whole trip and I wouldn't consider going abroad without it now.

I like Autobahns, they are good for getting big mileage done in a short time if you're in a hurry. If not you can always take the other roads. The unlimited sections do take a bit of getting used to though. A small spec in your mirror can turn into a large Mercedes or Beemer up your arse in no time. Just stay aware and you'll be fine.

[Springbok_Rider]

Lol, fair enough regarding the autobahn.

My mobile has a GPS so hopefully that will work well abroad. I was also having a look at the Kriega US30 and might get that for my laptop and stuff for the trip. My only concern now is the bike. Looked at a SV650 today which is a mint 2005 model, and watching a couple of CBR600FS' on eBay - although haven't sat on one yet.

[Springbok_Rider]

Right, purchased an SV650 today. Not quite what I wanted but it's in great condition and no doubt a good choice to improve my riding over the next few months. I'll save the CBR for Australia.

Now to time the weather so as to avoid as much rain as possible. Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

[s1h]

Sounds like a good trip.

Do it over a week though and stop off a few places enjoy it and get off the autobahn.

[Rogue_Shadow]

If you fancy a trial run bud
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=266908

Couple of us are heading to France and Belgium for the weekend at the end of this month, still plenty time to book tickets / accommodation and get a travel bag
This will be my first long distance run aswell, mainly because it takes so fecking long to get out of Cornwall

If you planning on riding the distance by yourself, why not get a taste for it it first with some other riders for reassurance.
The guy whose brilliantly organised the the ride, travels around the EU in his sleep so it's basically a guided tour on the wrong side of the road

The main discussion for the trip is in the South West section.
I'm sure you'd be welcome to tag along
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=260429

Nothing wrong with a SV

https://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/Rogue-_-Shadow/5F033124-AB15-4961-9E44-203A7AB0D024-889-000000C5321CB9D1.jpg