france and beyond on a sv

[carsounds_dan]

hi,
me and the misses have decided that we fancy some long distance action. the plan is that when my family go on holiday to france in april/may we'll go with them (just south east of paris) and when they head north we'll head south to the med.
I've got a carbed sv which i'm currently rebuilding (frame powder coated etc) which we plan to go on, getting it serviced as i go along so it'll be plenty ready.. fitted pilot road 2's so milage shouldnt be a problem either.
I'm just wondering how much people usually spend? if I plan to get 120 out of a tank at about £17 a tank what amount of money should i be saving? we were planning on offering our services on farms/vineyards etc on the way in return for space in a barn for the tent and a morning meal but we are unsure if this will work.
Atm we have a tent that i know well and trust, sleeping bags and an air bed. i realise that we'll need a pair of soft panniers, a tank bag and we'll probably have to wear backpacks aswell but just after some advice on packing etc... (i dont really have a problem, packed for 2 weeks in mexico and weighted only 12kgs at the airport including the case and no hand luggage!)
also how will the bike's rear suspension cope with me (12 stone) the misses (8 stone) and luggage (f*** knows)?
We've planned to spend as long away as possible... ideally we wont return but you never know... any advice will be appriciated and any ideas on places to head would be fantastic.
Many Thanks
Dan
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[Phoenix]

If camping, fuel is the main expense, most of the money on my trip was fuel, just over 2000 miles and cost somewhere between £250-300, averaging about 40mpg. Entire cost for 7 days was £450, 4 nights camping, 3 in hotels, road tolls/vignettes, buying food from supermarkets and no eating out. If you can work out a rough mileage you can work out a reasonable fuel cost if you know exactly what MPG you get.

I didn't take a backpack, couldn't think of anything worse than having to wear one for 7 days, so I packed it all into panniers and a tailpack, also had no tankbag as I find them uncomfortable and annoying also. If you're taking a pillion you've also got to remember they probably don't want a big backpack stuck between you and them the whole time. I had no aches or pains whatsoever the entire trip.

Or just do what the Czeck guy we saw did, ride his ZX7R with in just leathers, no luggage whatsoever with his girlfriend riding behind on a Transalp or something rammed to the hilt with all the kit

[Bikerchic1467]

This the second time we are planning to go to France on the Bikes first time I was pillion. This time we are taking both bikes to the South of France. Packing easy 3 of what you need, one to wear one to wash and a spare. I agree last thing you want is a back pack stuck to you for a ween of hours.

[carsounds_dan]

me and the misses always ride with backpacks on but i get what you mean... i may make up a rack for the back whilst having everything done... only needs some tubular stainless, M10 bolts and my good old mandrel bender lol.
im unsure on the tank bag myself but I recon you can't beat it for holding a satnav and tole booth moneys.
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add me on msn for info on CAT 2 immobalisers, and cheap fitting in the crawley area

[Bikerchic1467]

Oxford offer a good set of soft throwover luggage, actually gives you quite a bit of packing packing space. might be worth a look. I have used it and even in the pouring rain clothes remained dry.

Happy biking.