Summer trip to Turkey and back

[moppy]

Hello good people, me and a friend of mine (non rider - pillion) are possibly considering thinking about planning a trip to Turkey this summer.

Now I have a restricted license with a restricted ZZR6 which probably needs oil, spark plugs, new chain (so sprockets too?) and all touring kit (panniers etc).

Google maps says one way is about 2100 miles, so I'm guessing more like 6000 miles round trip if we take some more scenic routes etc.

I've never done any long distance touring before, and would just like some basic help. E.G. how much time should I allow for a trip this long? I'm thinking I can probably ride about 200-300 miles a day? Or is that far too ambitious? I have nothing to base this off so I don't know if that is realistic or not.

Is going all the way to Turkey a bit too ambitious for a first time long distance tour? How much would it cost (camping/frugal students/50mpg bike)?

I dunno, some basic pointers on what to consider when planning long trips would be very helpful. And also maybe some opinions on how many miles can be covered in a day without beginning to hate riding.

[Ericck]

Just my opinion but if you have not done much touring before.

Do a week round the UK first. See if you like it, test your gear and your butt. You will the get an idea of how many miles a day is comfortable.

Also in my experience, the less rigid your plans the more fun you'll have. Do as many miles as is comfortable and end up where you do, remember your supposed to enjoy it

Was in Turkey last year (not on the bike) lovely place and cheap apart from petrol which is very expensive.
____________________
Current Bike: 2004 Suzuki Bandit 600S
Previous Bikes: Yamaha FS1E, Mobylette Moped Thingy, Suzuki GS125, Kawasaki Zephyr 550, Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Kawasaki ER500, Suzuki Bandit 600, Honda CBR600F, Triumph Street Triple 675, Suzuki V Strom 650, Suzuki Bandit 1200, Suzuki SV650N, Honda CB500F.

[Dilyan]

Quite ambitious but that's where the fun starts.

Have you got a route planned?

I'd definitely make sure that there is enough tyre and brake pads left for a 6k run. Fresh oil is almost a must, sprockets and chain - well, how long has it been since last change? If you have some sort of automatic chain oiler it would at least double your chain and sprockets life.
Comfortable rides vary - the ZZR is a fantastic tourer, much better than mine; yet I was comfortable with 350-500 miles a day motorways, maybe up to 300 on twisty/B roads. With a pillion, probably less. Summer is great for camping but if you get stuck in bad weather you might want to consider hotels in the area. Check the route and get some hotel details er-route. Might be a waste of an hour, but may also be of great help. Camping and hotel prices vary, from 15 euro to pitch a tent to 200+ for a room/night (yes, charged me 190 in Breda, Holland once, the bastards!).
Keep all your papers, V5, insurance, green cards (if applicable) with you at all times. Eastern Europe and Turkey are not well known for safety. I'm from Bulgaria so yes, I know how things are over there.

If you have company it might be worth investing in a pair of cheap intercoms. Take it easy, try to avoid riding at night and bad weather if you might end up hating the bike.

Try to take a weekend in the UK, if weather is decent enough. Although South of Europe is known for more sunshine than the UK - when it pisses down it takes no hostages. Summer storms are rare but they do occur. So, if you manage a 2-tankful, 400-mile, 2-day round trip in the UK (preferably NOT in perfect weather) you should be as good as gold.
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[c-m]

Just prepare the bike as per a major service, plot a few stops on the way and the way back and go and have fun.

There is now need to be travel around the UK first. As long as you are confident of being able to do a good amount of miles in the saddle in one go, you'll be fine.

You're pillion might want some training/practise rides though.

I hope it's a small girl, other wise the bike (restricted) won't enjoy the autobahn.
____________________
Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[UnspeedySam]

I also have a restricted ZZR6 and did 2000 mile tour of europe for a week in september. The bike was great, although for some reason mine runs rich and does a max of 40mpg

2-up is ambitious, especially if you consider the amount of luggage you'll need to carry for the both of you. My bike tops out at 85-90 with a pillion so that is plenty fast enough for motorway miles.

If you can work out the luggage situation, get the bike well serviced and plan everything properly I can't see any reason why you wouldn't have a great trip.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[moppy]