Trip to Wales

[Fladdem]

Hello,
I have a TTR250 primarily used for pratting about on locally.

I live in Leamington Spa in Warwckshire, I think the furthest afield I have ever gone is nearly Cheltenham for a spot of green laning over there for the day.

Anyway, a few mates from college have got a couple of bikes now and wouldn't mind a weekend trip to Wales, ride down there Friday afternoon, sleep, Saturday go exploring, Sunday come back.

As teenagers none of us have any idea what we are doing, I suppose luggage isn't really necessary due to the short nature of the trip but I'd like to think that I should prepare a little bit, the trip hopefully will be next summer during the holidays.

I am thinking about beginning to plan now as I have a paper round a Saturday job in a garage to fund the trip, so I need to start saving for things well in advance.

My plans so far:
Get some sort of top box for the bike
Pirelli MT90 tyres, as I don't care too much for my AC10s after a day of tarmac and because I don't like green laning in the summer, too dry.
An interesting route down there, it'll be me on my TTR 250, my mate on an NSR125 and another on a Cagiva Mito 125 and possibly another lad on my old Varadero 125, if he actually buys it, so far. The nature of the licences and bikes mean that motorways are out of the question and long straights are boring!
Smaller rear sprocket, 52 to a 48.

Any advice on what to bring, how to set the bike up and anything to check out.

Thanks,
Adam

PS sorry for it being long winded, it'll be the first go at this so I'm nervous

PPS, If I enjoy it, maybe France later. Slowly work further afield.
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[pepperami]

You might pick a nugget or two out of that?

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=275241

I liked the A470 and the B4521 will suit the smaller engine bikes ie 250 and below.

Cable ties and plastic bags always come in handy.
Even if you have got panniers or tank-bag or a seat-bag , take a bungee cargo net.

B&B`s or camping? , if it`s B&B`s then you wont need to take soap or towels, ie less to carry
I now days take my oldest and scruffiest socks and pants , and once they are used they are binned, ie less to pack and less to carry!
Put all your kit that you think you need out on the ground and you will think "shite am I taking all that"!
Then chuck half of it out.
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Fladdem]

Perfect! I tried a search but I couldn't find anything similar.

I wanted to do something like this last year on the Varadero. It would have been a good bike to do it, if it was a 300cc or at least able to cruise at a slightly faster pace without feeling out of breath, 60mph is starting to strain it and 70+ is just cruelty.
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[pepperami]

That trip mentioned in that link was done on a 250 so no worries about that side of things.
I would have no worries about using a 125 if that was all I had.
The only thing I would say is vitally important is that the bikes are mechanically sound before you start you adventure, but that would go for any bike you use.
Broken bike means you`re going nowhere , but no toothbrush and a sound bike means you can still ride to the local shops to get a new toothbrush, if you get what I mean.
____________________
I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[FrankGill]

250 plenty big enough, went round Brittany on a KH 250 in 1980 no problems, mind you 19and fuelled up on cheap French supermarket booze

[Fladdem]

Yeah, my 250 will be fine, as would a 125 really.

I see what you mean about the bike being the main part. I've stripped it down and got a new piston in, got the valves reseated, and I'm finally getting round to sorting the oil leak.

I might have a look at some panniers at the bike show on the 28th, maybe get some tips if anyone's there.

How would you plan the route?

What would you take just for a weekend? I'm thinking tools, basic toiletries and maybe some food, or at least some dosh for food.
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[pepperami]

[Fladdem]

[pepperami]

[MartQ]

[Fladdem]