UK to Italy on a Thruxton R

[JohnD1963]

I was thinking of riding down to Bologna, Italy on a Triumph Thruxton R next month. Has anyone toured on a Thruxton? I know the bike isn't designed for long range touring but it has to be done.

[A100man]

Unfaired, thin seat, titchy 3 gallon tank.. why not?

Well it could be fine, but dump a a tank on mixed trip of 80% motorway and see how you feel after.

Is there an option?
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

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[JohnD1963]

[woo]

my advice to you would be to load the bike up as if you were doing a tour.

As i see your near London, ride the bike to Birmingham then once at Birmingham then turn back and ride home.
This will give a realistic idea of how the tour might feel on your body and should show up any problems you have such as the seat being uncomfortable etc.
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[A100man]

[Polarbear]

I always limited myself to 300 miles per day (if I had a choice) what ever bike I was riding simply because after that length of riding I got tired and it wasn't enjoyable.

300 miles is doable on any bike (I did it many times an an STR) although you might have to stop more often on some that others.

Admittedly it's rather easier and more relaxing on a Goldwing with the stereo on.
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[almostthere]

You can tour on anything, Just do it and post plenty of pics
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Beer, It's the reason I get up every afternoon
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[JohnD1963]

[quote="A100man"]

[1198]

Just do it! Try to less than 300-350 miles per day if you can, why not slot an extra day into your plan and do a little looking around on your way? Germany, Switzerland, all could be visited. A day at the Nurburgring then a day or two taking the slow fun roads south.
If you choose to do this please post pictures...
Please note this was typed by a miserable bleeder who doesn’t mind - in fact would enjoy! - a few days on his own!

[ThunderGuts]

I've toured on my Street Twin with a small flyscreen (to ease windblast on my chest a bit).

Like your bike, the tank is small but I suspect also like my bike, economy is good so it isn't all bad. When I toured with 50 litre panniers, mine still managed 75mpg and that was hooning around a bit (although to be fair, it wasn't motorways which would probably have seen a dip in economy). My biggest issues were leg angle (I'm not particularly tall or leggy, but I found it a bit cramped after 1.5 hours and needed to walk around a bit before resuming) and seat comfort (not sure what your seat is like, but the Twin's is quite firm on a long ride).
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TG.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[recman]

[Grubscrew]

Try : flyandride.co.uk

Looks like a unanimous vote on DONT do it! Even on my ‘14 FJR all mod cons I get aches after 300 miles. Just seen what a Thruxton R looks like, nice looker, but long distance.........try a long run here as suggested.
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FJR1300/CBR1000F

[A100man]

Not sure where your start point is but from my house it's 1000 miles give or take. I'd probably want to split that in three legs and enjoy the experience. If it's only one way then you haven't go the agony of contemplating the journey home if you find the ride err 'challenging'.

I've seen Italian riders on less comfortable looking mounts get to the Isle of Man and back.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[c_dug]

No different to touring Europe on a full blown sportsbike, I've seen it done plenty of times.

As per others, 300 miles is a good daily dose, any more starts to wear thin quickly.
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[garth]

Perfectly do-able.

I've done 850 miles two up in a day on a gsxr600, and I'm 6'1. Admittedly I was a little bit tired after that.
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[A100man]

[ThunderGuts]

[Tdibs]

Ive done 590miles from a friends house in south Germany back to the Uk in one day, its not that bad, until the next day

Having pillion pegs on though helps, you can superman stance while motorway cruising.

What is your luggage setup though? Thruxton looks quite hard to setup with soft luggage nicely without a rack/removing seat cowl. Ideally you dont want to wear a big back pack.

But the advice in this thread is good, I would stick to some 300 miles, however, if time is limited definitely blast out the motorway miles down to the Alps.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[chickenstrip]

If you don't suffer from aches and pains generally and have the opportunity to rest for a bit when you get to your destination, do it.

My bike is probably a lot more comfortable, but I do suffer from aches and pains generally, and I did just short of 1000 miles in one hit, about 20 hours, in 30C heat, after two weeks of touring in temperatures that were often higher than that. Slept for about 6 hours when I got home, and then got on with life.
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[JohnD1963]

[quote="Tdibs"

What is your luggage setup though? Thruxton looks quite hard to setup with soft luggage nicely without a rack/removing seat cowl. Ideally you dont want to wear a big back pack.

B[/quote]

My luggage setup is a rucksack with a toothbrush, bar of soap, pair of waterproof pants and change of boxers. Don't need much.

[JohnD1963]

I've traveled this route from the UK to Italy many times by car and motorcycle. Mainly sports tourers and custom cruisers. I can probably handle the physical side, judging by the comments posted, however, the last couple of years, the novelty has worn off and it's the monotony of long journeys that gets me. I'm in the process of having it transported to Italy, the cost so far is not far off the cost of the journey. Plus it helps to keep the mileage down. Thanks guys for the input.

[almostthere]

Are you there yet
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Beer, It's the reason I get up every afternoon
www.mfairco.uk

[JohnD1963]