What Tourer?

Mik_RX125 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Karma :

I'm after a mid sized touring bike that would be good for touring Europe on this coming summer. I have already decided that I'll be going down to the Faro Rally in July. I'll be riding through France and Spain, then probably spend a week or two going to different places around Europe. I'd also use it every day for work and college.

I quite like the V-Strom 650, and I've looked at a few BMW Funduro's. I'd just like to know what tourer you own and about all the little things, like how long you can sit on it before your arse goes numb? Is it fun to ride when the going gets tough? Generally how well the bikes stand to being riden every day both like a loon and like a granny. I would test ride bikes, but having a restricted licence and being 18yrs old doesn't help at the local bike shops.

I should have roughly £3k-£4k to play with, but the older the bike, the less I have to pay out Very Happy

Thanks in advance.

Mik
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colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

ive ridden a dominator which is big comfy trail bike you could use for touring

ive ridden a vf750 which is a sports tourer

the dominator was ver comfy at low speed but didnt have much wind protection

i think having low pegs on a trail style bike makes it more comfy than a sports tourer

but having a decent fairing is important above 50mph
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Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

You can go touring on virtually any bike regardless of what it is classed as. I rode down to Spain and Portugal on a 400cc commuter bike, and this summer coming I shall be stopping off at faro on a 1976 cb550.

Four grand will basically buy you anything that isn't brand new, so you must decide yourself what kind of bike you would like. Most bikes should be comfortable enough unless you have specific problems (such as a bad back). Most bikes over 250cc should be quick enough to cruise on mainroads at a decent speed. Most bikes will accomodate some kind of hard or soft luggage. Most bikes should be reliable enough if they well maintained and serviced.

BMWs are all the rage on the continent, as are big trailies in general. Sports bikes are less dominant there compared to England, so you will stand out a bit more riding one.

Get whatever bike you feel suits your image, because you will spend most of your time on the bike. Don't get a bike that's in showroom condition, because it is very hard to spend several weeks riding a bike 10 hours a day every day without adding the odd scratch or two. Decide what bike you would like to be riding on English country lanes going to your favourite bike meet, and then work out if this bike has any specific flaws that would prevent you using it for touring. Go with your heart basically.
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Mik_RX125 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Karma :

Good advice, but doesn't really apply to me. If I had my own way I would take a KTM, but seeing as they are about as reliable as public transport, then it wouldn't be a good idea. I like trailie and supermoto bikes, but they are usually better for going to the shops, or up a mountain, not half way across europe I'm affraid.

I quite like the V-Strom at the moment. I've read counltess reviews which all praise the bike. I've looked up on the BMW's, but they seem very heavy for what should be a light bike. I might just go to Rivington barn a few times and sit on everyone's bikes Very Happy

I'll wait till summer though.

What odds would you bet on getting a KTM 660 SMC all the way to Portugal and back?

Mik
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EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

Not sure about the SM's, but KTM build the adventure series bikes to do the Paris-Dakar rally across Africa so they should be capable.

Anything 4-stroke and reliable should be fine.

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

you can get big trailie type tourers like transalp and africa twin

the guy who runs this site korn, says an africa twin with an oversize tank wd be his choice for a tourer

then there are the big bmw trailie tourers that ewan mcgregor and mate went round the world on

i agree trailies are better light if u are actually gonna go offroad

there was a bit in long way round that the cameraman ended up on a cb250 clone and preferred it to the big bmw for the kind of riding they were doing
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Mik_RX125 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Karma :

Thanks for the input. I've decided to go the way of the V-Strom 650, as it seems to suit me down to the ground.

Just wondering if anyone on here owns one, as I'd like to know what they are like over large distances, like 300-400 miles a day. I've heard that they get around 240 miles to a tank of petrol, but not sure how true this is. How do your pillions like the ride and comfort of the bike after a long days riding?

I'll be taking mine, when I get one, on a good 3500 mile trip in July. I'll be taking a pillion with me, along with all the luggage like tents, equipment, camping gear and clothes.

Is there anything you would suggest doing to the bike to make the trip as enjoyable as possible? I'll obviously be servicing the bike before the trip, and fitting a few essential bits, like a Scott Oiler and hand guards etc.

I've noticed that these are almost impossible to get second hand, despite them being around for a good 2 yrs now. So if anyone is selling a decent nick one in the near future, don't hesitate to contact me Razz

Mik
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mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

DL650 - An American friend of mine did something silly like 1800 miles in less than two days on his. Shocked

He wrote an excellent blog of his journey across the US, but I've lost the web address. I'll see if I can find it.

edit: https://mishadbull.tripod.com/trip/index.blog?start=1075006871
It makes very good reading, though the style of the blog makes it a bit difficult to work out the order you need to navigate through it. Just keeping clicking newer and reading from the bottom entry upwards should work I think.

Method · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Karma :

Take the GS you pussy Rolling Eyes

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Nb · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 May 2005 Karma :

Mik_RX125 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Karma :

Nb · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 May 2005 Karma :

Mik_RX125 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Karma :

I'm not very good at listening to advise Embarassed

I bought my new "tourer" today. I think I made the right choice. I bought a 1996 Yamaha TDM850. I've heard that they are great for everything, and they look funky too Very Happy

It came with Nexxus SS twin can exhaust system and it sounds great. Can't wait to take the beast for a spin.

https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Mik_RX125/New%20Bike/Image224.jpg

https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/Mik_RX125/New%20Bike/Image225.jpg

Mik
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Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

Nice one

That should make a pretty good tourer I would have thought. Also looks like there's space for paniers without taking up all your pillion's leg room.
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Mik_RX125 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Karma :

I've got a slightly different plan to that. I'll be getting a set of Oxford soft panniers for it and a Givi top box. This way I'll be able to store valuables in the top box, but not have to have an ugly pannier rack on the bike. I'll also have an Oxford tank bag for this and that. In the end I wouldn't use panniers all the time, so solid ones would be useless after the Faro trip.

I have stuck some better pics of the bike in the pictures section on the forum. I love it Very Happy

Mik
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Dave_ZedDragen · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Karma :

The TDM's are good bikes, one of my mates has one and he has toured with us before and he looks the most comfortable. He can also fit on a hell of a lot of luggage to it.

The turning circle of the bike isn't very good, the front tyres can be hard to source due to it's awkward size. And apparantly they aren't suitable for off-road at all, even though it looks like it should be able to do it.

Good bikes though, nice twin sound. It should be very suitable for what your wanting.

here is the main source for information and all things TDM: https://www.carpe-tdm.net/tdm/index.html

Good luck and enjoy your trip Very Happy

woodyfjr · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Karma :

R4nger · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Karma :

STOP STEALING THUNDERCAT CALIPERS! We Thundercat owners need spare calipers. If you bought a bike with rubbish calipers then you shouldn't of bought the bike... Wink

If thundercat calipers fit then R1 calipers fit aswell since I have put R1 calipers on my Thundercat. Laughing

woodyfjr · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Karma :

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carlnicholson... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Karma :

My mate just bought a TDM 850, and I have to say, it is probably perfect for what you will be doing, longer than average tank range, properly comfy for a range of sizes, oodles of torque without having silly power. I quite like them. Hugely underrated.

Didn't you say you had a restricted licence though?

Do put some R1 calipers on aswell, I've heard they make a real difference!
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