Touring on the bike.

[Ranger05]

Im planning going a few decent trips away on the bike this year and was wondering....

What the hell do you do if you get a puncture somewhere really remote?, like the far north of Scotland for example.
Do most people who tour have breakdown cover? and if you do get recovered, in a remote area where would you get taken to for a repair?

Cheers.
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K5 gixxer 600, Yoshimura carbon can, Dynojet USB.- sold
04 YZF-R1- Silver/Black, Devil titanium exhaust de-cat.

[Method]

I have RAC cover... if i breakdown somewhere not too far from me i would jsut get brought home.

If i had the money, and i knew it would be an easy job to fix, i would get dropped off in the biggest city thats close to where i broke down with a bike shop, and pay for it to get fixed. Big city because theres more chance of finding a shop that will help you out, and more chance of finding accomodation should you need it.

I would get dropped off as close to where i broke down as i could, that way your not missing out on too many riding miles.

Puncture wise there are these things about called "instant repair kits for tubless tyres". Basically you shove it in your tyre and the goooey stuff works its way through the tyre and blocks up the puncture. Then you inflate, i would imagine? never used them myself.

On a side note you should always carry a toolkit when touring. I always carry around a basic toolkit that seems to help me out through anything that i can physically fix on the side of the road:

Pliers
Side Cutters
Phillips / Crosspoint driver
Flat driver
10mm Spanner (ring and C )
8mm socket (longreach)
12mm spanner (ring and C )
10mm socket (longreach)
22mm spanner (For the real wheel nut!)
1/4 Ratchet + Extension bar
3/4 Ratchet (flexi)
Spare Wire
Range of fuses
Insulating tape
Spare clutch lever ( that can be double up backwards as a front brake lever )
Small oil topup
Small brakefluid topup
Chain lube
RAC Card
Mobile Phone (with credit)
Debit card (to pay for any repairs / credit topups)
Phone Charger
Gaffa Tape!!!!!!
Think thats about it, im sure theres more, and although it might seem a lot, it all fits into the side pockets in my tankbag (apart from the chain lube).

Hope thats of some use!
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CBT Aug '03 ... Gilera GSM 50 ... Honda NSR 125 Aug '04 ...
Full Test Dec 04... Suzuki GS500 Jan 05... Suzuki SV650 Mar 07... Gixxer 6 K5 May 08... Oh and my 'Rado
My Bikepics.com - No Brakes, No Gears... No Fear.

[Ranger05]

Thanks, some great advice

I'll defo get some RAC or AA cover before travelling, But thats some ammount of kit you carry,

I was thinking along the lines of only taking a small back pack with some toiletries, spare undies and some clothes to wear to the pub @ night, i.e travel light as possible so that i can enjoy the roads without carrying too much excess weight.

Do you think you'd be ok with just breakdown cover or am i being a bit gung ho? Im new to the whole touring on my bike thing in case you hadnt guessed
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K5 gixxer 600, Yoshimura carbon can, Dynojet USB.- sold
04 YZF-R1- Silver/Black, Devil titanium exhaust de-cat.

[Nath]

Get some throwover paniers. You will barely notice them when you're riding and they will give you space to carry whatever you need. You can stick a security chain in one and some tools in the other to balance out the weight distribution.

Whilst traveling light is the most important guideline for motorcycle touring, you really do want a few sets of clothes. Also a good idea to take waterproof overgear unless you ride in textiles, and a pair of trainers so you can walk around in comfort and generally look less of a prat when you're away from the bike
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Hard livin', hard luck.

[Dave_ZedDragen]

For puncture repairs there are these kits available https://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MCYCLE&pcode=MTX5060375:

https://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/resources/images/zoom/MTX5060375.jpg

they include everything you need to effect a roadside repair and cost about £19. Your basically filling the punctured hole with a rubber bung that you glue in, chopping off the excess, then using a gas canister to re-inflate your tyre.

Ive used this before and they are easy to use and very effective.

Theres alsothe tyre slime stuff: https://www.highriders.co.uk/catalog/product_201_Tyre_Slime.html

https://www.highriders.co.uk/image.php?productid=201

Lots of people swear by this stuff but there are lots of mixed reviews. Ive never used it myself but my housemate does...although he's never had a puncture to test it with as far as i know. It is basically meant to ooze out of a punctured hole and seal it up preventing a puncture. Thats the theory anyway, ive heard some bad things about it too, like how it's supposed to affect wheel balancing.....but i havnt found out enough about it myself to comment.

I agree with the above mention of a tool kit and some necesities like chain lube etc.

The mobile phone is always useful, ive actually wired in a cigarette lighter for charging my phone. It's one of those ones available from car accesory shops for £3 and it just goes under my pillion seat.....one like this: https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5856254600
https://i11.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/4f/0a/05_1_b.JPG

I'd also recommend having a torch with you, ive got a wind-up led one and a tiny led one that attaches to my keys.

Good luck with your touring, it's great fun.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[Ranger05]

Great stuff guys, i'll have to invest a little on gear before setting off then, seams panniers are be a must. and those puncture kits will help me relax in the more remote areas
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K5 gixxer 600, Yoshimura carbon can, Dynojet USB.- sold
04 YZF-R1- Silver/Black, Devil titanium exhaust de-cat.

[Ranger05]

[quote="maurice]
They can get in the way on a sportsbike, mine restricted hanging off to an extent. With the minimalistic seat unit on a k5 gixxer it could be an issue.
[/quote]

I think you can get panniers specifically for sports bikes that are quite small and unobtrusive. I'll have to check it out
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K5 gixxer 600, Yoshimura carbon can, Dynojet USB.- sold
04 YZF-R1- Silver/Black, Devil titanium exhaust de-cat.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Mine were Oxford Sports Humpback.... It wouldn't be a bad idea to try some of your mates panniers on there, see how they feel.

With all the attachments in place mine were coming slightly forward of the rear seat.

[Dave_ZedDragen]

a word of warning if your going to remote places on a sportsbike. Think carefully about your petrol and fill up at every opportunity and try to keep make sure that you pass through towns along the way.

The highlands of Scotland can be a nightmare for finding petrol, my Z1000 has an 18l tank and thats only good for about 120 miles at the most and ive had a few panicking times whilst touring around up to the highlands.

Not every town will actually have a petrol station, and some may be so remote they don't open regular hours so they could be closed when needed.

[colin1]

maurice is quite a big lad on a smallish bike

I have some 2nd hand sports panniers off ebay that I use on my tt600 with no problems.

but then I havnt done long trips and I probably dont ride as hard as maurice
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[carlnicholson...]

I strongly recommend that SLIME, the green bottle pictured above.

I was told not to fit it if I had a slow puncture. I did have a slowie, but the slime sorted it. If you put it in the tyre without a centre or paddock stand, then you will never spread it out evenly, but if you get the back wheel in the air and slowly rotate it after putting it in then balance won't be affected.

I have had two rear tyre blowouts, and now don't like to ride without using slime. I swear by it, and it costs peanuts compared to a trashed bike.
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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[Barney]

While we are on the subject of touring on a bike, how would you go about fitting a tent to it? Any advice on which tent to go for?
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CG125|CB400SF|CBR600FX|Triumph Daytona T595|CBR929RR

[EuropeanNC30R...]

I bought a Vango Tempest 200 for last summer, it was really good. Not very wide, so doesn't catch the wind and light at 2.5kg. Luggage racks are really handy for carry tents as they bungee securely to them...

https://www.walesbikers.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/MauPics/europe05/normal_Picture%20031.jpg