Hi. Looking for any advice on prep for 1st spring Europe trip. Luggage a problem on 2011 blade? Good set ups available? Paintwork protection? Comfort / long mileage hints? Areas of Europe a must see / ride? Planning a fortnight heading to Calais via tunnel, saved a few bob, experienced camper, looking for a good all round experience, will trying to squeeze many countries in one hit ruin taking in the highlights of biking Europe? Appreciate your thoughts Thanks
Some cracking ideas hints and tips in the touring section mate. Some well seasoned European riders on here, you should find all the info you need? Oh and if your in the market for a European adventure? Bump http://1000rr.co.uk/events-meetings-ride-outs/7509.htm
The other option for luggage is the ventura system as pictured here in use with camping equipment for a trip to Monaco via the Alps in early June this year. Kreiga gets loads of positive reviews but personally I am not convinced it has the capacity of ventura (51 litres) or how you then attach camping roll may, tent and sleeping bag (as I did in that pic) to it all. Happy for somebody to post up a pic to show me how that works. I would fit heated grips in advance and maybe a higher screen - and def. check your oil! For areas to go when do you plan to take this trip ? If you want to see the Alpine passes late May is perfect or even 1st week in June. It its prob. worth asking a mod / admin to move this to the touring section maybe? Lots on here who have toured with their bike - Switzerland has epic passes, there is the (in my opinion) over rated Stelvio pass, or route to Grande Alps to Nice area to consider. Wherever you end up you will have a great time I am sure!
lots of choice for luggage as I bought Bags Connection Cargo Bag Luggage review: Bags Connection Cargo Bag - Motorbike Parts & Accessories Reviews | MCN cost me around £100 and the reason I bought it was that it should fit on any bike. it fitted on my speed triple and my 2011 blade. enough room in there for clothes. buts, ten, sleeping bag etc... so once bought will last fir years and comes with a waterproof cover also that works 100% Paintwork protection? I used a soft rubber mesh to cover the back, cheap and easy to fit and did not mark the bike bodywork Comfort / long mileage hints? start of the trip is always easier then the end for doing some miles. I had no issues after 1800 miles in 6 day on my blade even with bad hips, so very impressive for a sports bike Areas of Europe a must see / ride? I did France Spain and Andorra which all were amazing and worth looking at
Great, thanks for all your useful pointers (oil tanker, lol!) & some great pics Can't wait to get out of this uk puddle and start clocking the miles
0.5. Don't skimp on the nights stay. After being on the bike all day, you'll want a decently luxurious gaff to stay in, with good food and a nice merlot (imo anyway) 1. Fill up every 100 miles... 2. Take puncture repair kit, camera, change of undies and socks for the duration, and a disk lock... 3. keep copies of insurance, breakdown. 4. waterproofs. 5. take enough clothes for the week, and at least 1 decent shirt and smart jeans/kecks for the pulling you may do if you go oot with the lads... 6. Luggage, i use Kriega 30 litre, plus a 10 litre fanny bag. 7. keep passports and tickets in a waterproof jiffy, and put your mobile phone in there too. 8. Have change/dosh ready, handy for tolls… it's a pain in the arse getting off the bike to hunt around for it…you can get reservoir covers with zips in to stash the cash. 9. if you are taking a dark visor,take a clear one too. 10. Take plenty of pics! 11. have a fabulous time! Well Jell mate! Like Alblade said, The Stelvio is overrated for bikes (shit road really) but it is really picturesque once you get to the top… there are far better passes with long sweepers and fast roads… Switzerland is great, as is Austria and Italy….great mountain and country roads…beats ours into a cocked hat. Germany is good too..mixture of race tracks, Autobahns and forest roads… Northern france is boring as shit. Careful of the Swiss police… shit hot on speeders…
Try the "route Des Grand Alps" I did it last year its awsome. We added a few other bits in too. We went back again this year to do some of the best bits but went down through Germany and then across the top of Italy. I agree with Alblade the Stelvio is over rated but still worth doing. I think my favourite bit of tarmac was the "Grand st Bernard" so fast and flowing, or if you like a bit of modern art thrown in try the "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timmelsjoch" Ozz
It all depends how many days you have??? If you have less than two weeks I wouldn't do the alps. Do the Pyrenees instead. If you have 3 weeks hit the alps. If in the Pyrenees there is a road called the N260 that runs the entire legnth on the Spanish side. It's unreal, it's got everything from 120mph sweepers to hairpin after hairpin! Unreal road! Stay in a tiny town called boltana. Avoid major cities and just stick to country towns. As much as I like the Ventura rack its stupid expensive! Kreiga is ok but if on a budget get a renntec rack and some dry bags from e wetsuits. Take chill time, eat and drink well enjoy the local stuff and people! Have a great trip!
Some top advice / pointers - thanks all Can't wait, tunnel booked a week before Easter..... 2 weeks fairly unscheduled riding ..... Partner joining me on her zx6r g2, best leave the pulling shirt behind! Decided a change next yr instead of a fortnight on the IOM for TT, sure I'll miss it but sure I'm gona get the travel holiday bug too. Got 45 nearly dry miles in today, first time out in weeks - "whoop whoop!"
I can not offer any route info but from my experience and what I have seen you can get a rack for the blade that will hold a large capacity hard luggage box ,if you travel light this should suffice.I was thinking of getting one myself as last year to tt was a killer as I was I'll prepared with a rucksack,and cargo net ,never again,my body was broken.
I'd second a lot of what the others have said. I'm a fully paid up Krieganaut. I use the us30 as a tank bag. I tend to slump on it on the motorways. It is comfy and gets me out of the weather/wind and seems to benefit economy too (I'm forever messing around with the display giving fuel mileage if I'm on the motorway). I use a credit card to pay tolls as it's quick but it's best to use a manned booth as you'll pay less than a car as a motorcyclist. I'm not being condescending in asking if you know how to access the fuel gauge on the lcd display. Many don't. And the fact that every review I read on the 2008+ Fireblade mentioned it had no fuel gauge almost put me off buying it. 2 minutes of reading the manual put me right and it's accurate. That Bags Connection gear is also sold by Halvarssons. It comes in 2 sizes. A bit of an exercise regime beforehand is an idea. Stretching and strength stuff. And then stretching at fuel and scoff stops. And I stretch once I'm back on the bike and I'm fine for another session. Drink lots of water. I pack light and hand wash clothes while on hols. And if you can make it to the Palace of the Kings of Majorca in Perpignan...what a structure. And the Pyrenees are right beside and await your attention. And the courtesy of European car drivers makes me want to emigrate. They will virtually drive into a ditch to let you overtake. I love riding in Europe.
Seeing the date you travel if it was me I would head South pronto and get to the Pyrenees then maybe over to Nice and back up the Route Napoleon - the problem you will have is that almost all Alpine passes will still be closed in late March. I stayed in St.Dizier after a morning tunnel, then down near Annecy next night heading south - loads of options but you want sunshine and the Southern Pyrenees (the Spanish side) will have it in spades. If its not too late to change / get a credit consider the long ferry to / from Northern Spain maybe.
All great advice - Thanks Only booked early as im impatient and thought a week bolted onto Easter would be a good excuse for a trip. I will look into the Spain ferry costs as the Dover / Calais crossing was peanuts and the extra time being spent further South hopefully in the warm is attractive. I'll look into the 'route napoleon' with anticipation.... Luggage wise I'd be silly not to speak to 'renntec' as they are only up the road. It's all too tempting buying new shiny gear but I've got to try to tell myself that I'm better off spending the money on more miles, smiles & beer! ..... Could I possibly work hard & afford the Cannonball?! That does look fun Happy New Year all
Portsmouth to Santander x2 bikes one way = £268 Ouch! I suppose that stands against time, fuel, tolls, warmer weather? Liking the look of route napoleon
