Ross

Im based in Ascot in Berkshire so the dover/portmouth/plymouth/poole ferrys arnt far enough to warrent an overnight stay which is handy

Good shout, i didnt think of getting a ferry further south of france, i will check out the prices now, the bilbao/santander is rather expensive

I'm sure everything will run smoothly mate, but should something go wrong with the bike try and be as methodical and cool headed as possible but I'm sure it will be a good trip Thanks! Aslong as the beers cold and the locals are friendly im game!

Ill be taking the missis and breakdown cover and a few little tools. If worst come to worst inmight be luckily enough if a friendly fellow biker stopped to help me out. Ive done the oil change, oil filter, chain and sprokets airfilter and spark plugs are getting done next week so should be all good to go and cross fingers it will run smoothly for the trip

I was thinking of going mid september once the schools have gone back. Ill be putting a tent on the supply list. I think ill be heading towards northen spain/barca get the ferry to santander. My mechanical knoledge does not strech very far at all i know how to tension my chain so ill be deffo getting breakdown cover! Ill invest in the other bits you mentioned. I was thinking of booking my first hotel then i have somewhere to aim for and a decents nights sleep and a hot shower so im fresh and ready for the next day. Then i think it will be word of mouth and reccomendations. Booking.com may come in handy a few times too. All this information and experience is very helpful and reassuring so thanks you very much. Keep it coming

Ill jave a look around local dealers see if there are some about to test ride

I dont ride bikes for speed, i like to ride them for comfort and taking in the scenery and fresh air. Im 25 and have never been one for balistic speeds i love the look and sound of superbikes but would never have one myself Lovley Endield you have there i bet you have had some right adventures on that! If i was to go for the XTX i would get the sprockets changed soniys got more top end speed for cruising

I havnt test rode it yet. Its a super moto , whats not good about it

Get your XT660 by all means but keep the TDM , after all you won't get much for it . Unfortuntally im still in the position of living under my parents roof and im not sure if they would be too happy with me having two bikes in their garage . Also would probs have to sell the tdm to help fund the xtx. Hmmmmmm....

I havnt come in pissed and tried to make a cup of tea and burnt off my hand of yet so ill stick with the quooker for now.... good piece of kit

The ride itself is okay, i just find it pretty hairy on the bends. Maybe because all ive ever ridden is dirt bikes duel sport bikes. But i do fancu one

Ill be doing more trips within the uk like rides to the coast and up to the lakes etc... then touring in europe once a year maybe twice

To be fair im not a big speed freak. I like my up right good view comfortable riding. The TDM i find rather hard to handle. The XT is more nimble and fun on twisty mountain toads and round town. And can still be loaded up for a distence trip

. I got a little hexi stive, take up no room at all

We have a quooker that does normal hot and cold, boiling water and filtered water... FANTASTIC!

Took my mod 1 and mod 2 on my Honda XR125L... FANTASTIC LITTLE BIKE!! failed on speed when you had to stop your front wheel in the box. Had two attempts and was too slow by like 2km each time! Then my bike got reversed into by a taxi driver and taken off by the insurence company so done my re yest on a yammy ybr125 and passed! Then went back to my little Honda XR125 for a year

... very good! Knowing me ill forget it. I already for got on sunday to check if i was on reserve fuel or not when i rode it for the first time this year... last year i ran out switched it over and forgot. Luckily i was only local when i konked out. My mother came to the rescue with a jerry can . I hope my heads screwed tight or ill lose that too

At the end of the year im thinking of selling/part ex my 1998 Yamaha TDM 850 with all the luggage (back box, side panniers, racks all fitted) it also has a tall screen for touring, upgaded brake cables, heated grips and 12v charger for satnav etc... And getting a Yamaha XT660X. I want to kit it up for touring get it racked up for boxes etc. Its a more fun bike to ride etc... What do you guys think? Have i finally lost it?

Most probably hotels im not sure the Missis will be too happy about camping. But then again if im the one riding she doesnt have much choice . I personally wouldnt mind a bit of camping. So i think book the first night stay that way i have somewhere to aim for and know i got a good nights sleep then maybe gonoff word of mouth and reccomendations for a few days see how i get on. What things do i deffiantly HAVE to bring with me?

Im based in Ascot in Berkshire so its no hassle for me to reach the dover ferry port or euro tunnel. Euro tunnel is alot quicker but more expensive. I was thinking to trying to reach sardinia but i think that may be a bit ambitious so maybe northen spain. But then may be worth while lookong at the ferry from portsmouth to santander or bilbao.

I wont be going until after march anyway, ill have to see what the outcome is. Just not sure weather to book the feery and go and worry about where to stay when im there or pre book were to stay. Also what i need to take with me. Maybe im worring too much. Just gotta get on my bike and go i suppose

Good shout, i heard in the news this morning its going to get postponed for another two months .

Morning fellow bikers, I want to do a tour this year on my bike to europe. Basically it will be my first time so just looking for advice in general, what to to what not to do. Is it best to just rock up and look for a place to stay for to pre book hotels in advance etc.. Many thanks, Ross

Yeah for the price it doesnt matter if there crap. I would have to have to wite it through a switch so i can turn them off if needs be. Ill have a look around i may just gor for standard non light ones

Quite like the idea of these as any extra light on the front of your bike is a bounus! What are the chances of them killing my battery? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Handguards-Hand-Guards-Protector-For-Yamaha-TDM-850-900-A-Blue-/122283163867