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

Personally I much prefer ferries to the tunnel. Mainly cos I don't particularly like North West France so like to take a ferry to Normandy or Brittany from Portsmouth (have family there). You're then straight into some nice (to me) parts of France and can get interesting routes if you are going further East or South.

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!

It all depends on if you are taking a pillion along too, if I'm not taking a pillion tools wise I'll take screwdriver and socket set and a roll of spanners, the obligatory duck tape and puncture repair kit and chain lube, then tent if camping and various other bits and pieces that I think may come in useful should i break down

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 would not worry about where to stay as long there are camping sites on the way. But depend where and when you want to go.

If you will go to Mediterranean, from may to September it is good idea to book hotels in advance. As well camping.

If you are going to be in Germany,Austria there is a lot of camping sites and all are good equipped and always you will find the spot for one tent.

From tools side, all depends from your knowledge and skills. I personally have tire repair kit plus tire foam (that is the firs and best solution for fast and clean repair), and portable compressor to inflate the tires. Of course chain lube as well. Cable ties and duct tape are must. For anything else there is the master card.

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

yes and I have to say im not bothered about ballistic speed myself these days

Don't be put off by the size difference totally different bike but very capable single loads of torque. Wife and I love my 25bhp himalayan no issues, sure not quick but speed isn't the aim. I'd defo say like other test ride it first

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

Sorry if I've missed you already saying, but have you taken a test ride on the 660?

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

Just going of the mcn reviews your tdm seems a better bike.

The 660 will likely feel slow with just 48hp compared to the 77bhp you have now.

Why not look at the tdm900?

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?

So I've always been the plan in advance, have the hotels booked months before etc etc.

However we did two weeks in France on the bikes and found that most campsites are fine with you rocking up and asking for a pitch. Some mornings we'd ring in advance for that night just to check they had room but was mostly fine!

Are you thinking of hotels mainly? Or taking camping gear too? is, personally, horrible!

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?

First off. Don't worry about brexit.until it happens. I would be wary of doing anything, planning anything until after April. Leave it till the summer or better still until the end of the summer, if you can get the time off, if it's ok. Then maybe think about going either before the school holidays begin, or after they end. The biggest plus with this is that it's far easier to find free rooms in hotels or B&Bs out of season.. One less thing to worry about.

Using the tunnel to get to France, it costs a bit more but is far more convenient.

Depending on where you live... Then it might be worthwhile breaking your journey with an overnight stay close to the tunnel.

Decide where you want to go, based on how much time you have. Do you have anywhere particular in you want to go? There are some great places an easy days ride from Calai.

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