Thank you for this. I live in the US, specifically the San Francisco/Bay Area of California. Here we can ride for 100s of miles before coming to any town. In the past, I rode in groups during the weekends. But now most of my friends have left motorcycling so I ride alone. I'd like to ride with one or two others, but since I like to stop whenever I feel like stopping I do. No worries about if the other people want to stop. Like all things in life, you never get something for nothing, in this case, someone to talk to when I stop or have dinner. I bought my last bike I'll purchase, one that is great for touring after a lifetime of road racing and motocross/desert tracks. Trundling along, staying in hotels, and enjoying the ride is all I do now. I'm a teenager once again, just without the threat of being on restriction. Life is about enjoyment, and at this stage of my life, I enjoy riding.
Totally understand your point about feeling like a teenager again. Had tbe sports bike craze many yrs ago.was off bikes for a while.purchased a cruiser and as you said enjoying the ride for what is is. The bike,the road and me,no drama when i want to stop. Did a 1500k ride at Christmas time to catch up with my old brother in law. Made it a one sleep trip going out but returned on a mission,straight through because i stayed a day longer. Was a long haul but i loved it. Currently have my nephew to ride who got his stay upright completed and enjoying riding. Wishing he did it 20 yrs ago. Also have a new woman who wants to come riding. Looks like it will be two up now with all the benefits that come with it. Best of both worlds
You forgot to say that you don’t have to go to the big name destinations preferred by RU-vid influencers. You don’t have to pay for and sit in traffic jams to cross a well publicised mountain pass. You don’t have to race through France on peage autoroutes to find roads worth riding on and countryside worth riding through. You don’t have to search out every British owned B+B within 50 miles of your route. You don’t have to take the ferry to northern Spain. You don’t have to go in large groups linked by Cardo all talk or have every action camera known to man strapped to your bike. You don’t need a tent big enough to park your motorcycle in. You don’t need to be able to carry enough spare fuel to cross the Sahara if you’re staying in Europe. I’m sure there are more I’ve missed and you covered the, you don’t need a big overweight expensive adventure bike less than a year old with 50:50 tyres and designer soft luggage. Take the bike you’ve got and follow your nose.
Stumbled on your channel and now subscribed. An eloquent, considered and thoughtful take on why we tour, Thank you. I'm just back from a trip to the Picos de Europa with my wife on pillion. We have done an annual European tour together for the last few years and I've done the occasional one on my own. I'd love to do more, but life gets in the way. We both love it though and always look forward to it. Nothing beats the excitement and anticipation for me, of riding into the bowels of a ferry at the start of a trip!
I heartily agree with you. I'm a bit of a Francophile, I could happily tour there every year, the countryside is varied and often magnificent, and there are enough interesting sites to keep me going until I expire. And let me tell you, the French have always been great to me wherever I've been. I'm at my happiest when I'm on the quayside at Dover waiting to board the ferry. My main problem, and it's a big one, is that wifey - gorgeous though she is - is not into bikes so getting a pass to bugger off for a week or 10 days is not easy. But I have one for next year, so wish me luck! I can particularly recommend Sisteron for a stay, and the Massif Du Vercors, just west of Grenoble and by-passed by most tourists, for great balcony roads and superb wild scenery. An excellent video, thank you very much.👍👍
Brilliant video. I've toured in groups (and met the wheelie pulling idiot) but the very best thing for me was my wife passing her motorcycle test in 2012. Since then we've toured Europe together riding our own bikes (Street Triple & MT10). We've had some brilliant experiences, met wonderful people. So many places to see. My advice is get out there, do it. Life is short.
What a great vid.went touring on a dirt bike with a friend from Brisbane to Darwin via Cape York about 6000 klms best trip ever sleeping under the stars and eating really basic foods.Great memories
We just got back from three week tour, Rotterdam, Germany, Austria, Italy, Monaco into Spain. On a Kawasaki Versys 1000, two up. Not one regret. Would I do anything differentl, yes I would go straight to Spain. Very good informative video. Thanks for the post, I feel a lot will benefit from you post. Keep posting ….
Great vid, iv been touring last 15 years around Europe.just returned from Austria. Off to Frankfurt in sept. Use B+B, so long as bike is secure I’m happy. go for it….👍🏍️
When you tour in a car it's like watching a film when on a bike it's like being in the Film !!. Germany and Italy ( Dolomites) are our favourite. Want to get ideas see a couple touring with great editing and a laugh watch "travels on my motorbike" Lovely couple, Regards Robert
Thank you. At last someone talking sense. We are a small bunch of ex military who tour Europe for the ride but also the history. I really appreciated an honest view on touring from the small minded people of the uk, (the minority). And guess what, all three of us ride Victory Hammers. 👌
You are absolutely right, there is nothing stopping anyone from touring, except (in my case anyway) cowardice. I remember Henry Cole saying that all you need to concern yourself with is the particular piece of road you are on at any given moment. Think I should bite the bullet and just go for it! Thanks for the video it was inspiring and encouraging.
Thank you that was a quite a inspirational talk / in my twenties I would watch the 24 hour endurance racing in France and Belgium and the go on to have a week on a nice beach in the south of France , because of family etc I have had a 25 year pause with bikes , but now in my early 60s I have a triumph tiger 955i and live in Sweden which I will be touring as my annual holiday every year with trips back to England to see family still living there . Motorcycle touring is my greatest pleasure just me and a bike on the road.
Great video , I’ve retired and at 64 I’m about to buy a bike for the first time in 42 years so I’m looking forward to getting back into motorcycling so I appreciate your video thanks , 😊
love the vid ,i'm off solo to morocco in october , rode to greece solo last year , just sent your vid to a mate who is a bit worried about touring on his own , i think it'll be good for him
I enjoyed listening to you a lot. I will write more when I’ve more time, but I like your style and your stories and I look forward to hearing about your trip to Romania. I subscribed!
Great video and insight and put in very real world relatable terms 👍 thanks for taking the time. Heading off for my first mini tour round the ardennes etc keep up the good work
The most British use of “inconvenient” I’ve ever heard!!! Touring, or even riding locally, with a random group is definitely going to cause problems. Touring with a group of like-minded trusted friends is, however, absolutely fantastic. Sharing the ride and making great memories is at the heart of biking. I enjoy touring on my own but get more pleasure with a few close friends - chatting about the previous 200 miles of amazing roads at a cafe on tour is brilliant. Whatever you May think about MCs, the tradition of “prospecting” is about building trust and weeding out the twats whilst group riding as much as anything else.
Great video. I am american and short toured in USA only on my harley davidson, avoiding interstate highways as much as possible. Destinations Sturgis, SD; Rocky Mountain National Park; day trips in Southern California Sierra Nevada mountains. I agree small local restaurants are the best. Planning MC tour in tuscany next year with 4 friends: two Americans, two Argentines and an Italian resident. Should be great fun. Thanks for the video. It has inspired me to continue riding - I am 75 years old. Old but not dead! Cheerio!
I was already planning on touring for the first time next summer but this video was immensely helpful and motivating for me to actually go through with it. Thank you!
Great video. Straight to the point on so many reasons to ride. I'm retired now and enjoy the freedom to explore this huge country, America, and what it has to offer. I love the western part of the US but the eastern mountains are breath taking as well. Be safe .
Completely agree. I find at this particular time of life, family etc etc, time and commitment are my enemy. Once upon a time, a good few years ago, a friend asked me “do you fancy a ride across France?”. So that’s what we did. Spur of the moment, a week off work, throw overs and tent on the back and off we went. Carefree and really didn’t overthink it, we had a great time and I look back at it fondly. I do think as we get older, we can be guilty of worrying too much. Thankfully, my wife still rides and we’ve promised ourselves one day , when we’re free again 😄, we will take that trip together somewhere. As the cliche goes, it’s one life, make the most of it if you can.
I just saw your channel, and I love the title of just ride and tour. I also like lower sub number channels because it's raw and about the topic, not the dollars, which is great when it happens. I am 54, mostly broke, but have enough to do what I want because I have simple wishes like guitars, etc so a bike is not out of reach. A bucket list goal is to see the USA in the first place, and on a bike would be fun and more personal, tactile so to speak.
You are still a young person in my view. The western US where I live is a wonderful riding venue. Here we have it all, deserts, forests, and coastal routes. Excellent food (I really just ride for food) and stunning scenery. Yanks are friendly too.
I have toured in Europe many times. FIM Motocamps are excuse to go touring, the rally starts on a Wednesday and finish on the Saturday. At the rally there will be people from all over Europe, meals and entertainment ( fun and cultural) supplied. FIM motocamps attended Carpentras France,Lucon France, Vorden Holland, Ostia Italy, Rovinc Croatia and Donovaly, Slovakia. I always put a reminder on my offside mirror, insulation tape with kerb written on it, as it is so easy to set off on the wrong side of the road!! I also use hotels on the way to the Motocamp, as camping would take up too much travelling time.
Great video; the topics you brought up can be used just about anywhere. I live in the US on the east coast. For the longest, I rode alone and of course enjoyed it. As I told a few others about stopping in small towns and eating at restaurants with the locals, I was quickly joined by others. I now have a group of four, consistent riders that join me. Again, great video.
I am in Eastern Canada and ride a Suzuki VL1500 which is outfitted with complete Harley luggage and fairing. My wife and I have put 80 000KM since 2006 touring around Canada and Northern USA. As a member of the CAV (Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit) we tour in large groups as a rule, feels normal. We are planning a UK/ Europe trip next year but will be flying over and maybe renting a machine or car when there. Great video.
You are so right in what you said we got married 40 years ago next year .We went to the local registry office wave goodbye to friends and family and set off for Venice didnt have any where booked, tent on the back, spent our first night sleeping outside a railway station some where in France had a fantastic 2 weeks. You just got to go for it.
Brilliantly done. You have captured the whole touring experience. There is invariably the token maniac on every group tour. I agree you can tour on any bike but I do prefer lockable hard luggage for convenience and security.
Thank you for posting that video. I've been on a few organised tours that made me feel quite uneasy - riding faster than I felt comfortable doing and being well outside my comfort zone. They left me not wanting to do another tour. You're right though, I shouldn't let that put me off and I will plan to do one on my own or with one friend to get back into it - I've always wanted to ride in Ireland.
There are great advantages to touring alone . You can do EXACTLY what you want every day and you always come across other bikers to chat to . People tend not to approach you if you've got company but don't hesitate to chat if you're alone . I've met so many interesting people touring alone
We are touring newbies and for us it's always 2-up. Only a couple of very short UK trips under our belts so far but we intend working our way up to longer international tours. Thanks for the video!
Just found, watched and subscribed to your channel, I have only done one tour on a bike in May 2019. Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland Dublin to Dublin over 5 days, a group of 6 of us, my mate on a GS me on a Street Triple 675. The other 4 another 2 GSs a Blackbird and a Triumph Tiger top of the range,. So my little Triumph was the smallest but was no issue, however 250 miles a day hardly stopping to admire the views left me frustrated that all they wanted to do was ride but not admire what we were seeing. Then Covid reared it’s head and not been on a tour since, but this video has got me thinking as I now own a Royal Enfield Classic 350 the new version that I have done over 2,500 miles in 14 months, my favourite bike in 53 years of biking. The only problem with the Street Triple was the fuel range 120 miles and you were looking for more fuel and that’s with a 16 litre tank. The Enfield with a 13 litre tank has a range of close on 300 miles I never drop below 105 miles to the gallon. I have 2 40 litre Lomo bags and Rock Straps so do not need to spend a penny to tour again. The Classic for me is the perfect bike and touring at a sensible pace on my own would be bliss …….. Watch this space and thanks for the kick up the bum I needed ! 😊 Ps now to check out some more of your videos 😊
Thanks enjoyed that I was in a group we used to tour on maxi scooters 4 or 5 of us .Was better when 3 of us could all get in a Premierclasse triple room .It fizzled out 1 died other sold up moved to Spain other guy is having to look after his wife .I've not ridden since start of covid what to get back into touring but will be on my own .Brought a 300 cc honda scooter less than 100 miles on it as wanted abs and getting older lol
1st video of yours that I watched and many of the points raised, match what I say when asked. Touring abroad since late 70,s but decided to do a tour some years ago, 21 BMW,s met up and headed off. Route and accommodation was well planned and have used that knowledge since, but it put me off for good. Primadonnas, poor standard of riding when in a group and lack of consideration for availble fuel range and experience. Always been one to arrange time off, pack bike and then check the weather forecast. Head to where the weather is and don't over plan, booking all accommodation for 3 weeks and sticking to a fixed route, means you are constantly chasing the agenda. Wife not so into the camping anymore so I endure a bed, bathroom and a meal, being as these are her minimal requirements. Subscribed to see more content, ride safe. Long way from bike, poncho and army sleeping bag of my youth.
Great video! I toured the Alps in 2007 and absolutely loved it! Had a crash (Tank Slapper) a year later and it put me off big bikes! (SV1000) Wind - on 8 years I bought an old 2-stroke Vespa to restore as a project, I enjoyed riding it once finished and quickly got the bug again! I even got the wife into it, which when the boys were growing up was a no no! We have a modern Vespa GTS each and love to go on long days out (100 mile +) and even toured the Isle of Wight last year! In 4 weeks, we have a trip planned from Kent to Yeovil, to see no.1 son (Navy) and then visit the Cheddar Gorge onto Western Super Mare! The trip cannot come round quickly enough for me and my wife is very excited about it too! After many years of trying to get her on a bike, she finally gets it! No.2 son has passed his A1 test recently, so I said to him, when you have your full licence in 2 years I will take you on a European tour! He has a CB650R and I intend to buy something like a Triumph T120 or similar! It is not about the bike that is very true! Although, I wouldn't ride with my son on my Vespa across Europe?
Thank you sir for such an uplifting…just get off your arse and do it video, I’m in the what ifs crowd..my multi is now 10 yrs old and I’m making excuses, no more….I have toured Spain Portugal and French Pyrenees but have kept saying can’t do it anymore because of the what ifs…thanks for the kick up the behind I needed
I’ve decided to buy a Benelli 502 which is 400cc but a big bike about £6000 , it’s built in china under Italian design so it a great bike even has backlit controls and is plenty fast enough for me as I’m not interested in tearing round , just want to enjoy the country side. My last bike was a Kawasaki Z1000st and oh how bikes have changed. I’m happy about the new safety features and something my st didn’t have is good breaks. 😊🏍
Just found your video and couldn't agree more. Unfortunately I live in the western U.S., Arizona specifically. I do envy Brits and Europeans who can have these experiences on a weeks ride. For us a week will get us two states away and minimal culture change. One day riding through the desert is enough to kill you with highway hypnosis. And cheap it ain't, cause if you want to survive the interstate highways you must be able to cruise at 80 mph, hence a big bike. Motor on!
Plat de jour in France. There is a legal requirement to provide bread and water if asked for. A reasonably priced fixed menu is more of a tradition than anything else but is a welcome option in France and Spain and a lot of cafe's restaurants will make it up on the drinks.
Really good review, I'm a late starter at 50, now 54 and love riding, not done a tour yet, is a must, would like to do Germany just a shame my wife is anti bike, 😢
Thanks for watching. That's a shame, I plan on doing a video soon about touring two-up, which I think you and your wife would find helpful. Until my wife met me she'd never sat on a bike and now we ride thousands of miles each year. Subscribe and you'll get the notification!
@@stranobikes the crazy thing is, her Grandfather was in the R.A, a dispatch rider ww2, after the war he and his wife did bike trips from Ramsgate, Kent to Cornwall, what an adventure, 😃
Good evening sir . Would you be publishing a book of your travel . Kindly advise where I could buy one , if you did , always safe glide and happy rides . Take care sir
Thanks for watching. Having some anxiety about a forthcoming trip is something people simply don't talk about, but it's what I expect most people experience.
Great video thank you. The legal requirement for a Spanish restaurant to offer a menu del dia is true. I think originally it stems from the government of the time trying to make sure even the poorest people get a meal.
Inspiring and hilarious. Loved "complete twat, long story short, he wheelied into a wall and killed himself, which was really inconvenient and ruined our holiday". Haha! :D Golden. Keep the frank videos coming.
Great video. One question. How do you know where to stay at night, Do you plan before you leave in the morning or go off and ride and sort something out on google maps during the day and head that way?
Hello can you please let me know what travel insurance company you use that cover's you for riding large motorcycle's in Europe etc.. as my travel insurance is with my bank and they only cover me up to a 125cc...... Also can you please recommend any motorcycle insurance firms i am thinking of Bennett's at the moment
@@stranobikes thank you for the feedback..... Do you risk it and not have any travel health insurance for riding motorcycles...... I am wanting to travel to Europe this year and hopefully Costa Rica at the start of next year......
@@raptorpome2577 Sorry, I didn't read the question. The travel insurance company we use is Campbell Irvine. They have very few restrictions regarding travel.
Of course you're not too old! I was at a bike event last week talking to chap who's 72 and after riding when he was a teenager took it up again and passed his test when he was 65. Get out there and do it, you're a long time dead. Good luck!
Youre never too old.I,m 67 and have been touring in Europe every year for past 10 years and intend to continue as long as my health allows.I had a friend who passed away 3 years back (cancer).He was a life long biker who toured all over Europe.For his 73rd birthday he treated himself to a new Suzuki v-strom,he rode it from Ireland to Artic circle in Norway,turned around and rode to the Turkey then rode home,he was a retired ambulance driver.4 years later the big C got him.Every time I,m out on my bike either here in Ireland or abroad I think about him..RIP Jerry my inspiration
Hello I have just purchased a Honda 750 VFR and I am thinking of going to Norway 1st August are you interested in coming if not I am thinking of doing a few more tours of Europe this year if you are interested PS I don't like the idea of large groups due to similar reasons to you.... The Max time I can tour for is 2 weeks as that is what fits in with my shift pattern if you are interested please let me know... Ho thanks for the video's and information 👍
I think the best advice I can give anyone on touring with a motorcycle Ride with a purpose Ie coffee in Penzance from Wales Visit somewhere and take some photos You get what I mean Ride with a purpose and enjoy
There is nothing more annoying than being on a group ride, and someone has the temerity to get themselves killed. It ruins the ride, and it wastes everyone’s precious time!
You the road and the machine is what car drivers who do not ride can't get their tiny minds around😢. Not interested i trying to understand why we love to ride either. Their loss.
What a great vid have not got time right now to listen to it all and will come back to it tonight but just had to say something cheers fella you have already made me have a think which I gues is what you are trying to do !!
