Thank you Barry. I stumbled across your channel. Very nice!….. Tip number 1 is crucial for just having a great time. Can’t tell you how many times I pointed my bike in no particular direction and just went that way for two or three days solo, turned around and came home. Some of my fondest trips were that way. My wife of nearly 42 years is used to the ‘once in awhile’ routine.
My mantras... Saddle bags will carry everything you need not everything you want. Look at the little lines on the map. Allow way more time than you think you'll need which combined with not setting a hard itinerary will make your adventure much more fun.
I always wire 3 charging cables into my bike. One for phone, one for GoPro, and one as backup in case one breaks. I also have a DIN with USB adapters, a 12v for heated gear, and a backup SAE that can hook up to the battery. Can use these to pressure up after a flat too.
Cheers….got a bike after a break of 11 years and decided to go touring around Europe as I’ve always wanted to do it - then COVID hit so I’ll start next year. Good thing is it’s given me time to get touring ready … I’ve sourced the hard panniers and am sourcing the other little bits I’ve decided to get after seeing advice like this…can’t wait!
The one tip I will act on is getting some more plastic overgear. I have some cheap plastic overtrousers and some insulated overtrousers for winter, but nothing to go over my jacket. I also have heated gloves an an electrically heated visor which does a lot for visibility in freezing mist or heavy rain.
Great video. Been there, done that! Most important tip. After a few days of riding in the rain you learn all about the participants in the group. At that point you need a good leader! 😁
30yrs travelling around on a bike and yes good info for the new boys !!!!! . i travel with 2 power banks one fully charged on route the other i charge at camping grounds or hotel but all the time i will have 1 fully charged ... good info on all the other aspects of touring by bike . yes buy good wet weather gear ha ha
Another unstated advantage of a power bank: if the charging location is risky (be it theft, rain, or whatever), charge a cheap power bank there, then charge your expensive device from the power bank later.
What a great and inspirational video! I'm 49, and planning to go back to riding after many years without it and this video is such an amazing simple and short way to tell everyone to go for it. Thank you very much for sharing it and stay safe!!
@@paulo1787 Yes I did, celebrated my 50th birthday with my best friend on a 738Km motorcycle trip across Portugal, north to South, the famous N2 road, it was awesome and I'll never forget it!! 👍👍
Really great, informative video. Thanks. Only thing I'd add would be on the bike size debate. I went up the cc range slightly from 800 Crossrunner to Versys 1000 for a bit of extra grunt going up hills while loaded up with all the gear and I'm not small at 14st plus. Also a bit more forgiving when you get the gear selection wrong. Also, I've found with long legs...the higher capacity bikes seem to be taller and less cramped for me while in the saddle for long hours. I was a hairs breath from going for a Crosstourer. Truly awesome bike...you must be well happy with it. Cheers for the tips...right on point especially for newcomers 👍
Thanks Paul, you raise some excellent points, it's about finding that bike that's works for you and your personal requirements. Really miss touring and can't wait to start again.... Meanwhile I'm working on my desert off road riding here in UAE, will release a video soon to help others that are interested. Take care buddy
@@PAUL-yv2kk yes once you get to interesting places its hardwork when on the motorway tho depends on the type of trip you like mines mostly trails so works for me
With the thoughts of security I like to use the bike cover plus I put an expensive looking cable lock through the spokes forks and the bike cover plus I have a disc lock and a bike alarm. Now the thieves have to go through three different locks and won't bother, the best security though park beside a more expensive bike especially Harley there'll be too busy with that one to touch yours. Also a pacsafe is it awesome idea you get a large one not only can you protect your gear you could attach your jacket to it your helmet put your jacket in it it folds up small it's great for traveling.
Another mention on not taking a powerful bike touring. I guess that’s fine if you are a solo rider. But with full hard panniers and a pillion on board, I settled for a R1250RS. As this machine is more than adequate for touring two up with luggage. I think you’d probably struggle with 750/800 machines with the extra weight.
hi ... yes 400cc up 750cc is all the power you need , i have had many big heavy bikes but the best is mid range cc and light ! great advice your giving out well done . PS .... BUY HONDA .. HA HA
I agree100% with you.Over the years I,v owned 2 Pan Europeans,brilliant on long motorway trips through Europe but very heavy on tight mountain roads,I am now on my second Suzuki Vstrom 650 and love it..
I have a bright yellow disc lock, which puts off the opportunist. For riding gear I use layers. A vented top jacket, a down jacket for colder days worn underneath and a cheap nylon over jacket. I wear armoured jeans with nylon over trousers. I use hard luggage which saved my wife’s legs when we were hit by a car in India. My 650 V strom proved ideal, two up. A 260 mile range, comfy and more than capable. My GPS is hard wired to the bike, and I have fitted a USB socket. I have a universal power socket for charging phones/intercoms when I stop.
Good tips, thankyou, especially for me as I am about to try my first 2 day trip to the beautiful Yorkshire dales, excitement and a little apprehension but as you say don’t put your trip off life’s too short.
Good video; thanks! I resist the temptation to use a GPS...I find there’s more adventure in riding the Rocky Mountain west in pure discovery/exploration mode. I have waterproof maps, a compass, and a smart phone if I absolutely need one. But one reason I travel backcountry routes is to get lost and find my way again. I get it in Europe and the more populated US.
Thanks Barry. Back on the bike next year for a ride to Spain Covid permitting. Have done much touring around the UK & Ireland. I've saved your vid to my 'planning' folder (I know, I know, but so many restrictions at the moment). Been a biker for 40 years and a couple of good tips for me there ;-)
All common sense mate. My dream bike, was the Tiger 122Gt Pro.. So i went out and bought one😎Of course, i had to get the hard panniers, thinking that i would need them, on my next trip, which is well over 3000k's. In hindsight, i should have gone out, and bought the 900 version, but i didn't want to go back to chain. Should have listened to my head, and not my heart. My other ride ( which i still have ), is a BMW F800 St. Truth be told, it has been a great bike, and has taken me round, parts of the land of Oz, for many years, trouble free.
Most of the travel tips are naturally undertaken when riding around Australia ( you can fit all of Europe and more within our boarders). Even though we have a dry environment our storms are massive and quick so wet weather gear is a must. I tend to use my USB outlets on the motorcycle to charge the phone and GPS while riding and take a power bank for emergency. Our main highways are sometimes the only way to see our great sights. Back roads here get you to small towns that have character.
Hi many thanks for your comments, I'm really looking forward to eventually hitting your amazing country. I will release another tips video soon if you would like to participate pls let me know whether a tip or your own video tips to include 😀
you all prolly dont give a shit but does anyone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost my password. I love any help you can offer me.
@Victor Dominick thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
Great easy to follow info there, intresting the thoughts of using a smaller bike, i m on a ktm 990 smt and was thinking of getting a 1200 crosstourer, but youve made me think now about a smaller bike, like a Tenere 700 maybe, thanks for this.
I don't ride in the rain if I can possibly avoid it. I've pulled over and stood for an hour in the pouring rain and waited for the rain to end and the streets to dry out. I'd rather do that than risk an accident and have a filthy bike and clothes. Riding thirty years, no accidents.
Very good informational video. My number one concern is the safety of motorcycle (living in Mexico city). I bought an over sized cover with Cross straps that go through the wheels and under the belly of the bike, plus a hidden alarm inside the cover. If someone pulls the cover the alarm goes off 150db. My next investment is a GPS tracker and someone gets too close to my bike another alarm will go off. Thank you for videos
Hey mate, good video! I hadn’t considered the 7 port USB. Great idea. I’ve already got a 12v socked that I use on the bike via a 2 port usb adapter. I’ve taken a look at the 7 port that you use and spotted that I comes with a main power adapter. Trust you simply don’t use that and plug in via usb? Simple as that? Cheers and safe travels 👍
Generally good advice but; (1) Hard luggage versus soft luggage. Hard luggage is much heavier than soft, so you are always carrying excess baggage, particularly for lower powered bikes like my Royal Enfield Himalayan. (2) There is no such thing as 'water-proof' clothing. Nature will find a way. If you ride a motorcycle, you will get wet at some point. Sometimes frequently. And often. (3) Rear top boxes are a bad idea because they destabilise the motorcycle. Weight needs to be as low down as possible and within the triangle formed between the front axle, rear axle and the top of your helmet. Top boxes put their weight way out of that zone. (4) Charging devices. Holy crap! I can survive without a mobile phone or whatever because I have a map. I prefer to talk to the locals, in whatever basic forms of their language I can muster, and follow road signs. It's not difficult. I am a camper and not a frequent guest at hotels. I'm off to Europe on Friday (12/4), Harwich to Hoek van Holland, camping nearby then who knows? I've not yet booked my return ferry. Probaby come back via Belgium or France. Maybe. Take care, ride safe. Love and peace.
Hi buddy, the battery tender connects to the bike and allows you to charge any device on the go. You can connect cigarette lighter style with multiple USB and charge devices at the same time ie. Power bank or phone itself. Let me know you need more info
Yes, correct i should know better as an engineer. But making this bids is not that easy and often make mistakes and its a pain to edit! Think you get my point though 😉
Sorry but I disagree with part of your point 2. There are times when there is very little to see and no nice roads. In these areas use highways to get to the good roads/interesting locations quicker. Once you're in a nice area then switch highways off. I'd rather spend a day on the autoroutes to get to the Alps so I get an extra day or two in the Alps. This is especially true if you're trip is tightly time limited due to work of family. In 40 years of Euro touring I've never felt the need for a bike cover. As little luggage as possible is the best approach. Europe is not a 3rd world area so any essentials forgotten can easily be purchased. Other than that, good advice.
Absolutely, what is your goal, tarmac, track, accomdation style etc etc this will all come into play on deciding the bike. But at the end of the day you can use any bike for long distances but there will be trade off's and compromises to be made
@@bazzasbikes Just tarmac, in mainland Europe. And I'll need to carry all my wordly possessions with me, including the tools of the trade...so...nothing too adventurous or glamourous, I'm afraid...I'm looking for a reliable, fuel efficient 125/250 cc bike. I may have to camp a lot too... Thanks for replying
@@bazzasbikes Summer around the Baltic, Winter in Italy. Weather/climate is very important in my line of work, so I'll have to migrate like birds do. As for accommodation, it'll be standard, mostly. Camping only while on the road. Thanks again for your time
No locks can prevent you from thief. For example, you can easily steal a bike with disc lock on by unscrewing disc bolts and pull the lever with zip ties so it will not loose while tire is rotating. you can prevent this by changing the bolt with uncommon screw like triangle or maybe a square or whatever you never saw. although you've been doing all this, they can just kidnap your bike with a mini van. Before you buy a lock, think like a thief. So my suggestion is, get an insurance!
DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T try a bit of spontaneous off roading without the right bike and protective clothing. NOTHING messes up your trip like a broken wrist.
Am I the only person who's had perfect success with Gore-tex? If you treat your outer garment as recommended, Gore-tex is comfortable and effective. Untreated outer garments are still pretty effective, but treated is 100% effective in my experience. Even at the crotch/seat area.
Hi Roscoe, thanks for your valuable comment and I agree. And your correct the groin crotch area seems to be most vulnerable. But I will say plastic overs are cheap and very effective.
@@bobbyboy723 i agree.I have a habit of not putting on the wet gear until the rain gets heavy and I,m getting wet! I some times travel with a mate,First drop of rain on his visor he pulls over and puts on the gear,He says it doesnt take long to take it off again.Living in Ireland,he wont go to the local shop without his wet gear in his box..
@@asd_skala2725 That must be why you watched it then as clearly by your spelling and English grammar you must be around 6 years old. BTW, It's children not children"s". You need to spend more time at school and not watching RU-vid making a fool of yourself
