Definitive guide... equipment for touring

[24ftlb]

Hi everyone.

This year will be my first year out touring with the bike. The bikes kitted out, spare bulbs, tyre inflatant, touring scot oiler, honda tool kit, crash bars and panniers and top box..

Got me tent, trangia stove, carry mat, kipping bag.

Obviously clothing.....

Some wedge....

I know there are some well seasoned travellers on here so what else is needed?, what do you recommend ?

Can we have a difinitive list please for whats needed or recommended for a bike touring holiday.

Anyone carry spare clutch,front brake, gear change levers? You get my drift ?

Cheers Paul.

[Recycler]

I also pack:
a torch (for prowling around the campsite)
a bottle opener (for complete self sufficiency)
a magnetic map holder (directions on the move and 10 quid, not £500 GPS)
maps - eg Alpine tour would be Michelin 989 France, 523 Rhone Alps and 527 Provence-Alps.
Clutch cable (if it goes you're facked without one. My brother-in-law was stranded on a french campsite for 4 days when his Triumph Tiger cable went. Triumph UK were no help and in the end he rode clutchless to a French Triumph dealer who adapted one from a Speed Triple he had on show).

Euro breakdown cover (I'm with Carole Nash so it's included).
E111 from post office just incase you need to benefit from the reciprocal health agreement (the form changed last year).

Flip-flops (getting out of steaming boots before unpacking is a luxury I cherish).

[wheeliebin]

I usally rush around the night before bunging anything that looks useful into the panniers the night before. (I took a big twin barrel footpump to the stella, no idea why).

Maybe after the HU meet I can pick up some tips on how to change tyres, know what to take and want not to take, etc, etc from the Pros.

There are a couple of things I always suffer when travelling large distances.
1. I run of of fuel, coming back form Spain & also the Stella.
2. I get lost too easy, my maps aren't detailed enough, once off the main road I'm buggered.

Maybe GPS would cure this, but I'm too tight to buy one (Yorkshire Blood).

[piguglyshandydrinker]

For mainland europe, i wouldn't bother with spares, Alps are more popular over there, Honda part's the next day etc.

A head torch is invaluable.

As is a credit card

Know your bike, thoroughly check/service it before departure.
Things like clutch cables' don't just 'snap' for no reason, look for freying etc.

And ENJOY

Where are you heading for? Could meet up sometime?

Phil

[Slimie]

I also pack:


Euro breakdown cover (I'm with Carole Nash so it's included).
E111 from post office just incase you need to benefit from the reciprocal health agreement (the form changed last year).

Just an FYI, folks. The E111 has now been superceded by something called EHIC, it's in the form of a card (like a credit card). My family received one automatically after applying for an E111 last summer.

Have a look at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers for more info.

Cheers
-Simon

[24ftlb]

For mainland europe, i wouldn't bother with spares, Alps are more popular over there, Honda part's the next day etc.

A head torch is invaluable.

As is a credit card

Know your bike, thoroughly check/service it before departure.
Things like clutch cables' don't just 'snap' for no reason, look for freying etc.

And ENJOY

Where are you heading for? Could meet up sometime?

Phil

Looking at booking horizons but thats on my door step. Looking at a 4 day break up scotland, gonna try to get to as many xrv meet ups as poss.
Do u carry a big hammer as part of your tool kit?.....Sorts most things on the 38 tonner. A bit of good old fashioned driver abuse....


Paul

[JB1]

I remember going to Italy on my @ 2 up when i was in my early 20s (15 yrs ago). Me and my then girlfriend had a tent and sleeping bag each. Oh and I had a swiss army knife and that was about it. Was away for 2 weeks without problems except a puncture on an autoroute in Italy. I put it all down to character building. Not sure if i'd do it like that again though. Maybe now I have more money or just not as adventurous.

[xrv_jim]

E111 from post office just incase you need to benefit from the reciprocal health agreement (the form changed last year).

Not an E111 anymore but an EHIC (Euro Health Insurance Card). There's a link on the Links page. You can apply online ot via the Post Office, either way your card takes about a week to arrive.

Clutch cable

Seconded. I had to ride over 500 miles in France without one on my old GS750.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

For mainland europe, i wouldn't bother with spares, Alps are more popular over there, Honda part's the next day etc.

A head torch is invaluable.

As is a credit card

Know your bike, thoroughly check/service it before departure.
Things like clutch cables' don't just 'snap' for no reason, look for freying etc.

And ENJOY

Where are you heading for? Could meet up sometime?

Phil

Looking at booking horizons but thats on my door step. Looking at a 4 day break up scotland, gonna try to get to as many xrv meet ups as poss.
Do u carry a big hammer as part of your tool kit?.....Sorts most things on the 38 tonner. A bit of good old fashioned driver abuse....


Paul

Don't carry a hammer, should do tho

I've heard about you hamfisted artic drivers, me mate fixes them (well....!)

Phil.

Have to get some rides out sorted

[shoboshi]

You probably know this site but just in case you dont try it.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

Probably the best travel site for bikes there is.
Loads of info.

Shoboshi