Getting ready for a european tour on my 749! Help! Hi Guys, Me and a colleague are building up for a pretty epic journey across 4 countries in 4 days (including the Stelvio Pass) for the automotive charity BEN (Jean-Luc Cartwright is fundraising for BEN - Motor And Allied Trades Benevolent Fund if you want to donate a pound or two ) I am going to be attempting this on my '04 749, and was wondering what you guys would recommend doing to the bike before setting off? We will be completing around 1,600 miles overall, with up to 450 a day! She has done around 15,500 miles, was last serviced INCL belts around 800 miles and 15 months ago, recent Diablo Corsa's about 400 miles ago - I have changed the starter motor cables so she actually starts when wanted, and she runs fine oherwise! The only thing I am scared of is her letting me down (Which I would love to think she wont do!) but what can I do to prevent this? What would you guys say would ensure I get there and back without any drama? Thanks in advance for any help, and again feel free to donate It is for a great cause!! (My colleague and I with our bikes outside work!)
Ive been around Germany, north italy & Austria on my 749s (although same prep for most bije types) last yr. Will throw proper reply today / tomorrow eve.
I'd just make sure the bike was prepped well, pack my phone charger and RAC and have fun! It may help to have a list of European Ducati dealers just in case? I find it makes more of an adventure just to set off with some mates and enjoy the ride ;-)
By bike prepped well what do you mean? I can not wait! We have a rough idea of 3 or 4 checkpoints but otherwise we are improvising so should be a pretty fair adventure!
Just the usual, all service items checked and adjusted and a good look over for anything that might cause you a problem. In all my years of riding Ducatis abroad, apart from crashing I've only had one issue. That was the exhaust collar nuts coming loose on my F1, so now I chuck a spanner over the bike just in case.
Oil chain and check tension and you're good to go. Travel light as possible. Have read of rough guide for good towns to stopover. Check out if theres any local events worth going to.
I have managed to convince my pal to let me use one of his panniers so I should be able to get away with just a backpack!
I've no Ducati experience but I've always travelled on daft bikes, 4000 miles to Norway last year on an RC8, took a single cylinder supermoto to Italy once, think my butt's still an odd shape! It's just a trip to a pub where they talk funny, bit like Somerset. Check chain, tyres, brake pads and you're good to go, If you can put as little weight on your back as possible you'll be comfier and look on it as an adventure and not just a journey to get somewhere that way if she does have a trauma it'll be part of the experience.
If you're worried about breakdowns, the likely culprits on a Ducati will be the clutch slave cylinder or the oil pressure switch. Both are small enough that you could carry spares if you feel so inclined. Otherwise just top the tank up and head out. 450 miles is easily do-able in a day, enjoy the ride.
Make sure the bikes ecu is nice and snug, with it properly closed. Showers in Europe can be v heavy ( ifound out the hard way when the alrm guy never closed the ECU properly and while in Austria, yup....the 3 amp fuse blew. Simple fix but was a pain in the a!se. Bring disposable cheap jocks and socks. Dump them each day as you shower & get changed, this way you get lighter. Have a list of ducati dealers just in case. Bare in mind, travelling over the weekend can be a bit of a bollo!x if you break down. But dont think about that. Birng a map, satnavs can fail. Most garages will sell maps anyway. Get breakdown assist too, just in case. You should manage 120 mls easy before reserve. I suggest a dry run before you leave, just to guage tank range. The stelvio is a road i done once and wouldnt again. Faaarrr better roads in Switzerland & Germany & other passes like the Timmelsjoch !!!! Andermatt in Switzerland is a good place to stop if you are near it. Well enjoy & safe trip !
I use magnetic tank bag on my 999, you can get 4 days worth in there easy. Lycra type tees can be scrunched and stay crease free, they wash dry overnight too. Use a vacuum compactor to keep clothes small and dry.
I just check the tyres, oil the chain and leave. The bike gets its services on time - why should anything go wrong? Carry as little on your back as possible - it's a drag in every sense of the word. Tail bag is the way to go if you can. Don't bother with a namby pamby GPS. Maps are a lot more fun. If you do wear a rucksack, make sure to have a back protector - spreads the load and is more comfy.
In case of poor weather, check the fuel pump relay before you go and protect it. Or bring a spare and the knowledge of how to get to it. A search will reveal all if you're not familiar with this issue.
+1 Personally I'd avoid a back pack. I'd consider investing in one of these ....US30 DryBag - Kriega Use my US20s all the time .
That is the main prep I did on mine. Have a pair with you as there is also one for lights. Do not know if your tyres are good for touring .... also if not done already make sure you balance rims as it makes the touring easier. I done about 450 miles a day for 3 days including torrential showers. In the showers most likely all the lights on dash, well dash overall will go crazy ignore. When dried up back to normal on it's own.
With luggage do not carry much weight on back if possible. For 4 days a tank bag and tail pack will pack you fully leaving back pack for details like wallet or rain proof stuff. Make sure to take photocopy of V5/insurance plus original docks. Wrap them all in a dry way.
Good point and if you have problems with the fuel pump relay during the day, it's a straight swap with the headlight relay.
Good luck. I did the Stelvio last year on my BMWS1000rr. MY advice to you would be avoid. 42 hairpins in c14 miles, that on a sportsbike is really hard work. At least to some arm/wrist exercises to build up your strenght. All your weight will be on your wrists, and it is a long ride down. Try to avoid using a back pack, it will only add to the discomfort. Oil pressure switch and clutch slave cylinders are the likely bugbears. Get them checked before you go. Have a great time, fantastic scenery
