You can tour on pretty much anything. Touring is just going for long rides with some amount of luggage (the less the better). My 999 has been from Switzerland to the very north of Scotland, including the sheep tracks that are laughably referred to as roads by the local inhabitants. Maybe not the best tool for the job, but hey - life is all about compromise. Mind you, when the wind dropped and the roads were dry (not the sheep tracks) it probably was the best tool for the job.
Did a few one week trips ,always on smaller roads in France Spain etc,was ok comfortable but after 300 miles in a day that would be enough! Superb tool,just had a tank bag and a roll bag on pillion seat,always handled well,decent mpg,,the only area that can come into question is in very heavy prolonged rain. The electrics don't like that,got water into the ECU connections which made the mpg go to 20mpg and an absolute bugger to restart on these wet days. But due to toes experiences just tried to waterproof the vulnerable connections which made a good improvement.Apart from that I never had a mechanical issue with any of my ducatis in several years. Oh btw the headlight is frighteningly bad,worse than my mopeds when I was a kid!!!
Rode to LeMans in 2011 for Moto Gp, I think it was in the region of 1000-1200 miles. Rode to Germany last year for the 70 anniversary of the dambusters raid, that was in the region of 1600-1800 miles. The only problem I had with the bike out of both trips was coming home from Soest in torrential rain. I noticed the oil light flickering when I rode onto the train at Calais. All that had happened was the rubber boot over the oil pressure switch had filled with water, once I emptied it the light stayed off the rest of the way home. This was taken on the way to France. Loaded on the heavy side because we camped near the circuit for three nights. Not in "Barter Town" I`m sorry to say, will always regret missing that experience. Travelled lighter to Germany, no tent and left out half the stuff I took to France and never used. You live, you learn.
I can tell you something else as well. Glid is dead right, you can tour on anything. On the Germany trip the tour operator tried to convince me my 20 year old Ducati wasn`t the wisest choice to tour on, most of the other riders were on BMW GS`s and Triumph`s equivalent. Although they were a friendly bunch and we had a really good time, you could just tell they were thinking "huh, that old Ducati won`t make the first 100 miles." On the way home a couple of them admitted this and were gobsmacked at how reliable "that old Italian bike" had been.
Howdo!! Went to Mugello for the Moto Gp few years back, cracking time. Ensure you have good waterproofs and take 2sets of gloves!! Credit card in easy reach for toll booths, puncture repair kit Bike never missed a beat!
I did ASSEN a few years ago on mine, was great fun, if i could change anything it would be to loose the tank bag! I fitted Ventura luggage after this trip, easier to use, but you don't have the option of hanging stuff off it!
Ridden mine abroad several times now, usually for a weeks touring, no problems even in torrential rain, my avatar photo was taken next to Lake Gruyere in Switzerland, it pissed down all the way through France but cleared up beautifully for the Alps.
Rode mine loads through Europe , was a fantastic ride, not much was able to keep with it on the 80-130 mph bends. Sore arse after 300 country road miles,but a smile. Only ever one gremlin. After 24 hrs of persistent heavy rain the TPS connector was wet,started to rust and made things a bit tricky,would die under 2500 rpm,ie could not idle. But a clean and dry steadied it,and properly reset TPS when home. I think I would call it a charming bike. All the bhp is usable . I can't ride my current bike at full throttle hardly ever, so the SS has the grin factor. Upgrade the brakes and front forks makes a big difference.
An ss will take you anywhere. Fab bike for the real world. I had to sell my creamy yellow 900ssie to fund flights to see a very ill relative in Oz. I have regretted selling it ever since and wish I had just thrown the flight costs into the overdraft pot! They have soul, they do RB
The SS were great at touring, Poland, Czechoslovakia and France to name a few places that they toured to.
My partner and I took my 900SS around europe for a few weeks. 2000 miles or thereabouts, did it on the mega cheap by camping most of the time. Did England, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands, best holiday of my life. 6 gears is a godsend for long runs.
I read this as "blah blah blah" but then I saw the word coffee so yeah, OK. Hmm. I'm feeling the need to plan some touring for this year.
