My other bike is a vstrom which would be the obvious choice for a first trip abroad, but I just know that I will be gutted once abroad that I wasn't on the 848 I was out yesterday for 4 hours. I had no idea, it felt like 2! So I have no problems about long stints in the saddle on the 848 but have never done full days at a time on it. Suppose I can take my time down, maybe 2 nights? Thinking about taking the eurotunnel so would be going South Wales > Folkstone > Calias > Le Mans ... over pyrenees > Spain East Coast. Wife and kids will be flying over so I can travel light on the bike. Should I get a tail pack of some sort or will a backpack be OK? Not sure if the latter will get tiresome? Any other things to think about? Bike will be new but should have just had its first service by the time I leave. In fact I might get it done on the way to Folkstone - is this madness??
I just returned from a week long trip to the Pyrenees, returning via Autotrain/Paris --> Eurotunnel on my 1098R. Because of the monoposto, everything went in a Kriega R30 backpack. I did a write up here - My greatest biking adventure. Yet. - PistonHeads
Sounds fine to me! I'd choose a tail pack/tank bag over a day sack, more comfy. If you need to get it serviced on route, there's an authorised Ducati dealer in Ashford, about 2 minutes from the motorway and about 15-20 minutes from the tunnel. If you do this let me know and I'll pm you my phone number in case you have any problems as I'm in Ashford ;-)
Hey Bradders: I'm sure, I've never done any touring yet (its what the Vstrom was bought for until I got bitten by the Ducati bug so I'm wondering if taking a dedicated sports bike for my first trip might be being too adventurous? Spareparts: will check out your report, ta. Do you find the backpack fatiguing and would a tail pack be preferable? Oh and what about bike securiy? Disc lock or some kind of lightweight chain?
That's very kind of you nick, thanks for the offer I have to get it serviced at a particular dealers en route (for a complicated boring reason that I won't go into). I find lying on the tank quite comfy so I ruled out a tank bag. Probably tail back might be the best bet then.
A Kreiga tail pack is all I need for a week at the TT on my 748. A mate has a back pack and never stops moaning about it. Steve
Not sure how they do it, but the Kriega R30 design seems to place zero weight on your shoulders once on the bike. Mine was stuffed full and weighed about 20kg - and yet my shoulders never felt any of it. If you have the option of a tailpack, then that is definitely a good option. Security wise, I just used a Xena alarmed disclock and prudence on overnight parking. Prudence = private/secure underground carpark or garage. There was only 1 night the bike stayed outside, but this was at the top of a mountain in a farmhouse after arriving late.
Just read your adventure, awsome! Xena looks like a good investment, thanks. I'm planning to play it by ear accomodation-wise and not book in advance and have no idea how hard or easy it'll be to find secure parking.
