Hi; I am just about to embark of a 2 week trip through Spain and Morocco with 2 mates and wanted to see if there were any tips, recommendations and pearls of wisdom anyone cares to give? I have been on Europe trips previously with my old Monster, but having traded up (as of 5 weeks ago) to a MTS 1200s Touring for this Morocco trip. Having not really had the time to really explore everything the MTS has to offer (thank you recent snow ), any advice or things I should look our for with the bike would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
Yep, top tip: Don't sleep with your wife's sister, no matter how much it seems right at the time, you will burn...... Not related to your trip, but good all round advice never the less!
Rather than give you a whole list ill get the ball rolling with what I think is the most important one. DON'T TAKE TOO MANY CLOTHES. Pack a little bottle of travel wash and you will be amazed how little you need. Have a great time.
Agree a set distance you will stop to refuel. This works great if you get separated, you will know where your mates will be waiting. Personally I use 100 miles, cos that's just under what my bike will do to a tank. The rule is +/- 5 miles so if a fuel stop comes up at 95 miles that is where we will be (or 105 miles). Works great on motorways where the service stations are set back from the road. The distance always seems to work on the trips I've organised.
Thanks for the advice so far - I like the idea of setting pre-agreed fuel stop distances (all my previous trips have been organised - so stops fully scheduled) I should have all the clothes/extras (travel wash arrived today ) I need for the trip....hopefully Is there anything on the Multistrada anyone thinks I should watch out for?
What Tyres are on the bike currently? And how many miles will you been doing? The standard Pirelli scorpion trail gets about 3k out of a rear so be wary of that, likewise check the pads to make sure they'll last the distance. The toolkit is dire so check what you have in there and add accordingly just in case, include cable ties, tape, cutters etc. do you panniers have the later fix - additional catches? If not don't overfill them, plus wrap your clothes in bin bags... Just in case. Do you know the PIN number of the bike? How to start the bike if the key failed? Is the battery new in the key fob also?
I am getting new Scorpians fitted this weekend. having done some research there are no other 'Dual purpose' tyres I can I can use that would/could be suitable for Morocco. Is 3k really the life span of the scorpions? Good plan - thanks Yeah - my panniers have the later fix - thnaks PIN number all sorted... need to learn how to start the bike if key fails (good call) .. Almost sue the fob battery is not new - will order a new one shortly
The only failure I've had was a number plate light, if you'r doing long runs the standard seat gets a bit uncomfortable after 500-600 miles so an airhawk or jel pack could be beneficial. go and enjoy.
Place all the clothes you plan to take on the floor...then put half back in the wardrobes. Airhawk seat cushion, god knows I wish I had one last year after 3-4 big miles days. I 'will' have one in time for my Italy trip this year.
Get a Motion Pro multipurpose tool. Get a spare key cut by Ducati that's coded to your bike (passive one) and hang that around your neck on a lanyard. Have a great time.
No need to "order" a battery, They are standard CR 2032 lithium computer batteries available from PC world Halfords and the like. Ducati will charge you a FORTUNE for something that is around £5.00. Take a spare. The procedure for changing is in the handbook. Its pretty straight forward. If you can take a 55mm rear whell socket for puncture repairs / tyre changes. Youll' be surprised how many garages dont own one that size!
Yep, around £2 for 10 of them online. Make sure you get a reputable make though such as Panasonic or Duracell.
1. Sleep with youe wife's sister and your sister's wife at the same time. Tell them the the most impornt thing about a handjob is to use you mouth. 2. carry good tyre repair tools. Tyre plugs. At least a gas cylinder and best is an electric pump. 3. Have a solid tool kit. 4. Have gear to stay warm. 5. Agree on nothing. Follow your gut and ride until you feel it is good to stop. You will have more unplanned fun than if you anally plan a defined route or defined root. :biggrin:
No touring toolkit is complete without Mole Grips - the most versatile emergency tool - gear, brake or clutch lever, vice, clamp etc... Overtaking mirror sheared somewhere in Germany enroute to Czechoslovakia. Mole Grips out - sorted for the trip in less than 5 minutes .
+1 on mole grips, and also a decent adjustable spanner. A small ratchet strap can help hold stuff together like a pannier with a busted catch etc. If you're camping I recommend a thermorest self inflating roll mat, and if you get a gel seat pack look out for Dan medical south. They do medical grade seat gel pads, not the cheap petroleum jelly ones some people sell (that you really don't want near a hot exhaust etc!). Have a good look over your bike at the size of fixings on the things you can fix at the side of the road. There's no point lugging around tools you can't use. A flexible water container is always useful and can be filled and bungee'd onto the bike. It might seem daft but I always carry a small collapsible umbrella, the type that packs down not much bigger than a small torch. It's no fun fixing your bike in the rain ;-) An LED head torch is worth its weight in gold as well.
Oil bottle for chain and remove rear splash device so it is easy to adjust. As suggested socket for wheel essential and puncture plugs with some additional CO2 canisters or a pump. Riding in Morocco is great fun.... but would not like to test the medical services! Enjoy the customs - you might need a book to pass the time. Careful with what you eat.......
Some tool advice Post 1 [TABLE="class: page, width: 100%, align: center"] [TR] [TD][TABLE="class: tborder, width: 100%, align: center"] [TR] [TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Well I was cleaning (hosing off really) my bike and doing a check and sort of my tools to make sure I am covered. I am pretty fanatical about not being caught out so my tools are a little over the top but I thought you might like to see the set up so I got the camera out. General stuff under the seat that lives on the bike all the time: I use a kreiga tool roll that is awesome. I used to use a Touratech one but it is too big and wide to fit under the seat. The Kreiga is nicely made a fits perfectly. [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1, width: 20"][/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, width: 100%, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] I have 2 other supplemented MotionPro kits, a chain tension C-spanner and an axle removal socket (both from Motomfg). The C-spanner works very well but I put clear heatshrink over the handle so it doesn't mark the bike, rub or rattle. [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1, width: 20"][/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, width: 100%, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Also living under the seat under the Kreiga are these: [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1, width: 20"][/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, width: 100%, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Latex gloves Mechanics gloves Helmet lock Rag Inside the Kreiga is: [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1, width: 20"][/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, width: 100%, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1, width: 20"][/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, width: 100%, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]
Tool advice post 2 Continued Nuts and bolts Epoxy putty (metal repair like cracked engine casing) Condoms (for emergency fuel of course) [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1"][/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Folding hex spanners - full set Folding Torx (star) spanners - full set Tube extension for rear drive clamp Torch Locking pliers for hacking up nuts Various hex drives and extension [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1"][/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Small square drives and adaptors Sliding bar with drive to fit the axle nut tool. Ratchet and open end spanners or assorted sizes [TABLE="class: page, width: 100%, align: center"] [TR] [TD][TABLE="class: tborder, width: 100%, align: center"] [TR] [TD="class: alt1, bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Inside the 2 motion pro kits: [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1, width: 20"][IMG]http://www.ducati.ms/forums/images/statusicon/wol_error.gif[/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, width: 100%, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/IMG] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td1, width: 20"][/TD] [TD="class: td2"]This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE="class: ncode_imageresizer_warning2, width: 640"] [TR] [TD="class: td2, width: 100%, align: right"][/TD] [TD="class: td1, bgcolor: #000000"]Report this image[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Sockets and hex drives Reversing ratchet dive Spark plug socket 14mm and long extension with breaker bar More next post[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]
