1000 mile round trip...


Yaminator

Yaminator

New member
Hi guys,
Anyone done any big trips on there MT 7...? I'm asking as I'm getting prepared for a France, Belgium, Holland, Germany ride in June. And as it's the first biggy I've ever done I'm after some advice and tips..? All that I gavered at the moment is to get a gel pad for the seat and a USB point for Twat nav phone etc...
 
Ralph

Ralph

New member
I've done 400 miles in a day only problem as been numb bum and running low on fuel out in the sticks.
I have a gel pad but it still not good maybe a custom seat or a air pad may help.
I have a 40 year old Morini and can ride that all day no problem you would think they could build
a comfy seat 40 odd years on but it seems not.
 
Last edited:
spencer

spencer

New member
Gel seats should be standard on all bike now days.Seats on bikes have been getting thinner and thinner over the years and nothing seems to change in that department. abs and comes as standard why not a gel seat.
 
bobh

bobh

Member
It sounds as though you're intending to tour around, rather than stay in one place. So the first question to ask is what sort of accommodation you plan to use - hotels, B&B's, camping, friends? Depending on the answer, you need to do a bit of research and maybe book ahead, though in June it shouldn't be too busy. But be aware that in many places campsites are often only open in high season. And if you're camping, maybe have a plan B for accommodation in case the weather really turns against you - in June it can be almost anything in the places you mention, particularly in the hillier bits.

Secondly - are you going mainly to enjoy the riding or for sightseeing? IMHO it can be difficult to combine both satisfactorily - for sightseeing you tend to want to be moving around all the time, whereas to enjoy riding it's generally better to base yourself in one place for a few days, leave the luggage behind in the digs and go explore. So if you do want to do both, maybe plan to split the trip into two halves. And if you want to enjoy the riding, I'd suggest the general area to aim for would be the Ardennes/Eiffel areas - German roads are generally better surfaced than Belgian ones, and in particular the ones around the Nurburgring are brilliant - you don't have to go on the 'Ring to have fun!

Security is something to consider, particularly if you'll be leaving the bike in urban areas while you look around. Both the bike and luggage can be vulnerable.

Preparation shouln't be a big deal with a new-ish bike - just make sure it's all lubed and adjusted properly, with plenty of tyre tread left. Get recovery, but only take the essential tools to make any adjustments you think might be necessary - local dealers may not be able to fit you in quickly at that time of year when everyone's getting their bikes ready for summer. A puncture plugger is a good insurance policy, and I like to take a small first-aid kit. But in general, travel as light as possible. If you're going with others you can share out all the bits and pieces.

Make sure you have all the necessary documentation and stuff that needs to be carried in the countries you'll be visiting, For example, as of this year, in France bikes have to carry a hi-vis bib to wear in the event of a breakdown. Also helmet reflectors have been compulsory there for some time, though I've never heard of anyone having trouble by not having them, and in theory it's still necessary to carry a breathaliser, but they aren't penalising people without - logical?

Have a great trip!
 
KEVINJSTANLEY

KEVINJSTANLEY

New member
hi Yaminator and good info from bobh, I am also looking at a euro trip I am easy regarding when, but as it would be my first solo effort then company would be good....especially if someone is prepared to do the intelligent bits of planning :)
I have just started getting kit together as you can see from the picIMG_20160118_150046.jpg
I like the idea of a split trip as it makes sense to drop the luggage at wherever and then do days out from the base.
but yea if anyone wants company regarding a warm weather trip then please let me know
 
N

nobull

New member
Rather than a gel pad why not mod the seat yourself? I've just done it for my KTM, 3 inches of extra foam (£7 ebay), vinyl (£10 ebay), only draw back being you would need an air compressor (which I already had, staples were £6 & used Clarke gun £15). My MT07 is probably 4 x the thickness of original KTM seat, its gone from like sitting on a log (no not that kind, the wooden type!) to a sofa. Don't bother trying with a hand stapler, nowhere near powerful enough to penetrate solid plastic. Much cheaper than £200 comfort seat, & more comfortable than a gel pad I think.
Other extras I would fit are luggage & handlebar muffs, very under rated esp in the rain. Although I've never done a trip that long! Enjoy!
 
KEVINJSTANLEY

KEVINJSTANLEY

New member
Ok Nobull we will make a orderly que outside your house, when can you fit in all the UK mt riders ??? :) I would like a Union Jack seat please
 
robodene

robodene

New member
nobull said:
Don't bother trying with a hand stapler, nowhere near powerful enough to penetrate solid plastic......
Click to expand...
An upholsterers hand stapler (spring loaded type) will do it fine. I used smaller staples in case they came through!
 
Yaminator

Yaminator

New member
bobh said:
It sounds as though you're intending to tour around, rather than stay in one place. So the first question to ask is what sort of accommodation you plan to use - hotels, B&B's, camping, friends? Depending on the answer, you need to do a bit of research and maybe book ahead, though in June it shouldn't be too busy. But be aware that in many places campsites are often only open in high season. And if you're camping, maybe have a plan B for accommodation in case the weather really turns against you - in June it can be almost anything in the places you mention, particularly in the hillier bits.

Secondly - are you going mainly to enjoy the riding or for sightseeing? IMHO it can be difficult to combine both satisfactorily - for sightseeing you tend to want to be moving around all the time, whereas to enjoy riding it's generally better to base yourself in one place for a few days, leave the luggage behind in the digs and go explore. So if you do want to do both, maybe plan to split the trip into two halves. And if you want to enjoy the riding, I'd suggest the general area to aim for would be the Ardennes/Eiffel areas - German roads are generally better surfaced than Belgian ones, and in particular the ones around the Nurburgring are brilliant - you don't have to go on the 'Ring to have fun!

Security is something to consider, particularly if you'll be leaving the bike in urban areas while you look around. Both the bike and luggage can be vulnerable.

Preparation shouln't be a big deal with a new-ish bike - just make sure it's all lubed and adjusted properly, with plenty of tyre tread left. Get recovery, but only take the essential tools to make any adjustments you think might be necessary - local dealers may not be able to fit you in quickly at that time of year when everyone's getting their bikes ready for summer. A puncture plugger is a good insurance policy, and I like to take a small first-aid kit. But in general, travel as light as possible. If you're going with others you can share out all the bits and pieces.

Make sure you have all the necessary documentation and stuff that needs to be carried in the countries you'll be visiting, For example, as of this year, in France bikes have to carry a hi-vis bib to wear in the event of a breakdown. Also helmet reflectors have been compulsory there for some time, though I've never heard of anyone having trouble by not having them, and in theory it's still necessary to carry a breathaliser, but they aren't penalising people without - logical?

Have a great trip!
Click to expand...
Hey bobh thats a great reply...
the trip is over 4 days with accommodation at B&B's / Hotels,
My friends gave me the invite, its off too maybe Amsterdam on the way to assen to watch some racing then down to germany cos they want to check out the nurbergring
then its home with a splash of chilling inbetween the 4 days with some nice food and drink. ;)
 
Yaminator

Yaminator

New member
KEVINJSTANLEY said:
hi Yaminator and good info from bobh, I am also looking at a euro trip I am easy regarding when, but as it would be my first solo effort then company would be good....especially if someone is prepared to do the intelligent bits of planning :)
I have just started getting kit together as you can see from the picView attachment 2758
I like the idea of a split trip as it makes sense to drop the luggage at wherever and then do days out from the base.
but yea if anyone wants company regarding a warm weather trip then please let me know
Click to expand...
Lol.. i wish i had your bike for the trip...
 
N

nobull

New member
robodene said:
An upholsterers hand stapler (spring loaded type) will do it fine. I used smaller staples in case they came through!
Click to expand...
That's the type I tried with KTM, a Stanley "heavy duty" one, before I bought an air one. Yours must be better than mine, or KTM use a harder plastic. I tried for ages, attempting to hammer staples in after failing, all to no avail of course! I can definitely say that the Stanley one is useless for a KTM seat, didn't even penetrate 1mm.
 
N

nobull

New member
That's interesting, bet it was cheaper than the Stanley one too, mine looks good but is pretty crap. For the benefit of anyone attempting recovering a seat, I started with 8mm staples which were perfect for most of it, but where there was more than one layer of vinyl (ie where it folded at corners etc) I ended up buying extra 14mm staples. For the KTM these were a little too long, I got my finger through the seat on one staple near the end, was getting a bit cocky and careless! If I was doing it again I would buy 10mm staples only, or 12mm if you have thick vinyl or thick seat plastic, hope this might help someone from having to buy 2 lots like me
 
bobh

bobh

Member
Stanley used to be a tried and trusted brand, but now it seems to have gone cheap and cheerful. Didn't stop me getting one of their compressors though (from Screwfix) which does the job for me.

Wickes stuff is either really good value, or totally carp. Unfortunately it's hard to tell until you've tried it! But it's my first call for building project materials - the other D-I-Y chains have gone too "soft furnishings" for me. I just built a "bridge" to protect the outlet on my heating oil tank using their galvanised joist hangers - much cheaper, and sturdier, than a bespoke job. But that's probably too far off topic - sorry!
 
Yaminator

Yaminator

New member
You know guys what i'm learning here is,
if i do want to upgrade the seat is to just take it to a specialist upholsterers with my intentions of the specific modifications so they can get on with it...?
 
robodene

robodene

New member
Yaminator said:
You know guys what i'm learning here is,
if i do want to upgrade the seat is to just take it to a specialist upholsterers with my intentions of the specific modifications so they can get on with it...?
Click to expand...
Could be. I think it either has to look reasonable when finished or be undo-able before you move it on. E.g. my seat mod in 'Mods' section is only fixed with velcro.
 
Yaminator

Yaminator

New member
robodene said:
Could be. I think it either has to look reasonable when finished or be undo-able before you move it on. E.g. my seat mod in 'Mods' section is only fixed with velcro.
Click to expand...
Ummm..?? Velcro..... Its only for 4 days now you got me thinking..??
 
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