Triumphrat

TorqueyT · 02-27-2005, 11:54 AM

Hi all,

having just bought the ferry tickets for the first trip of the summer (Norway), I'm now looking at what needs planned. Kitwise I've already got about 120L worth of luggage for me and my wife, and I guess making sure the bike is newly serviced and in tip top shape goes without saying.

Question is quite simply - what else do you guys not leave the house without on your foreign trips? Do you tend to take any spares etc. with you (fuses are already on the list)? Anything else you've found to come in handy in the past? Anything people normally don't think of?

Bit of a newbie question, but I thought I'd rather ask than get caught out later.

Cheers

BigStripey · 02-27-2005, 12:30 PM

First year i went with the kitchen sink!, didn't use half of it!

My essentials....

1) A roll of self-amalgamating tape. Fixes hoses, secures wiring, virtually indestructable. Watertight and very very strong.
2) Spare bulbs and fuses
3) Can of tyre sealant foam
4) Spare keys....(long story

)
5) Set of stubby spanners
6) Tyre pressure gauge
7) Old tobacco tin with nuts bolts, washers etc
8) Sealable 'Wet' bag with an old face flannel kept wet for clearing bugs of my visor
9) 90degree elbow tyre valve adaptor

Thats about it really. Sounds a lot, but all fits in a tupperware box nicely

ipg · 02-27-2005, 12:34 PM

This is from the checklist of items the guys and I use and run through before we leave:

Passport.
Personal travel Insurance cover document.
Driving License.
EC E111 form for medical benefits(new form introduced 1st Jan 05 so old ones no use any longer get one from the PO).
Insurance Certificate.
Registration Document.
European Breakdown Cover.
Country of registration sticker.
Check bike insurance cover for Europe with Broker/Insurer.
Maps and directions.
First Aid Kit.
Replacement Bulb Kit.
Temporary Puncture Repair items.
Pressure Gauge.
2l Oil.
Enough tools split amongst everybody to cover most needs.
Some of us take our own Tie Straps for the boat.
I also take 4 climbing quick draw flat webbing loops to use as the securing point for any ratchet hooks on the ferry, these can take a huge load and easily be looped through frame members, engine bars pegs etc without damaging any paint. Nothing worse than seeing the ferry guys attach a big rusty hook directly onto your pristine bike.

Interesting to see what everybody else takes.

ipg · 02-27-2005, 12:43 PM

Just noticed BigStripeys list, yes I agree duct tape and most importantly don't forget the spare key and keep in your pocket. No point in leaving it in the panniers if they are locked and your first key is gone walk-about.

djr · 02-28-2005, 04:04 AM

when travelling abroad (not country specific) with the bike carry the "original" vehicle documents, insurance certificate/green card, passport and driving license.

Also carry some cash for possible on the spot fines!

Some good maps are also worth having and dont assume you will pick up what you need at the first petrol stop.

chrisn · 02-28-2005, 06:16 AM

Hope to see this thread develop further as I too have just booked my first ferry tickets for a trip though France and Spain later this year.

My biggest concern is clothing (for riding that is). I always wear protective gear and with 3000miles to cover this is high on my agenda, but setting off from northern UK to southern Spain will see big temperature changes. I don't like the thought of having a mobile sauna in my normal big bulky UK biking gear - even with the linings removed.
So I've opted for an armoured but lightweight mesh style jacket to which I can add internal or external layers of clothing, together with a waterproof oversuit in the event of a thunderstorm. I'm sticking with my Triumph leather-tex armoured jeans and boots but fear these will be too hot in Southern Fance and Spain.

Just what do you seasoned touring guys recommend ? - there's simply no sustitute for experience.

tango · 02-28-2005, 08:41 AM

Great topic.

It seems the uk tiger prowl (what's the collective term for a group of tigers) are gonna be doing plenty of roaming round Europe this year.
I've got two trips to France planned myself. One on tango and the other on the trophy.

It'll be my first time abroad on the bike, done it in the car loadsa times.
I've got 132L luggage capacity, but the trick, I would imagine is to stay light weight and compact.

I'll be wearing two piece leathers, under which all i'll have is a thin underleather one piece, great in the winter, i'm hoping it will be cool in the summer.
Will probably just buy underwear and socks when I'm there, then i've got bike cleaning rags every day :-D .... Well lets hope they're clean anyway, :-) :-) :-)

Also less space taken up going, means more wine and baccy on the way back :wink: .

[ This message was edited by: tango on 2005-02-28 06:44 ]

robbie · 02-28-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

On 2005-02-28 06:41, tango wrote:
Great topic.

, but the trick, I would imagine is to stay light weight and compact.

Also less space taken up going, means more wine and baccy on the way back :wink: .

Yerr. Just pile it on you never know when you might need it

check what your pressures are in BAR
find out what the locals call the type of petrol the bike needs
cork screw
credit card
torch

practice as often as you can, that way you know what you need or want and what to leave behind.

but the face of the other campers when you sit outside your tent (that you can stand up in) on the camp chairs with a bottle of wine on the table is priceless. :wink:

robbie · 02-28-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

On 2005-02-28 04:16, chrisn wrote:
My biggest concern is clothing
Just what do you seasoned touring guys recommend ? - there's simply no sustitute for experience.

Layers in the UK
Take out the jacket liner and wear a fleece that you want to take for the evenings.

I wear DM's on tour not bike boots. Trainers are a waste of time; I take sandals for off bike use. I stash them under the tank nets so put my boots on last thing before riding and change quickly when stopped.
I have bad experiences with leather so textiles are for me. Armoured jeans when it is hot. Lightweight rainproof leggings. Remember your not made of sugar and it is warm rain (most of the time)
If your jacket has a zip at the bottom then unzip it a bit. Never have your jacket totally unzipped, cuffs slack let a cool breeze up your arms and over you back. Lots of vented jackets nowadays but not tried one yet.
Vented helmet is nice but remember to sunscreen your nose and cheekbones do it very carefully as sunscreen in the eyes hurts.
Drink lots and lots when on the move. If you feel angry or agitated then you are dehydrated, the wind removes water off your body very quickly.
As you can see below All The Gear All The Time

:-D

In India the only protective gear you need is a Towel so you dont burn your bum on the seat

[ This message was edited by: robbie on 2005-02-28 10:17 ]

knarf · 02-28-2005, 01:10 PM

Warm clothing, Norway is cold even in summer; I was in Straveger a couple of years ago on holiday.

Take lots and lots of Money, its really expensive.

Ensure you don't have a loud can, Norway really sticks to this sort of stuff.

Also have sealed dry kit for night time especially if your camping.

Also stuff to keep the midges off you (ask Tango a fellow Scot / west coast traveller).