Little bikes do the Alps.

Discuss general riding stories and adventures here.
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Bogger
Maintenance Stasi
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Rides:: 3 x C90,BMW R1200st, BMW R80RT, Honda Mode , Super Cub C125A, Yamaha Majesty 250
Location: Warrington

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by Bogger » Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:46 pm

Well done lads. Glad you had a good time :D . Back to reality now :( :lol:

Bogger

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knapdog
Posts: 5335
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2012 12:51 pm
Rides:: '96 C90, '83 C90C, '98 Honda Valkyrie
Location: Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by knapdog » Sat Jun 09, 2018 1:12 pm

BenB wrote:
Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:59 am
Ferry, camp, camp, camp, camp, train, ferry.
Lots of good accommodation along the way, mind....
Thanks.
Didn't realise you were ferry camp.
:?

remmington
Posts: 252
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2017 8:51 pm
Rides:: Honda Wave 110i BMW R80RT
Location: King's Lynn, Norfolk
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Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by remmington » Sat Jun 09, 2018 4:33 pm

Photos please?

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BenB
The Byway Bad Boy!
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Rides:: C90E gold, MSX125 and CRF1000 Africa Twin
Location: Norwich

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by BenB » Sat Jun 09, 2018 5:07 pm

remmington wrote:
Sat Jun 09, 2018 4:33 pm
Photos please?
BenB wrote:
Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:43 am
We're home!
Awesome trip. Loved it. :D
Over 1600 miles and the bikes did great.
If you get chance to do it, don't hesitate.

Route:
Day 1 - https://goo.gl/maps/6tCAroGARaR2
Day 2 - https://goo.gl/maps/n1xAydCW4yw
Day 3 - https://goo.gl/maps/aUMzyPc976t
Day 4 - https://goo.gl/maps/gkUxFkYNBZp
Day 5 - https://goo.gl/maps/oBfcMsAv1ev
Day 6 - https://goo.gl/maps/Mga9T6twGaT2

Photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bTYASJ3g51OEtbPI2

remmington
Posts: 252
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2017 8:51 pm
Rides:: Honda Wave 110i BMW R80RT
Location: King's Lynn, Norfolk
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Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by remmington » Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:29 am

BenB wrote:
Sat Jun 09, 2018 5:07 pm
remmington wrote:
Sat Jun 09, 2018 4:33 pm
Photos please?
BenB wrote:
Sat Jun 09, 2018 11:43 am
We're home!
Awesome trip. Loved it. :D
Over 1600 miles and the bikes did great.
If you get chance to do it, don't hesitate.

Route:
Day 1 - https://goo.gl/maps/6tCAroGARaR2
Day 2 - https://goo.gl/maps/n1xAydCW4yw
Day 3 - https://goo.gl/maps/aUMzyPc976t
Day 4 - https://goo.gl/maps/gkUxFkYNBZp
Day 5 - https://goo.gl/maps/oBfcMsAv1ev
Day 6 - https://goo.gl/maps/Mga9T6twGaT2

Photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bTYASJ3g51OEtbPI2
Thanks... Looks like you can get a lot of dry bags on a Honda Grom.

Any breakdowns or punctures?

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BenB
The Byway Bad Boy!
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Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:32 pm
Rides:: C90E gold, MSX125 and CRF1000 Africa Twin
Location: Norwich

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by BenB » Sun Jun 10, 2018 10:53 am

A snapped throttle cable on the XL, and the (pictured) screw in my tyre. Luckily it didn’t puncture!

remmington
Posts: 252
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Rides:: Honda Wave 110i BMW R80RT
Location: King's Lynn, Norfolk
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Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by remmington » Sun Jun 10, 2018 1:53 pm

BenB wrote:
Sun Jun 10, 2018 10:53 am
A snapped throttle cable on the XL, and the (pictured) screw in my tyre. Luckily it didn’t puncture!
So...?

Where you equipped? Spare cables - routed to normal cables - with tie-wraps?

Inner tubes - tyre levers - inflation kit?


How far where you going between fuel stops?

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BenB
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Rides:: C90E gold, MSX125 and CRF1000 Africa Twin
Location: Norwich

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by BenB » Mon Jun 11, 2018 8:13 am

Newt had an entire spare bike in one pannier, just in case. The throttle cable was a specific spare.

We were carrying basic spares for the newer bikes (chain links, tyre fix kit, fuses, etc) and basic tools.

We all had Euro breakdown cover.

We were riding at no more than 55mph. That dropped in the mountains, as you'd expect.

Fuel range on the VanVan and XL was a little over 100 miles. We were aiming to find a fuel station at around 130km. We'd also stop (for photos, comfort and/or food) at around 65km to allow a break.

The first day we did nearly 400 miles. This was motorway and an intentional slog to get us to the Alps. From there, we did between 200 and 250 miles a day through the mountains. Most mornings we were on the road for about 8:30 and at our next campsite at around 6pm.

We had a 'fixed' riding order. I lead, as I was navigator. Mark was second on his Grom, then Darren on the Van Van and Newt at the back on the XL. The latter bikes are slightly quicker, meaning that any gaps which opened could be more easily closed. Also, it allowed us all to get comfortable with the way things ran - I knew to look for Newt to make sure the group was together, and we all got used to the way the person in front or behind rode.

The whole thing worked really well. :)

Tranberg
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Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:30 am
Rides:: Anf125i

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by Tranberg » Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:58 pm

400 miles on a Grom in a day :o

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knapdog
Posts: 5335
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2012 12:51 pm
Rides:: '96 C90, '83 C90C, '98 Honda Valkyrie
Location: Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Post by knapdog » Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:20 pm

Tranberg wrote:
Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:58 pm
400 miles on a Grom in a day :o
I've heard of the white finger syndrome.
This could be a case of white ringpiece syndrome coming up.

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