Tips for a newbie tourer

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th December 2006, 12:59

I have gone to Kaikoura and back on the VTR with only fuel stops and was supprised how well I felt once I got there and back... Each person and each bike is different... (as we all know) riding position and styles as with the bike itself... you may find he vtr totally wrong and uncomfortable...

There is some good advise in this thread, from resetting your bars and levers, even to a sheep skin (can give you added comfort and a few extra kms), cruise control both mechanical to fully computerised controlled. Which I have found in the past to be a added value over long distances... (just need to get it for the vtr now... sigh)

The thing with touring is you have to remember you are in it for the long haul its not about speed but about comfort and carrying a load of gear and maybe even 2 up. both should be comfortable not just the rider. If the pillion isnt comfy and jiggling about can destablise the bike maybe in a corner.. which is a bad thing...

However a sports bike is just that a sports bike, not designed for comfort but speed... most of the sports bike extras are usually after thoughts... including a pillion seat. You could try going down the path of a sports/tourer and get the best of both worlds, but you will be lacking the peekyness of a full sports and to missing the full comfort of a tourer... but as stated the best of both worlds

**beyond** · 30th December 2006, 14:22

Lou said:
Get a naked

Simple answer: my blue and white GSX1400 that I traded on another GSX1400is waiting on Colemans floor for you right now

She's a real good bike and one blast on that and you'll forget about the CBR600 like it was a bad dream. You'll tour all day and maybe all night and you'll do it again the next day as well, BUT: you'll also have heaps of fun at the same time.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th December 2006, 14:29

Originally Posted by beyond

Lou said:
Get a naked

naked females...

or ride naked

**beyond** · 30th December 2006, 14:46

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

naked females...

or ride naked

Why not both

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th December 2006, 14:50

why not indeed...

**limbimtimwim** · 30th December 2006, 23:09

Originally Posted by beyond

Lou said:
Get a naked

Why is a naked bike better than a faired bike? In reference to touring.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th December 2006, 23:18

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

Why is a naked bike better than a faired bike? In reference to touring.

the air pressure when it hits your chest will take most of your body weight... and also you notice your speed more helps to keep it down which hope means less speeding tickets (helps a little...just a little mind you)

**Ixion** · 30th December 2006, 23:25

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

the air pressure when it hits your chest will take most of your body weight...

This is only true up to around 140/150kph though . After that the effect of the wind pressure on shoulders and neck becomes significant.

Sustained speeds of more than 160kph on a naked bike become very tiring.

**jafar** · 30th December 2006, 23:30

Originally Posted by beyond

Lou said:
Get a naked

Simple answer: my blue and white GSX1400 that I traded on another GSX1400is waiting on Colemans floor for you right now

She's a real good bike and one blast on that and you'll forget about the CBR600 like it was a bad dream. You'll tour all day and maybe all night and you'll do it again the next day as well, BUT: you'll also have heaps of fun at the same time.

Have to agree with you there.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th December 2006, 23:33

Originally Posted by Ixion

Sustained speeds of more than 160kph on a naked bike become very tiring.

true...

makes 10

**jafar** · 30th December 2006, 23:37

Sustained speeds of more than 160kph on a naked bike become very tiring.[/QUOTE]

Funny i thought the speed limit was 100 kph ,so sustained speeds of more than 160 kph are not only dangerous but fall into the instant loss of licence category as well

**limbimtimwim** · 30th December 2006, 23:38

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

the air pressure when it hits your chest will take most of your body weight... and also you notice your speed more helps to keep it down which hope means less speeding tickets (helps a little...just a little mind you)

But surely this benefit is counteracted by tiring effect of the constant buffeting? And what of headwinds? And rain?

Nay, I cannot fathom how no fairing is better than much fairing. Behold the Yamaha FJR1300 and it's crazy electric screen.

I contend (As I tried to above, but I was, in fact, drunk at the time and did not carry it across correctly), that the type of bike does not matter that much.

**Ixion** · 30th December 2006, 23:46

But the FJR1300 is a very different beast. That is a grand tourer. The riding position on such a bike is such that the body weight thing is not an issue. The naked bike suggestion related to "sports" type riding styles - in keeping with the OPs preference for sprotsbikes.

If one must tour on a "croucher" a naked bike will at least help support the body weight.

The true tourer such as the FJR is a much better proposition, but the OP did not like that idea. so the naked bike is a comprimise.

And electric screens are marvellous, I think one of the best ideas ever.

(EDIT- You don't actually get buffeting on a naked bike. If it rains, you get wet. Headwinds, use a bit more throttle)

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th December 2006, 23:48

Originally Posted by Ixion

But the FJR1300 is a very different beast. That is a grand tourer. The riding position on such a bike is such that the body weight thing is not an issue. The naked bike suggestion related to "sports" type riding styles - in keeping with the OPs preference for sprotsbikes.

If one must tour on a "croucher" a naked bike will at least help support the body weight.

The true tourer such as the FJR is a much better proposition, but the OP did not like that idea. so the naked bike is a comprimise.

And electric screens are marvellous, I think one of the best ideas ever.

What he said...

**jafar** · 31st December 2006, 00:04

[QUOTE=limbimtimwim;878992]But surely this benefit is counteracted by tiring effect of the constant buffeting? And what of headwinds? And rain?

Nay, I cannot fathom how no fairing is better than much fairing. Behold the Yamaha FJR1300 and it's crazy electric screen.

Can't say the buffeting is a major issue, the bike is less suseptable to sidewinds & airflow disturbances than a faired bike . In other words they don't tack like KZ7 in a side wind to the same extent as a faired machine.

Rain is overcome by wetweather gear & the realisation that if you are miles from home you will most likely get a bit damp, usually in the crotch area first then down into your boots

thats all part of the fun of it

As for bikes like the fjr 1300 they are way expensive in comaprison to a naked