Advice On Touring On A 748!!!
 

I HAVE OWNED A 748 FROM NEW WITH ONLY 5,000 ON CLOCK, BUT THIS YEAR GAVE IT A FULL SERVICE, CLEANED LEATHERS AND FANCY DOING A BIT OF TOURING!!!!Yike i hear you say............ on a 748!!!!

I live in Birmingham, and fancy riding to North wales first, and then do a big ride either to france or assen.

Either direction is a 2 hour plus in the saddle.. any advice:cool:

748s (and indeed 916 to 998) are prefect tourers.

A 748 riding chum of mine accompanied me on my 996 many times to parts of Europe (usually ending up in bars if I remember rightly).

Never a problem.

Just stick magnetic tank bag in place/pack light and go.

North Wales? - that's not touring; its a commute :-)

:o

Osteopaths to standby!

Ventura luggage - it's awesome!

IMHO big miles on a 748/916/996/998 isn't a problem.

Round town and at low speed they arent' too good.

Get them out on an open road at a decent speed and they really do eat up the miles.

Used a 996 and a 998 for long distance trips in Europe several times.

You can't go much more than 120 miles before you should stop for fuel.

Look after yourself, it;s not just the bike that needs a drink!

Consider post luggage if you know where your are staying and they are happy to receive a parcel.

Ray.

i have padded trousers so do not find the seat a issue. also my 916 needs petrol about every 150 miles which is long enough for a stop and stretch. as with the others its carrying your gear that might be the issue. do you ride gripping the tank and having no weight on the bars? this is another way that have never had back ache or any issues with wrists.
regards vinnychoff

I did a 2000 mile trip round france in ten days on my 748, was great fun. Had a slightly harder time than my mate on his gsxr, but got him back as soon as it stopped being either downhill or bumpy.

Do it, you'll have a great time.

Taking mine to france to see the leman 24hr in june, thats more of a commute though!

Thanks-- best tank bag/ panniers to use???
 

:D thanks for all the advice, can anyone suggest best tank bag, or panniers to use for a TOUR ON MY 748, DONT REALLY WANT TO GO FOR THE EXPENSE OF FULL VENTURA, SO something a little cheaper!

J&S magnetic tank bag and throw over panniers. Cheap and cheerful. I have used them on a 748 to south of frances a few times.

I know you've said you don't want "to go for the expense of the full Ventura", but I have to say it deffo isn't false economy. It's worth it on a Duke.

The system is bulletproof, easy to fit, easy to remove/put back on, and is super stable ( I was doing knee-down antics in Germany with a full pack like in Antonye's pic) and never felt as tho there was anything on the back of the bike let alone 20-25kg of clothes and camera gear.

You can get 2nd hand kit if you look and are lucky.

As for the 748 as a tourer. As Ray says. It'll eat the miles and pay you back with smiles.