Which bike for "touring" Ireland/Northern Ireland
Discussion
Morning chaps.
A few of my friends are heading over on the ferry end of may to ride around Ireland and up into Northern Ireland (or the other way round).
I own a FireBlade 954 and a Aprilia RSV4 1100. Not the most practical I know. But I aren't sure which would be better?
Honda has never let me down. But I only do a few hundred miles a year on it. Aprilia i got last year. Done 800miles on that but did have a starter motor go during. Hopefully just one of them things. Blade is comfier. Aprilia rides better.
Any advice?
A few of my friends are heading over on the ferry end of may to ride around Ireland and up into Northern Ireland (or the other way round).
I own a FireBlade 954 and a Aprilia RSV4 1100. Not the most practical I know. But I aren't sure which would be better?
Honda has never let me down. But I only do a few hundred miles a year on it. Aprilia i got last year. Done 800miles on that but did have a starter motor go during. Hopefully just one of them things. Blade is comfier. Aprilia rides better.
Any advice?
I think you could get away with anything really, only you may find you have to adjust your mileage to suit sometimes!
I spent a lot of time in the north west, around Mayo and the roads there are shocking in places. There are a few bigger roads there now so you can bypass some of the horrors but you may miss some of the best places in doing so!
I've done 600 miles in 4 days on a rigid 1940s bike on roads around the south west Kerry area a few times too and it seems the same applies. There are some really decent made roads but you will miss the cool little places which to me makes Ireland what it is.
Personally, I think something like a mid-weight semi offroad style bike with decent suspension travel, an upright comfy riding position and decent weather protection would be my ideal. I've had to stop on the side of the road and empty rain water out of my boots several times over there, the rain seems to come at you from all angles at times
Whatever you do it on though you'll have an amazing time, if your bike's not exactly suitable just set lower mileage targets and spend more time in the pubs!
I spent a lot of time in the north west, around Mayo and the roads there are shocking in places. There are a few bigger roads there now so you can bypass some of the horrors but you may miss some of the best places in doing so!
I've done 600 miles in 4 days on a rigid 1940s bike on roads around the south west Kerry area a few times too and it seems the same applies. There are some really decent made roads but you will miss the cool little places which to me makes Ireland what it is.
Personally, I think something like a mid-weight semi offroad style bike with decent suspension travel, an upright comfy riding position and decent weather protection would be my ideal. I've had to stop on the side of the road and empty rain water out of my boots several times over there, the rain seems to come at you from all angles at times
Whatever you do it on though you'll have an amazing time, if your bike's not exactly suitable just set lower mileage targets and spend more time in the pubs!
You can tour on anything, I’d go for the comfier bike that’s easier to strap luggage to. So I’m this case the fireblade is probably the one.
It’s a while since I’ve been to Ireland but the roads were interesting to say the least, so much like the highlands just accept speeds will be lower and you’ll do less miles.
It’s a while since I’ve been to Ireland but the roads were interesting to say the least, so much like the highlands just accept speeds will be lower and you’ll do less miles.
Pretty much any bike will tour. The question is how many miles you want to do per day, what luggage are you going to need to take and what type of riding are you planning on.
Comfort is the top priority. You need to be comfortable when you're riding or the trip will just be an endurance test and not, in the slightest, enjoyable. Work out with your mates what mileage you'll be riding /how many hours you'll be in the saddle on the longer days. The answer to that may pick one of your bikes for you.
Next, work out what you're going to need to take on the trip. Some tour with nothing more than a change of underwear, a toothbrush and a credit card, others with everything including the kitchen sink. Knowing what you're going to take and how you plan to carry it may also choose the bike for you. Note, the likes of rucksacks may seem like a good idea but they can have a big impact on comfort.
Finally, you need to know what type of riding you'll be doing. Knee down scratching while fully "luggaged up" can be a real challenge. It's also pointless compromising on comfort and luggage to take a bike that's good at that to then only trundle along at gentle speeds, taking in the scenery and stopping for coffees and ice creams.
Personally, "I wouldn't start from there" in that both of the options appear to me to be less than ideal for such a trip.
That said, I hope you have a great trip whatever bike you go on.
Comfort is the top priority. You need to be comfortable when you're riding or the trip will just be an endurance test and not, in the slightest, enjoyable. Work out with your mates what mileage you'll be riding /how many hours you'll be in the saddle on the longer days. The answer to that may pick one of your bikes for you.
Next, work out what you're going to need to take on the trip. Some tour with nothing more than a change of underwear, a toothbrush and a credit card, others with everything including the kitchen sink. Knowing what you're going to take and how you plan to carry it may also choose the bike for you. Note, the likes of rucksacks may seem like a good idea but they can have a big impact on comfort.
Finally, you need to know what type of riding you'll be doing. Knee down scratching while fully "luggaged up" can be a real challenge. It's also pointless compromising on comfort and luggage to take a bike that's good at that to then only trundle along at gentle speeds, taking in the scenery and stopping for coffees and ice creams.
Personally, "I wouldn't start from there" in that both of the options appear to me to be less than ideal for such a trip.
That said, I hope you have a great trip whatever bike you go on.
Edited by black-k1 on Wednesday 1st February 12:36
If the Honda is more comfy maybe that one ? It's easy to do a few hundred miles a day on any bike, but everybody is different and touring means different things to different people.
If it's a one off I'd go on the Honda, get some cheap panniers from https://www.lomo.co.uk/product-category/motorcycle... or a back pack or dry sack, and see how it goes.
If it's a one off I'd go on the Honda, get some cheap panniers from https://www.lomo.co.uk/product-category/motorcycle... or a back pack or dry sack, and see how it goes.
It's a few years since I was last in Ireland & Northern Ireland, and I'm missing the place as I type this.
You do need to adapt to Irish time or you'll end up frustrated, you're not going to find many places for unleashing a sports bike, so enjoy the slower pace and get exploring.
It will be wet at some time during your trip, the interesting bits have bumpy roads, the people are lovely and the Guinness is not to be rushed.
You do need to adapt to Irish time or you'll end up frustrated, you're not going to find many places for unleashing a sports bike, so enjoy the slower pace and get exploring.
It will be wet at some time during your trip, the interesting bits have bumpy roads, the people are lovely and the Guinness is not to be rushed.
Marquezs Stabilisers said:
This is also a touring solution on a 954... 
Stylish! Edited by Marquezs Stabilisers on Thursday 2nd February 13:10
Of course it’s the most waterproof and faff free way of taking your stuff places, any points you loose for looks get made up when you’re loading up in the morning.
SteveKTMer said:
black-k1 said:
Tour on a sports bike rather than a sports tourer or tourinng bike because of the handling and performance characteristics then do that! Oh the irony!
Are superbike owners only allowed the toothbrush and credit card approach?
Speed addicted said:
SteveKTMer said:
black-k1 said:
Tour on a sports bike rather than a sports tourer or tourinng bike because of the handling and performance characteristics then do that! Oh the irony!
Are superbike owners only allowed the toothbrush and credit card approach?
Done the NW200 trip and toured around some of northern Ireland a couple of times, 929 Blade and Tuono R, never had any problems. Some good roads that you can blast along and others just to enjoy the scenery.
I just had a tail pack and tank bag plus always carried a puncture repair kit.
Want to go back, but next time will be in my campervan as I'm not riding anymore 😢
I just had a tail pack and tank bag plus always carried a puncture repair kit.
Want to go back, but next time will be in my campervan as I'm not riding anymore 😢
black-k1 said:
Speed addicted said:
SteveKTMer said:
black-k1 said:
Tour on a sports bike rather than a sports tourer or tourinng bike because of the handling and performance characteristics then do that! Oh the irony!
Are superbike owners only allowed the toothbrush and credit card approach?
A top box is probably the worst looking option generally, but it’s also usually the most practical.
It’s miles away from you so it’s not distracting, they don’t tend to move about, straps on soft luggage can come loose on bumpy roads, they’re more secure from theft than soft luggage and they don’t leak.
As a choice of practicality over style they’re very effective.
The next best thing I’ve had was Ventura, but they’re not exactly stylish either!
When we took the ferry to Spain > Pyrenees > Carcasonnes > Millau and back via Motorail. 2500miles and took no motorway. Ducati 1098R, MV F4 1078RR, GSXR1000K6, Tuono… all great tourers!
|https://thumbsnap.com/WtX3VnsD[/url]
Kriega backpacks were great. (Ducati 1098R has a lightweight Aluminium monoposto and carbon fibre tailunit so no tailpacks can be attached)
|https://thumbsnap.com/WtX3VnsD[/url]Kriega backpacks were great. (Ducati 1098R has a lightweight Aluminium monoposto and carbon fibre tailunit so no tailpacks can be attached)
Edited by spareparts on Friday 3rd February 08:23
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