Shall I take the XT6 or 4 wheels?

[kentfallen]

Some advice please guys (and gals)...

My son has just moved to Linz in Austria to work for a computer company as an unpaid intern (no I don't get it either).

This is my idea before the bad weather arrives here in the UK and Austria -

I am contemplating riding one of my beloved Yamaha XT6's out to Linz for the hell of it. My son needs a netbook to stay in touch by Skype so I will take one with me.

I will be riding the full 900 or so miles in only 2 days (one overnight in hotel). That's 450 miles each day (Gulp).

I will be using high speed motorway/autobahns as this is the most direct route and safest roads. My route is -

1. Dover/Calais
2. Brussels
3. Acchen (Germany)
4. Frankfurt
5. Nuremburg
6. Linz (Austria)

I will be taking along my car satnav which I have cleverly adapted for bike use.

The rub is that the bike I am proposing to use is a SINGLE CYLINDER thumper! Not exactly the first choice bike for high speed mile munching trips like this one.

It's been a while since I travelled long distance on a motorcycle let alone a XT6. My mate reckons I'm being silly attempting this trip without proper conditioning. Yes I'm aware a XT hasn't the most comfortable seat and that vibration is sometimes a problem with thumpers over long distances.

Now for the plus side - The XT6E is one of THE most capable Round The World (RTW) bikes on earth. It's a legend for African / light offroad adventures. Reliability isn't going to ever be a problem with one of these things but speed of travel and comfort most definetely is...

I know it's possible to travel anywhere on almost anything (including a RTW on a C50 Honda). But 900 miles in 36 hours on motorways..... good idea or not?

I have driven to Hungary once (2009) and it took 21 hours constant driving. Although Linz isn't quite as far, it is still a long way off from Blighty.

2 weeks ago I took the XT6E out for an afternoon Sunday spin and got caught out by the weather. Although only 10 mile trip the experience wasn't an enjoyable one at all - strong head wind on a high speed dual carriageway. After only 10 miles I couldn't wait to get off the thing...

I confess to being a fair weather rider and that all my bikes get polished more than ridden these days. I'm 47 years old with a knackered (worn out) back.

Or do I simply put my hands up and take the car (2008 Volvo C30)?

Thanks for your valued advice. All kinds welcome including the occasional frank derision ....

[Socks]

Hi fella,
I can see your long and hard thinking for this trip.

You don't mention your return journey, could that be a more relaxed and longer return?

I take it there will be a good rest at your sons home on arrival. And can you not leave outward bound a day earlier?

I have to add that reading your post, says to me you have made your mind up anyway, 47 aint old, particularly if your now looking after that back with regular exercise.

Trust that gut feeling and go with it, you know it makes sense.

And carry those waterproofs even on a sunny day!

Enjoy what ever it is you decide.

Socks

[MountainMan]

Tough decision, it would seem that logic would support the car option whilst emotion and your sense of adventure would support taking the bike.

It's really up to you whether you are willing to suffer for a couple of days to create a lifelong memory of the crazy dad who rode to Linz and back.

The motorway doesn't sound too appealing though, a decent windscreen would dramatically reduce fatigue from wind. If you don't have one and the weather looked dodgy, you'd be in for a loooong ride.

And just in case you don't have enough to think about, how about taking the scenic route to Linz over two days and then flying home on one of those cheap flights? Perfect excuse to head back in a month or so and reverse the trip over a weekend...

[backofbeyond]

This is a decision I have to make on a reasonably frequent basis as we have a flat in the mountains south of Grenoble and it's 750 miles door to door from our main house near Oxford along the autoroute. Assuming I'm not taking anything bulky with me that won't fit on the bike my rule of thumb is usually- Nov-Mar, take the Land Rover. Any other time I'll take whatever I'm currently playing with if I think it's is reliable enough to get there. That has varied between my CCM600, a '87 Honda XR600, a 1969 Lotus Elan, a 1978 Honda 400/4 and my wife's Mini.

The reason for the list is just to say that through the better weather months it's the enjoyment of the journey that's uppermost in my planning. Riding your XT (hopefully) is more enjoyable than driving the Volvo and at this time of year I'd take two wheels over four any day. If your departure date isn't critical take a close look at the French / German weather forecast up to 6-7 days ahead and see if there's a weather window that'll enable you to get there without getting soaked. Coming back usually has to take care of itself!

I wouldn't worry too much about being too knackered to withstand the rigors of the journey. I'm 13 yrs older than you and it doesn't even enter my head that I shouldn't be doing this. On the autobahn a 450 mile day is not that difficult (boring, but not difficult) even on a 600 single. I'll frequently do my trip in one day - it's about 15 -16 hrs including the ferry if time is short but spread over two days (camp in the summer, hotel the rest of the time) it means I can get off the autoroute and take some of the more scenic roads. You might want to take a look at the map and see if you can come off the autobahn for a few stretches.

Most of all - do it with a positive attitude. This isn't an expedition into the unknown with a 50:50 chance of surviving, it's an enjoyable journey that'll give you some bragging rights in the pub. And - tell your mate to watch the MrT / Snickers ad on tv (get some nuts!)

[kenymact]

Aaaaargh..........toughen up and take the bike!...........and the accompanying pain.

[pusser65]

Take the bike. I made a similar journey the weekend before last travelling 1,100 miles over two days, albeit on an ST1300. It would have taken me a little longer on the XT and in less comfort, but it would have been just as much fun. It is also good to take an alternative route for the return, if only to add to the enjoyment. The plus side is that the XT will use less fuel than your car and petrol is more expensive than here across the channel at the moment, unless you use diesel.

Your proposed route via Brussells and Acchen will involve heavy traffic (it is always busy on that stretch) and there are more pleasant routes. Wear something high vis on the autobahns - traffic approaching at high speed from behind is a real risk.

The one downside is the effect on your bum! There is advice on this site about measures taken to make the seat more comfortable on long trips which you might like to research.

Ultimately, roads on the continent, particularly off the main motorways, are a lot quieter than home and some of the scenery is spectacular.

Go by bike - you know it makes sense.

[Jens Eskildsen]

I'd do it, but im weird like that.

Dont know the roads and weather where you are tho'

[kentfallen]

Good advice about being thumped from behind by fast moving German BMW's...It's a possibility when travelling at only 60mph.

I'd say 60 mph is about right for an XT6E. The bike is happy to cruise all day at this speed. I am also likely to get good milage from a tank at this speed - 60 mpg + perfectly possible.

As luck would have it, I'm already a bit of a nerd (I'm an ex bike cop) - I always ride wearing a hi-viz jacket. I managed to pick up a lovely almost new Teknic jacket for only £5 at last years BMF.

Here's the same jacket - Just Bought a new Teknic Freeway Jacket - ADVrider

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8yEMLpODXs

Not bad for a fiver eh? The year before I found a Shoei X-Spirit (Eddie Lawson Replica) for only £100 saving nearly £400.

I do like my bargains... lol.

I will take the bike. I shall update this thread with the result (providing of course I manage to survive the German Autobahns).

Thanks chaps.

[acertainalias]

Totally agree on the speed, bike just settles at 60 mph for a nice ride without too much wind buffeting or engine noise and there is plenty of flexibility for hills or overtaking without gear changes.

Have a great ride!

It was my intention to ferry the bike to Spain and ride back this summer but other things happened ...

Alastair.

[kentfallen]

I have just re-jigged my route and see that Linz is only 780 miles from Kent. I may even try riding there non stop in 12 hours. I'll have a bloody sore arse if I do, that's for sure. With the crossing from Dover I suppose you're looking at a 20 hour day with 12-15 hours constant riding at 60mph.

I wonder if my mate will lend me his Triumph Tiger 955 to do it in comfort?

I love my XT's but they do have their limitations sometimes. A high speed motorway isn't the right place for one.

Used this helpful online route finder - ROUTE PLANNER The best available.

I will be using my sheepskin saddle cover. Let's just hope it doesn't rain.

[bacardi23]

Just get one of those bicycle riding shorts that has padding and you'll be fine!

I'd opt for the scenic route but thats me...


Have a great trip!
Vando

[Timus]

Take the bike, give yourself a couple of extra days and do the scenic route. Personally cant see the point of inflicting 700 miles of motorway on yourself, just so you can say you've done it. Surely 700 miles of scenic twistys would be vastly preferable? Theres no adventure in a trip like that, just boring motorway, wind noise and vibration - is there really any necessity to put yourself through it? After all, you could DHL him the netbook and go the Pyrennese for a few days instead.