Euro trip - camping vs hotels and bike choice
- Thread starter TallPaul_S
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I think it depends very much on the type of trip you're planning, and the amount of time you have. There are 6 of us doing the Alps this year - we want to maximise our riding time and don't want to be to laden down so we're staying in hotels (averaging £60 per night in June). Next year 3 of us are circumnavigating Norway over 2 weeks, and that'll be more leisurely and less planned. For that we're happier to not plan anything other than a direction, and just stop and pitch when and where we want. With a more leisurely pace there's time to pitch and break the tents each day, mess about with cameras, swim, hike etc. But even on that trip I reckon 2 weeks in just tents will be too much so we'll break it up and try and get a few nights decent warm and clean in a hotel or lodge.
I've done both. I love camping, but it's not for everyone. If you enjoy it, camp. If you don't, then get a hotel or you just won't enjoy the trip. Or do 2 days camping then the next night in a hotel and repeat.
I have quite a big tent that is a bit of a hassle to put up and down (but is spacious) so try and plan routes where I can stay in each place 2 nights so there isn't that effort required everyday - it is a holiday after all!
I have quite a big tent that is a bit of a hassle to put up and down (but is spacious) so try and plan routes where I can stay in each place 2 nights so there isn't that effort required everyday - it is a holiday after all!
This is similar to what we do. Last year we decided to 'Tour' Scotland so stayed in a hotel reasonably central and did rides out each day from there. When we went to Skye we ended up staying a night up there (meaning we were paying for 2 hotels that night) but otherwise all our gear could be left in one place.
We're hopefully heading to the Alps this August and will likely do a similar thing. Pick a base in the middle of some key areas and do daily rides from there.
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Yeah I'll do that down in the alps, 2 or 3 nights in the same place, take the panniers and luggage off and just enjoy the roads 
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Oh, it's that sort of holiday... 
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To be honest the tent doesn't take up that much room, it's the sleeping bag and mattress that are the biggest things, and obviously you need to keep them dry.
@Kreeee - you mentioned the MT-10 - definitely get a test ride as the one I sat on at the London show had a seat like a plank of wood, much like the MT-09. It would NOT be comfy for a more than an hour!
@Kreeee - you mentioned the MT-10 - definitely get a test ride as the one I sat on at the London show had a seat like a plank of wood, much like the MT-09. It would NOT be comfy for a more than an hour!
I didn't know they were out yet!
Whilst I am bias owning a S1000R, I was gushing over the new Tuono in our local dealer the other day. That V4 sound is intoxicating!
Would be a really hard call between the S1000R and Tuono. I think I prefer the looks of the S1000R more but I would feel (or at least sound!) like a GP rider every time I got on that Aprilia.
After having been to festivals and camping trips with mates, I could not think of anything worse than having to pitch a tent in the rain or not have the facilities to clean up properly in comfort after a day of riding and getting sweaty in your leathers.
I think I've aged well before my time haha but in my late twenties I'd choose a hotel or at the very least a B&B to shower/sleep in just for the good nights rest and packing lighter.
On the topic of EuroTrip/touring... would I be made to do something on my ZX6R?
I think I've aged well before my time haha but in my late twenties I'd choose a hotel or at the very least a B&B to shower/sleep in just for the good nights rest and packing lighter.
On the topic of EuroTrip/touring... would I be made to do something on my ZX6R?
It's going to be tough to choose between my 3 picks.
On top of that being able to hang your gear somewhere to at least have a chance to dry out, should it rain
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They're not, but they had one at the London MCN show at the weekend, which I sat on (as well as loads of other bikes). The very first thing that struck me was "good god, that seat is hard!!
" then it was cheapness of the switchgear 
@BenJi - you can tour on any bike, I did 800 miles over 2 days on a CB400! I was almost dead afterwards (12 hours in the saddle for 2 days will do that!), but I still did it
I think you'll be disappointed with the quality if you're looking to go for an MT07/10, especially coming from a Triumph. Judging by a few of the videos I've seen of the MT07, it's an awesome bike and sounds nice, but the quality doesn't even come close to a Triumph. Seems to have lots of nasty plasticy bits.
Granted, they're way cheaper, but it still might be a bit disappointing!