Going on my hols on the Xchallenge

[35col]

Need some help please, I'm going on my hols later in the year and I want to take the Xchal. Plan is to head down to Morocco from the north east of Scotland. Got three weeks to try reach as far as we can and get back.Never done anything more than long weekends away on the bike before.So, as there is a wealth of knowledge in here, what should I be sorting out as essentials for the bike? Seat, is a gel insert going to make that big a difference? Fuel range, intending carrying a small can of some sorts. Luggage, really dont know what to go for? hard panniers or soft throw overs?
I have not got a unlimited budget for his either, I'll probably never want to go on it again when I get back

Thanks

Col

 

[David Lee]

Need some help please, I'm going on my hols later in the year and I want to take the Xchal. Plan is to head down to Morocco from the north east of Scotland. Got three weeks to try reach as far as we can and get back.Never done anything more than long weekends away on the bike before.So, as there is a wealth of knowledge in here, what should I be sorting out as essentials for the bike? Seat, is a gel insert going to make that big a difference? Fuel range, intending carrying a small can of some sorts. Luggage, really dont know what to go for? hard panniers or soft throw overs?
I have not got a unlimited budget for his either, I'll probably never want to go on it again when I get back

Thanks

Col

Do the basics, service with fresh oil, new tyres, how are your brake pads?

Chain and sprockets?

Everything else you already know..... Take what you have already and enjoy the trip

 

[Losttheplot]

Col,

Pinkytiff and myself took our XC's down to the pyrenees and back last summer in about 3 weeks.

The one thing i would definitely do is change the seat. after 3 weeks i was in absolute agony with it.

Tony Archer gets some good reviews for recovered seats, as does a dutch guy called "Rayz"- there might be others, but these are 2 i'd look at if i was going for it.

As for luggage, have a look at this thread:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238608&highlight=giant+loop

For lots of road miles, anything above 60+ gets quite uncomfortable- you may want to fit a screen if your crusing faster than this..

hth

nathan

 

[AndyT]

Col - don't think about going all the way from up here - get them in the back of a van and leave the van in Spain. You can take spare tyres/tools etc and sit in air-conditioned luxury especially on the way back

 

[Timpo]

Col - don't think about going all the way from up here - get them in the back of a van and leave the van in Spain. You can take spare tyres/tools etc and sit in air-conditioned luxury especially on the way back

+1

How many people are going? You say 'we' in the OP, pillion or solo?
How many bikes are going?
Vanning the bikes works out cheaper if doing the Plymouth to Santander route by ferry.
Using the ferry keeps your bike fresh for the destination. The ride down to Morocco will take some time if using National road so Autoroutes will be used and riding an XC for 200 to 300 miles a day will give you some pain, damhik.

Take a look at Gaint Loop systems at Adventure Spec. I use a Coyote at present but will be upgrading to a Gaint Basin asap. Plenty of room in both bags for a solo tripper. Have a tool pack on your rack and the tent will strap on top.

T

 

[35col]

Most likely two of us going both solo. So the van option is a possibility, although it would feel like cheating. It would allow longer in Morocco though.
Thanks for the advice so far

Col

 

[danger mac]

I am presuming that col must be short for coleen. Take a BIG box of man up pills and get on with it.

 

[frostyuk]

+1

Take a look at Gaint Loop systems at Adventure Spec. I use a Coyote at present but will be upgrading to a Gaint Basin asap. Plenty of room in both bags for a solo tripper. Have a tool pack on your rack and the tent will strap on top.

T

Hi Timpo does that mean you'll be selling the coyote ? ..... can i have first dibs please if you do and i can afford it at the time

 

[Timpo]

Hi Timpo does that mean you'll be selling the coyote ? ..... can i have first dibs please if you do and i can afford it at the time

The Coyote fits my other trail bikes and Sarah's Serow, so I'm keeping it, sorry.
The gaint Basin is for use on the XC.

 

[frostyuk]

The Coyote fits my other trail bikes and Sarah's Serow, so I'm keeping it, sorry.
The gaint Basin is for use on the XC.

ah well no harm in asking are you changing because you need more space or cos it doesnt fit too well ?

Cheers

 

[Timpo]

ah well no harm in asking are you changing because you need more space or cos it doesnt fit too well ?

Cheers

The Coyote is a little tight on the right hand side due to sliencer and plastic side panel arrangement. The Gaint basin will fit a little better.
The Coyote is perfect on the pogos though.

 

[motorbike]

just back from palermo from glasgow on my triumph scrambler great but very tiring... i traveled the same route 10 years back on a ttr 600 from glasgow to morroco..again great but tiring and it will shave the tyres off before you can use them on the dirt,,i would take the van option maybe start to use the bike from adalucia region down to the port,,,be prepaired for a serious amount of irritation at the other side with customs,pay the bribes and get through,,then you will have constant attention whenever you stop even for a few minutes ,you may enjoy this i found it exhausting..do not !!be tempted by the hash sellers... (if that way inclined)

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Col - don't think about going all the way from up here - get them in the back of a van and leave the van in Spain. You can take spare tyres/tools etc and sit in air-conditioned luxury especially on the way back

I agree with Andy - I've done the same trip as you're talking about and just getting to Morocco is hard work.
2 days to south coast of England. 1 day on ferry. 2 days to south coast of Spain. Repeat coming back. There's 10 days of your time blown.
I ended up getting my bike shipped back. It was cheaper than riding it.

You could stick them in a van and drive it down yourself. But my advice would be to get them transported to Malaga and fly in.
I'm sure the guys at GS Heaven would receive the bikes for you if you were staying there.
That way you get 20 days hooning around Southern Spain and Morocco instead of 10.

 

[Piggers]

Sheepskin on the seat

I had seen others using it, but didn't really think it would make much difference. Just before setting off to Portugal this year came across a sheepskin pram liner that was no longer used, so strapped it on. the second day of riding i took it off to make a comparison. It soon went back on !!! the amount of difference it made to your arse not sweating in the high temps was very evident.

Would highly recommend it

 

[35col]

Ahem, slight update...


Just booked flights to Marrakech,and two XR400s from http://www.loc2roues.com/ Not what we intended to do but saves us a lot of time and hassle and we get more time in Morocco


Thanks for all the advice on here, your experiences helped greatly when it came to deciding what we should do

Cheers Col

 

[AndyT]

Ahem, slight update...


Just booked flights to Marrakech,and two XR400s from http://www.loc2roues.com/ Not what we intended to do but saves us a lot of time and hassle and we get more time in Morocco


Thanks for all the advice on here, your experiences helped greatly when it came to deciding what we should do

Cheers Col

very wise me thinks.... let us know how yo get on as I fancy that one year

 

[35col]

very wise me thinks.... let us know how yo get on as I fancy that one year

Go book it Andy, come with us

 

[AndyT]

Go book it Andy, come with us

I'm already booked with some friends Col, off to the Dolomites and Slovenia for 16 days in September and Kids Hols in Oct.... Thanks for the offer though

 

[35col]