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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 20 Apr 2008
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Originally Posted by Hustler View Post
Hornet is not a good touring bike from luggage and tank size point of view, don't know about ER-6n I'm afraid.
What total distance are we talking here ?
Do you want to include any sightseeing / strolling about / not using the bike days ?
Won't new bikes need some sort of early service after the first thousand or so miles ?
How are you going to carry your luggage ?
Do you want any long distance days in there ?
Will you be happy with long distance days ?
I think on your first trip you ought to try a smaller tour first to see what you think about it all and possibly consider something secondhand as your first bike and also consider something that can carry some luggage.
Having said all that I've used a 600 Hornet for a few small tours and it managed very well.
Hmm some valid questions.

the new Hornet has a stubby exhaust so I don't think there should be a problem with Luggage?

The tank size is deifnately a downside of the Hornet, the new one is 19 liters. How does that stack up to the rest?

I'm really not sure on total mileage at the moment as this isn't a firm route, but I would gestimate around 2000+ miles.

We would definitely like days off as this is much a chance to relax as well as adventure. I think we could stretch the time to around three weeks. We have no problems with jobs (they start in July). The issue is we have to find a flat in London and go to graduation ceremonies etc.

I think we would definitely want some long distance days as this would give us something to talk about! t the same time we want to be able to appreciate what we are traveling through rather than trying to get somewhere.

De to the type of work we will both be doing, there will not be much chance to do something like this again for the next few years. So whilst we may be 'inexperienced' and somewhat 'ill-equipped' it is the right time to do it and we are ready for the challenge.
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  #2  
Old 20 Apr 2008
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Up in the hills of Norfolk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garthunkle View Post
Hmm some valid questions.

the new Hornet has a stubby exhaust so I don't think there should be a problem with Luggage?

The tank size is deifnately a downside of the Hornet, the new one is 19 liters. How does that stack up to the rest?

I'm really not sure on total mileage at the moment as this isn't a firm route, but I would gestimate around 2000+ miles.

We would definitely like days off as this is much a chance to relax as well as adventure. I think we could stretch the time to around three weeks. We have no problems with jobs (they start in July). The issue is we have to find a flat in London and go to graduation ceremonies etc.

I think we would definitely want some long distance days as this would give us something to talk about! t the same time we want to be able to appreciate what we are traveling through rather than trying to get somewhere.

De to the type of work we will both be doing, there will not be much chance to do something like this again for the next few years. So whilst we may be 'inexperienced' and somewhat 'ill-equipped' it is the right time to do it and we are ready for the challenge.
Oh yes, sorry, new Hornet exhaust is different to my 1999 model.
I've done a few shortish (1200 / 1500 miles) trips on my Hornet using a tankbag and a rucksack and although I'm not a big fan of rucksacks it worked, but I wouldn't recommend it.
I averaged something like 180 miles a day with a longest day of something like 350 miles which was enough for me.
I did find I was constantly looking for petrol stations though and if I came across one I filled up whether I needed it or not.
But at the end of the day it worked.
If you don't know about it the Hornet's Nest site contains a wealth of information about the beasts at Honda Hornet - The Hornet's Nest - www.hondahornet.co.uk
Have a good trip and enjoy.
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  #3  
Old 21 Apr 2008
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Wroclaw, Poland
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doable yes, advisable ?
Hi

The route is certainly doable although whether you want to
do it does depend on your aims.

Given the relative lack of biking experience I'd recommend
chopping off the Slovakia bit and also omitting Poland.
Driving standards are lower in Central / Eastern Europe
and you're already up against the "wrong side of road"
and other continental driving issues which given you'll
be just through DAS are enough to be getting on with.

You're accomodation choices will have a lot to do with
the cost and timing.
Were it me I'd head for the Med, see plenty of the Alps and Dolomites
and not risk being on the wrong side of Europe with
little time to get back.

A common mistake is trying to bite off too much
daily mileage. Planning on more than 200-300 miles a day
needs to be considered carefully.
(Particularly if two such days would double the bike
mileage accumulated so far over your lifetime)

DF
Wroclaw, Poland
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