Neevesy shares his tips on motorbike touring | MCN | Motorcyclenews.com
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- Опубликовано: 7 май 2020
- Chief Road Tester, Michael Neeves, loves nothing more than travelling long distance by motorbike. Here are some of the tips he's learned over the years for doing just that.
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Neevesy's enthusiasm for all things bikes is contagious...best journo in the biz and totally genuine
We need more real dudes like him here in California... geez man, seriously watching this video I was genuinley jealous of these road trips. Sometimes you just want to ride with guys, there I said it... no girls allowed. If you think that sounds sexist, too bad.
WTF???
@@BizAutomation4U i agree with you on the girl part. Its more of a hassle if she is a pillion. However if the girl is a rider herself then it will be a good company.
I have to say, Neevesy and Sylvain Guintoli are the things getting me through this lockdown.
Try 44teeth and lamb chop rides, more superb entertainment 👍🏻
Yes, apart from Lambchops, no disrespect to him but I find him and his ilk annoying, probably more so because of their lack of knowledge. See his review on the Suzuki GSXR and then watch Sylvain ride his and you soon realise that most 'ordinary' reviewers don't have a clue about bikes, they just harp on about swapping exhausts and adding carbon, Sylvain has a standard can on his and watching his video around Cadwell is beautiful. Neevesy and Sylvian, I guess, are simply professional.
WTF???
Michael Neeves, Sylvan Guintoli and 44 Teeth are great.
I never knew 44 Teeth name came about because they were both going to the dentist and that was how many teeth they both had. I thought it was rear sprocket, but it's actually teeth. They talked about it a while ago.
Ive only been riding for a couple years. Did a trip to the alps with my dad last year. So many stories, lots of things learnt, but mainly the best holiday of my life. We planned as little as possible and saw as much as we could from here to Austria and back in two weeks. Trying to explain it to biker mates at work, it's hard to overstate just how it affects your life and perspective of the world.
You can travel so far, in such a short amount of time, with just an engine and two wheels. The freedom is unlike anything else. And as soon as I got back, I just wanted to go again.
Can I ask what bike you did it on?
@@Inked_CR that first time I went on a Z650, great bike, first time I'd tried it de-restricted too. Since then I've swapped for a v85tt, which also immediately got ridden back down to Mandello. We go travelling once every year now.
@JamiePryke Fair play. I'm doing my first trip in May, 9 countries in 12 days. I'm looking forward to it. Stay safe.
I don't live in Europe or have friends to ride with. I still watched this whole video.
New rider here, not planning on touring but I could listen to Neevesy talk about bikes and riding all day.
Same
Just do it - start with one night away, fully booked, minimal change of clothes, within the country - and you'll probably want to get more and more adventurous.
@@GaryJohnWalker1 Absolutely! One small trip and you're hooked. You begin to plan your entire life around riding!
Im an experienced rider & I still can listen to him speak motorcycling all day 😅
Nah, do it! Two weeks abroad on my bike within the first two years of getting my licence brought my riding on so much. You never forget your first downhill hairpin though!
When you are in a city, especially a big one, then the navigation is really helpful. Getting lost and asking people for directions is an experience that might add to the adventure, but when it's 10pm and you've been riding all day and it's raining...better know where you are going.
I'm from Bellagio on Lake Como and I really appreciate Michael's kind recollection of my home. I sure hope he'll be able to come back when it's safe, there might be a couple of nice roads still to discover here! A presto!
Wonderful area. Especially if you've ridden in on a Guzzi to Mandello Del Lario! Been many times, last was 2003.
Last summer I ran into British motojournalist Simon Weir in California, during his monster tour of the USA. He was piling up big chunks mileage in a very short time on a stock 2017 Kawasaki Z1000SX, and a lot of his trip was in extremely hot weather. Or worse, like Death Valley in August. Simon's "get some!" attitude was the key to this epic adventure!
Stuff I've learned over the years:
Get off the bike periodically. A few minutes every hour or so to maintain circulation in the legs. It won't kill you to stop, but a blood clot just might! Simon also brought up this topic during our chat.
Confirm that fuel is available at your planned stops. Finding a [CLOSED] sign when you're on fumes in the middle of North Bvmfvck is a bad surprise.
Save your worn out underwear and socks, use 'em on a moto trip and toss away as you go.
An extra water bottle is useful when it's hot. Fill it with tap water and douse yourself at rest stops.
Since I caffeinate and drink water first thing in the morning, it's good if the ride begins on a less trafficked route with much shrubbery!
And finally, don't pack so much shite! But do bring a tennis ball, for working out the inevitable knots and tight muscles at the hotel.
Did my first tour in September this year from Stoke to l,estartit in North East Spain and all Mr Neeves advice was spot on. Only thing I would do differently is leave extra time to keep off motorways if possible.
Thanks for the tips. I’m about to embark on my first trip (solo), a five day, 1600km ride up the North Queensland, Australian coast on my newly acquired Royal Enfield Interceptor 650! I know it’s not an ideal tourer but it doesn’t bother me, I just love being on it. Can’t wait!
Have a great trip! Nice bike.
Plum Rider:. the bike you own is the best tourer. 40-50yrs ago manufacturers made ordinary bikes and ordinary riders used them for everything. Get your bike out and have fun. It's just a longer ride than going to work
Enjoy the ride and the bike will be perfect!
My top tip. Buy a camelback so you can keep hydrated whilst riding. You’ll arrive each night a lot fresher.
if it'll make it there & back it's an ideal tourer. I think you've picked a good time of year for it. Still awfully hot (according to Cairns forecast) but not completely intolerable like summer. Stay safe and enjoy the scenery!
I've loved touring Europe for 30+ years and I prefer to always pre-book accommodation but specifically ask if they speak English and would be happy to translate by phone for me eg; when Neevesy couldn't speak enough Italian to easily sort his brakes. He could have phoned the Hotel. It's really helped me several times. I'm told modern mobiles can translate now but I like the human connection. Marvellous video, thank you.
“If you’ve never done it before, you are in for the biggest treat of your life.” So true.
Great observations about sat nav as well. They are perfect for the last mile when you are trying to find your hotel, or if you are absolutely desperate for a petrol station, but ride without if you can. You will see and experience so much more and have more fun.
Rubbish. A sat nav is simply another tool that you use, it doesn’t make you do anything.
First couple of minutes are fantastic
I can appreciate your satvav experience, but I use one. I plan and research my trip (which is a lot of fun) and upload a custom route I made so it stays on the route, then don’t look at it much during the trip and let the voice tell me when to turn.
Neevesy you deserve a lot of praise for keeping things so normal and genuine perhaps no more so than in this video ...really practical , helpful and valuable tips that we all benefit from enormously. Thank you and Thanks MCN for sharing the love :)
Your quote: I like a bit of water, I often look for a river, then a road that follows the river. WOW! Great scenery and corners. The first place that I can think of to prove that is US12 in Idaho, USA. The road is referred to as The Lolo Pass Road from Lolo, ID west to Lewiston, ID at the Washington border. There is a sign near the beginning that says Caution: 99 miles of Winding road. I've ridden the B500 through the Black Forest as well as SS125 in Sardinia last year, about 10K over 2 months. If breakfast is not included in the hotel I prefer to ride for an hour or so then have breakfast to also take a break.
I’m astonished with all this enthusiasm for rucksacks !
Have a look at the Kreiga site and get luggage fixed to the bike not your back !
Agree kriega fixing kits can’t stand rucksacks make me hot and less agile on bike
Some of my best travelling memories are motorcycle trips from Finland to northern Italy trough Germany and Alps. Amazing memories 😊
what kind of bikes have you taken for such a long trip? I live in Estonia and feel ready to take my first trips out of the country this year - any recommendations or suggestions for something nearby? also would not mind visiting Finland itself, think that's a worthwhile trip?
@@180FiftyFive Finland has some nice roads as well, but you'll have to look for them a bit. The lake Saimaa area isn't too far from you, just a boat ride over and an hour or two northeast. Places like Punkaharju are beautiful with the lake scenery and twisty roads, just avoid the motorways! The southwestern coast also has fantastic little roads from island to island, with ferries in between. I'd suggest taking the old Kuninkaantie west from Helsinki all the way to Maarianhamina in Ahvenanmaa - the old road goes from Bergen to Vyborg, but I think the Finnish stretches along the southern coast and through the archipelago would be the easiest for you to access.
Do bear in mind, that the scenery in southern Finland isn't that different from Estonia though. The norther you go, the more different it will be with Lapland being in a class of it's own. It's not a bad trip to cross over to Norway either, the Scandes and the fjords are quite breathtaking.
That said, there's probably more to see with smaller distances in central Europe, so obviously your mileage may vary. Finland is also quite an expensive country compared to Estonia.
Planning on doing road trip from Vancouver to San Francisco and back, ~3000km in a month or (when border opens). Just bought Tuono 660 and I am gearing up for this 6-7 day trip. This video is really helpful. Never done more than a full day of local riding.
Some advice for "Breaking the back of the outward ride; take the Newhaven-Dieppe route night ferry. You fill up before you get on the ferry at just about the ideal time to get some shut eye, get into Dieppe long before the rush hour. Then you cross that incredibly boring bit of Northern France still in the dark. You're not missing anything. Just as you start to need fuel, the fuel stations are starting to open and the sun is coming up. And as the sun rises you are greeted by the first great sight of your French part of the trip; Chartres Cathedral. From Chartres on, the countryside becomes more and more enjoyable, and once you're at the Loire you know the rest is as fast or slow as you want it to be.
I only rarely do this any more as I have lived in Spain for the past 26 years, but the ferry crossing still exists. I know because I'll be taking it once again this autumn.
Love the comment about Sat Navs. Neevsey is so right. I have ridden with a few bikers that ride to the sat nav and not the road. Sat Navs are for cars. I prefer to enjoy the ride with directional notes in the tank bag window. Just so much more fun but each to their own
This video just got me so excited to get out touring again, already had to cancel two trips this year but hearing you describe the feeling of being away on the bike brings it all back.. also the feeling of that evening beer is spot on
He does get the juices and the dreams flowing again.
Yes! That 1st beer 🍻👍
How about “Neevesy Tours volume 1” for us crap planners. I’d certainly buy it, maps and itinerary would be great for a first timer.
Ride to the tank , bin the sat nav’s , best free advice right there ppl bravo Neevesy
Undertaken quite a few long trips and I agree with everything you said until the last bit about the satnav. They've been a godsend, it's just a question of using them correctly. As far as I'm concerned, they compliment a map, not replace a map.
This. Sat navs take so much stress out of riding in unfamiliar places. You just need to know how to program routes into them and remember that you can't follow them blindly.
Paul Leonard exactly.....they’ll re-route you to your end point if you decide to take a better road as you’re riding along......they’re the backup for me. I’ve been fortunate to tour in SE Asia a few times and google maps is more accurate than paper ones a lot of the time....plus I can’t read the road signs if there are any! Lots of positives.
I have zero sense of direction and the memory of a goldfish, my Sat Nav is my crutch sometimes! ETA’s and mileage left on a route in the Sat Nav display are very helpful too.
Tasmania!! Love how, while we didn’t get a mention ( boo!), you still snuck some footage in there at 14:50 or so!
These videos are great! Thanks to Neeves for taking the time to do them!
Brilliant! Neevesy's enthusiasm shines through every time he talks about bikes and riding. Can't wait to get back to touring, this lockdown is torture
I love these Neevesy vids! He talks such sense and is very watchable, great presentation👍🏼 I was planning on doing my first tour this summer 😭
Neevsey, just what I need to think about next years trip. Cracking advice clearly well earned.
I really like the advice for non standard touring bikes. Can't wait to go on my first tour on my bike. Keep up these video's, they are really good!
You summed up the thrills of touring perfectly within the domain of motorcycling. Thank you.
this is a really good posting! Lots of detailed coverage and advice from an experienced guy
Awesome video. Very sensible talk. MCN helping me get through this lockdown. This video footages got me uplifting to tour again when we're done with this pandemic.
I agree with all you said.
Bike tours with friends is such an awesome experience. They become life long memories to treasure
I have no intention of touring (or at least to any level discussed here), but I could listen to Michael all day. I love it when experienced and truly qualified people share their knowledge without making the rest of us feel inadequate (instead of the usual google scholars on the forums).
Brilliant stuff and thank you.
Might even think of getting a motorcycle now ;-).
Great advice, now been touring for the last 13 years it is the best thing you can do on a motorcycle,by far.
Brilliant video - really enjoyed that! Can not wait to get back on tour!
Brilliant round up Michael. Thanks very much. Looking forward to getting out on the bike again someday :)
Thank you for this, great video! My very first trip to Europe is coming up this May. I was so hyped already and now you made it impossible to wait!
Hit the nail on the head! Very understated title to this video. Best biking tip video on youtube. Share and like. Real winner.
Thank you bud. Another awesome and informative video from you.
Awesome. So many great tips here, thank you! Sat nav comments spot on!
Whilst in Scotland I came across a group,of Germans on sports bikes ,R1 ect.
They had the usual tank bag and also a hump. This was basically inplace of the pilion seat and looked like a piano accordian , you got to your hotel , empty the hump and it locked flat like a seat cover. . Great bit of kit a few T shirts ect and a plastic bag to put it in whilst you got to your room.
Thank you Michael Neeves - all the best to you mate.
Excellent, thanks!
He knows what he’s talking about. Enjoyed that.
Your analogy on the whole subject was brilliant and 100% correct we can’t all be MotoGP riders but we have the ability to travel on our chosen steeds there’s nothing more rewarding and memorable Cheers
Fully agree. A nice day of riding with great colleagues, is one of the better things in life. Greetings from Spain.
New Zealand top to bottom over 2 weeks with the Burt Munro rally in the middle - best tour I ever did.
Great info once again. Thank you!
Really liking these videos, I reckon without lockdown you wouldn’t have done them and they are pearls mate 👍🏽
Had some great video from a friend of mine with me screaming at a sat nav :-) Nemesis! Great vid as always Neevesy.
Thank you very much for the tips, I love touring on my super naked bike. So much fun! I am enjoying these style of videos.
No other words have resonated with me so much than Neevesy’s description of riding between 0:45 and 3:35min.
Lovely video! Thank you!
Thanks for the tips and advice.
Thank you!!
Can’t wait to get out again😋. Michael, as always absolute brilliance👍.
Great channel, really enjoy your reviews, btw it was the Tuono review which made me buy mine! It's a fantastic machine, looking forward to do a tour on it!
Great advice as usual Mick. Thanks mate. All the best from Oz.
Neevesy defined perfectly my feelings about travelling on bikes with my buds, in my case in the U.S. Ahhhh, that brew at the dinner table in the evening talking about the day's riding and about what's to come, with a good sleep ahead and more riding the following day.... oh yeah! I was fortunate to spend 32 yrs doing that all over California and the West Coast then 4 in Colorado and now ? years in the Ozarks from my home now on Table Rock Lake.
On my bucket list is to repeat much of my college day travels of 3 mos. (sadly not by motorcycle) to G.B. and Europe - this time by bike with friends for about 6 weeks.......then I can die happy!
Neevesy this is brilliant absolutely brilliant and you've inspired me to do my first European road trip! Thanks mate
Great review neevsey , excactly my sentiment to touring. It’s a holiday, pack light, enjoy yourself.
Been waiting for this video 👌🏽
It's great to see riders touring on sport bikes. I see very few here in North America. I'm in Canada but mostly tour throughout the U.S. As I got older, I knew that my Yamaha FJR's weight would become more of a burden. I downsized to a Honda CBR1000RR and it's been a hoot. The fuel range is much more abbreviated and the typical longer distances means that there isn't always a gas station when I need one so that means more frequent stops. Thanks for the video; it's great to hear your perspective.
Good tips and tricks there, thanks! Couldn’t agree more with the fuel gauge bit (my bike doesn’t have a gauge, just a res. light) Riding to the tank and knowing what’s in reserve has always been kind to me.
Fantastic Thanks
I thought I was the only one who hated sat navs! Bless you my son!
Absolutely spot on
Thank you for this wonderful video. I learned a lot
Been watching MCN since the beginning. Just saw this post for the first time today. Great take on the best of riding. If you ever get to do British Columbia (Canada) we have thousands of KMs of roads with mountains, tunnels, ferries, ocean side, river valleys and Great local beers/cafes.
Excellent video, thanks!
Brilliant video. Thanks Neevesy....coming from a newbie tourer. Can't wait for my first European tour when this lockdown is lifted!!!
Always loved riding canyons, dirt, commuting, track, but when I got my VFR800 with panniers and started touring, a whole new world of enjoyment opened up for me.
couldn't agree more, I shipped my bike to the USA for 3 months, it was a blast!
He is absolutely right, good man!
One could argue whether planning and booking hotels in advance is a good thing or not. There certainly is something like over planning, where you're just chasing your next destination and your schedule, which takes away from what really counts: everything in between. Personally I like to go on the adventure with a rough plan but nothing booked in advance, deciding on the day's destination over lunch and booking the accommodation on the fly. Also talking to locals is the best way to get good recommendations for restaurants and stops along the way. That's where you really discover the amazing things a country has to offer.
I love this . Answered all the questions I've had about touring. Cheers dude.
The end
For me essential gear includes Baby wipes, a bottle of water and spare gloves. All good points raised. Good luck to all riders new to touring. It's fantastic!
Steve Bond baby wipes ?
This is a great summary of the enjoyments of riding!
great series of videos
It is so true: going on a multi-day bike trip with your buddies is SO MUCH FUN!!
I’ve done cross country trips (U.S.) several times in cars, and one 24 road trip on a CBR 600RR. The sport bike trip was painful when all is said and done, but was definitely more fun than the others. You really feel like you’re one with your environment, and I not even my roadster compares.
Superb advice.
Haven't seen a MCN vid in ages, really impressed, the quality has improved no end! but you forgot, on your doorstep... the ferry trip and lovely roads in Ireland 😉
Thanks for these tips mate.
Brilliant work Neevsey
Great tips, thanks. Really interesting about the sat nav
Fantastic…love this. I rode my Ducati F1 cross country on US 50 back in the day! Always worth the pain to get to twisties🥶
Neevesy, I always admire this guy. The mastery In riding, doing some talks about how you can manage to do long rides, what it feels, tips, etc. I always listen and It's worth it. It makes my life easy when riding. Thanks. By the way also a fan of Neevesy Racing
I truly appreciate this video I live in NYC and I ride about 600 miles to southern North Carolina on my 2012 R1 in 2015 I wish you had made this back then I have also ridden to Canada I enjoy long trips. Great video tho lots of vital information thank you very much 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Inspirational thanks
Gotta go from Bangalore to ladakh in next few weeks , 3200 Miles roundtrip :D
Nice, mate! Are all the highways on the way open? (given the lockdown & everything). Also, what kind of motorcycle?
@@nitinb3758 Not yet, let's see when the situation improves
@@nitinb3758 I have Dominar 400
@@AK.Adventures nice. Good luck man!
Thank you👍🏻
Im planning a trip along the East coast of Australia on a K4 1000, these tips are really great!
I agree; touring is the best thing to do on a bike. (should have been headed down to the Santander ferry tomorrow.
My approach to hotels is to book nothing in advance. When we are about 2-3 hours away from where we expect to end up I go on Booking. Con and look for well rated hotels with parking, ideally a short walk from town. It works out really well, although only works on groups up to 3-4 rooms .
@Drakey Drake it varies - and gets busy in summer - but it would have been £210 plus cabins, one way. It has the advantage that you are straight down to the good roads. Only an hour from santander to mountains.
Thanks for sharing some of your experiences and great tips. Just started some travel on my Xt660z and these tips are especially NOT drinking coffee all day. I like to leave early morning on the first and last days.
Great videos!
loved the video reminded me of why i loved my 2008 fz1 in and out of city limits in tours and trips with mates, with the wife and alone till it got stollen in december 2021. will try to get a new bike hopefully in the next years god willing
Great tips and love touring too, defo agree the No.1 benefit of biking; I would add one other tip, visors. Carry a tinted or smoked one for sunnier countries as it takes the strain of your eyes. I often hack across to Berlin to see family and in 2019 - after a rainy start! - neglected to swap to the tinted until much later in the ride; once I did, I felt much better and focused as less of a strain on the eyes👍
This video is pure gold, but the only thing i would say, i`m normally camp, and i never have reserved place and so far worked out perfect, it adds spontaneity to the adventure. I make sure to start day early and ideally i settle in the camp by around 4-5pm and have an evening to spend in the area. When you have a booking and for any reason you are behind schedule can add a unnecessary pressure. If you want a city break, then definitely booking in advance the way to go.