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Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:32 pm
by orcadian
Hi folks,
Very new to this forum and as an intro with my C50LAC I mentioned that I am intending doing a trip next year from home in Orkney to the Mosel in Germany with a mate on 2 C's. One possibility after help from the forum, was to fit a 110 Lifan to the LAC and for my mate to find a 90. Needless to say fate has stepped in and we have just agreed purchase of 2 very lovingly restored C90's - an 88 and a 92 from the same source. Pics will follow when we pick them up but hols get in the way. Anyone have any thoughts on what might be a realistic distance to travel each day, bearing in mind we are both in our 60's! I'm very used to huge distances on big bikes and even did a 1000 mile in 24 hour charity ride about 20 years ago. BUT, this is meant to be a fairly leisurely ride with food and photo stops (the other guy is a professional photographer). I figured that leaving about 9am from a B and B we could do about 100 miles before a 1 pm lunch and then fit in another 80 or so before the next B and B. Does that sound possible?

BTW, I just fired up the LAC after fitting a new motobatt battery and it was still on the fuel i bought at the old house South - and we have been here over 10 years! This bio sh*te we get now wouldn't last 10 weeks, never mind years.
The downside is that my Wife has now commandeered the LAC for shopping.

Ian

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 5:19 pm
by barker
once in to England will you be using motorways

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 6:31 pm
by wightegi
Average 40 mph but fuel stops will slow you down at 1 every 2 hours. If you add an extra tank 6 litres should get you 140 miles before the main tank is needed. Honda small engine/generator tanks are on ebay .
I have done 250 miles in winter with a stop of only 15 minutes for fuel with the extra 6 l tank :)

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 6:47 pm
by Capitano
Using motorways, and major routes with a standard tank on my '92 C90 I average 34 mph including fuel fill ups and short food stops.

Given your 9 am start that would give you 136 miles before lunch. If you had an hour lunch and set off again at 2pm you could crack over 200 miles in the day before 4pm.

It's a long time to be sat on a small bike day after day, though.

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:33 pm
by Godspeed
It all depends what you're trying to achieve...
If it's a destination then you can do as many miles as you can.... I did 146 in a day and could have done more.
However if you fancy seeing stuff along the way I reckon 100 is plenty. It gives you time to stop and take some photos, have a wee, get some food, get lost a bit and still end up somewhere with enough time to look around.
I've just come back from France on my 125, and did about 400 miles in two days, but that wasn't much fun (though I was on my own and it's better with two)
Just my thoughts :)

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 12:46 am
by Mick-H
If your in no rush I'd be looking at around 150 miles per day as a very doable, which should work out at 4/5 hours riding give or take and 4/5 hours pottering/sightseeing.
A nice relaxing 10 hour day.

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 7:19 am
by raybarber
In the Kruger National Park, there's a 50kmh speed limit but the average is more like 20kmh. Everyone drives slowly to spot the animals and stops are frequent. Pottering along on a small bike, gives you a similar freedom to be able to stop and look. I often turn off to explore an interesting looking side road or pull in and have a mooch around an old church. It's more relaxing than spinning wheels and you meet some interesting people.

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:38 pm
by orcadian
Hi folks,
Many thanks for the replies,
We don't want to use motorways - it's just a pleasure and fun trip, although sometimes, especially in the Netherlands, they can be easier for short distances around complicated bits.
The figures in the replies seem to add up and if it takes a couple of extra days, it's no big deal.
The Dutch cycle ways are legal for mopeds but changing the badges won't fool the Police, they are smart!!

Might use the overnight boat from Kirkwall to Aberdeen to shorten it a bit, rather than the short sea crossing - and take out one b&b. Then it's Hull/Rotterdam, again overnight - done that many times with the 'Wing.

Thinking now about luggage systems but I'm used to minimalising and buying or chucking stuff during a trip. Top box is no problem and I've been investigating fitting my waterproof cycle panniers on a modified rack - still playing with methods but we are not going till next year.

Ian

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:15 am
by nic
I use Oxford throw overs - fit all 3 straps under the seat so no hassle at fuel stops.I have a rack that the panniers sit against.

There are some great post on what to take if you search but the main things I carry are fuel and tools.

Fuel is a must if not using A roads.

I have just done the national road rally - worked on an average of 30 miles per hour, all direct routes which on a C90 are often quicker than the longer A roads.

My trips are for enjoyment not to get there, detour, stop and gaze and enjoy.

If you don't get there you can always go again.

You will have much more fun than on a big bike - and loads of folk will want a chat.

Good luck

Re: Realistic daily distance touring?

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:49 am
by Viper254
150-200 miles a day is probably a comfortable amount to be riding!

When I went around England in May that was around what I was doing and it seemed about the right amount :)