Here are a couple of pix of the full luggage set-up, I hope that I can get it down so I don't have to use the tail-pack.

I asked for advice on what to carry a couple of weeks back, so far this is the list.
Suzuki tool kit
rachet bar and 6-8 sockets
small adjustable wrench
small vice-grip pliers
spare levers
Fuses
Spark Plugs
two complete sets of keys (in different garment pockets!)
small foot-pump and gauge
inflate & repair aerosol can
three conventional puncure plugs
spare bulbs for head, tail and signals, mandatory in many european counties.
Lonely Planet guide to Prague and Czech republic
Maglite
swiss army knife
Road Atlas
Maybe a clutch cable and a couple of solderless nipples

Still considering "monkey butt" and seating.

I expect to be 14/15 days away, I have bought dates forward a bit. I hope very much I don't actually need any of that stuff. I will go by a fairly direct route from Calais (F) to Oostende (B) Gent then Bruxells diverting off-route to see the Waterloo monument then Liege (B) and on to Aachen on Dutch-german border then a central route accross Germany through Koln and east of Frankfurt to the Czech border then on to Prague. If it all goes well and I have time I may take the "southern circular" route home through Austria, Switzerland cross into France near Lake Geneva then Paris, Calais and back to Blighty. I'll keep you posted.

The rim tape on your bike looks excellent. 

Ride safe.

Well done Cal.  The bike looks in stellar condition.

What's it like when fully loaded?  Curious as to if you can notice the added weight when riding.  I've never needed to  pack for more than a few hours.

I'm totally jealous.   

That's awesome Cal, I look forward to reading about the rest of your trip.  I would love to have this kind of opportunity. 

Good luck!

Wow , Cal, that would be like my dream trip if I were in Europe!  I hope you enjoy it.  I covered belgian and austrian part in a car through small towns, and the scenery/towns were wonderful.  Belgium has the added benefit of having the best beer in the world

Really, enjoy.  One obvious thing I would recommend is to not forget wool socks, as I found out the hard way being soaked in a rain two days straight.  Naked bike means wet feet in a rain

Mike, the rim tape is reflective 7mm tape, I figured I would need as much help with visibility as I could get what with riding on the "wrong" (ie right) side of the road. I got the tape from a local dealer it is from   www.motrax.co.uk it is Italian and comes in four reflective colours and two flourescent options.

Roy, I have done a few dummy-runs simply fitting and dismantling the luggage and now have it down to a five minute job. I will do a dummy pack soon, weigh the stuff and then do a few runs to let you know, so far it seems to feel different at low speed only especially when coupled with a full tank.

I hope to have all this well sussed before leaving.

Awesome, what model saddlebags and tank bag are those?  Windscreen?  I need the same setup for a ride to the West

Good luck for your trip! Prague is a very beautiful place. I'm very interested to hear how the GS hold up on such a long trip (oil/petrol usage, general wear & tear), I always wonder about taking mine down through France and into Spain...Maybe one day!

Ride safe.

Dave Fowler

You're doing all the right things.  Plan & Practice.  Slow speed turns would feel differently -- hope you keep it in mind -- when top-heavy the bike can easily catch you off guard and tip.

I think all of us here wish we could come with you.  A fellow rider is probably the only thing you're missing and hardest to get.  Still, it should be a glorious adventure.  We're all eyes for your postings. 

Roy...

Quote from: Cal Price on April 24, 2006, 04:02:53 PM
If it all goes well and I have time I may take the "southern circular" route home through Austria, Switzerland cross into France near Lake Geneva then Paris, Calais and back to Blighty. I'll keep you posted.

If you do, by all means drop me a line. I'd be honoured to tag along for a day or two and host you for a night if the schedule fits. (I'm in north western Switzerland, close to Basel.)

Quote from: badguy on April 24, 2006, 06:59:54 PM
That's awesome Cal, I look forward to reading about the rest of your trip.  I would love to have this kind of opportunity. 

Good luck!

+1    be safe.  and Please take pics!!!!   

Thanks folks for the good luck - good wishes. Markus i may well give you a call if i find myself in your part of the world. Dave, I will keep the board updated with how the bike gets on, most of my mileage now is short hops and i get about 50/52 to (our UK) gallon, I hope to do a bit better on longer runs.

Richbomb, the panniers are "Buffalo" touring bags (63l) the tail pack is also Buffalo (24) i have just bought those, The tank bag is the basic cheap "Oxford-1" that has served me well for a while and the top box is a Givi economy monokey model that has sat on the back of the GS since i bought it new in June '03 and for nearly three years on the wild-blue Honda before that. Both the Buffalo stuff and the Oxford bag came with loads of straps, gismos, bungees and extra rain covers. I am very impressed with the quality. I got them from here  http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/

Have a good trip, Cal.

Quote from: Cal Price on April 24, 2006, 04:02:53 PM
I expect to be 14/15 days away, I have bought dates forward a bit. I hope very much I don't actually need any of that stuff. I will go by a fairly direct route from Calais (F) to Oostende (B) Gent then Bruxells diverting off-route to see the Waterloo monument then Liege (B) and on to Aachen on Dutch-german border then a central route accross Germany through Koln and east of Frankfurt to the Czech border then on to Prague. If it all goes well and I have time I may take the "southern circular" route home through Austria, Switzerland cross into France near Lake Geneva then Paris, Calais and back to Blighty. I'll keep you posted.

I'd recommend a raincoat, it might help since it looks like you're planning to ride across the channel. A snorkel for the engine might help too.

Have fun! And don't bother bringing any money your entire stay will probably cost less than a pint in England (*&%$* VAT)

Yeah, you can go under it these days but 33 years as a Ferryman I think i will use a freebie and take the ship, snorkel sounds interesting though!

Cal?
You havent mentioned it and appologies if you have already considered it but do you have a European breakdown/recovery arrangement with the AA or RAC or someone similar. I last went touring about 10 years ago and it cost about £30 on top of my membership fee. It was worth every penny if only for the peace of mind. If your bike is rendered unrideable due to breakdown or accident it can cost more to transport it back to the UK than its actually worth. I really cant reccomend it enough and would suggest anyone taking their bike abroad takes out cover.

http://www.theaa.com/services/european_breakdowncover/index.jsp

I know it refers to cars but they do cover bikes for much less. Good luck on the trip.

Sledge, Yes thanks. I will get both raodside assistance / recovery etc plus "the usual" holiday insurance for health, accident, hospitalisation and personal goods etc all from the broker that i insure the bike with (Choice Quote) i shopped around and they have the best deal on offer plus I have to inform them them anyway to get fully comp in the countries i may visit. If you don't notify the insurance will meet only national minimum requirement.

Richbomb, I just noticed that I overlooked you windscreen enquiry. Being an all-year rider i went for a big screen a couple of years back and will stick to it. Mine is a "Turbo Spitfire" at least one other board member (REMA1000 - I think) has one. There is also the "National cycle" Plexistar II. Kerry has one of those. You can find information on his website. The Turbo is cheaper to buy but the Plexistar II is a lot easier to remove and re-fit if you want to use it for some rides and not others, as far as i recall initial fitting of either is fairly simple. I went for the Turbo and leave it on all the time, it deflects wind and some rain over my head (I'm 5'8'') and most important is wide enough to keep some wind and rain off my gloves. I really notice the difference when riding my Yamaha which has no screen.   

Good luck on the trip. Im planning a trip to the Alps with my dad sometime next year or later this year (hopefully if pass my test in June) He just bought a tourer anyway and we decided it was time to do some long milage since you read all the mags and just aspire to travel the world on a motorcycle.

Good luck 

http://www.ultimatejourney.com/

I ran across this site the other day and I thought of this thread.  They must make a hell of a lot more money than me to take that kind of trip.