Long way on a little bike

[guest1188]

I'm collecting my new bike next week - Yamaha SR250, 1983 model - from Loch Ness (well, a village nearby) and riding it home, 600 miles to the south coast. Never been such a long way on such a small bike before, and the bike hasn't been used for a good while. So do I stay off the motorways all the way? I've got my YHA card, so I can stop wherever... I thought I'd do 150 miles to Loch Lomond and see how that goes, but after that, routes avoiding the motorways seem pretty tortuous... Any ideas on a cunning route? And after it's had a long layoff, is there anything on the bike I should particularly check? Cheers, Martin 

[Ian]

It will certainly be a test for both bike and rider and I dont know if I would undertake it. I would certainly make sure you have breakdown cover in some form or other "just in case". Motorways are a no no I feel and as you dont seem to mind how long it takes I would enjoy the journey and take plenty of photos along the way. Im sorry I cant help you with planning your journey as I dont know the route. Im sure someone will come along and advise you on a suitable pleasant route. If the bike hasnt been used for a while Im sure you should check the condition of the tyres as a matter of priority. Keep some engine oil with you as you dont know if it uses it anyway. WD-40 should be used with care but is possibly a useful thing to carry.

Hope This Helps and have a safe and enjoyable journey!

Ian

[guest40]

I had one for years.
totally bullet proof. Mine sat around for at least 5years before I wanted to use it. After a quick oil change and carby cleanout it started straight up.  ooh yeah... new battery too

It eventually got a bit too rattly and developed a crack in the swing arm. sold it off to a kid who used it for a paddock bike.. filters Chain, sprockets and tires and the odd globe and sparkplug.

I rode it at just over 100kph a couple of times, but mainly restricted it to around 85kph cruising.

[Mark]

I'm collecting my new bike next week - Yamaha SR250, 1983 model - from Loch Ness (well, a village nearby) and riding it home, 600 miles to the south coast. Never been such a long way on such a small bike before, and the bike hasn't been used for a good while. So do I stay off the motorways all the way? I've got my YHA card, so I can stop wherever... I thought I'd do 150 miles to Loch Lomond and see how that goes, but after that, routes avoiding the motorways seem pretty tortuous... Any ideas on a cunning route? And after it's had a long layoff, is there anything on the bike I should particularly check? Cheers, Martin 

Never mind the YHA card get a recovery card and sabotage the bike up there and get a free lift home.

My 350 single took me to the Elephant rally and back no problem just a little slower.

[johnr]

just take it easy and you will be ok, the trip sounds great fun. theres a couch available here near blackpool if you are in the vicinity and need to bed down for the night.
i sold a 1975 honda 90 to a guy last year, he came up to here, near blackpool, on the bus, and set off home on the little 90 to ride home to southampton on it. all he had was a denim jacket a lid and some gloves and a waterproof suit. got a call from him that same night saying he made it ok with no bother! so an sr 250 should be a doddle.

[guest7]

go for it, have an adventure and then tell us all about it.

GC

[Richard]

What is this view that small bikes can't do distance !

You'll be fine.  Enjoy.

Richard

[Mark]

Fewer moving parts than a big Jap multi, less to go wrong.

[guest146]

We rode Francis barnetts from lands End to John O Groats and had no problems on motorways at 45MPH . Most people were fine and the truckers we very good. I would get tucked in behind a truck at 50mph  and stay there.

Ken

[Steffan]

600 miles that's only a weeks commuting. Keep calm and carry on.

Steffan

[Mark]

600 miles that's only a weeks commuting. Keep calm and carry on.

Steffan

If you've got a job.

[guest1188]

Brilliant replies...

Tyres - yes, I guess they may not be very grippy, not to mention cracks etc... I'll keep an eye on them. The bike has  just had a new MOT, so it should be basically OK. I'll get some engine oil from the first available garage in case of leaks or high oil consumption, and I'm taking a torch and a tool roll... Yes, WD40 is a good idea, especially as it seems to be still snowing in Scotland... Not a thirsty bike, but not a large tank either - I have no idea of the maximum range, but I'll find that out one way or another.

As for the route, my main worry is breaking down on a motorway. I have breakdown cover, but it would be a real pain, and I wouldn't have any choice but to ring the green flag man. Yes, the battery might well be a problem. Daylight riding only, I thought.

Very generous of you to offer hospitality, John R! Thanks, but I hope I won't have to trouble you!

Yes, agree about it being a little bike with few moving parts, which is just what I want. The rider may also be a non-moving part by the end of it. Bullet-proof - good to hear that... Greatly cheering to read your responses - thanks to all! 

Martin

PS And it can't be as bad as the clapped-out Bantam I had when I was 17.

[themoudie]

Aye Martin,

Change the oil if you can. inflate the tyres and put fresh fuel in the old girl, after draining off the old stuff from the tank and carb if you can.

Keep a canny eye on the weather. Make sure you have plenty of warm layers and a something waterproof all over. We had 2" of snow here today and the temperature hasn't gone above 5C since last week. Coming over the high bits of hill there has been up to 15cm of the stuff, but down the West Coast has been reasonably dry. (But not the 12C - 16C of the Sarf Coast! )

Where abouts are you picking the beasty up from?

I'm working away a bit next week, but if you need assistance you can give us a try, outside Perth. However, this would entail the eastern route rather than the western coastal possibility.

Roads up here are a bit dire in places due to the frost and 'patching'!

Drop me a line on the PM facility on this site, if you want a bit more detail!

Check the SYHA website for current details and up to date availability. They've gone soft in the past 5 years and now pander to 'groups' and 'parties' having sold many of the best hostels for developement in the flush property years afore 2008. LINK: SYHA

Also have a search under this link:Hostel-Scotland and this one Independent_Hostel_Guide or for somewhere in Glasgow or Edinburgh Euro-Hostels.

Smudge may also be along to contribute, he bides on the south side of the Central Belt.

All the best and enjoy it. You've no midges to hassle you!

My regards, Bill.

[guest1188]

Bill, I'm really touched by your thoughtful comments. I'm picking the bike up from Dundreggan, north-west of Fort Augustus. I'll contact you via PM. Martin

[BrendanO]

pm'd you.

Best road in Scotland?  (choice of many) A959 (I think, Nairn South through Lecht ski area, thru Braemar, Spittal of Glenshee etc etc. Tiny road thru Lammermuirs to Longformacus, S of Embra. Anything in Galloway Forest, inc the two forest drive private roads...

pares? Clutch cable. Always.

Sounds great, don't go too far before a stop.