Neevesy's enthusiasm for all things bikes is contagious...best journo in the biz and totally genuine

I have to say, Neevesy and Sylvain Guintoli are the things getting me through this lockdown.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

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.

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!

Some of my best travelling memories are motorcycle trips from Finland to northern Italy trough Germany and Alps. Amazing memories 😊

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

Ride to the tank , bin the sat nav’s , best free advice right there ppl bravo Neevesy

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.

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 !

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

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.

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 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 ;-).

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!

Tasmania!! Love how, while we didn’t get a mention ( boo!), you still snuck some footage in there at 14:50 or so!

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.

You summed up the thrills of touring perfectly within the domain of motorcycling. Thank you.

Neevsey, just what I need to think about next years trip. Cracking advice clearly well earned.

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 😭

No other words have resonated with me so much than Neevesy’s description of riding between 0:45 and 3:35min.

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.

He knows what he’s talking about. Enjoyed that.

I agree with all you said. Bike tours with friends is such an awesome experience. They become life long memories to treasure

this is a really good posting! Lots of detailed coverage and advice from an experienced guy

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 Michael Neeves - all the best to you mate.

Great advice, now been touring for the last 13 years it is the best thing you can do on a motorcycle,by far.

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.

Awesome. So many great tips here, thank you! Sat nav comments spot on!

Thank you bud. Another awesome and informative video from you.

New Zealand top to bottom over 2 weeks with the Burt Munro rally in the middle - best tour I ever did.

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!

Brilliant round up Michael. Thanks very much. Looking forward to getting out on the bike again someday :)

Brilliant video - really enjoyed that! Can not wait to get back on tour!

Lovely video! Thank you!

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.

Really liking these videos, I reckon without lockdown you wouldn’t have done them and they are pearls mate 👍🏽

Great info once again. Thank you!

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.

Can’t wait to get out again😋. Michael, as always absolute brilliance👍.

Excellent, thanks!

Great advice as usual Mick. Thanks mate. All the best from Oz.

Great review neevsey , excactly my sentiment to touring. It’s a holiday, pack light, enjoy yourself.

Had some great video from a friend of mine with me screaming at a sat nav :-) Nemesis! Great vid as always Neevesy.

Neevesy this is brilliant absolutely brilliant and you've inspired me to do my first European road trip! Thanks mate

Thanks for the tips and advice.

This is a great summary of the enjoyments of riding!

He is absolutely right, good man!

Absolutely spot on

I thought I was the only one who hated sat navs! Bless you my son!

I love this . Answered all the questions I've had about touring. Cheers dude. The end

Excellent video, thanks!

Brilliant work Neevsey

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!

Been waiting for this video 👌🏽

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!

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.

Brilliant video. Thanks Neevesy....coming from a newbie tourer. Can't wait for my first European tour when this lockdown is lifted!!!

Thank you!!

Thanks for these tips mate.

couldn't agree more, I shipped my bike to the USA for 3 months, it was a blast!

great series of videos

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.

It is so true: going on a multi-day bike trip with your buddies is SO MUCH FUN!!

Thank you for this wonderful video. I learned a lot

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.

You truly evoke the feeling of moto touring

Fantastic Thanks

Superb advice.

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!

In my experience there is a difference in the grinding, between getting there and getting home. Getting there, it’s more beautiful and more exciting the further you get. The fun is just about to start, the whole adventure is still ahead of you. The real grind is the long ride home, when you’re tired, your back hurts and you just wanna get home. One time we just did a “city trip” as a overnight stop on the way home, like a bonus party night, in Bruges. That was a great medicin for the monotony of cruncing motorway miles.

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.

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 😉

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.

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.

Great tips, thanks. Really interesting about the sat nav

Good video. I;ve done long tours on a Multistrada with full panniers and a tail bag and less extensive but more fun tours on a Speed Triple. Once when other bikes were suddenly unavailable I took a 1500 mile trip on a 900cc Bonneville. It was a blast. The bike you have shouldn't hold you back. Once you are on the road away from the major highways it all becomes so worthwhile. I usually tour alone. That is more fun. You don't go on a tour to be around the same people having the same conversations. Be bold. Just jump in. Don't over-prepare. yes, carry what you need but you can wash socks at the hotel. There will be cold and there will be wet. If you are ready for that you are ready for anything. The key thing is to be mentally present. Enjoy the trip. Stop anyplace that strikes your fancy. If you stop where there are people, talk to them. Showing up on a motorcycle is a free license to meet people. If you have never toured make a promise to yourself that this year you will take at least one overnight trip. I guarantee it will be a trip of a lifetime... until the next one.

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.

Great videos!

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

Thank you👍🏻

Really helpful that. Cheers. 👍

So true. There are so many people that own motorcycles that have not taken a trip. Trust me people, do a trip.

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 🙏🏾🙏🏾

My last trip was 5,000 miles and 8 Countries. LOVE it

Inspirational thanks

Good video cheers mate

Portugal has some amazing roads and beautiful scenery as well for motorcycling