I have sold my Bonneville and am waiting on delivery of a 350 Meteor, I look at it as having more money for petrol (100ish MPG) and better comfort, Now I can do more "adventures" as I head towards 70, Most of my "touring" involves a toothbrush and change of underwear and B n B or bunkhouses,Don't really want to go overseas as the UK has so much I haven't seen yet.

I'm a French viewer and I feel attacked :') You should seriously consider a road trip in France. We have some amazing landscapes and food. People are nice outside of Paris! I've personally been "touring" on my little orcal 125cc and I agree with your vision. I just took the A2 license exam though, and I'm looking at royal enfields (that's how I found your channel). Anyway, I love your videos, they're very relaxing to watch. Keep them coming!

THE VOICE OF COMMON SENSE 👍.Well said, tiredness and stress is no way to ride a motorcycle ❤

So true Stuart. ‘Ride for yourself and not others’ sticks in my mind. And motorcycles are about enjoying the journey, way too many people forget that and resort to sausage waving instead. Thanks for the video.

The “regimental” regime that you described isn’t only unpleasant and not entertaining but also bloody dangerous. If you’re so fatigued that you can’t enjoy the destination then you’re probably too tired to be safe.

I had the strangest thing happen to me while watching this video. I was listening to your narration of what, to you, constitutes motorcycle touring, but I was also enjoying the scenery and became absorbed in picking the line along that stony road on which you were riding. At one point another motorcyclist came along riding a red adventure bike, and as he approached he gave the "universal motorcycle wave", lifting his left hand off of the handlebar. I found myself lifting my left hand up from hovering near the keyboard and automatically returning his wave! I had to laugh out-loud at myself!

I “signed up” to a road trip around a section of British Columbia. When I received an itinerary via email stating what I needed to bring, a list of personal details to be filled in, where we would be stopping to eat or even just for a coffee, I withdrew my name immediately. Freedom of the open road obviously wasn’t in this organisors thoughts. If you’re lucky enough to be able to travel with very like minded friends, that’s great. If not, just go it alone and enjoy the ride and complete freedom that that gives you. Great video again Stuart, the less bs the better. 👍

Due to the passage of time I became an old man. I also retired so I had free time and reduced income. I wanted a light touring bike but manufacturers stopped building those in the early 1980's. I ended up building my own. I found a very low mileage Honda VLX 600 for not a lot of money. It's light and low so the seat allows me to swing my old leg over the seat easily. It's also one of the few motorcycles a 1970's era Windjammer fairing will fit on. After a visit to a motorcycle used parts lot I came away with an entire Craig Vetter Windjammer fairing, bag's, and trunk. I fabricated brackets to fit it to my bike and fitted it all on the bike. It turned out better than I expected! If moving I can stay dry when it's raining due to the wind tunnel tested design of the fairing, bag's, and trunk. Recently due to even more time passing I added a Velorex sidecar to it with great success. I have extended the time I can continue to ride motorcycles.

Great advice Stuart. My first holiday alone in 1977 age 17 on my 175 D7 BSA Bantam around the west country was one of the best times of my life. No tent, no sleeping bag, I just had a big polythene bag that a 3 ft mattress was delivered in. ( I worked in a furniture shop). Used to crawl in it at night and sleep with my helmet on when it was raining. 60 years old now and I`d do it again tommorrow if I didn`t have family commitments...

Brilliant, just brilliant Stuart ………. 10/10 . Couldn’t agree more , it’s supposed to be an experience, not an endurance.

I buy 100% of your concept of touring. Ad horrible experience with buddies who travel just to ride rather than exploring. I hated it so much since then cheers to all solo riders.

I’ll call a Bullseye on this one Uncle Stu!… I am actually planning a few touring trips on my Classic 500 in 2022. No extensive planning, “see what’s over that hill” type of touring. One trip in the U.K. and one on the continent… for starters. I plan to play it by ear and enjoy myself, probably on my own. 👍 Again, well done my friend.

It's scary how you and I have reached the same conclusions about motorcycle riding. I rarely ride with others anymore because of the issues you highlight. And, it seems that many of my memories from trips that I have taken with others in my younger years center around the agony or danger we subjected ourselves to on those ill-planned trips. Men turn into hot dogs quickly when in a group. Now I ride alone.

I’ve just recently started watching Freddie Dobbs on KZfaq. Young lad and his girlfriend and a Bonnerville and the simple joys of touring. He’s only under 20k subs, though he has enthusiasm and passion for what he’s trying to do.

Me, 55 years young from Germany, back from a walk with my dog, hearing your experiences, can only whitness/confirm your sentences. Best wishes from the lower-rhine-area.

Stuart: ....."because it's full of French people" Me: blowing my morning coffee over my keyboard and monitor....... Dammit Uncle Stu! LOL!

Well put. Most memorable tours of my 40+ years of motorcycling was across the USA and back on a Vespa 300 Gts and a tour of Costa Rica on a Stella 150 2 stroke. Minimal gear, maximum fun!

Great video. Finding myself between jobs, I once rode my old bicycle the length of mainland UK over 3 months, visiting many interesting and beautiful places along the way and eating many a fine meal. I only went 20-30 miles a day, sometimes a lot less. The owner of one B&B I stayed in told me about another cyclist on an expensive carbon fibre road bike who'd arrived late in the day the week before, soaked to the skin. Upon arrival he immediately retired to his room and ate an evening meal of a pot noodle. He was doing a similar journey to mine, only in a week! Perhaps he only had a week off work, but I know who had the more enjoyable holiday. Not sure about the size of his man sausage as, thankfully, I didn't see him in his wet lycra.

Hit the nail on the head Again Stuart. My wife and i toured europe for 3 weeks a number of years ago. No hotels booked and no itinery. Only a loose idea of the general route. Discovered so many amazing places that you would never have found otherwise. Stopped in places as long as we wanted and only rode the mileage that suited us. Fab holiday

Stuart, as a sad middle-aged new rider who has done nothing more excessive than day trips, I have fallen into this trap! Thank you for the wisdom and for helping me find the pleasure in riding which I had inadvertently and unknowingly erased. ATVB.

You nailed it. I ride to enjoy the scenery, the pleasures of being set free like a bird. Stop and smell the country side, and apriciat the country side.

Profound video Stuart . As a teenager, I rode my BSA Victor up and down the California coast for about a year doing weekend tours so to speak. My impetus for getting a motorcycle was an old American TV show called "then came Bronson" starring michael parks. ( Opening segment featured M. Parks pulling up alongside a businessman in a station wagon and the businessman asks Parks "where ya headed?" to which he answers "wherever I end up I guess!") That attitude always struck a chord with me, so I opted to buy my first motorcycle at 17 while stationed in Monterey California. I did a lot of solo touring as do you Stu, and I agree it beats riding with a group any day of the week!! If it were within my power, I'd grant you a PhD in motorcycling as you certainly deserve it!!! Keep those videos coming Stu, as I live vicariously through them for now. Perhaps a two wheeler is in my future, but for now I will continue to enjoy and look forward to your weekly promulgation of what riding is (or should be) about!!! Great job!

AMen! you are spot on. I been riding 62 yrs. From Cushman scooters thru Harley, BMW to lg. Sport touring bikes. The costly lessons we learn as we age thru riding.

As a backpacker I have tried the twenty litre challenge, carrying everything required for a hike with an overnight stop in a twenty litre pack. I am looking forward to trying something similar, maybe with a thirty litre limit, on my first bike, which I collect tomorrow.

Hello from Texas USA. I came across your channel. I want to tell you how liberating this video is. I haven’t ridden in a very long time. So long that I feel I’m a beginner again. I’m researching for a purchase and I’ve been watching those videos you talk about. Most of this videos have you in the cockpit of the bike and that’s what you see. They go miles and miles. They don’t stop, or perhaps they don’t put those stops in their videos. Your interpretation of touring is exactly how it should be in my opinion. There’s a phenomenon of travel that the RVers have of doing tasks and leisure in the least amount of space as possible. This is the feeling I get from these groups that travel great distances in a day. I watch and I think to myself I just couldn’t do all that, it looks grueling. Thinking maybe motorcycling has passed me by. Anyone trying to get into motorcycling, or back into it after a very long absence should listen to this video. Thank you. Enjoy your travels.

A slap with a cold wet fish for the dreamers and a dose of common sense for those thinking of extending their motorcycle experience, Stuart at his best yet again!!

So much truth here. In the past I’ve done some touring on a bicycle. It’s amazing what you consider to be essential kit, when you’re limited to 1 hp (human power).

Couldn't agree more, Stuart 👍 For me, touring has always been about the journey - not about "hours in the saddle" or "miles covered", and definitely not about "the pics I shot" for Pete's sake! 😀

I just rode an Interceptor 650 from NYC to Lake George for Americade. I think you are spot on as the ride up was leisurely on smaller, less traveled roads while the return trip was on the interstate. The weather was favorable both days but the trip to Americade was much more enjoyable than the ride home. And yes I was on the smallest displacement bike and the Royal Enfield performed flawlessly. We camped for 3 nights and rode some while by Lake George (beautiful area) so I needed to pack accordingly. 2 40 ltr dry bags and a 20 ltr tank bag hauled my gear. Once again thanks for the videos as they have been helpful. Almost 4000 miles on the Interceptor 650 since May and I am actually quite happy with it. Thanks again, Donny O'Dell

I watched an interview with the producer of long way round. He mentioned that they had to replace the bikes 3 times as the swing Arms kept snapping.

Brilliant. I totally agree with every word in this video and it reflects exactly how I feel about motorcycle touring. I have just had a fabulous week on my bike, travelling from my home in Somerset to Scotland, without touching a motorway with overnight stops in country towns and seen some of the finest countryside the UK has to offer, including Yorkshire Stuart. No pressure, no stress, just me and the bike.

The Long Way Round effect was infectious with a sudden explosion of 30-40 somethings with disposable income buying a GS with aluminium panniers as their London commuting tool carrying nothing more than their clingfilm wrapped sandwich and an apple. What these types don't seem to fully understand is that if you are touring you want an engine just.. big enough... light enough... economical enough.. and you need to pack as little as possible not as much as possible! The amount of kit I've seen people pack 3 huge boxes plus all the strap on soft kit, and tank bag ect ect.. they're only going to a chalet site in Devon. Little as possible, light as possible, comfortable as possible.. Don't get me started on riding gear.....

Agreed. I love touring on the bike, nearly always here in UK. Never more than 100 mile days, with lots of stops to enjoy the day. I always detour motorways, and stay away from the popular routes. I once rode to the Octoberfest with some work mates, I was last rider. They abandoned me in pouring rain, in the dark, on a autobahn intersection when my bike stopped. The short ride out following day was just short of 500kms. The visit to festival following day is a total blur, not because I was drunk, but knackered. I now always ride by myself, or with my lad.

With you entirely Stuart - my wife and I recently left our larger bikes in the garage and went touring from the Wirral, up to the Highlands, on our Honda Monkey bikes. 1500 miles in total, it was absolutely brilliant. It has completely reshaped the way that we look at having fun, over pretty long distances, and tackling the infamous passes in the lake district and also bealach na ba - Which on the monkeys, were an absolute hoot

Bike time is my time. Ride on my own, stop when I want, just have a very loose idea of where I am going and when I’ll return. You meet interesting people this way and find the best places to stay at minimal cost. I think the new RE 350 classic due here shortly will be a cracking choice of bike for trips 😎 (the red chrome one looks fab).

Perfectly stated, sir... particularly regarding small-displacement motorcycles! Touring on smaller bikes allows (forces) you to slow down and enjoy the scenery instead of rushing through it to reach a particular destination. The process of getting to the destination becomes the adventure, so you're not so focused on the endpoints... enjoy the NOW and not focus on the end of the ride. I recently completed a 9600+ mile trip around the USA on my little Honda Super Cub C125 for the Scooter Cannonball Run. I knew in advance that the 10-day, 4500+ mile Cannonball ride would be a brutal flogging, and I wasn't disillusioned where that was concerned. The prescribed route for the Cannonball was fast and furious, so I didn't plan ANYTHING regarding the routes to/from the start and endpoint of the event. My routes to/from the event consisted of slower back roads and scenic byways, and I enjoyed lots of moto-camping throughout. It was a truly epic journey. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM

Well said Stuart I totally agree the aim of motorcycle touring is to enjoy yourself and the environment. I have the large adventure bike and it can be very demanding for a 60 year old but the wife and I fully enjoy leisurely bimbleing around the beautiful countryside and staying in hotels, like you said its a holiday 👍

I live in the center of Spain, in Segovia, a very old city. It means that I can go to all Spain with no more than 700 kms to do. In a big a wonderful country like Spain it's a pleasure to use the secundary roads and discover the big cultural treasures and the nice food everywhere with a nice weather and very nice people. Congratulatios for your channel and excuse my English, I think it´s a little rusted.

“Gentleman’s sausage measuring holiday” 🤣🤣🤣 I’ve been riding for 3 years. Always wanted to surface travel to Istanbul (cross the bridge and Asia for the first time) from the UK and just got back from a 4500 mile round trip a few weeks ago. Had 3 weeks to do it and raised £3500 for a mental health charity. I had a major mental health issue a couple of years ago that had been 20 years in the making, and motorcycling was a huge part of my therapy. For me it was about soloing a trip like that to prove I could do it - to open doors in my life again. Whilst there were elements of mile munching, I did see some amazing places and meet incredible people - but I also missed so much too. BUT for me it was about the art of the possible, and now I’ve done it I can’t wait for slower travels to incredible places. I’m a filmmaker by profession and people kept asking me if I was going to do a documentary. I didn’t want to on this one because it would have taken so much more time and effort to do it, but also this one was for me - not to turn it into too much of an external thing. Was it a relaxing trip? Yes and no. I did it on my 2005 T100 - and having just watched your video on “why I’d never get a big touring bike” I couldn’t agree more - my bike never missed a beat and opened up so many conversations with people, which for me is what touring is all about 😊

Back in the day l spent 5years Traveling around Australia .To start with a BMW 75/5 two up 42 kg of gear to wards the end l change to a 80'gs (this was before adventure bikes) the /5 did everything the gs did

Brilliant Stuart. Totally agree. Once again the voice of ‘simple’ common sense …. something which I feel sadly is missing in so much of the (motorcycling) world we live in. Safe riding and best wishes Chris

I’ve gone on 3 trips with friends over the past two years of a total of 10,000 miles. We’re all on different bikes (me a T-120, a friend on a GS 1200 and another on a rented Harley). We take our time, never do more than 250 miles a day, stop lots, enjoy the scenery, do wine tastings, camp some, airbnb some, hipcamp some, spend multiple nights in some places and enjoy seeing places we’ve never seen. The latest took us up the CA/OR coast, through Washington’s wine region, to Glacier National park and back. It was amazing. We’ve now hit all of the western states and now plan to see the middle and east of the country.

Absolutely spot on. I am so tired of hearing how wonderful someone is because they can cover vast distances on their “holiday”.

I'm sure many of us on here know those who have been everywhere but seen nothing. Another great post :-)

Social media has simply made all forms of holiday, or even hobbies, into what you have described. There is no time for relaxing, it's not even remotely considered. You also provided good ways to evaluate any travel companions.

i live in Detroit, Michigan, back in May I went to Chicago from Detroit on my 2001 Honda Shadow ACE750, that's a 350 mile. 4 hour one way trip. Some people could not believe I rode my Honda ACE750! So I had to remind them that not long ago the 750cc motorcycle was the big daddy of displacement, and that every things changes not you up 2500cc bike, but you can still take a trip on a smaller cc bike....wow I blow their minds with that statement...Lol. Love the video's, keep em coming, and I will keep watching!...stay well my friend!

Yes. This is very good thinking! People do something in order to prove something, not only to enjoy things and their own experiences. They also try to push each others to a certain categories or in a frame, and those who do not accept it are bullied. Don't ask me how I know...

Stuart, I am so happy to have found you on the you tube. I have already watched few of your videos and will watch them all. I think you are amazing and providing lots of sensible advise for other bikers. I love UK. and seeing your videos brings me back all of those wonderful memories of my rides in those country roads. Keep up with the hard work you are doing and thank you very much. Nasser

The beauty of night shifts. First to view!! Just to say I've thoroughly enjoyed your content over the past few months as I enter the world of the Bullet. Keep up the great work 👍👊

Great advice. This is why I ride alone on back roads at a relaxed pace, and stop wherever I feel like stopping. It makes me happy.

Ay up, adventure bike snobs I call them It's all about smiles per hour enjoy YOUR ride😹♠️👍

A gentlemans sausage measuring competition. Uncle Stu, you have such a way with words! Outstanding!!!!

Stuart, I couldn't agree more with you on this. now in my 70s I've done many Europe trips with mates. But the one trip that stands out was when in my late 20s, I'd been doing a lot of hangliding so I didn't have a bike. I'd sold out of a company and had a few quid and needed a few months out. I decided to set of on a bike trip where I wanted to go, when I wanted, A car dealer mate had a CG125 Honda he'd taken in part ex, so I bought it and off I went. On my own I toured every country in Europe as and when I wanted. After a couple of months I met up with my Girlfriend in the south of France and came back through the alps 2 up. When we go back the bike had done 7k miles and not missed a beat. I even sold it at a good profit.

Stuart, in 1974 my friend and I did an around the US trip of 9300 miles. We basically had no itinerary. We spent about 38 days from the time we left until we returned home. My friend rode a 1973 Honda CB450 twin and I rode a 1973 Honda CB500 4 cylinder. Oh yes, we camped most of the time and probably stayed in motels or with friends on about 8 of those days. I left home with $500 in traveler's checks and $60 in cash. I returned home with $60 cash.

I really love this Stuart. I feel very similar about motorcycle touring and that's why I often ride solo these days. To me, most of the most memorable parts of a long trip are off of the motorcycle, when I am not riding and when I am in a group there is usually a lot of pressure to meet a certain objective in terms of mileage, etc. Riding solo without any fixed itinerary and being prepared to camp whenever and wherever I see fit is pure freedom.

Your video saved me from Monday blues. After watching your video, I believe I captured some of your thoughts on what I want, don't want during motorcycle touring. Lovely presentation. Your voice makes me to listen it again and again. Good selection of music as well. Learned a lot from you. Thank you bud. Lots of love and respect from Tamil Nadu ( India).

Another master class from Uncle Stu, absolutely spot on. The reason I watch this channel is for the very bare bones approach to things and of course the Yorkshire humor.😉

As someone who is interested in motorcycle touring, I am thankful for this video. I often notice myself, as a still new motorcyclist, trying to go for a higher and higher "score" in regards to riding. Perhaps my focus is wrong. Maybe the achievement isn't in me making several hundred miles in a day, but rather the achievement lies in practicing an exhilarating hobby and having fun with friends. Thank you for the video Stu and thank you for your videos on Triumph Bonneville's specifically :) .

Truer words were never spoken! Solo traveler and love every minute of it. Group rides are work and frustration most of the time, not the kind of holiday I'm interested in.

Well said that man! Im about to set off on my first tour up to Keswick in the Lake District , tent on board,at the grand old age of 60 on my shiny new ktm duke 390 despite all the advice that one needs a huge german tractor for the job. Looking forward to the probably very wet adventure. Keep up the excellent content see you out there one day possibly

Not a truer word spoken, another outstanding video.. Thank you so much.. 👍👍👍👍

This guy needs to write a book called 'motorcycle touring reality check' he is absolutely spot on and exactly how i tour on my Enfield.

Great advice! Totally agree with it. Especially on carefully choosing with who you take a journey. I rather remember the amazing scenery and people I met along the way, then the moments of frustration with fellow riders (those memories will indeed stick). One tip from my side: Try to plan as little as possible. If you only plan one or two must-see things for a one or two week trip, you will have all the freedom to let the scenery, weather and mood guide you. I best remember those trips where I left from the Netherlands to go to Norway, while ending up in the Swiss and Italian Alps -- just because weather conditions shifted. :)

So right you are, I ride to have solitude from daily anxiety, simple enjoyment, and seeing the countryside and new sights. Keep the videos coming Stuart. Too many are in a rush.

How true Stuart. Thanks for another good video, I do all my touring nowadays on a Vespa 300, I can't get on and off a 'leg over' motorcycle anymore but it's well up to the job in the UK. I have kept a journal of every trip I have ever done which I write up each day of the trip. When I have to give up and that won't be long now I will read them.

I absolutely love this channel. Going to take a long time to see all the videos, but it is always something to look forward to. This one in particular was near and dear to my heart.

Agree with everything you say. I just bought a 411 cc Royal Enfield Himalayan and intend taking it on a long tour halfway across Canada, Central to East Coast. Some of my friends were advising against such a small bike, wouldn't be powerful enough for highways. But the bike suits my budget in every way and hey, Itch Boots took it halfway around the world.

I live in Cape Town, South Africa and I am doing motorcycle touring. I started by visiting all the smaller towns and villages close to me, I totally enjoyed this and slowly going further and further, but always getting home the same day. Soon I will have to sleep over as the distance gets longer. Sometimes I hear about interesting places so I go there too. I ride a Honda NC750XD.

Thank you for reflecting my own sentiments on travelling on a bike. Mostly alone, a rough plan with flexibility as a major component. The bike is always good, fix the luggage and go. My days usually take care of themselves. Leave home relaxed. , Come home inspired.

Love taking trips on bikes. Age and comfort changing the trips I take. I no longer camp out with all the gear needed. So it's b&b and hotels. Booking all beforehand is to stressful so it's out of high periods. Using smaller bikes also helps with age. Agree with changing the itinerary. You go where you find fun . Nice scenery. Nice roads. Nice villages to explore. Stay a day or two if it's fun. Move on when your ready. Don't set destinations to far. Stop in time to get a evening meal and a walk before bed.

Stu, The Bullet is almost all loaded up for a 2-3 day excursion to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Funny how it was easy to resist the urge for a pre-dawn departure to avoid urban commuter traffic, rather have another cup of coffee and watch this video. This will be the first 'excursion' on the Bullet, having finally added the last little bits to hold the overnight kit. All told, it may rack up a whopping 3-400 miles. And yes, I have routinely gone 300 miles before breakfast on many occasions during a dozen cross-country rides. (Thankfully, the gentleman's sausage recovers from the flattening, with no long term shrinkage, which I can ill-afford.) I am looking forward to a few days at 45 MPH with lots of stops. I also anticipate delays due to folks asking about the bike, as well. I typically travel solo, as well. On the BMW I go too far and too long for most and with the Bullet I'll probably go too slow and stop too often. It works just fine.

Absolutely agree with you, Stuart. I love motorcycle touring and usually alone often on old British machines from my youth (1950's). As you so rightly say it should be a stress free adventure and in my case I rarely plan anything, just see what happens! Love all your videos.

I think you’d enjoy riding with me and my children. We use our sidecar outfit when it’s all of us, and we share your take on motorcycle touring. We’re into taking in the scenery and enjoying the places we travel through and to. And I can’t speak for my children, but I even slow down so my journey isn’t over too soon, because I love the riding part. We’ve never been ones for sticking to, or even making itineraries. I enjoyed long way round, but it was its own thing, not what the rest of us do, or can do, or would do. I would feel defeated if I needed a garage on my tour, let alone a support crew in a 4x4 with the majority of my gear in it. Great video as usual.

I absolutely agree with you. Racing from pub to pub is a drag. No pun intended!! Freedom comes from solitude. Rock on !!

I agree with your viewpoint Mr. Stuart, the essense of motorcycling & touring is that it brings joy to you, I own a humble 100cc motorcycle on which I've been riding for years and covered over 1.5 lakh kilometers creating lovely memories, and every time I ride it, I still feel the same joy that I felt when I first rode it! I also agree that going solo lets you to take the road less taken and bask in the best of the places you visit. As a gesture of goodwill for the effort you take to create these videos, I watch all the ads most of the time without skipping to support your motorcycling endeavors, I hope this helps you!🙂 With love from India!

I love that you've put video of your actual rides as the video for your talk. I love that type of video.

Well said sir, this is the best take i’ve ever heard and the most sensible one on how you should do touring.

Great video Uncle Stu! I am currently on a three day tour around Southern California, Death Valley and Lake Tahoe on my Interceptor. No grueling itinerary, no Hi-viz onesie, no aluminum panniers, and no support vehicles for the hair and make up crew! I’m just out enjoying riding my motorcycle across an amazing part of the United States. That, to me, is motorcycle touring!

Its so true, mile munchers pay attention. Its not the daily distance that counts and riding alone does attract people on campsites.

Having a 125cc commuter as a means of touring in India is looked down upon, which I never really understood by the way. I can cruise at 75 Kmph comfortably on the highway which is enough for me to relax and enjoy the passing by world as a student once in a while. You are good at what you are doing on this channel Stuart, I really am starting to appreciate motorcycling since I discovered you. Cheers!

I’m thinking of getting a small bike and a van (to replace my car) I like the idea of driving to a destination in my very basic camper converted van with the bike in the back. Get to the destination and spend a lovely day or so out on the bike, returning to the van for food and sleep etc. I was considering a bigger bike in order to be able to travel motorways and hills to get there, but currently, I think I’d get immense enjoyment from a small bike, camping comforts, tools on board and no real rush to get to camp sites etc.

I ride a motorcycle because I enjoy riding a motorcycle. It's that simple, your message is bang on, enjoy it.

Lot of time for your videos and comments. Finding the right people in life to spend time with is what it’s about.

I've just bought a 25 year old Kawaski ZZR600 as a hack bike for work. After recently changing careers later in life, I now work for the NHS and due to parking issues where I live, a bike makes sense again. Intially got a 98 Triumph Sprint 900 EX off a friend for next to nothing to recommisson, but it turns out it has a couple of stuck exhaust valves... So that has been put on the back burner for a little while. Hence the ZZR. . So... I got the ZZR, (location down here in Cornwall is almost as important as price,) the ZZR covered both well being less than 10 miles away. I'm getting used to the tiny riding position, but it has brought back riding pleasure. Yes, it will travel at warp speed, but it goes slowly really well, sits at 70 easily, and is fun in the corners on the way to work. 10 years ago, I used to visit friends up the line on my 88 Yamaha FZ600, perhaps up to 300 miles a day. Trying to avoid Motorways when possible. It was fast, but not that fast. Later this year in either August or September, I'm going to visit friends and family in the Northeast on the ZZR. No pressure, no stricted deadlines, just me and the bike. Simple touring at price of less than £1000 for bike with 11 months MOT. Great content, thank you.

Good video Stuart. Its horses for courses, some like to ride with a rough destiantion and sort out digs on the hoof. For others that adds stress and the security of knowing where youre staying that night helps them enjoy the trip. Im on a few bike related forums and social media groups and a question, or rather the answers to the question that never fail to surprise me is when someone new to touring asks. "How many miles a day should i do?" The person asking the question is asking as theyve little experience so can be forgiven for asking that. What shocks me is how many supposedly experienced people come back with definitive number. I can only assume they ride the same road on every journey they do. Ive ridden a 500-600 mile day and covered it with ease, ive also ridden a 150 mile day and been absolutly shattered. My response is, work out roughly how many hours you wish to do in the saddle, actual riding time, ignore mileage. Its obvious. 4 hrs on a K1600 on a French motorway (not you of couse) will cover a lot more miles than 4 hrs riding a Himalayan in the Swiss Alps.

Made the mistake once, a long time back to go on a tour with friends of friends. We started out as a group of four and came back two and two, at different times and having done different routes. Never again, this taught me the same lesson that you point out in your video. The organiser soon showed himself to be on some kind of a superman jaunt so I dropped out after the first day mainly not to have to resort to violence. One of the other guys had come to the same conclusion so he and I jumped off and made our own trip. And had a great time after the split. Good advice once again, mr F.

Thanks Stuart for your brave and honest video. You are so right, there’s no need to prove anything to anyone, just ride for yourself and have a great time. Thanks for putting your head above the parapet for our benefit🙂

I realise you probably wont have time to read this but just rewatched this one and it is brilliant .I did virtually the same tour as your Yorkshire jaunt on a totally unsuitable bike if the GS brigade are to be believed. I was on Triumph Street Tripe complete with luggage and pillion.It was the last tour I did with my missus before she passed away,it was brilliant and a real motorcycle tour which me and Nel loved.Thanks Martin

Another great common sense video. I’m hoping to get a couple of mates to tour the Dales next year. A tour is what you make it not how far you go!

My family (wife and three kids) took our summer vacations on motorbikes (two BMW's and a friend on his Honda). at 1st always planned stops in advance until I decided that we would just ride until we wanted to stop for the day. Much more enjoyable, especially since excessive speeds on the BMW's prohibited us from enjoying the countryside. In 1986 I purchased a Harley Springer Softail and Tok off from Albuquerque, NM to Seattle, Wa to visit my ex. Highway speeds then were nationally reduced to if I remember 55mph. One of the best trips I had ever had, even though I hit a deer in route. Realized how much you could see slow and relaxed. Have had several BMW's, the last 3 Adventure bikes but last month decided to sell the BMW and buy a Special Edition Bud Eakins T120 ( my 3rd Triumph in 40 years}. Shouldn't have waited this long to go back to the Bonneville (I'm 85 yrs old) and planning my 1st short 4 day tour on it this May. Being vintage myself, I feel right at home on this bike. Arnold

Got a good laugh out of your comment about the French (circa 4 minutes in)! Oh, and my name is Jacques.

I've never thought of motorcycle touring as something like "long way round" for me it's heading to wales, or scotland or the lakes and spending a night under canvas or the stars.

In North America we have convinced ourselves that in order to tour you need a "touring" motorcycle, something like a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide or a Honda Gold Wing and anything smaller is considered unsuited to the task. Now, the truth is that those bikes are truly in their element covering the huge distances that are normal on this continent, but covering distance on highways isn't really what touring should be. I've toured the Maritime Provinces of Canada on a Honda CB400F and it was perfect once on the secondary roads that are common there. I love the idea of strapping a couple of leather bags on a 350 a just heading out.

Very beautifully explained what motorcycling touring is Do rides to make u happy relaxed no to achieve a goal or get over tired . Rode alone or someone whom u r close Very beautifully explained.

Finally someone acknowledged it.

Excellent summation! The best bike to tour on is the one you have.

Sorry Stu, my comment about Itchy Boots is no reflection on you. Love your channel and how you present it. Totally different than what she does. I meant her as an adventure rider around the world. Not the average "egotripper" you referred to. Please accept my apology.

One of the main reasons I prefer to ride alone is because of scenarios like this. 1. Set time of meet - People don't turn up on time. 2. People turn up - No Petrol. 3. Hot day, baking in leathers - I've just got to do this first. Beautiful day for riding - Standing outside someone's house while someone does basic maintenance that could have been done day's ago. 5. Coming back in the dark after a 2/3hr all round trip that I could have done in 1hr. By myself! In the Sun! With a stop off! At a relaxed, leisurely pace. It's probably my age but I prefer to ride alone now.

Programmes like LWR, LWD, etc give that impression that a motorcycle tour or adventure has to mean crossing the channel, across country borders, and across continents. An adventure or tour could be as little as getting an OS Explorer map, finding interesting landmarks within a 20 mile radius, and going to explore. And you can do that on a Honda C90, it doesn’t have to be a GSA. If you like the idea of researching locations and going places you’ve never even thought about before, may I highly recommend the Round Britain Rally. I’ve done it for a number of years and it’s great fun, and you can choose how much you want to do and how far you want to go.

Thank you. Finally I have heard words of wisdom. I have been saying the same things, more or less, for years, and I am really pleased to have watched and taken in all that you have said. It is true, I have been riding for 50+ years and have tried to join in with other motorcyclists, the results are that I ride alone. Again thank you. Ride safe.