Planning a trip to the 24hr Nurburgring on my R9T

1322 Views 24 Replies 15 Participants Last post by mxdave, 14 d ago

mxdave

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

Hi All,
Planning on a trip to the Nurburgring in late May on my R9T, to watch the ADAC 24HR. I am meeting up with some work colleagues who are taking their caravan - so no need for tent. But what do I need for luggage? At the moment, the bike is bog standard - should I get panniers or a Ventura system? I am based in Gloucestershire, and am planning on getting the tunnel over to Calais - so about 550 miles / 9.5 hours - can I do this in one hit or am I mad? Anyone done this run before and what should I look out for?
Kind regards,
Dave

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GapRunr

· #2 · 4 mo ago

What's the longest you've ridden in a day? If you have done close to 500 miles before, then you should be able to. If you've never gone even half that, you might find it really tough. Unless of course you are 20 years old and you're meeting a member of the opposite sex. At that age we can take a lot of abuse just to get there!

A Ventura system works really well for trips like this, and will be easier to sort out for the trip than panniers that clear the exhaust. If your goal is to have panniers long term, then go that route, but if it is just for this trip the Ventura is the way to go.

Reactions: 1

GTMartin

· #3 · 4 mo ago

My concern is that if you hit a problem on the roads you are not going to make the time up. I don't know which crossing you are going to take, but a hold up on the M25 and your timings be out. Germany has some fast roads, but they can suffer with some big traffic jams round the major conurbations. You are there to enjoy the racing, do you need the pressure of getting there in time?

Luggage wise I agree with GapRunr, depending what you want to do long term and how much you want to spend.

tarby

· #4 · 4 mo ago

I did Liverpool ferry port (from I O M) to Derby 98 miles in one hit. I have to say I was glad for the stop. So 550 miles in one go. You'll have to factor in stops for fuel and a walk around. Managed 80ish all the way (honest officer). I had a Oxford roll top bag strapped to the rear seat with enough kit for 4 days. I have the Pure. It's a great bike, but I wouldn't say it's a motorway/autobahn blaster

Norbi

· #5 · 4 mo ago

I’d save the money for luggage and ask the work colleagues whether they can take your stuff in their van? Also makes you faster on the road, and saves fuel 😉

GTMartin said:
Germany has some fast roads, but they can suffer with some big traffic jams round the major conurbations.

Correct, but German roads on that specific trip are only 5% of the total distance, so that doesn’t really help in this case. And there are no real traffic-laden cities in that area deep in the West of the Eifel mountains 😉

550 miles in one session? Doable, but esp. with the tunnel boarding, border crossing & load times (min 1 hour before departure?) etc., I wouldn’t.
Tough to get a 60mph average in those circumstances.

I’d split it into 2 days, blast through Belgium, stay in Monschau if you can make it there and enjoy some gorgeous secondary roads in the Eifel area on day 2.

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mxdave

Discussion Starter · #6 · 4 mo ago

Thanks for the feedback everyone, some really good points have been raised. My work colleagues are based in Germany, so they won't be able to take any of my gear for me - so it looks like the Ventura will be my preferred choice of luggage. I am 52, so maybe I am being a bit ambitious about 550 miles in one hit, so I will do some research into breaking the trip each way into 2 days with maybe an overnight stop just after crossing the channel on the way out / just before the channel on the way back.
Just need to look at some waterproofs (one-piece, gloves and boots), Euro breakdown & insurance cover, B&B and fuel stops ;-)

Reactions: 3

Chris.

· #7 · 4 mo ago

Does that 9,5 hours include the time it takes around the train? Else add another 2 hours for just that. You gotta be on time etc.
So turn that 9,5 hours into 12-13 in total. Also after 4-5 hours of riding.. stop every hour to stretch the legs. If you wait for your legs/back/ass to hurt.. it's too late already.

Id say; split the journey and take a hotel in Belgium after the crossing.
And on your way back; take a hotel in England after the crossing back.

Reactions: 1

BlitzSchnell

· #8 · 4 mo ago

I agree with all the input so far … if you have the time then take the time … I’m 73 and I try and ride for 4 or 5 hours once a month and it’s a stretch for me so if your not accustomed to that much time in the saddle then give yourself plenty of leeway. You’ll do fine … and when the race starts you’ll forget all about how much your butt aches. Slow way down on the trip back and see all the beautiful sights and vistas you drove right past the first time … Enjoy ……… Blitz

Reactions: 1

TimC

· #9 · 4 mo ago

It's probably a good idea to break the trip into two days, but I can tell you from personal experience a 600-mile, 10+ hour day on an R9T is possible, as I've done it a couple times. But they are really long days. Even with an aftermarket seat you'll probably want some additional padding. Factor in fuel and rest stops and it easily becomes a 12-hour day.

Luggage options abound, but it's possible to keep it fairly simple and inexpensive with a set of panniers and maybe a waterproof duffle strapped to the rear.

Good luck with the planning and the trip!

Briggs

· #10 · 4 mo ago

I think you would find 550 miles in one day a real challenge on the 9T, have you thought about an airhawk seat cushion, I fitted one on my 1200gs when we traveled from Scotland to Garmish in South Germany a few years ago and it made a huge difference in the comfort of the bike. Last year I did a few 120 mile trips on my Urban and it was torture on the arse, I’ve fitted peg lowering kit , 20mm bar risers and a Wilbers shock over the winter, so really looking forward to some longer trips to see how the improvements stack up against last year.
I’ve been round the ring a few times in the past, it’s a great trip and roads are brilliant.
good luck with the trip.

JACO166

· #11 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

MOTARDS | boerenhol.be

This is a bike friendly hotel in Belgium.

Reactions: 1

Tigcraft

· #12 · 3 mo ago

I’ve done 600mile days and it’s ever so tiring. The 9T for me on a std seat is good enough but we’re all different. As for luggage, I’ve bespoke sensible size hard luggage.

mxdave

Discussion Starter · #13 · 2 mo ago

OK, bike all sorted, gear all sorted, paperwork all sorted, accommodation booked, now for the insurance...
Does anyone have any recommendations for travel / breakdown insurance (including repatriation for me and bike) for Europe? Or is it just a case of using GoCompare, etc?
What about health insurance? I have the GHIC card - will that be sufficient?

RnineT Mark

· #14 · 2 mo ago

Does your bike insurance have any recovery/assistance cover included? If so make sure it includes recovery back to the UK. Definitely get travel insurance and again make sure it includes riding a motorbike.
I had a look at the AA, single trip recovery and assistance worked out at £74 for 10 days, but have a thorough read through of the T and C’s

Chopper_Bob

· #15 · 2 mo ago

mxdave said:
OK, bike all sorted, gear all sorted, paperwork all sorted, accommodation booked, now for the insurance...
Does anyone have any recommendations for travel / breakdown insurance (including repatriation for me and bike) for Europe? Or is it just a case of using GoCompare, etc?
What about health insurance? I have the GHIC card - will that be sufficient?

YOur insurance co should issue you a "green card" that shows that the insurance is valid in the mainland Europe. When I lived in the Uk they sometimes charged a small fee for issueing it. Not sure how this works post brexit though, but I know that my Dutch insurance is valid for the UK.

AA should be able to extend recovery to Europe was well, again with Brexit this may have changed, but the Dutch equivalnet is valid for Europe and UK for recovery/repair... read the "small print" to know what is exactly covered.

You are not the first to make a trip like this, call your insurance company for advise and the AA to get the cover details.

Medical insurance is covered under the NHS arrangements with European countries, but a travel insurance mght provide some extra cover...

Norbi

· #16 · 2 mo ago

mxdave said:
OK, bike all sorted, gear all sorted, paperwork all sorted, accommodation booked, now for the insurance...
Does anyone have any recommendations for travel / breakdown insurance (including repatriation for me and bike) for Europe? Or is it just a case of using GoCompare, etc?
What about health insurance? I have the GHIC card - will that be sufficient?

Don’t forget to contact these fine people Drive with Apex Nürburg - Apex Nuerburg NOW to possibly reserve ANY kind of experience with them! Have tons of fun, man!!!

tarby

· #17 · 2 mo ago

I'm assuming you're taking the R9T around the circuit? Definitely check that some sort of cover is in place. Above everything else. Have a blast!

mxdave

Discussion Starter · #18 · 2 mo ago

tarby said:
I'm assuming you're taking the R9T around the circuit? Definitely check that some sort of cover is in place. Above everything else. Have a blast!

No, will not be riding the Ring - just watching a 24hr race being held there.

Reactions: 1

GTMartin

· #19 · 2 mo ago

Oh mxdave, how could you? Schlep all the way to the Nurburgring and not go round.

I suppose if there is a 24 hour race on, the Tourist fahrt times might be limited and when open very busy. Have a good trip and post plenty of pics.

mxdave

Discussion Starter · #20 · 14 d ago

Well, I am back from the trip. It was great fun, and I now have the touring Europe bug!
There were no issues at all during the whole trip - the bike was faultless. I found the standard seat was fine (benefits of having extra padding in the backside area), as I was stopping every 60 - 80 miles to make sure the fuel was kept topped up. But the riding position was getting a bit sore after 3hrs plus. A point of note for anyone that is also planning their first trip into Europe.... ALL the petrol stations I used in France / Belgium / Germany were prepayment. Either at the pump itself or there is a "pillar" next to the pump that put your card into.
The roads were all fantastic, the standard of the car driving was much better than here in the UK and everyone I met was super friendly.
If you have not ventured into Europe before, then I can thoroughly recommend it.
I am already looking for a second bike, which will be a proper tourer (maybe the F800GT or similar) and the R9T for Sunday best.

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