Two up & camping

[bimblevonslow]

There's a recent thread on here talking about scooters that might be better suited for 2up riding - viewtopic.php?p=300882#p300882

I agree that any 250-400cc will be more than capable. But what about scooters suitable for 2up riding PLUS camping gear for a multi-week tour, say around Europe in a mix of warm/cold/wet conditions?

I've done summer 2up multi-day camping trips on my Xmax 250. But when filling the top-box, tunnel bag, panniers, and of course the under-seat storage, it is just about doable leaving very little space for clothing.

I'm giving serious thought to a Vespa as (I think) there's potential to attach a front rack to carry even more stuff.

Thoughts?

[MrGrumpy]

Sounds like the sort of thing that the Burger 650 was built for! I remember that someone had a tow-bar fitted to his, and went touring round Europe towing a luggage trailer!
btw A trailer isn't a silly idea even for smaller scoots.

[Scootles]

I did a camping trip on a GTS300 a few years ago, up to Poolewe in north west Scotland. It was a solo trip with small tent, which was mounted on a front rack. To be honest there wasn't a lot to spare either in packing space or performance, and mixing it with lorries on the motorway from Glasgow to Stirling in wind and rain wasn't the most fun I've ever had. Throttle wide open I was just about keeping pace.
Two up with gear would be a squeeze, but anything's possible. There's not a lot of space on the front rack before you obscure your headlamp. I had front rack, top box and soft luggage slung across the saddle. I did take full cooking kit etc. You can save space if you eat at cafes and just take a brew kit.
Having said that, once I got past Stirling the bike was great, especially on the narrow scenic roads up north. Pretty laid back and fun.
I have a new Vespa - and I hope to do it all again next year maybe taking in the Hebrides!! I should know better - but last year I met a rider on Harris who was considering packing in motorcycle camping now he was past 80. He was riding a Yamaha Diversion ( known to Motorcycle News as a beginner's bike) with over 120,000 on the clock. Inspirational!

[bimblevonslow]

That's useful info, thanks. Especially about the front luggage obscuring the headlamp. Maybe I should stick with the Xmax, which is a great machine, and just be more selective about what camping gear to take and leave the kitchen sink behind!

Your Scotland trip sounds like it was an adventure. I've not been up there yet on a motorcycle/scooter but it's on my to-do list.

[bimblevonslow]

Burger 650. I'm not sure that it would give me any additional luggage carrying capacity over my Xmax, except perhaps for a little extra space under the seat. But it would definitely get us to our destinations quicker!

[Stibbs]

Burger 400 prior to 2016 (more under seat storage). Fit a Givi maxia then incorporate a top rack on top of the box. Loads of storage then.

[MrGrumpy]

Burger 400 prior to 2016 (more under seat storage). Fit a Givi maxia then incorporate a top rack on top of the box. Loads of storage then.

And then if you are completely incapable of travelling light, fit panniers!!!

[Scootles]

Some fully loaded Vespas on here, if I did the link properly!

https://scooterlab.uk/vwd-croatia-part-one/

[Deleted User 17800]

Guy in Chile does 2 up camping on burger 400
[bbvideo] [/bbvideo]


[bbvideo] [/bbvideo]

[MrGrumpy]

I can't help feel that a Vespa isn't the ideal platform for carrying large amounts of stuff....However, the snag with bigger scoots is that the more space you have, the more stuff you carry! So maybe you should just carry less......which I'm hopeless at!
I've just been reading a book by a guy who decided that London rent prices were so insanely expensive it would be cheaper to live in Hotels across the world, so he condensed his total possessions to that which could be fitted into a single bag that could be treated as carry on luggage on a plane!