In my yoof (early 80's), I would often shoot over to France, Belgium, Germany, Holland for a few days on whatever bike I had - usually some awful wet dream or plastic maggot. Just took a punt really on ferries and times and winged it. An absolute blast. My last trip on an R1200RT with all the goodies was much more organised but less 'fun'. So my tip is to take a small, simple bike and do the minimum of planning. Go where the feeling takes you. It’s all about the freedom for me. Great series
Thanks! It's on the list. I tell you what, having used many video cameras over the years, the action 4 just feels like cheating. Such great, steady shots with no effort.
Last year I toured to Zürich. Glad I took the channel tunnel, lot less of a faff than a ferry. Worst case price was £133, which includes completely flexible departure time & lounge access.
@@richardshephard Has its ups & downs. No passenger seating, but you get to chill on/with the bike for half an hour, so no need to unpack anything. Bonus points if there are other bikes - they had us grouped together at the back of the train. Worth a go, even if to just figure out you prefer the ferry instead 😁
Ive just done a trip on my cb125f like yours from Manchester to portugal wild camping. Around 4k. The bike never let me down. I came off at on a roundabout in the rain at Bordeaux so the skinny tyres made me nervous in the rain thereon but a brilliant little bike.
That sounds practical, even though I’ll never go abroad on my bike. All that advice (yes ALL of it) applies in UK. I’m trying to learn a little Welsh, because although all Welsh people speak English, it’s polite to ‘try’, and recognises that Welsh people are “real”! Next summer, then! Thanks for the videos. Les PS, 125s rule!
Dwi'n cofio mynd o Nantycaws I Marseillan-Plage mewn dau ddiwrnod yn 1988 ar cb250rs. Yn yn y cofnod na oet ti'n gallu troi lan yn Dover a prynu tocyn yn y fan am tua 10 degpunt. Yr unig navigation gyda fi oedd tidalen wedi llungopio mas o atlas yn dangos y prif drefi yn Ffrainc ac oen I ddim wedi defnyddio hwnnw ar y ffordd nol. Dim cameras I ddala ti. Oedd pethe'n haws yn y cyfnod yna!
I enjoyed that, thanks. I've only watched your enroute to paris vid so far from my recommends and subbed. I like your presentation style. If i may mention one thing though, if noone else has said, when on a ferry its best to put bike on sidestand and in gear and tie down. If its really rough it can roll off centrestand and go over. Good vid thanks 👍
Thanks for the tip, that makes sense. The bike was a bit unstable on the side stand so I was more worried about it that way. I could have taken the boxes off I suppose. On the side stand the strap compresses the suspension to add tension which helps. Thanks for watching!
Hi Richard, That's great video thank you, you come across really well in your videos and with some great advice. I too ride a 125 and am hoping to get out camping with it.
Mine used to cut fuel at 70, so I wouldn't advise going that fast. Highest comfortable speed seemed to be 50mph. Then the vibrations used to start getting intrusive.
I have a Bajaj Pulsar 220 and planning to By CB 125 ( in india it is called SP 125) for short tour (500 - 1000 km ) and it will give 65 kmpl and service cost under 10 USD. this bike is really value for money.
@@RustyRecoveryI added the Oxford one. It’s got a snap-on cap which broke off, so not brilliant for waterproofing. I’d get the USB-C one, or one with a better rubber cap-covered socket.
The Crit air sticker lasts the lifetime of your bike and can only be done online. More and more places are being added to it , so for around a fiver its worth it. If you get caught without it the fine will be around 180 euro's i think
@@dipeshverma9496 It's not on the maintenance schedule so I would think only if there's a problem. If you have any knocking in the suspension, or when you push down it doesn't return smartly back for example. I like Ryan F9's video on regular checks. Put your brake on and shove the bike forward to feel the action. If it goes wrong you'll feel a difference.
Excellent basic advice but I think your comments about the video are wrong. You obviously enjoy making videos but it is not a vital part of motorcycle touring. Different people will record their trips in different ways, photos, souvenirs, diaries or like my son does a pertinent sketch every day. Videos are no more than a choice. I have added a link to show how a simple slideshow of photos can be a great way to record a trip. The advantage of that is short bits of video can be included as well. th-cam.com/video/78jezON-HFU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CyATIq8zy0EufmHt
Absolutely right of course. Any way of recording your trip that you enjoy doing is a great idea. I used to write a few notes to keep with my photos before I did video. Belcastel looks like an amazing spot, thanks for sharing your slideshow!
Tip number one: Learn the traffic regulations in the countries you visit. Richard found 60 mph comfortable on the French roads. The speed limit is 50 mph. He comfortably ignored pedestrians in crosswalks. That is not legal either.
If you are going to criticise people get your facts right. The speed limits on French roads are variable. In towns there is a blanket 50kmh limit but there will often be 30kmh restrictions within the 50kmh area. Out of towns the limits will be signposted and on different sections will be either 70, 80 or 90 kmh. On dual carriageways the limit is usually 110 kmh and on autoroutes 130. Any vehicle with a speedometer indicating mph travelling legally at 90kmh is likely to be indicating around 60mph.
@@fuglbird Maybe just some confusion with the speedometer. 80 kph most of the time out of town, which is about 50mph and a nice speed for the 125. Some roads 90 or 110. Thank you again for pointing out the difference in pedestrian crossings, as you did already. Definitely watch out for those - you can have a green pedestrian light opposing a green vehicle light, which I believe can’t happen in the UK. Goes without saying I try to be as courteous and careful as possible in any country.
A cbf 125 will just about manage a genuine 55mph and cams are set at 10% plus 2 mph so riders of these bikes can pretty much ignore speed limits outside 20, 30 and 40 zones.
Looks a nice bike but 125cc is TOO under powered. Sorry to ask but do you have a full bike license or are you just riding on your car license if you can still do this? I don't know. Maybe you are in the process of getting your full bike license? Apologies if you are. I would not ride a 125cc on a busy major road, autoroute, autobahn or motorway as I would be terrified with being squashed by pretty much all the faster moving other traffic eg trucks, buses, vans. If you restrict yourself to just riding minor roads then these lose their appeal if trying to cover a lot miles as the journey takes for ever. If it were me I would spend the extra for say a Honda CB500X (A2 compliant) which is not massively powerful, but it is not as asthmatic or under powered as a 125cc bike. I think a gen 1 RE Himalayan is faster which is saying something!!!! A CB500X can at least keep up with traffic and get you away from hazards and danger. Motorcycling has to be fun and exciting for me, so sorry, riding a 125cc if you don't have to ie on a full bike license would be pure masochism. So many nicer much more powerful economical second hand bikes to choose from for not much money if you find a mint one. And the French LOVE to tailgate. How would you accelerate away from a tailgater? You couldn't. Not fun. Get a much faster bike or ride a bicycle.
@@alexmorgan3435 Lol, it's all relative. Exciting compared to no bike at all. You're absolutely right, power can be a safety feature. Once or twice in the past year a car has pulled towards me without looking and my only option was to brake, not accelerate. I've had my eye on the CB500X for sure. I took the full A licence on a CB650R and I wouldn't say never, I just find I'm still enjoying the 125 plenty for now. Some day...
In my yoof (early 80's), I would often shoot over to France, Belgium, Germany, Holland for a few days on whatever bike I had - usually some awful wet dream or plastic maggot. Just took a punt really on ferries and times and winged it. An absolute blast. My last trip on an R1200RT with all the goodies was much more organised but less 'fun'. So my tip is to take a small, simple bike and do the minimum of planning. Go where the feeling takes you. It’s all about the freedom for me. Great series
Love the ‘Paris trip’ videos. Chapeau. Would love to see vid on the Osmo Action 4 basics and the magnetic helmet / bar mounts. 👍👍🤗🤗
Thanks! It's on the list. I tell you what, having used many video cameras over the years, the action 4 just feels like cheating. Such great, steady shots with no effort.
Last year I toured to Zürich. Glad I took the channel tunnel, lot less of a faff than a ferry. Worst case price was £133, which includes completely flexible departure time & lounge access.
Sounds good - I'd like to take the tunnel next time.
@@richardshephard Has its ups & downs. No passenger seating, but you get to chill on/with the bike for half an hour, so no need to unpack anything. Bonus points if there are other bikes - they had us grouped together at the back of the train.
Worth a go, even if to just figure out you prefer the ferry instead 😁
Ive just done a trip on my cb125f like yours from Manchester to portugal wild camping. Around 4k. The bike never let me down. I came off at on a roundabout in the rain at Bordeaux so the skinny tyres made me nervous in the rain thereon but a brilliant little bike.
What an amazing trip. Sorry to hear about the spill - glad you're ok.
That sounds practical, even though I’ll never go abroad on my bike. All that advice (yes ALL of it) applies in UK. I’m trying to learn a little Welsh, because although all Welsh people speak English, it’s polite to ‘try’, and recognises that Welsh people are “real”! Next summer, then! Thanks for the videos. Les
PS, 125s rule!
Diolch am wylio! (Thanks for watching)
Dwi'n cofio mynd o Nantycaws I Marseillan-Plage mewn dau ddiwrnod yn 1988 ar cb250rs. Yn yn y cofnod na oet ti'n gallu troi lan yn Dover a prynu tocyn yn y fan am tua 10 degpunt. Yr unig navigation gyda fi oedd tidalen wedi llungopio mas o atlas yn dangos y prif drefi yn Ffrainc ac oen I ddim wedi defnyddio hwnnw ar y ffordd nol. Dim cameras I ddala ti. Oedd pethe'n haws yn y cyfnod yna!
Hey Richard, very good advice, very authentic and well presented. Thanks for that, keep going! 🙂
Merci Richard for the advices and tips
Great advice! Never did camping before. This sounds like a great way to get into it!
I enjoyed that, thanks. I've only watched your enroute to paris vid so far from my recommends and subbed. I like your presentation style. If i may mention one thing though, if noone else has said, when on a ferry its best to put bike on sidestand and in gear and tie down. If its really rough it can roll off centrestand and go over. Good vid thanks 👍
Thanks for the tip, that makes sense. The bike was a bit unstable on the side stand so I was more worried about it that way. I could have taken the boxes off I suppose. On the side stand the strap compresses the suspension to add tension which helps. Thanks for watching!
Hi Richard, That's great video thank you, you come across really well in your videos and with some great advice. I too ride a 125 and am hoping to get out camping with it.
Mine used to cut fuel at 70, so I wouldn't advise going that fast. Highest comfortable speed seemed to be 50mph. Then the vibrations used to start getting intrusive.
Great advice. Thanks for sharing.
Yes -- great stuff -- thanks Richard.
I have a Bajaj Pulsar 220 and planning to By CB 125 ( in india it is called SP 125) for short tour (500 - 1000 km ) and it will give 65 kmpl and service cost under 10 USD. this bike is really value for money.
Sounds good. Have fun!
Salve Richard, adoro la cbf125f ma spesso mi chiedo perché non un sh 150? Per le gite di un giorno intendo
I am really tempted by the Forza too. Once you get over the "real bikers need manual gears" thing, a scooter is really practical.
@@richardshephard anch'io ho questo dilemma, soprattutto per la praticità del vano sottosella negli scooter. Grazie per la risposta
Hi Richard, can I ask does the CB125F come with a USB socket ? If so, is it suitable for waterproof connection ? Thank you.
Not, it does not come with a USB socket, you can fit one yourself though
@@RustyRecoveryI added the Oxford one. It’s got a snap-on cap which broke off, so not brilliant for waterproofing. I’d get the USB-C one, or one with a better rubber cap-covered socket.
Enjoyed ur trip to France. Is the critair sticker required for just Paris or all of the trip?
Crit Air vignettes are only necessary for the cities that have restrictions. They are not needed throughout most of France.
The Crit air sticker lasts the lifetime of your bike and can only be done online. More and more places are being added to it , so for around a fiver its worth it. If you get caught without it the fine will be around 180 euro's i think
Have you changed the fork oil yet or not.
@@dipeshverma9496 Good god, no. That sounds difficult. Will I have to? :-S
@@richardshephard No sir, actually I wanted to know, when should one change it because i also have the same vehicle.
@@dipeshverma9496 It's not on the maintenance schedule so I would think only if there's a problem. If you have any knocking in the suspension, or when you push down it doesn't return smartly back for example. I like Ryan F9's video on regular checks. Put your brake on and shove the bike forward to feel the action. If it goes wrong you'll feel a difference.
Well presented and informed. Why are the British so embarrassed about pronunciation?
not a prob for me Monsewer lol
150 miles to the gallon....😧
Excellent basic advice but I think your comments about the video are wrong. You obviously enjoy making videos but it is not a vital part of motorcycle touring. Different people will record their trips in different ways, photos, souvenirs, diaries or like my son does a pertinent sketch every day. Videos are no more than a choice. I have added a link to show how a simple slideshow of photos can be a great way to record a trip. The advantage of that is short bits of video can be included as well. th-cam.com/video/78jezON-HFU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CyATIq8zy0EufmHt
Absolutely right of course. Any way of recording your trip that you enjoy doing is a great idea. I used to write a few notes to keep with my photos before I did video. Belcastel looks like an amazing spot, thanks for sharing your slideshow!
Tip number one: Learn the traffic regulations in the countries you visit.
Richard found 60 mph comfortable on the French roads. The speed limit is 50 mph.
He comfortably ignored pedestrians in crosswalks. That is not legal either.
If you are going to criticise people get your facts right. The speed limits on French roads are variable. In towns there is a blanket 50kmh limit but there will often be 30kmh restrictions within the 50kmh area. Out of towns the limits will be signposted and on different sections will be either 70, 80 or 90 kmh. On dual carriageways the limit is usually 110 kmh and on autoroutes 130. Any vehicle with a speedometer indicating mph travelling legally at 90kmh is likely to be indicating around 60mph.
@@davidmatthews3093 he is a teacher - he does know a lot
@@fuglbird Maybe just some confusion with the speedometer. 80 kph most of the time out of town, which is about 50mph and a nice speed for the 125. Some roads 90 or 110. Thank you again for pointing out the difference in pedestrian crossings, as you did already. Definitely watch out for those - you can have a green pedestrian light opposing a green vehicle light, which I believe can’t happen in the UK. Goes without saying I try to be as courteous and careful as possible in any country.
A cbf 125 will just about manage a genuine 55mph and cams are set at 10% plus 2 mph so riders of these bikes can pretty much ignore speed limits outside 20, 30 and 40 zones.
Looks a nice bike but 125cc is TOO under powered.
Sorry to ask but do you have a full bike license or are you just riding on your car license if you can still do this? I don't know.
Maybe you are in the process of getting your full bike license? Apologies if you are.
I would not ride a 125cc on a busy major road, autoroute, autobahn or motorway as I would be terrified with being squashed by pretty much all the faster moving other traffic eg trucks, buses, vans. If you restrict yourself to just riding minor roads then these lose their appeal if trying to cover a lot miles as the journey takes for ever.
If it were me I would spend the extra for say a Honda CB500X (A2 compliant) which is not massively powerful, but it is not as asthmatic or under powered as a 125cc bike. I think a gen 1 RE Himalayan is faster which is saying something!!!!
A CB500X can at least keep up with traffic and get you away from hazards and danger.
Motorcycling has to be fun and exciting for me, so sorry, riding a 125cc if you don't have to ie on a full bike license would be pure masochism.
So many nicer much more powerful economical second hand bikes to choose from for not much money if you find a mint one.
And the French LOVE to tailgate. How would you accelerate away from a tailgater? You couldn't. Not fun. Get a much faster bike or ride a bicycle.
womp womp, it's a great bike
@@jonywalabi2647 Yeah I agree if you have no imagination and live a boring life.
@@alexmorgan3435 Lol, it's all relative. Exciting compared to no bike at all. You're absolutely right, power can be a safety feature. Once or twice in the past year a car has pulled towards me without looking and my only option was to brake, not accelerate. I've had my eye on the CB500X for sure. I took the full A licence on a CB650R and I wouldn't say never, I just find I'm still enjoying the 125 plenty for now. Some day...