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Post by spuu on May 29, 2017 15:43:59 GMT
As promised back on the old site - a few pics from the tour. I had real concerns it would be too uncomfortable on the Aprilia, but I was fine. To the point where I could'nt work out why I wasnt aching! I think I was just enjoying myself too much to even think about it. I bought a strap on gel pad for the seat which was great and made a big difference. The weather was not great, unusually cool for the time of year - I didnt get the lining out of my jacket once. But we only had a half day of rain so in that respect cant complain. The roads through Spain were great, but nothing compared to some we did through Portugal. 20-30 mile stretches of constant twisties on smooth grippy tarmac, hardly any traffic. I had some new tyres before I left and was advised not to have Supercorsa's again as the roads are so much more abrasive with the grip, they'd wear too fast (not that I could ever do them any justice anyway, I was just wasting money having them looking back). Metzler Roadtechs were brilliant, again way more grip that I could use. We did one 15 mile run of the fastest bends I've ever been on, I kept up with quick guys for the first 5 mins, watching them sparking the metal sliders - showoffs  . I def prefer the 40-70mph bendys as opposed to the stuff closer to the ton. A buzz but too intense. I want to do it all again, shame the ferry is so bloody expensive. And by the end I didnt want to see another fuel station again or a smug GS rider telling me they've still got 150 miles range left  If anyone else has done Spain/Portugal I'd like to hear about it.    |
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Post by Eddie The Bastard on May 29, 2017 17:38:16 GMT
Very nice. What's next?
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Post by spuu on May 29, 2017 18:33:53 GMT
Not sure - I'm keen to do it again, its the same guy that maps the route each year and sorts all the hotels etc - so I'll know when its ready and planned for the next one. Like most blokes I've got a mrs; one week away with the lads is ok - any more just aint going to happen so this will be a yearly thing at most. |
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Post by philthewindsurfer on May 30, 2017 8:52:54 GMT
Nice one. I remember my 1st trip abroad on the bike. I spent most of my holidays touring after that.
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Post by Diego the toe clipper on May 30, 2017 10:32:41 GMT
and was advised not to have Supercorsa's again as the roads are so much more abrasive with the grip, they'd wear too fast That surprises me. I have been in Spain for years and I would never suggest that the roads are more abrasive / grippy than in the UK. Most of the roads around here are polished shiny tarmac that is way past its design life.... |
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Post by spuu on May 30, 2017 11:30:40 GMT
Maybe not so much in Spain Clipper - but Portugal, absolutely. The good bits were more like shell grip than polished tarmac.
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Post by norbs on May 30, 2017 20:18:14 GMT
Not sure - I'm keen to do it again, its the same guy that maps the route each year and sorts all the hotels etc - so I'll know when its ready and planned for the next one. Like most blokes I've got a mrs; one week away with the lads is ok - any more just aint going to happen so this will be a yearly thing at most. Sounds like you had a good time Spuu. However this bit worries me "I've got a mrs; one week away with the lads is ok - any more just aint going to happen so this will be a yearly thing at most." I'm going to become a dad for the first time in July and didn't know this was part of the deal! 😧 |
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Post by Diego the toe clipper on May 30, 2017 21:28:24 GMT
I've had my latest GSXR since January... And I have only used it to go to work on on all that time. Except once when I went to buy some coffee, opened it up a bit and got nicked for speeding.
My 9 year old thought it was funny....
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Post by beefus on Jul 21, 2017 11:59:40 GMT
I've just had a week in the Eifel-Mosel region, great roads and bugger all traffic..and only a few hours from home :-) Would like to do another trip in September, not sure where though...got friends near Limoges so maybe a ride down there..
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Post by spuu on Jul 21, 2017 19:17:58 GMT
I've just had a week in the Eifel-Mosel region, great roads and bugger all traffic..and only a few hours from home :-) Would like to do another trip in September, not sure where though...got friends near Limoges so maybe a ride down there.. Nice. What bike you tour on beefus? I've been down to Limoges area before but that was in the car and a direct route down avoiding the wiggly roads. That whole area along the Dordogne is stunning. I can remember being in a bar in small village called Genissac when a group of bikers pulled in for refreshments. It was well over 30 deg, they were all boiling. Boiling but loving it. |
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Post by beefus on Jul 30, 2017 18:17:00 GMT
I've just had a week in the Eifel-Mosel region, great roads and bugger all traffic..and only a few hours from home :-) Would like to do another trip in September, not sure where though...got friends near Limoges so maybe a ride down there.. Nice. What bike you tour on beefus? I've been down to Limoges area before but that was in the car and a direct route down avoiding the wiggly roads. That whole area along the Dordogne is stunning. I can remember being in a bar in small village called Genissac when a group of bikers pulled in for refreshments. It was well over 30 deg, they were all boiling. Boiling but loving it. BMW K1300S.....had it since 2013 which is the longest I've owned any one bike....great sports tourer and plenty powerful, more than I'll ever use!. Think it's time to change though.....not many big cc sports tourers around these days though, it's either super tourers or adventure tourers mostly... Piesport on the Mosel...superb road.  |
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Post by spuu on Aug 1, 2017 0:38:21 GMT
Good looking bikes those K1300's. Cliche I know, but if it aint broke dont try and fix it maybe That road looks amazing. |
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Post by beefus on Sept 19, 2017 11:19:59 GMT
Good looking bikes those K1300's. Cliche I know, but if it aint broke dont try and fix it maybe That road looks amazing. So I'd been saving for a couple of years whilst on the lookout for a new bike, but undecided as to what to get to replace the K1300S, which is a great bike. Anyway, I finally chopped it in after getting a very good part-ex price for it and got a KTM 1290 Superduke GT (dealers knocking them out with a 2k euro discount at the moment, as new facelift model will be out in 2018), but I can live without a fancy dash and different headlghts!. Comes with the panniers included in the price, normally extra. Only done 400kms but what an engine!....gets its first service soon then I can unleash the horses ;-) Very different riding experience to the K but I'm sure I'll get used to it!.  |
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Post by armstrongracer on Sept 24, 2017 12:55:40 GMT
Sweet bike the Katoom, the mental side of touring. Was actually planning to make an approach to buy your K but hanging on till winter. Having said that, brexit is bringing prices of UK bikes on parity with Euro ones although my preference would be for a speedo in K's.
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Post by beefus on Sept 27, 2017 6:52:23 GMT
Sweet bike the Katoom, the mental side of touring. Was actually planning to make an approach to buy your K but hanging on till winter. Having said that, brexit is bringing prices of UK bikes on parity with Euro ones although my preference would be for a speedo in K's. For sale here...for a bit more than I traded it in for!...lol www.motorcentrumeibergen.nl/motorfietsen/tbh the mph speedo never really bothered me.. |
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. I def prefer the 40-70mph bendys as opposed to the stuff closer to the ton. A buzz but too intense. I want to do it all again, shame the ferry is so bloody expensive. And by the end I didnt want to see another fuel station again or a smug GS rider telling me they've still got 150 miles range left 
If anyone else has done Spain/Portugal I'd like to hear about it.
