BMW GS's

[fergus]

moto_traxport said:

Rode it last year and they've done some dodgy patching and les flics have been doing speed checks a bit more frequently (mainly at the weekend).

If you're going to the Bol then the road from Bandol up to the circuit is quite funky. They used to put hay bales on the corners to save the punters - not sure we live in such pragmatic times these days though.

Agreed re the bandol road. My parents have a place in Le Castellet, not far from the circuit, so I know the roads around the circuit quite well. I've never ridden down there though.

I remember back in the late 80s, you'd get the French riders on GPz900s cranked *right* over on hairpins on the road from Bandol up to the circuit, in shorts and flip flops, with about 100 stubbies of 1664 bungeed to the back. As you say, the authorities had the attitude that we can't stop them riding like tw @ts, so we may as well help them by putting bales against all the street furniture. Oh, and netting above the Armco, to prevent high sides going over the top. You've got to love the South of France 25 years ago. Corsica still has a similar feel to it now.

Re the RN85, can you ride it "blind" quite quickly, or are there many surprise corners on it?

Any more recommendations for routes gents?

[Reardy Mister]

fergus said:

moto_traxport said:

Rode it last year and they've done some dodgy patching and les flics have been doing speed checks a bit more frequently (mainly at the weekend).

If you're going to the Bol then the road from Bandol up to the circuit is quite funky. They used to put hay bales on the corners to save the punters - not sure we live in such pragmatic times these days though.

Agreed re the bandol road. My parents have a place in Le Castellet, not far from the circuit, so I know the roads around the circuit quite well. I've never ridden down there though.

I remember back in the late 80s, you'd get the French riders on GPz900s cranked *right* over on hairpins on the road from Bandol up to the circuit, in shorts and flip flops, with about 100 stubbies of 1664 bungeed to the back. As you say, the authorities had the attitude that we can't stop them riding like tw @ts, so we may as well help them by putting bales against all the street furniture. Oh, and netting above the Armco, to prevent high sides going over the top. You've got to love the South of France 25 years ago. Corsica still has a similar feel to it now.

Re the RN85, can you ride it "blind" quite quickly, or are there many surprise corners on it?

Any more recommendations for routes gents?

No, I've been on few French roads which have "surprises". Where there is something that could catch you out, its normally pretty well sign posted. Think of it as a B road but a fairly flowing one. The only thing I would watch (as with any roads of that type) is the odd trickle of water across the road from nearby waterfalls and streams. If you catch one on a bend it can be a bit hair raising. I's say you could ride it at 7.8 to 8.2 tenths, no worries.

[LeadFarmer]

gwm said:

But it was the additional LEDs that really made this particular GS stand out.

More likely HID bulbs? I have my HID's switched on during daylight, but not at night time.

[Speed addicted]

FartKong said:

My Bonneville is quicker than my GSXR along any road.

not really

If I was going to commute by bike though I'd consider getting one of these. Had a look when I was last at the Triumph dealer and it didnt look too bad and was comfy as f***.
Anyone with experience of these compared to the GS?

I bought a 2014 tiger explorer last month. I didn't test ride the GS as I liked the Triumph and have had a couple of Triumphs previously. Also living in the NE of Scotland it feels like every 2nd bike is a GS as a lot of tourists also have them.

It's a big bike, and feels really top heavy while stopped. As soon as you get going that feeling goes and it feels nimble. With the wide bars you can chuck it about and it has enough power to have fun with.
It feels effortless and on twisty badly surfaced stuff left sportbike mounted mates behind as you can ride quickly over crap surfaces. Of course they caught up on smoother roads.

I really like it. It's not mental fast but is easy to ride at a high average speed for ages and is capable enough for everything I am likely to do with it.

[gwm]

LeadFarmer said:

gwm said:

But it was the additional LEDs that really made this particular GS stand out.

More likely HID bulbs? I have my HID's switched on during daylight, but not at night time.

No I meant those additional LED spot lights you only see on adventure type bikes.

[black-k1]

fergus said:

Talking of routes to the South of France. Does anyone have any recommendations for a 2 day ride from Calais, probably stopping around Dijon for a night?

.... and also for the return leg.

Destination Bol.

If you're heading that way do the D955

Possibly one of the best roads you will ever ride.

[croyde]

fergus said:

Agreed re the bandol road. My parents have a place in Le Castellet, not far from the circuit, so I know the roads around the circuit quite well. I've never ridden down there though.

I remember back in the late 80s, you'd get the French riders on GPz900s cranked *right* over on hairpins on the road from Bandol up to the circuit, in shorts and flip flops, with about 100 stubbies of 1664 bungeed to the back. As you say, the authorities had the attitude that we can't stop them riding like tw @ts, so we may as well help them by putting bales against all the street furniture. Oh, and netting above the Armco, to prevent high sides going over the top. You've got to love the South of France 25 years ago. Corsica still has a similar feel to it now.

Re the RN85, can you ride it "blind" quite quickly, or are there many surprise corners on it?

Any more recommendations for routes gents?

We did the Bol back in '88. I was on my brand new Honda CBR600, running it in on the way down. Bloody Frogs then nicked it but it was found doing time in a French race series a couple of years later.

That road was full of French nutters getting their knees down on the hairpins, even the motocrossers. There were ambulances stationed on some of the corners.