A picture a day... biker banter (Vol 6)
Discussion
moanthebairns said:
I thought the filters were generic? That hi flow 303 is what I use on mines.
Yeh they are, my Kawasaki had a 303 on it and I've fitted a 303 yesterday.But today another parcel has turned up with, oil, filter, filter tool and sump plug, but the filter is a Yamaha branded filter today.
Recently completed a superb trip through northern Spain and Portugal - focused on the Picos, Galicia, and the Douro over 8 days of riding. We took the ferry to/fro Santander, and the service from Brittany Ferries was excellent. It goes without saying that the roads were nothing short of perfect. It is really hard to explain just how fantastic it is to ride for a long as you want or are able to - without stopping for a traffic light - along roads that are almost never straight. Pure biking heaven. And then when the tarmac ends, the hardpack trails began - themselves also just a delight as the mountainous vistas give a sense of awe that is not possible in the UK. The heat was punishing, and even with fully vented kit and Coolvests, it was when it hit 43C in the Douro Valley that we abandoned the riding as mild heatstroke began to set in, stopped at the beach, stripped and jumped in. Key highlights were the neverending fast radius sweepers where you can just set the bike on edge and run at pace for dozens of miles until the next fuel stop. The GS was superb and I honestly cannot think of a better bike for the mix of tarmac and offroad work over touring distance. It is both supremely comfortable, stable, and capable in ANY situation. I started with 8mm of tread on brand new Conti TA3 tyres at the beginning, and 2k+ miles later I'm down to 4mm worn from edge-to-edge. If you haven't been to the Picos and various national forests of northwest Spain, go!
Fires burned across the valleys, and thankfully the acrid smoke blew somewhat away although it was tragic to read that the fire airplane that we had watched flying alongside us on the Douro Valley later crashed.
The canyons between Panes and Potes remain a great ribbon of tarmac
Meeting the locals
Getting the lean on the GS
The Eucalyptus forests are beautiful
It was a tad warm
It gets lots of flak, but I haven't found a better bike yet for distance touring going fast or slow on tarmac or offroad.
Fires burned across the valleys, and thankfully the acrid smoke blew somewhat away although it was tragic to read that the fire airplane that we had watched flying alongside us on the Douro Valley later crashed.
The canyons between Panes and Potes remain a great ribbon of tarmac
Meeting the locals
Getting the lean on the GS
The Eucalyptus forests are beautiful
It was a tad warm
It gets lots of flak, but I haven't found a better bike yet for distance touring going fast or slow on tarmac or offroad.
Looks like it was a great trip. Well done.
The roads in and around the Picos really are some of the best in Europe. Add in the very reaosonable prices for everything once you're there and it really is a must visit destination.
As for the GS!
As long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters! 
The roads in and around the Picos really are some of the best in Europe. Add in the very reaosonable prices for everything once you're there and it really is a must visit destination.
As for the GS!
As long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters! black-k1 said:
Looks like it was a great trip. Well done.
The roads in and around the Picos really are some of the best in Europe. Add in the very reaosonable prices for everything once you're there and it really is a must visit destination.
Fully agree. Although I must admit that whilst this trip was wonderful, I start to miss the greater variety that is offered elsewhere in Europe further east.The roads in and around the Picos really are some of the best in Europe. Add in the very reaosonable prices for everything once you're there and it really is a must visit destination.
black-k1 said:
As for the GS! As long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters!
I'll bite (as usual) as I suspect you would never be seen dead on a GS ;-) As long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters! As I said, for both on and offroad distance slow/fast touring, I don't think it is bettered (at the moment!). The Multistrada is heavily road-biased and does not have comparable slow speed tractability or the same balance on or offroad; the KTMs have offroad prowess but are not as comfortable on tarmac over distance; the AfricaTwin quite offroad biased, relatively underpowered in comparison, and uncomfortable (according to many owner reviews)... the GS is Europe's best selling adv bike by quite some margin for a reason (and it's not sheep ;-) ). Other sports touring bikes are more cramped and don't cut it offroad if you like mixing up the strasse with the gelande. :-)
bolidemichael said:
Very nice. Details of the routes you describe would be of interest.
Happy to share. These were the basic routes (limited by GoogleMaps number of waypoints), and there were some slight adjustments when we took some scenic offroad routes along the way.Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/ATqk67L9RYkE3o4s8
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/LR2HfdmnKcG4VSDg7
Day 3: https://goo.gl/maps/BB4ERhwyUwJAZXPf9
Day 4: https://goo.gl/maps/38RxVrw9R7DGaizUA
Day 5: https://goo.gl/maps/BfewE9Hxu7Rseqc48
Day 6: https://goo.gl/maps/gtwWDSBci917w2Ag9
Day 7: https://goo.gl/maps/fh5qbtmNqCexmnjJ9
Day 8: https://goo.gl/maps/GS9NcnsHhLE4xz8LA
Total distance was about 2.5k miles.
spareparts said:
black-k1 said:
Looks like it was a great trip. Well done.
The roads in and around the Picos really are some of the best in Europe. Add in the very reaosonable prices for everything once you're there and it really is a must visit destination.
Fully agree. Although I must admit that whilst this trip was wonderful, I start to miss the greater variety that is offered elsewhere in Europe further east.The roads in and around the Picos really are some of the best in Europe. Add in the very reaosonable prices for everything once you're there and it really is a must visit destination.
spareparts said:
black-k1 said:
As for the GS! As long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters!
I'll bite (as usual) as I suspect you would never be seen dead on a GS ;-) As long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters! As I said, for both on and offroad distance slow/fast touring, I don't think it is bettered (at the moment!). The Multistrada is heavily road-biased and does not have comparable slow speed tractability or the same balance on or offroad; the KTMs have offroad prowess but are not as comfortable on tarmac over distance; the AfricaTwin quite offroad biased, relatively underpowered in comparison, and uncomfortable (according to many owner reviews)... the GS is Europe's best selling adv bike by quite some margin for a reason (and it's not sheep ;-) ). Other sports touring bikes are more cramped and don't cut it offroad if you like mixing up the strasse with the gelande. :-)
I have ridden a number of GSs, though not the latest 1250. I’ve never liked any of them but I don’t like upright bikes and I think they are just too big and too underpowered when measured against the opposition. However, as you say, they are the most popular bike in Europe. But, is that image? Harley sell enough piles of s
t on image alone, so LOTS of people are willing to buy form over function!I don’t ride off road so accept that anything I would consider for me won’t match a GS if we’re including off-road, but doing both on road and off-road in a single bike means compromises on both sides. Isn’t a compromise the solution that suits no one?
As I said, as long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters!
PS That's decent lean angle scores, especially on dual sport tyres.
Well done!spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
Very nice. Details of the routes you describe would be of interest.
Happy to share. These were the basic routes (limited by GoogleMaps number of waypoints), and there were some slight adjustments when we took some scenic offroad routes along the way.Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/ATqk67L9RYkE3o4s8
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/LR2HfdmnKcG4VSDg7
Day 3: https://goo.gl/maps/BB4ERhwyUwJAZXPf9
Day 4: https://goo.gl/maps/38RxVrw9R7DGaizUA
Day 5: https://goo.gl/maps/BfewE9Hxu7Rseqc48
Day 6: https://goo.gl/maps/gtwWDSBci917w2Ag9
Day 7: https://goo.gl/maps/fh5qbtmNqCexmnjJ9
Day 8: https://goo.gl/maps/GS9NcnsHhLE4xz8LA
Total distance was about 2.5k miles.
black-k1 said:
We need a fishing smilie!
I have ridden a number of GSs, though not the latest 1250. I’ve never liked any of them but I don’t like upright bikes and I think they are just too big and too underpowered when measured against the opposition. However, as you say, they are the most popular bike in Europe. But, is that image? Harley sell enough piles of st on image alone, so LOTS of people are willing to buy form over function!
I don’t ride off road so accept that anything I would consider for me won’t match a GS if we’re including off-road, but doing both on road and off-road in a single bike means compromises on both sides. Isn’t a compromise the solution that suits no one?
As I said, as long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters!
PS That's decent lean angle scores, especially on dual sport tyres. Well done!
I know the fishing is strong! :-) I have ridden a number of GSs, though not the latest 1250. I’ve never liked any of them but I don’t like upright bikes and I think they are just too big and too underpowered when measured against the opposition. However, as you say, they are the most popular bike in Europe. But, is that image? Harley sell enough piles of s
t on image alone, so LOTS of people are willing to buy form over function!I don’t ride off road so accept that anything I would consider for me won’t match a GS if we’re including off-road, but doing both on road and off-road in a single bike means compromises on both sides. Isn’t a compromise the solution that suits no one?
As I said, as long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters!
PS That's decent lean angle scores, especially on dual sport tyres.
Well done!Let's talk ergos on tour:
Having toured on a hardcore sportsbike (1098R), nakeds like the Tuono V2, sports tourers like the K1300S and VFR, and then an ADV like the GS, I think comfort is king when doing long and consecutive days in the saddle. Traditional sports tourers are great at covering lots of ground at Autobahn speed, but reality is that I don't like motorways (I fall asleep on them), and at regular roadspeeds sub-100mph and often in tight twisties, sports tourers become heavy on the wrists and actually not very good. For the 30-70mph cadence, and also for seeing the scenery where one goes, the upright and height of an ADV is great. A few years ago, we rode the Douro valley on the sportsbikes, and this time on the ADV bike was a revelation - you could actually see over the hedges and into the valley... instead of just being focused on the road ahead in a sports crouch. Anyway, horses for courses, but I genuinely find the ergos of an upright and tall bike better when touring. And it is certainly no slower than anything else available.
Krikkit said:
spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
Very nice. Details of the routes you describe would be of interest.
Happy to share. These were the basic routes (limited by GoogleMaps number of waypoints), and there were some slight adjustments when we took some scenic offroad routes along the way.Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/ATqk67L9RYkE3o4s8
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/LR2HfdmnKcG4VSDg7
Day 3: https://goo.gl/maps/BB4ERhwyUwJAZXPf9
Day 4: https://goo.gl/maps/38RxVrw9R7DGaizUA
Day 5: https://goo.gl/maps/BfewE9Hxu7Rseqc48
Day 6: https://goo.gl/maps/gtwWDSBci917w2Ag9
Day 7: https://goo.gl/maps/fh5qbtmNqCexmnjJ9
Day 8: https://goo.gl/maps/GS9NcnsHhLE4xz8LA
Total distance was about 2.5k miles.
spareparts said:
black-k1 said:
We need a fishing smilie!
I have ridden a number of GSs, though not the latest 1250. I’ve never liked any of them but I don’t like upright bikes and I think they are just too big and too underpowered when measured against the opposition. However, as you say, they are the most popular bike in Europe. But, is that image? Harley sell enough piles of st on image alone, so LOTS of people are willing to buy form over function!
I don’t ride off road so accept that anything I would consider for me won’t match a GS if we’re including off-road, but doing both on road and off-road in a single bike means compromises on both sides. Isn’t a compromise the solution that suits no one?
As I said, as long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters!
PS That's decent lean angle scores, especially on dual sport tyres. Well done!
I know the fishing is strong! :-) I have ridden a number of GSs, though not the latest 1250. I’ve never liked any of them but I don’t like upright bikes and I think they are just too big and too underpowered when measured against the opposition. However, as you say, they are the most popular bike in Europe. But, is that image? Harley sell enough piles of s
t on image alone, so LOTS of people are willing to buy form over function!I don’t ride off road so accept that anything I would consider for me won’t match a GS if we’re including off-road, but doing both on road and off-road in a single bike means compromises on both sides. Isn’t a compromise the solution that suits no one?
As I said, as long as you are happy with it then that is all that matters!
PS That's decent lean angle scores, especially on dual sport tyres.
Well done!Let's talk ergos on tour:
Having toured on a hardcore sportsbike (1098R), nakeds like the Tuono V2, sports tourers like the K1300S and VFR, and then an ADV like the GS, I think comfort is king when doing long and consecutive days in the saddle. Traditional sports tourers are great at covering lots of ground at Autobahn speed, but reality is that I don't like motorways (I fall asleep on them), and at regular roadspeeds sub-100mph and often in tight twisties, sports tourers become heavy on the wrists and actually not very good. For the 30-70mph cadence, and also for seeing the scenery where one goes, the upright and height of an ADV is great. A few years ago, we rode the Douro valley on the sportsbikes, and this time on the ADV bike was a revelation - you could actually see over the hedges and into the valley... instead of just being focused on the road ahead in a sports crouch. Anyway, horses for courses, but I genuinely find the ergos of an upright and tall bike better when touring.
I've never had any issues with wrist, back or leg ache on a sports tourer and I've done many long days and big mile runs. I've had the odd issue with bum ache but that's seat specific, not bike style specific, and solved with an AirHawk "whoopee cushion". Pre COVID, I did 18,000 miles per year, most of which was commuting from Suffolk to the south bank in London so a real mix of country roads, motorway and town/city riding. Never an issue on my K1300S and has not been an issue on my H2 SX when I've taken it into London.
I understand the issues you mention on sports bikes. Their focus is too extreme for me for general use. Great fun on short runs where the focus can be exploited, but not for touring the Picos (as the Panigale rider on the Old Gits trip found!) or long range commuting.
All that said, while I understand that Adv bikes can appear practical and comfortable I've never found one engaging on the road in the way that a sports tourer (or more so, a sports bike) is. If having that engagement means giving up a bit of a view over the odd hedge, I'll live with that.
I'll say it again, if the GS works for you then I'm pleased for you, but there is nothing that makes me think it'll work for me. Even if I wanted an Adv bike I'd likely go for the KTM as it appears it can do everything the GS can but the GS can't do everything the KTM can.
spareparts said:
And it is certainly no slower than anything else available.
How fast it is is down to the rider rather than the bike. All I know is that when I rode a GS before, I was working both it and me much harder to cover the ground at the same speed that I would have been covering it at on my Sports Tourer. I wasn't any slower on the GS but the Sports Tourer could have been significantly faster if I was willing to risk both/either license and limb.Edited by black-k1 on Friday 22 July 17:43
Looks a great trip spareparts.
Found a blade in my garage I'd forgotten about.
I feel completely indifferent to this bike, but it does everything you want with no fuss. Today it was lovely to ride, I actually really enjoyed it, I didn't want to get off it.
One thing I noticed though, having upgraded other bikes brakes recently the blades now feel lesser In comparison. I always felt the brakes on the blade were a strong point, they still are very good but shows the difference in an unscientific way.
Found a blade in my garage I'd forgotten about.
I feel completely indifferent to this bike, but it does everything you want with no fuss. Today it was lovely to ride, I actually really enjoyed it, I didn't want to get off it.
One thing I noticed though, having upgraded other bikes brakes recently the blades now feel lesser In comparison. I always felt the brakes on the blade were a strong point, they still are very good but shows the difference in an unscientific way.
spareparts said:
Krikkit said:
spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
Very nice. Details of the routes you describe would be of interest.
Happy to share. These were the basic routes (limited by GoogleMaps number of waypoints), and there were some slight adjustments when we took some scenic offroad routes along the way.Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/ATqk67L9RYkE3o4s8
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/LR2HfdmnKcG4VSDg7
Day 3: https://goo.gl/maps/BB4ERhwyUwJAZXPf9
Day 4: https://goo.gl/maps/38RxVrw9R7DGaizUA
Day 5: https://goo.gl/maps/BfewE9Hxu7Rseqc48
Day 6: https://goo.gl/maps/gtwWDSBci917w2Ag9
Day 7: https://goo.gl/maps/fh5qbtmNqCexmnjJ9
Day 8: https://goo.gl/maps/GS9NcnsHhLE4xz8LA
Total distance was about 2.5k miles.
Rick448 said:
Pretty close to one of my routes then. Have i seen that bike at Willingham Woods?
Probably, I was on my way to the woods that day often meet mates there. The photographer is usually on West/middle Rasen bends. If you head through Market Rasen out on the A631 you would come across them. Apparently they usually announce on Facebook where they are going to be and when, but I dont go on FB much. Some days have ridden past and thought "what are they up to" and slow to double check its not a speed trap. Then realise it was a photographer. The same corner is often a popular spot where Trafpol may sit.bogie said:
Probably, I was on my way to the woods that day often meet mates there. The photographer is usually on West/middle Rasen bends. If you head through Market Rasen out on the A631 you would come across them. Apparently they usually announce on Facebook where they are going to be and when, but I dont go on FB much. Some days have ridden past and thought "what are they up to" and slow to double check its not a speed trap. Then realise it was a photographer. The same corner is often a popular spot where Trafpol may sit.
Thanks for that, I don't do FB at all, so that's probably why I am totally unaware of this. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff