Discussion
black-k1 said:
Such a wonderful part of the world for a motorbike. I'm pleased to see you are both having a great time. Your boy will remember this trip for the rest of his life, as I'm sure you will too. Well done.
It is, there are seemingly as many bikers as car drivers at this time of year -- what a mecca, though the heat is pretty intense for midday riding. It would have to be early doors and home to chill -- or in the evening.He's getting on quite well, so far; the next leg is about four hundred miles, so I'm contemplating leaving Aups on Wednesday and tackling about two hundred miles over two days on non-motorway main roads. A twelve year old isn't nuts about maximising every single twisty and I'm quite happy to enjoy the ride with him and get to places, with the ability to stop at our leisure, too.
junglie said:
Really interested to hear your perspective on comfort, noise but, most importantly, wind protection?
I’ve always loved the look of the VFR1200 and thoroughly enjoyed my Blackbird which is a variation on a theme.
However, most bikes I have owned only offered limited protection and lots of buffeting (I have changed helmets, screens etc and no joy).
I was deciding between an ST1300 and R1200RT for my current nine and went for the BMW as a mate has had both and recommended it. The bike is great but I do lust after another Honda but not if it does not offer the right protection!
I'm presuming that you haven't caught up with my rambles to date, in which I've touched upon all of your areas of interest at length. I’ve always loved the look of the VFR1200 and thoroughly enjoyed my Blackbird which is a variation on a theme.
However, most bikes I have owned only offered limited protection and lots of buffeting (I have changed helmets, screens etc and no joy).
I was deciding between an ST1300 and R1200RT for my current nine and went for the BMW as a mate has had both and recommended it. The bike is great but I do lust after another Honda but not if it does not offer the right protection!
Comfort for me was greatly improved by re-installing the OEM bars, rather than the raised Helibars. Additionally, I have retained the standard seat (this tour was the trial by fire, if you will), but heeding caution from the sore botty of biker9090, invested in a set of 'Moto_Skiveez' which use pressure pad tech to mitigate sore spots from prolonged sitting -- they've really worked a treat.
I do occassionally get numb fingers in the right hand -- but I suspect that I'm susceptible to it as it seems to vary from ride to ride and possibly, on any pinch points on my wrist or shoulders. I shall ask Honda about vibration dampening for the bars though, to ensure that I replace any perished or worn bushing, given that the bike is knocking on for miles now.
As for wind protection -- I rode a few hundred miles in the tail end of a storm last Monday and was happy. The bike is roomy enough to tuck into a racing crouch (with the standard seat), which works for me and when seated higher, the OEM extension to the windscreen that offers three angle settings does a good job of pushing the wind over me. Prior to that, I had a Powerbronze screen which I didn't get on with at all.
I've covered a fair few miles already on this trip and I'm not deterred from the ride back home, which is a fair indication of the bike's sports touring credentials. The V4 is great.
Not much doing with the bike today, just chilling in the house -- however, we did squeeze in a visit to a vineyard down the road.
I was drinking this last night, organic and no trace of hangover.
The very old inspiration behind the label.
A giant fermentation barrel
The vines
The grapes
The Chateau
Back home and time to apply some stickers accrued to date.
Nurburgring stickers 'earned'.
and after much internal wrangling, stickers applied -- I guess the VFR's a keeper then!
I was drinking this last night, organic and no trace of hangover.
The very old inspiration behind the label.
A giant fermentation barrel
The vines
The grapes
The Chateau
Back home and time to apply some stickers accrued to date.
Nurburgring stickers 'earned'.
and after much internal wrangling, stickers applied -- I guess the VFR's a keeper then!
bgunn said:
This thread has it all, initial delight at getting the bike, realising it's not perfect, then fixing its foibles and problems (with pitfalls along the way) followed by utter delight at the results.
Nice to read and see - good pictures too!
I've tried to respect my fellow PHers and approach this thread with transparency. As much as I'd like to project an image of imperviousness, none of us are perfect!Nice to read and see - good pictures too!
However, when I bought the bike in September 2021, I honestly had no idea and little intention of a road trip to this extent, particularly with the boy. I thought perhaps an IoMTT but that's for another day. Nordschleife for the win!
For all of the improvements that I've made to the bike, I can feel the most crucial component, myself, improving with every ride. My performance on right hand hairpins has noticeably improved over the course of this trip, thanks to raising my sightlines and detaching my eyes from the front tyre! Easier said than done...
Yesterday was a nice day. Avoided the heat all day and headed to Lac de Saint Croix for some swimming and rock jumping action. I had so much fun scaring myself that after one final jump the adrenaline hadn't yet died down when I checked my back pocket to find that my bike keys were probably somewhere down the bottom of the Lac. Merde.
It was 7pm, we were nineteen KMs from home, wallet and phones were locked in the top box and the helmets were secure under the seat, which was locked. A disk lock was fitted to the front brake disk. My apple watch doesn't seem to have roaming enabled so only works when in proximity to my phone for calls...
So the boy and I hatched a plan. Get home, unlock the house with the key that I had miraculously decided to leave in the secret location (serendipity or prescience, I know not which), retrieve the spare key which I had brought along and retrieve the bike -- celebrate with a slap up meal at the best restaurant in town.
Just the requirement to get home then...
Cue us walking on the main road -- the fifth or so car that passed us stopped to let us hitch a ride. A young couple headed to Nice in a W211 E220d 'Classic' spec (manual with cloth seats). The young man was the smoothest driver I've seen, not even accelerating for the nationals. Fifteen or so minutes later and we were home, keys in hand, clothes changed and loaded up with snacks and water, in case the route back was an epic walk... five or so cars later... a russian lady stops to offer us a lift. Fifteen or so minutes later if polite small talk and we're back at the bike! I was rewarded with a rural top up of 98RON at €2.41/L! The entire escapade took us ninety minutes.
So packing up was left until today. It took about the same length of time as required to retrieve spare keys from a fixed location with no certain means of transport-- we eventually got the road at midday.
What a route. Out of Provence was fast and flowing, the autoroute stints rapid and brief and the run via Mens over the Col de Faucille awe inspiring with incredible vistas of a vase plateau. Approaching Grenoble from the South is quite a site to behold, also.
We arrived at our hotel in good time and it's quite a gem. Hotel les Bergeronnettes which is in a great , quiet location with good views (hell, it even has a helipad) and an on site restaurant. Frog's Legs in parsley, anyone?
I've refined the luggage so that it's more compact. The Ventura fitted bags are fantastic and the Honda panniers lock well, which is reassuring as I've slightly overstuffed them.
It was 7pm, we were nineteen KMs from home, wallet and phones were locked in the top box and the helmets were secure under the seat, which was locked. A disk lock was fitted to the front brake disk. My apple watch doesn't seem to have roaming enabled so only works when in proximity to my phone for calls...
So the boy and I hatched a plan. Get home, unlock the house with the key that I had miraculously decided to leave in the secret location (serendipity or prescience, I know not which), retrieve the spare key which I had brought along and retrieve the bike -- celebrate with a slap up meal at the best restaurant in town.
Just the requirement to get home then...
Cue us walking on the main road -- the fifth or so car that passed us stopped to let us hitch a ride. A young couple headed to Nice in a W211 E220d 'Classic' spec (manual with cloth seats). The young man was the smoothest driver I've seen, not even accelerating for the nationals. Fifteen or so minutes later and we were home, keys in hand, clothes changed and loaded up with snacks and water, in case the route back was an epic walk... five or so cars later... a russian lady stops to offer us a lift. Fifteen or so minutes later if polite small talk and we're back at the bike! I was rewarded with a rural top up of 98RON at €2.41/L! The entire escapade took us ninety minutes.
So packing up was left until today. It took about the same length of time as required to retrieve spare keys from a fixed location with no certain means of transport-- we eventually got the road at midday.
What a route. Out of Provence was fast and flowing, the autoroute stints rapid and brief and the run via Mens over the Col de Faucille awe inspiring with incredible vistas of a vase plateau. Approaching Grenoble from the South is quite a site to behold, also.
We arrived at our hotel in good time and it's quite a gem. Hotel les Bergeronnettes which is in a great , quiet location with good views (hell, it even has a helipad) and an on site restaurant. Frog's Legs in parsley, anyone?
I've refined the luggage so that it's more compact. The Ventura fitted bags are fantastic and the Honda panniers lock well, which is reassuring as I've slightly overstuffed them.
Edited by bolidemichael on Friday 8th July 22:05
It's true Bob. Last night I enjoyed a glass then a carafe of the house red, a Savoie wine and it was perfectly palatable. Carinaman, it was consumed whilst trying to describe the plot of 'A Game of Thrones' to my son 
It was relaxing after a decent ride -- they also had a heated swimming pool and a robo-lawnmower, which I've never seen before.
We had a slow start today, leaving at around 1045hrs. I therefore switched the route from a calimoto twisty epic to a 'highway no motorway' route. Tbh, this suits me fine, other than the ludicrous urban speed limits for deserted villages and the proliferation of (decently marked) speed cameras. I think that I set one off, on the other side of the road, but it was forward facing.
Lots of vineyards, a McD's for the boy and a random flock of Emu.
We also spotted a military cargo plane with four propellers on each wing taking off.
After having arrived in the Ballons Vosges, TdF fever hit with lots of street decorations and Dutch camper vans on the roadside. We intend to visit a climb and watch day 7.
Some fuel stats for you. Today's first fill -- a combo of autoroute and D roads -- 224.4km from 14.27L.
The second fill on mainly A roads and dual carriageways-- 253.6km from 16.36L.
It was relaxing after a decent ride -- they also had a heated swimming pool and a robo-lawnmower, which I've never seen before.
We had a slow start today, leaving at around 1045hrs. I therefore switched the route from a calimoto twisty epic to a 'highway no motorway' route. Tbh, this suits me fine, other than the ludicrous urban speed limits for deserted villages and the proliferation of (decently marked) speed cameras. I think that I set one off, on the other side of the road, but it was forward facing.
Lots of vineyards, a McD's for the boy and a random flock of Emu.
We also spotted a military cargo plane with four propellers on each wing taking off.
After having arrived in the Ballons Vosges, TdF fever hit with lots of street decorations and Dutch camper vans on the roadside. We intend to visit a climb and watch day 7.
Some fuel stats for you. Today's first fill -- a combo of autoroute and D roads -- 224.4km from 14.27L.
The second fill on mainly A roads and dual carriageways-- 253.6km from 16.36L.
bgunn said:
This thread has it all, initial delight at getting the bike, realising it's not perfect, then fixing its foibles and problems (with pitfalls along the way) followed by utter delight at the results.
Nice to read and see - good pictures too!
Totally agree. Initially I thought it was a bit tragic, "look at me" etc, but its been a great read and I relate to it.Nice to read and see - good pictures too!
Big ups OP
Thanks guys, appreciate that humanity shone through the social media facade of impeachable shininess.
Today was a cool day -- we left at 8ish, following the guidance of a combination of PHers and the host of our gite in Saint-Maurice-sir-Moselle.
The idea was to take a narrow motorcycle suitable track to 'hack' the route to the base of the final tour de france day seven stage at 'La Planche des Belles Filles' which is an awesome name.
Of course, we got to the top of the 'Ballon de Servance' to be greeted by a road block and 'route barrée' signposted. Of course, there was room for a motorcycle and these signs always seem optional for 'us' in France, so we stuck to the route and took our chances. It was funny to contrast the wagging finger of the speeding, ascending Gendarmerie to a similar circumstance in the UK, where the petty authorities would be unlikely to turn a blind eye on event day. So along we trotted, carefully, and we arrived right at the base of the climb. Bonus!
Tucked away, motorcycles are as good as invisible to the French.
A four mile ascent by foot ensued and it was fantastic. Climbing a mountain with just pedestrians and cyclists for company (there were occasional official vehicles) was really chilled.
Random saucissons smelled great. The boy insisted, despite my having woken up before seven to prepare lunch for us! Oh well...
We kept going to the top and camped ourselves in the shade. We were 800m from the finish.
Since we had a few hours to spare, I took the opportunity to nap and have the first proper rest I've allowed myself since prior to departure on Friday 24th June.
The icing on the cake was the ride back afterwards. Lovely and smooth, through very nice sweeping curves and tooting the 'Denali soundbomb' at the people still at the side of the road having watch the TdF was enjoyable. The Vosges is a lovely region of France with the added benefit of the wines of Alsace next door. I enjoyed a lovely Pinot Noir this evening, courtesy of our hosts.
This photo doesn't capture the Belgian dance party that had begun at the bottom of the climb. It was fun, initially, then irritating.
A word on the 'Beeline' navigation app and device. I'd say that over 4,500km (it sounds bigger in KMs), it has been a very worthwhile companion, nowhere close to battery depletion and guidance very clear. Only a couple of things -- the destination accuracy isn't great once the destination in very almost reached and (perhaps attributable to google maps) sometimes it signposts and curved main road past a junction as a new road, which can be misleading. Then again, French D roads can have a strange layout, with odd angle entries and exits.
Tomorrow, the final stop in the Champagne region and then, home. The plan to load up in Champange may have been dented as I've somehow ended up with two (slim) bottles of Pinot Noir...
Today was a cool day -- we left at 8ish, following the guidance of a combination of PHers and the host of our gite in Saint-Maurice-sir-Moselle.
The idea was to take a narrow motorcycle suitable track to 'hack' the route to the base of the final tour de france day seven stage at 'La Planche des Belles Filles' which is an awesome name.
Of course, we got to the top of the 'Ballon de Servance' to be greeted by a road block and 'route barrée' signposted. Of course, there was room for a motorcycle and these signs always seem optional for 'us' in France, so we stuck to the route and took our chances. It was funny to contrast the wagging finger of the speeding, ascending Gendarmerie to a similar circumstance in the UK, where the petty authorities would be unlikely to turn a blind eye on event day. So along we trotted, carefully, and we arrived right at the base of the climb. Bonus!
Tucked away, motorcycles are as good as invisible to the French.
A four mile ascent by foot ensued and it was fantastic. Climbing a mountain with just pedestrians and cyclists for company (there were occasional official vehicles) was really chilled.
Random saucissons smelled great. The boy insisted, despite my having woken up before seven to prepare lunch for us! Oh well...
We kept going to the top and camped ourselves in the shade. We were 800m from the finish.
Since we had a few hours to spare, I took the opportunity to nap and have the first proper rest I've allowed myself since prior to departure on Friday 24th June.
The icing on the cake was the ride back afterwards. Lovely and smooth, through very nice sweeping curves and tooting the 'Denali soundbomb' at the people still at the side of the road having watch the TdF was enjoyable. The Vosges is a lovely region of France with the added benefit of the wines of Alsace next door. I enjoyed a lovely Pinot Noir this evening, courtesy of our hosts.
This photo doesn't capture the Belgian dance party that had begun at the bottom of the climb. It was fun, initially, then irritating.
A word on the 'Beeline' navigation app and device. I'd say that over 4,500km (it sounds bigger in KMs), it has been a very worthwhile companion, nowhere close to battery depletion and guidance very clear. Only a couple of things -- the destination accuracy isn't great once the destination in very almost reached and (perhaps attributable to google maps) sometimes it signposts and curved main road past a junction as a new road, which can be misleading. Then again, French D roads can have a strange layout, with odd angle entries and exits.
Tomorrow, the final stop in the Champagne region and then, home. The plan to load up in Champange may have been dented as I've somehow ended up with two (slim) bottles of Pinot Noir...
bolidemichael said:
I do occassionally get numb fingers in the right hand -- but I suspect that I'm susceptible to it as it seems to vary from ride to ride and possibly, on any pinch points on my wrist or shoulders. I shall ask Honda about vibration dampening for the bars though, to ensure that I replace any perished or worn bushing, given that the bike is knocking on for miles now.
I’m quite susceptible to numb fingers on long rides.The first thing I do when I get a new bike is fit a set of these HVMP heavy bar-end weights and they solve the problem.
https://www.hvmp.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCo...
Get the extra-heavy ones in black. They will happily ship from the States.
FazerBoy said:
bolidemichael said:
I do occassionally get numb fingers in the right hand -- but I suspect that I'm susceptible to it as it seems to vary from ride to ride and possibly, on any pinch points on my wrist or shoulders. I shall ask Honda about vibration dampening for the bars though, to ensure that I replace any perished or worn bushing, given that the bike is knocking on for miles now.
I’m quite susceptible to numb fingers on long rides.The first thing I do when I get a new bike is fit a set of these HVMP heavy bar-end weights and they solve the problem.
https://www.hvmp.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCo...
Get the extra-heavy ones in black. They will happily ship from the States.
In actual fact, there maya be a simple issue to address first... as I was travelling locally yesterday, it occurred to me to use the second pair I'd brought as a back up. These must be a touch smaller than the regular summer pair I've been using as the fingers in both hands were tingling after yesterday's evening ride. That has me considering that perhaps the gloves are the issue and my right hand may be a touch longer than my left? Another way to assess this is to go for a longer ride with my more generous winter gloves.
bolidemichael said:
That's a very interesting option, thanks.
In actual fact, there maya be a simple issue to address first... as I was travelling locally yesterday, it occurred to me to use the second pair I'd brought as a back up. These must be a touch smaller than the regular summer pair I've been using as the fingers in both hands were tingling after yesterday's evening ride. That has me considering that perhaps the gloves are the issue and my right hand may be a touch longer than my left? Another way to assess this is to go for a longer ride with my more generous winter gloves.
Yes, there may also be other factors at play, but all hollow handlebars vibrate to a greater or lesser extent, and in my experience these heavy bar end weights will deaden the vibration significantly. Try them - you won’t regret it!In actual fact, there maya be a simple issue to address first... as I was travelling locally yesterday, it occurred to me to use the second pair I'd brought as a back up. These must be a touch smaller than the regular summer pair I've been using as the fingers in both hands were tingling after yesterday's evening ride. That has me considering that perhaps the gloves are the issue and my right hand may be a touch longer than my left? Another way to assess this is to go for a longer ride with my more generous winter gloves.
(I’m not involved with HVMP in any way! Just a happy customer).
That's good to hear. I do wonder whether weightier bar ends would alter the steering i.e. make it harder to counter steer. Also, I wonder why my right hand gets it, but not my right.
Back to the 'tour', we woke up this morning and decided that we wanted to wake up at home on Sunday, so the boy agreed to straight-lining it home. We passed the time well, there wasn't too much traffic and we just stuck it out. As we had flexi-plus, it was a case of turning up.
Along the way, we had a little surprise from a blue Peugeot with a starsky & hutch style siren that seemed to have been placed onto the roof by the passenger. He followed me briefly at 170kph and gestured at me to slow down as I pulled to lane one and slowed... of course, normal order was resumed as soon as they peeled off -- I imagine they weren't traffic officers.
We made it home around 1730hrs (1830hrs France time) having left at 1030hrs-ish. Whilst we fulfilled the first brief of safe and fun, the brief of champagne was left unresolved. We did however, manage to fit two bottles of pinot noir and I don't think that the panniers have ever been 'encouraged' to close as much as I did today. I was placing some proper strength between my thighs gently closing the lid and my arms counter-pulling with the pillion arms.
Wake up on Sunday and two bottles of plonk with no space? I'll take that as success!
The journey was 3,168miles in total and the boy must've been with me for over 2,000 of them, which is pretty good going.
Tomorrow, I'll check the tyre pressures and give it a wash (possibly) The rear tyre is looking well used, so I'll ascertain that, too.
Overall, I'm chuffed with the trip -- well done Honda, I applaud you on your, erm, discontinued model and engine combo. Also, well done Europe, a fantastic environment for bikers.
Back to the 'tour', we woke up this morning and decided that we wanted to wake up at home on Sunday, so the boy agreed to straight-lining it home. We passed the time well, there wasn't too much traffic and we just stuck it out. As we had flexi-plus, it was a case of turning up.
Along the way, we had a little surprise from a blue Peugeot with a starsky & hutch style siren that seemed to have been placed onto the roof by the passenger. He followed me briefly at 170kph and gestured at me to slow down as I pulled to lane one and slowed... of course, normal order was resumed as soon as they peeled off -- I imagine they weren't traffic officers.
We made it home around 1730hrs (1830hrs France time) having left at 1030hrs-ish. Whilst we fulfilled the first brief of safe and fun, the brief of champagne was left unresolved. We did however, manage to fit two bottles of pinot noir and I don't think that the panniers have ever been 'encouraged' to close as much as I did today. I was placing some proper strength between my thighs gently closing the lid and my arms counter-pulling with the pillion arms.
Wake up on Sunday and two bottles of plonk with no space? I'll take that as success!
The journey was 3,168miles in total and the boy must've been with me for over 2,000 of them, which is pretty good going.
Tomorrow, I'll check the tyre pressures and give it a wash (possibly) The rear tyre is looking well used, so I'll ascertain that, too.
Overall, I'm chuffed with the trip -- well done Honda, I applaud you on your, erm, discontinued model and engine combo. Also, well done Europe, a fantastic environment for bikers.
I've checked the tread on the rear tyre and it's about 3.5mm all around and has worn surprisingly well without becoming too square. I suppose that's testament to Metzeler's triple compound technology. I've covered around 4,700 miles on it, which doesn't seem too bad?
I like the grip, but I'm wondering whether I should go for a Roadtec on the rear for winter usage in greasy roads, now that this is my only bike. I didn't get a lot of confidence on this in greasy/wet conditions on crappy French back roads.
I like the grip, but I'm wondering whether I should go for a Roadtec on the rear for winter usage in greasy roads, now that this is my only bike. I didn't get a lot of confidence on this in greasy/wet conditions on crappy French back roads.
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