Hello again life, it's me. Writing in the present, reading about the past, in the future.
Clearly I didn't order the sticky toffee pudding then as it would be on here for all(?) to see. Not sure "before closing" was a good choice of words. The desire to be on a bike doing what I love has not disappeared. Not at all. It's just knowing what to do before the next big one in fifteen years time. I'll explain...
Life now in 2016 is somewhat different to when I rode back into the UK on my old Moto Guzzi in 2011 following trip #4-Europe. Two children and a hard three years pursuing my own 'Grand Designs' has meant adventure, fun and self are words that sound familiar but I'm not entirely sure what they mean.
I did though head back to Morocco in 2014 for a couple of weeks while nobody was watching on good old Des accompanied by three relatively new friends 'Dev' (XTZ660) and Chris & Adrian (big BMW GS')
I didn't bother with the blog then as for such a short trip with not a lot new to write about it really felt as though I just tagged along for the ride, it wasn't difficult. This time though I will. The main reason being that I have a new (for me) bike! Forced to sell Des, the SV and the unused K100 for the house build (for a very tidy £7k) has meant a fresh look at what bike ticks what boxes. And of those boxes, trying to decide what are the most important?? Back in 2011 the V-Strom was meant to be that bike. But call me shallow...I couldn't love it for its looks. Instead I got my leg over the Italian neighbour you may recall...
So considering that these pages are probably made up of 50% of me moaning about my bike what exactly do I want from a bike? What are those boxes? Have I learnt anything from so much time travelling the world on two wheels? Here's what I know..
1) The bike needs to have character. Sound and engine type is normally the deciding factor here.
2) 95% of my riding is on good roads. I would expect the other 5% is being worked on right now by the Chinese. Somewhere.
3) Comfort, obviously. The main issue here appears to always have been wind noise and air turbulence. The choice of helmet impacts on this too. Long rides need to be enjoyable beyond 50mph.
4) Fuel range.
5) Weight. So when loaded up, it's manageable. I've seen so many people overloaded on heavy bikes it's ridiculous. More to damage/get stolen/pack, repack/pick up.
6) Cost. The bike will get damaged, why damage a brand new one? The cost needs to be compatible for use. Lastly, an important one - outside of Europe things are very different. When interested locals want to know what your bike costs, standing next to a brand new GS1200 and telling them it costs about a lifetimes wages, for them, is beyond embarrassing, it's vulgar. I've seen it and I don't like it.
7) Nearly there - Simplicity. I'm not a mechanic but I can do the very basics. But when things do go wrong the bigger and newer the bike the more difficult (and costly) the repair will be no doubt. Tubed tyres I've never understood, a pain in the arse to fix and carry spares.
So there we have it, not too much of an ask. So what's the answer? It is possibly what I somehow overlooked in 2011...
Any fellow bikers may want to quickly go to the toilet before I continue....
OK done? Good...A Ducati Multistrada 1100s. OK when you've quite finished let's see why (on Earth) I've come to that conclusion...
1) It's a bloody L-Twin Ducati with Termi's and a load of goodies that should go with it already bolted on! Come on. Check.
2) 'Many Roads' is the direct translation from Italian. However, caution. This (it would seem) is more akin to 'A' roads, 'B' roads, motorways and not the James Dalton Highway in Alaska for instance. So not checked. But...remember that crazy Danish guy...?
3) The big unknown as I write. There'll be more on this we can be sure. Not checked. For now.
4) Decent if reviews are to be believed. Maybe 240 miles, dodgy fuel gauge aside. Check.
5) Comparable to Des and combined with my small kit list about as good as it gets without peddling there. Check.
6) £3600. Check.
7) Air cooled. Easy access to engine. No tubes. Sensible service intervals. But tank off to get to air filter. Check.
That'll do for now. As ever my old gear is good to go and there'll be the inevitable mad rush in the days before. Curry and beers later to confirm the route and get to know the new guys a bit better? Check.
I did though head back to Morocco in 2014 for a couple of weeks while nobody was watching on good old Des accompanied by three relatively new friends 'Dev' (XTZ660) and Chris & Adrian (big BMW GS')
I didn't bother with the blog then as for such a short trip with not a lot new to write about it really felt as though I just tagged along for the ride, it wasn't difficult. This time though I will. The main reason being that I have a new (for me) bike! Forced to sell Des, the SV and the unused K100 for the house build (for a very tidy £7k) has meant a fresh look at what bike ticks what boxes. And of those boxes, trying to decide what are the most important?? Back in 2011 the V-Strom was meant to be that bike. But call me shallow...I couldn't love it for its looks. Instead I got my leg over the Italian neighbour you may recall...
So considering that these pages are probably made up of 50% of me moaning about my bike what exactly do I want from a bike? What are those boxes? Have I learnt anything from so much time travelling the world on two wheels? Here's what I know..
1) The bike needs to have character. Sound and engine type is normally the deciding factor here.
2) 95% of my riding is on good roads. I would expect the other 5% is being worked on right now by the Chinese. Somewhere.
3) Comfort, obviously. The main issue here appears to always have been wind noise and air turbulence. The choice of helmet impacts on this too. Long rides need to be enjoyable beyond 50mph.
4) Fuel range.
5) Weight. So when loaded up, it's manageable. I've seen so many people overloaded on heavy bikes it's ridiculous. More to damage/get stolen/pack, repack/pick up.
6) Cost. The bike will get damaged, why damage a brand new one? The cost needs to be compatible for use. Lastly, an important one - outside of Europe things are very different. When interested locals want to know what your bike costs, standing next to a brand new GS1200 and telling them it costs about a lifetimes wages, for them, is beyond embarrassing, it's vulgar. I've seen it and I don't like it.
7) Nearly there - Simplicity. I'm not a mechanic but I can do the very basics. But when things do go wrong the bigger and newer the bike the more difficult (and costly) the repair will be no doubt. Tubed tyres I've never understood, a pain in the arse to fix and carry spares.
So there we have it, not too much of an ask. So what's the answer? It is possibly what I somehow overlooked in 2011...
Any fellow bikers may want to quickly go to the toilet before I continue....
