I have a couple more instalments for you aaaand some video...when I can get to an edit computer. By the way, anyone want to buy a pristine condition 2017 BMW R1200 GS? Only 6400km. Reliable, comfortable and....
Oh happy day After the final leg of the journey was curtailed I couldn’t wait to get out again. Previously the action camera had weirdly switched itself off after a couple of minutes near Ronda but it had whetted my red blood cells. Both for a ride and a video recording session. The lithe little Italian shouted ‘Yippee’ as I turned her on and at the touch of a red button, began to purr. Who says men can’t find it? We all know it’s on the right handle grip. Not only that, I was into leather. Leather with Ducati plastered all over. It felt good to be back on the road again. It felt good to be back on the Metzeler M7’s again. It felt good to be back on a Ducati again. I went back to Ronda and shot some video footage of the road down to San Pedro. It turned out to be a 330km trip through beautiful sunny twisties and mountains. Because of the time and distance I only got one shot at a downhill pass and I had to brave the bloody dual carriageway from hell, again. It was worth it though, it’ll give me the material for a video edit that I’ve hatched a plan for. It had better do, I haven’t had time to check it yet. I’ve just donated my shrapnel to charity and we’re 20mins from touch down. The first officer has just informed us that the forecast at Heathrow is not quite...as good as it was in Malaga. Now there’s a surprise. In other words it’s pissing wet and miserable. The Covid Gene is well and truly out of the bottle and they’re still arguing about Brexit.
By the way, I’ve had the chance to speak to people of various European nationalities in the last week and they’re all going through the same patchwork lockdown nonsense that we are. That includes the Germans. It’s the same deal everywhere. The Swedes aren’t at all sure they’ve done the right thing.
I meant to reply to you about this before. Well done, you’re absolutely correct, it was a Ladder snake. I’ve never heard of them before.
It’s not over yet. Well the ride is but the reports aren’t and then... there’s the video. It must get crowded on that there pillion.
This link should show the route to Ronda. Some motorway had to be done but great roads once you get up into the mountains. The road south of Ronda to San Pedro is the famous one and deservedly so. https://goo.gl/maps/c3DTZwSePyjbfwBEA
Lucky fella flying back....my boat is cancelled for Thursday so plan b....I was near competa today having breakfast on the plus side
BMW have done the basics right. The screen. It works and doesn’t deafen you. A comfortable seat. The bike has a rear break. I don’t understand it, how difficult can it be to produce a bike with an effective back break? The GS and the Multi both have Brembo breaks they both appear to be pretty much the same size, I’ll check. If there is any size difference then there’s a starting point. All it would take is one simple phone call from Ducati to Brembo saying ‘We’ll have what BMW are having please’ problem solved. My suspicion is the BMW discs cost a couple of euros more to manufacture. It’s just not acceptable to continue as they are. The GS comes with a steering damper, nicely tucked away. The power is where you need it for a touring bike. It’s really difficult to ride a Multistrada at 30mph. Conversely The GS is easy to ride at low speeds despite its bulk. However it does feel like it’s beginning to strain over 80mph. I’m sure it’s got a lot more left in it but two or three times a day I’d go for seventh gear which brings me onto another point. I know that most bikes of this type now come with quickshifters but obviously BMW were quicker to bring in a very good up and down shifter that’s a pleasure to use. Personally I think the GS looks deliberately ugly, deliberately utilitarian. I’d like to give the GS to the Ducati designers and the Multi to the BMW engineers and see what came out. I’d still prefer a sports tourer that I could get on and off. I can’t really believe that many people want to risk a £20k+ machine and seriously off road it. If you’re going off road you’re going to fall off. It’s a fact. Sure there maybe a market in South Africa maybe Australia but in Europe I’d wager that most people never take these ‘Adventure’ bikes off road. Simply put though, the GS doesn’t excite me. Ducati’s do but why don’t they get simple basic things right?
Weather apparantly but looks like they reduced the service from now, you can’t sail to Plymouth until March either Plan b is Madrid tomorrow morning then back over to near Valencia to collect bikes but hoping to get on by Tuesday or I’ll get Friday boat or drive ...got contact lens issues mega sore eyes so kept them out today in dark room but starvation forcing me out
Cheers Sam I know I’m not over the moon but I’ll be staying with the van ..I have been same place before so am familiar but yes am cautious Cheers
Thoroughly enjoyed your thread and with a bit of déjà vue slung in, super. "...but in Europe I’d wager that most people never take these ‘Adventure’ bikes off road." Some do, made I larf. Part 11 and river crossings
One maybe two big BMW’s on that video. The rest of them have more sense, well, apart from the scooter boys who are obviously doing it on small wheels just for the laugh. As for the four girls, they could come along on one of my trips anytime. He haw, he haw, he haw. Glad you enjoyed the read.
