In a couple of months I plan to ride the NC500, despite being Scottish, I've never actually done the route... I'll be riding up from the south as I'll be getting the Eurotunnel to the UK, assuming I'll be taking back roads for the majority of the ride up, what is the road surface like on said NC500? I'm debating which tyre set to fit as I fear the M9 RR's that are my go to won't be good if there is any gravel tracks or similar.
The roads are all tarmac. There maybe some gravel on the road as well as some pot hole. Some of the road will be single track with passing places.
I think the road surface will be the least of your worries. Influencers, camper vans and caravans will be the problem. Andy
I’ve done the eastern leg from Inverness to John O Groats and the roads are like any other NSL single carriageway road in the more civilised parts of the UK, so you’ll be fine. I’ve heard that the western parts are a little rougher, but not so bad that you’ll need special tyres.
Oh... Over crowded these days? Back when I was a youngster, the highlands were barren I'm assuming by influencers you mean the spanners with a million cameras on their bikes for YouTube videos? If so... Maybe I'll reconsider lol
Taking the back roads from Kent to Scotland will take for ever. The roads will be slow and busy. Once North of Fort William, the roads are quiet. Yes , there are caravans, and motorhomes, but on a bike , you will hardly notice them
Locals are ruing the day some well meaning dick head extolled the virtues of the NC500. Councils along the route are putting in place restrictions to stop roadside parking and overnight camping. I have no proof but word of mouth claims certain road users are attracting special attention Andy
I agree with post # 3. The road from Thurso to Durness is likely to present the most challenging road surfaces, as well as the factors mentioned above. I did it a few years ago on a Multistrada 1200 GT with normal tyres, which worked well enough. Depending on your fuel consumption, don't let your fuel level drop too low, and I would advise taking on fuel when its available to avoid problems. Also accommodation is not plentiful and often booked-up, unless prearranged or camping! The John Lennon memorial garden in Durness Village Hall is worth a look, during a break from riding. Hope it goes well. Good luck. Tom.
This is definitely the most important point to take on board IMO. This is the 2nd most important point. As a group of 6 last year we did pre-book accomodation several months in advance. Even so it was difficult to get rooms, demand exceeding supply, and consequently it dictated our route. We intended staying on the western Isles side and the northern coast but ended up having to take in Kirkcaldy just to get accomodation - we went in May. Plus, sadly, with one exception, the accommodation was not worth what was charged for it. Undoubtedly it will be easier for a single rider but be prepared.
I've been up that way quite a lot over the years. Most of the roads are quite good. The section between Hope and Durness is mainly single track but the rest is 2 lane with good surfaces. As expressed above your main concern will be campers and caravans, especially on the single track sections.
Thanks all, seems it's going to be fine on the M9's, but indeed will start looking at lodging ASAP. Inverness is where the majority of my family are, with the rest around Glasgow, so I'll be fairly sorted for accommodation either end of the route, thankfully. Good to know on fuel, I've a terrible habit of running my vehicles to the light rather than stop-topups, will keep that in mind. As for caravans, again good to know, more an annoyance than anything so it is what it is. Lastly then, routes them selves, I'm going to be creating mine soon in MRA (strongly recommended to those that tour). If anyone has any routes uploaded somewhere and wouldn't mind sharing, please do
I did it last August (on an Gsxr1000 with S22s fitted) and the roads are fine but as said already the camper vans are a bit of a pain.
Mate did it 2 years ago, at every B&B he was advised and shown alternative roads that shadowed the route.
Did the full route a few years back. Tyre wear is heavy, maybe more abrasive than average road surface. Dont go on part worn tyres. Fuel up the top end is scarce. Accommodation is often fully booked in advance. If you are lucky there will be some sections of empty road which are huge fun! Green welly cafe and Glencoe area are speed camera hot spots from what I remember.
Dutch plate, they'll just get some cool pictures of my bike and that's where that ends. Glencoe is beautiful, not been there in a while but last time I was, it was all snowed under as was fort William of which we hiked to.
Good point about the tyres. Scottish Highland roads seem to be particularly abrasive Back in the late seventies I wore out a new Metzeler ME99 in weekend riding to Ullapool, Lochinver and back. Well under 1000 miles.
This link to a comprehensive map of the NC500 may help: https://www.northcoast500.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NC500-Official-Map.pdf . Good luck. Tom.
Tbh, full sports tyres will just about do the trip. Seen people down to the cords up there because they would not listen. New tyres or sport/touring tyres with plenty of tread required. Same goes if it is wet, some parts are ‘greasy’ . My last trip encountered rain on the NE side and low teens degrees, followed by bright blue skies at the top end with 30 plus degrees in the NW. To be followed by overnight snow near Fort William and an arse twitching experience through the Glencoe Pass where the snow line met the tarmac at the highest point ! This was a May bank holiday trip. Great fun! Pack waterproofs (good ones) and suncream
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/872770?mode=share This was my route when we did it a few years ago. We usually stop/start our Scottish foray's from a travel lodge in Dumbarton. We didn't bother going back up to Inverness for the official ending as we didn't want the long trip back home from there. But it goes back through Glencoe and the Green welly. Cracking trip ! And if you have family in Glasgow , this is the route we took to Inverness. https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/868433?mode=share
