Go Big and Ride Small

[Brenhden]

The new model is definitely a single.

...a Vstrom 250SX (single)...the current bike is a Vstrom 250 (twin)

...but I think it's still sold new in some markets...so there are two different '23 Vstrom250's...

This is the new one

Oh yes, not euro data though, fingers crossed.

[Godspeed]

I took the Innova for a quick camping trip over to the Forest of Dean yesterday. It’s only 30 miles away so could fit it in around other things, but it was lovely to get away.

It was partly a trial run for the Innova with the larger side boxes, but also to test my Alpkit Tarpstar 1.

The luggage system worked well and the tent was good but not a keeper for me as I’ve got a few tents (who hasn’t ) and it doesn’t really do anything different than the ones I already have.

Apart from taking a while to dry everything afterwards it was a good reminder to try to get out more often.

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[ErikGustav2]

3 friends wanted to take a day tour.
I took the chance to make it a 2 day tour including one camping night.
The tentative tour to Andalusia is on hold due to weather warnings.

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The bikes were a mix
* 125 cc Zontes
* 250 cc Benelli
* 390 cc KTM
* 411 cc Himalayan

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Nice views

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Twisty roads aver the mountains

[ErikGustav2]

After a late lunch on piri-piri chicken, the others went home.
I continued to a camping site

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There were one more biker.
From England on a Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Of curse we talked about bikes/routes...
He had been travelling via Andorra to Norther Portugal. Ride the legendary N2 through Portugal. Over to Andalusia in Southern Spain. And was now on the way to Lisboa. 5 000 km and 5 weeks, so far. He loved his Himalayan. Perfect travel bike.

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I pitched my tent. There were actual some grass(brown and dry) with soil under.
Not easy to find in these areas.

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And my little kitchen.
After that lunch. tea and sandwiches were enough for dinner.

[ErikGustav2]

It was some rain during the night. So I took an easy morning to let the tent dry, before I packed. No hurry to get home.
I looked at the map and found a green marked road = scenic that made a nice route back.

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Passing this church

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Views over the mountains

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And views from the bridge Ponte de Salvador
https://www.google.se/maps/place/Ponte+ ... ?entry=ttu

A short and easy tour.
But nice to get the feeling of getting out and spending two days on the roads and one night in the tent,
A mental boost

"We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection"

[Godspeed]

Lovely!
How did the bike cope? Are you enjoying it??

[ErikGustav2]

The bikes is what I wanted and expected.
I does well for this type of riding.

Functionality is good in general.
Front suspension is not what I want.
I am a bit worried about reliability.
I will give it a chance and time will tell.
=
It had 7 500 km on the ODO when I bought it.
Now it has 11 500 km.

[ErikGustav2]

Small or big
We were a small group today, riding twisty roads in Portugal.
I had my 250 cc Benelli.
One of the others had a Honda African twin.
At coffee break , he talked about how much he liked a lot of hp.
I stopped to fix with my phone. He stayed behind me. Time to catch up with the others.
So I rode at good speed, but not pressing.
But the African Twin could not follow me.
He said that the bike was unstable when he increased the speed on twisty road,
Suspension....???
No us of the power.

And the suspension on the Benelli is not much..
It is hard in the front. But that is probably good in hard corners on smooth surface.
(Out of topic. I have an old bike in Sweden. Hard tail end. And a springer fork front with maybe 5 cm movement.
And I am used to Japanese Super bikes with enormous engine and flexing frame.
Like Kawasaki tripple and Suzuki GSX 1100 (Even that had much better chassis that a Kawasaki Z1. So I am not spoiled)

===
Two days ago I was riding at cruising speed. And catched up a Triumph Tiger.
I stayed behind him. Rather easy and slow riding. He was pressing hard.
Full throttle at every little straight part. And I was a bit behind. I did not press the engine. But after two corners, I was close to him again. And I had to slow down significant. I could easy have left him behind me. With my 25 hp.
==

Horse powers don't take you around corners.
Chrome won't bring you home

Enjoy the small bikes

[Godspeed]

I once overtook someone riding some twisties in south wales on my Honda C90, they were on a Honda transalp 650. It was because they would bolt to the next corner and slam on the brakes whereas on a small bike you maintain the same speed on the corners. Poor chap, imagine explaining that one

[ErikGustav2]

I had a very nice day.
So I will share some.
No adventure. Only that some days are nice......


With around 20 degrees. Little cloudy, but no rain. It was a good day to take a ride. Just for relaxing.

I mapped a route on twisty roads up in the hills.

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To ride my 250 cc bike

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Passing a café.
Where I could get a cup of real coffee in a real mu. With a cake. Outdoors. Under the green plants

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