Somerset

Yeah thanks for that. Life is not long enough to sample every bike. So I'm quite experienced and now four years bikeless. Not afraid to try something different. Japanese inline fours are a bit samey but I'm open to suggestions. Used Bike Guide put me on to my first ex-police BMW and I didnt regret taking the hint and the bike took me from London to Portugal only breaking down once but it got me home again. Probably most important is to find something I can afford, low maintenance, low insurance but also something friendly. For me 500cc is probably sufficient and I've had most fun on smaller bikes. In my experience a Harley Sportster is mechanically simple, not much electronics and easy to ride. Honda CB500X seems quite appealing. I want to be able to ride off to Barcelona (400 miles) for the weekend but still potter around the smaller roads here in Galicia. Also important I live at the top of a very very steep hill so I want something that is not too much of a brute at low speeds. Some local roads are 1930's era but roads between towns are excellent. Spain is wonderful territory for motorcycling.

Hi. As you can see I'm new here so hello everyone and ride safe. Moved to Spain a couple of years ago and enjoy it here. Lots of space and not too many cars here in Galicia. Might be in line for another bike so ideas are welcome. Dispatch rider in London 1990's Kawasaki Z250, Suzuki GT500, Yamaha AS3 triple two stroke, couple of BMWs and a 1200 v-twin which sparkled in the sun and was also a highly tuned rocketship. So I liked the v-twin a lot, I also liked the BMW R1100RS until it became expensive, but the ex-police BMW K100 had too many electrical problems. I'm tempted by all sorts of machines nowadays including Royal Enfield Himalayan but it's probably a little slow, the BMW R1100S is calling me and perhaps another Harley too. Some time ago I could have read that excellent magazine Used Motorcycle Guide but its no longer going. Wonderful stories about taking bikes apart in the living room etc. I'm no speed freak but I do like interesting engines (no electronics if possible). Any suggestions gratefully received.

I would say that you need to be aware of fatigue above everything else. When your brain is coping with a number of factors such as weather, night-time, long journey or perhaps even worrying about something then you are in a higher risk zone. Fatigue creeps up on you. Perhaps you might say to yourself before you start the bike "What I'm doing is hazardous but I will be safe. I will be alert and not stretch my endurance". So if you are new to continental riding then take it easy, stop frequently for coffee and don't hurry. Dont be afraid to pull over and get your wits back especially when coming into a town where there are likely to be lots of potentially confusing traffic signs. Sometimes I will plan my route to avoid going through larger towns. Ride safe