1 more week and I'm off for 3 weeks of riding the Terra through the Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and Serbia. Hopefully the state of the trails won't be too bad after the floods of last month. But I'm still looking forward to it. It's a great region for riding and camping and there a number of old friends to visit as well... Both Terras got a service over the weekend and brand new sets of Heidenaus. To make sure everything was in order we had a little shakedown ride today. The gf's verdict: Big plans:
Currently in Tara canyon, Montenegro. The deepest canyon in Europe, and supposedly the 2nd longest in the world after the grand canyon. But this pic was taken in Bosnia, riding our Terras into the remote village at Boracko correction: Prokoško glacier lake.
My wife and I bought a Strada in December 2013, from the BMW dealer in St. Louis. I rode that bike along Route 66 to California, and I marveled at the road worthiness of such a lightweight machine. The Strada's road manners are impeccable, IMHO. In fact, we liked it so much, we took a trip to buy another one! So this story begins... My son, accompanying me part of the way to get the new Strada! This is overlooking L.A. on Cal. Hwy. 2 (He rides an 800GS) Can you guess where I'm headed to buy our new Strada? Here is my bride, about ready to ride away on her brand new Strada. She flew into Reno and I picked her up on my Strada to take delivery of her new bike at Reno KTM! We stayed at a Casino Hotel that had a "Cabelas" Outfitters store right across the street! If you have never been to one of their stores, you're in for a treat, if you are an Outdoorsman. My wife loving her new bike on the twisty U.S. 395 along the Walker River The beautiful Walker River gorge We've met people in other parts of the World that think California only consists of desert environs, to which I offer a view of Mono Lake and the majestic Sierra Nevada range I bought a pair of the panniers too, and I cannot say enough good things about the fit and finish of these "Givi" made bags. They turn the Strada into a long distance touring machine. With the addition of a small windscreen this bike is made for the long haul. It is by far THE smoothest big single I've ever owned! We stayed overnight in Lone Pine, Cal. which sits just below Mt. Whitney, the tallest Peak in the lower 48. The pair of Stradas brought all kinds of attention from the Harley and BMW riders staying at the same Motor lodge. Doesn't get much prettier than seeing a range of mountains like this while playing! We enjoyed a great trip on two fantastic Motorbikes. I have now traveled almost 4,000 miles on long distance trips with the Strada. I'm 6-4 so many bikes do not "fit" me. With the addition of a small windscreen, a new "Seat Concepts" seat in the "tall" size, and the removal of the footpeg rubbers, this bike was comfortable for 500 mile days! The Husky panniers are icing on the cake!
I see a common theme in the past few posts in this thread, and it's guys getting out riding with their girls, on their own bikes, which is great. Being about to go out riding together is a great bond between couples I think, sharing a great passtime.
I'll be leaving saturday with KIKILA, my TERRA, for a 5000 km ride, intending 2b 22-23 days over the bike, ridding ecuadorian and peruvian roads. Since this bike has recently arrived to me, there is a tool that -stupid question, sorry- I don't know the purpose or destination it has? That hook at far right. Are there only 2 torx wrenches? I've constructed a pair of aluminium panniers and i bought a touratech soft-topcase. I'll be carrying an external plastic fuel tank (1 1/4 us gal), some extra tools, an oil filter and oil. Please confirm what can be the max load to this bike. At least 2000 km we will be 2up. I'll be posting images. Abrazos desde Ecuador! RG
It's a hook used to regulate the spring pre-load on the back suspension. You use it in combination with the tubular tool for leverage, and it's quite a challenge to use it properly.
