CB500X - Solo Norway trip Part 2 - First night on the mainland continent
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2023
- This is Part 2 of my trip heading to Nordkapp, Norway, on my Honda CB500X. Having had a restful night on the ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland I set off to Bremen, Germany. This is the first real day of travel on the continent and I felt I just needed to get some miles in which I did, however, I made the mistake of not checking my fuel regularly and ended up refueling on a "motorway"... with associated price...ouch!!
The whole journey took me through the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and into Norway right the way up to Nordkapp, the furthest point you can travel by motorcycle or car in mainland Europe and then back through Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France over a 7 week period late May - mid July 2023
I am back in the UK now, but please do add your comments and I'll get back to you.
Hoping you can "Like" the video, as this does help the channel.
All my best wishes, thanks again for watching
Nick
Hoping you can "Like" the video, as this does help the channel.
All my best wishes, thanks again for watching
Nick
CB500X 2022 model
Hepco & Becker Tank bars
Rally Raid CB500X 2019-on Engine Guard-RRP 747
SW Motech Footrest Kit
R&G Kickstand Shoe-RRP 474
Outback Motortek Pannier rack and Rear rack (including exhaust heat shield)
Metzeler Tourance Next tyres
SW-Motech dry bag (60 litres)
Lomo dry bag motorcycle waterproof panniers -soft
Oxford tank bag (need to use rain cover in heavy rain)
Garmin Zumo XT GPS device
Rally Raid Billet Multi-Mount for 12mm (1/2") Crossbar - part number RRP 643
GoPro Hero 10 (helmet mounted)
Adhesive universal helmet mount for GoPro
Purple Panda microphone (helmet mounted)
Sonicake wireless microphone (walking about)
Insta360 X3
DJI mini 3 Drone
Vango Tryfan 300 (3 person tent)
Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self Inflating Camping Mat
Trekology air bag (topping up mat inflation)
SLAAPLEKKER 800 Goose down mummy sleeping bag
Eurohike sleeping bag liner
Trekology Aluft pillow
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 - video editing
RST textile jacket
RST textile trousers (slight seepage in crutch area in heavy rain)
TCX Airtech 3 Gore-tex boots
Nolan 80 helmet
Your videos are amazing. You are obviously enjoying it all and it shows. Thank you 👍
Many thanks for your encouragement, and yes, I had a great trip!
Nick
Hi Nick, thanks for sharing your trip with us and pleased you have nice weather 👍 been caugh out by overpriced motoway filling stations myself 🙄 safe riding and enjoy 🏍🏁
Many thanks, yep, it happens, luckily the tank isn't massive so in the scheme of things just a wake up call for me to pay more attention 😉
Nick
I caught your channel for the first time when episode one popped up in my recommendations and have since subbed. Really enjoying your style and the level of detail you're providing. I have since been working through all of your back catalogue. I am thinking of doing Norway next year on the bike so really intrigued to see how this series develops.
Many thanks and welcome aboard! Good luck with your trip next year.
Nick
Me too! Reckon Google heard you talking about it and so recommended you this channel? Creepy but handy.
I am watching through your Norway trip again, I have just booked the ferry to Europe and now I have to decide where to go. It will either be to Norway or down south to the Alps. Hard choices eh 😁 So you may see more questions from me on the Norway vids. Well worth a second watch of course. Alex.
Brilliant! Excited for the next episode!
Many thanks!
Nick
Really enjoyed part 2 Nick, looks like you had some great weather.
Many thanks, and I'm glad you enjoyed it, the weather was great (most of the time)
Nick
Yes, Norway is expensive but if you take the exchange rate into account it is now or never. Cheers.
Yes, I think you are right!
Nick
...I ride electric unicycles but also been lurking channels like yours (ariemann is a good one too). Anyway, looking forward to the future episodes!
That must be fun! Many thanks and welcome aboard
Nick
Hello Nick, start of a great journey!! But next time you visit my country, the Netherlands, after letting you in we will close the borders until you did some scenic routes over here, because there are plenty magnificent rides to be made all over the place 😄😁
😊 Absolutely... next time!
Nick
what are the scenic route examples? NL is pretty plain, do you mean forests or rivers as a scenary?
@@basedpatriotLT Indeed, some hills, many great rivers, forests, polders. Lot to see in a plain country
Great ride my friend looks like you enjoyed it nice weather thanks for sharing it with us I enjoy seeing other parts of the world through other camera ride safe and keep the rubber side down
Many thanks and I'm glad you enjoyed it
Nick
Great videos Nick. I'm thinking of getting a CB500X and would dearly love to do the trip you're on so I'm watching with great interest.
Many thanks and go for it!
Nick
I also have just found your channel, and I'm on board for the ride Nick. TMF also did a trip to Norway which I really enjoyed.
So far I like your presentation, very soothing approach.
Many thanks, hope not so soothing it sends you off to sleep 😉
Nick
Just happened to come across your chnl and journey I'm heading up to scandinavia next year so looking forward to that but it'll be great following you from my recliner 😅to see your journey safe biking🏍 ...
Welcome aboard and I hope you have a great trip next year I know I did! Stay safe... and comfy! 😉
Nick
Lovely weather for the start of the trip (you didn’t bring the rain from the UK with you). Seems like you have the bike tuned for the trip with the changes you made. The windscreen extender and road tires will mean you’ll feel less tired at the end of the day. It’s surprising what 8-10 hours of wind buffeting and vibration will do to the body, especially as one ages (speaking for myself). Looking forward to episode 3. Cheers, Jim
Hi Jim, thanks for the comment, yep, that extender makes all the difference. I had great weather on the trip, paying for it now back in the UK... constant rain!
Nick
Love all your videos and especially looking forward to this series. Can I just ask one little thing. You are so softly spoken, can you crank up your voice volume in editing. If I didn’t enjoy your videos I wouldn’t care so please don’t take this as a negative. Thanks.
Many thanks for the comment t and suggestion. I'm travelling again at the moment with a few uploads queued but will endeavour to fix sound on later ones not yet uploaded.. there are still a few.
Nick
Very relaxing to watch. Would love longer vids!
Many thanks for the comment and suggestion, it is one of those trying to get the balance right issues, some people prefer shorter others longer so I've tried for a mix. Thanks again
Nick
No problem I understand completely. My partner and I just love vicariously travelling through you so it's wonderful.
Perhaps you could post unedited footage for those who do want to watch more? I understand though, the storage and upload is time consuming but at least you wouldn't have to edit :D @@bikingtravels
Nice idea but the video capture varies from 11GB to 25GB per day... I'm not very good at capturing just what I want 😊
Nick
@@bikingtravels I understand. Still plenty to watch. I'm waiting to hear back if finance got approved for my CB500X. if it fails i'm going to save and get the updated 2024 model (NX500 Now) later in the year. Safe travels my friend!
Hi Nick good to see you back on your travels I am hoping to do that trip next year from Ireland
I was wondering have you done anything different with the Soft luggage as I know you had a problem it & the Exhaust in the past . Hope you have a wonderful trip & Stay Safe .
Many thanks Michael, and yes, I had a great trip but after my trip last year I replaced the Lomo soft panniers with the same ones and I replaced the rails I had with Outback Motortek Pannier rack and Rear rack (including exhaust heat shield). Problem solved!
Have an amazing trip next year
Nick
For people who don’t know the 500X, when the fuel ‘reserve’ light starts flashing you still have about 100 miles of range left. 🙂
Yep, I was getting around 3.5l / 100Km on the motorway so at least 100Km even if I'd stuck to the motorway
Nick
@@bikingtravelsThat’s great fuel consumption at those speeds Nick. I’m looking forward to the rest of the trip.
Not 100 miles, but 100km. It has 3L in reserve, you have to average 3L/100km. But dont let stay in the reserve too much time, it may have some dirty in the botton and the pump could overheat.
Eh.. 150 miles? Don't think so. Riding on French motorway i miscalculated on last trip.. And almost got stranded. It consumes like close to 5 liter /100 km at 120-125km/h. Don't calculate more than 70-80km on reserve if you on motorway.
Never pump petrol directly on the german autobahn. it's unbelievably expensive. the next gas station, 2km besides the autobahn, the petrol is much cheaper. the difference is about 20-30 cents per liter. sometimes even more. Ride safe!
I absolutely agree with you!!!
Nick
Amazing channel! This is exactly what I am planning to do. Bought a brand new CB500X last week. CBT day after, Mod 1 last Friday and Mod 2 in a couple of weeks. Then off to Honda to collect my bike and basically copy your videos. Love the detail and costs explained.
One question, you mention fuel ‘reserve’ is this switched on the bike or automatic? How do you know how much of it youve used etc?
Am going to binge watch all your trips now! Keep em coming! 👍🏼
Congrats on the new bike and hope mod 2 goes well. Many thanks for the comment! There is an indicator light for fuel reserve, no switching involved and there is a fuel level gauge, so plenty of visibility on remaining fuel. Enjoy your bike adventures, have a fantastic trip and thanks once again!
Nick
@@bikingtravels thanks for your reply. How do you plan/find campsites please? Also what extras are most important for touring on this bike(not blogging/camera, just practical bike stuff)
@@madmatts9010 Take a look at the description for the videos, I've listed the primary gear I take, ignore the vlogging stuff. I use Google maps to find campsites, usually in the afternoon, .akinf a best guess as to where I'll be by about 6pm.
Hope this helps!
Nick
Great video.
Can i ask, how did your kick stand foot perform?
I'm still using a used beercan as a foot and they do tend to sink in.
Many thanks for the comment and question. It worked well, but then the vast majority of the time I was parking up on solid / dry ground. It worked well on my trip last year, and if you need an excuse to carry a can of beer... stick with it! 😊
Nick
Love this trip so far. I also have "Finoscandia" as one of my to ride destinations. For me it is mostly going up through Dennmark and coming back down through Finnland and Poland. I'm wondering, how much ahead of time do you have to book the ferries?
Many thanks and your trip sounds great! The only ferry I booked ahead of time was the first one from the UK to the Netherlands, the rest were "short hops" that I just turned up for. I did but an AutoPASS for ferry which provides a discount on most ferries. Enjoy your trip!
Nick
Hi Nick,
the car was a „Wiesmann“.
German manufacturer from 1988-2014👋
Many thanks!
Nick
Brother change Your sprocket to 16t immediately. It’s completely different bike now. I have 2022 model with few mods but 16t sprocket made it FASTER, and ride with lower rpms (1 gear more like). This bike uses lower/mid rpm so You would get a lot more torque in riding rpms. Lower fuel consumption is something great too. Also great tip for cold intake is to take off Your snorkel from air filter (2 screws). Good luck 👍
Thanks for the information and recommendation but I'm back in the UK now after my Norway trip and having ridden 27k Km over the last 18 months with standard gearing I'm happy with the current gearing. If I do feel the need for speed I jump on my Street Triple 😉
Nick
@@bikingtravels nice, I did only 17k km. It would be faster but also You will got lower RPMs at highways because 6k rpms at 120-130kmh was killing me. Since I did that change now I’m driving more stable with less stressing my ears. Stock gearing was made just for A2 standards. Fuel map was made for 16t sprocket 😄 so You will have more torque all the time. Drive safe!
the white convertible is a weisman - german idea of a healey all m3 underneath - 2.22 is a bit nuts netherlands has always been expensive for fuel - did gothenburg in the car from england last year and wasnt worried but scandi prices for fuel arent too bad not as nuts as most people think - have done similar trip on a 500f from stavanger to lysebotn kristiansand via hoek and danish penninsula - lol at sat nav been travelling for years and it happens still - i blame garmin tho :D - oh and if you wanna whack it on the the way back frederikshavn/hirshals is 12 hours from hoek not going mad incl fuel and food stops
Thanks for the info about the car and the routes. I'm back in the UK now and the return trip took me further east via Finland, but good to note... for future trips 😉
Nick
I'm pretty sure that white car at 4.45 was a Weissman.
Thankyou!!!!!
Nick
Think the white sportscar may have been a TVR.🤔
Thanks for the suggestion, it did have the look of a TVR from behind, but I had a couple of replies advising it is a Wiesmann... pretty car
Nick
Roadworks in germany takes as long as a overweight snail trying to slidder over sandpaper.
😊
How is the fuel consumption on the highway ?
Thanks for the question, as I was on and off the highway all the time and even on the highway my speed wasn't constant it was between 3.5 - 4.2 l / 100km. Sorry I cannot be more accurate
Nick
@@bikingtravels it all good, I guess in average that is around 27 km/l it is decent.
Does the bike run on E5 petrol?
It can run on either, I have been using E10 primarily
Nick
Are you passing Umea in Sweden?
Thanks for the question, I'm back in the UK now and returned through Finland so didn't travel down the east of Sweden. Maybe in the future 😊
Nick
@@bikingtravels enjoying the series immensely, thanks for taking the time and effort to chronicle your trips.
My recommendation for anybody who plans on doing a lot of their touring on motorways is get a diesel hatchback. They are not the place to enjoy touring on two wheels and contrary to popular belief there are few places where there is no viable, better alternative. Nathanthepostman explained the logistics very well on his Vogue 300 2000 mile review he posted yesterday. I’ve had my 500X for almost two years now and it’s never been on a motorway yet my annual mileage is twice what I did during the nine years I owned a ST1300 Pan European.
Thanks David, lack of observation on the fuel situation caught me out, it was one of the very few times I'd ever bought fuel on a motorway. I agree there are alternatives to motorways which in the scheme of things are pretty recent but they do have there uses.
Nick
@@bikingtravelsI find it odd that the 500X does not give you an indication of the range left when the light starts flashing. Knowing how far you’ve travelled and how much fuel you’ve used since the light started flashing is something but it gives me a bit of range anxiety at times. Having said that I’ve regularly managed 500km between fill-ups which is a fantastic range for any bike.
Agree totally, and that's great range you're achieving!
Nick
This is why I love my FJR 1300
Easy long distance cruising and a modest 200 miles easily from the 25 ltr tank without hitting reserve
That is one big tank!!! Thanks for sharing the info
Nick
Rule #1: Do not refuel on the Autobahn. Drive off to other stations close by, they are a lot cheaper.
Absolutely!!!!
Nick
Why would you want to fuel up with E10, that rubbage fuel, when there’s E5 available ...
Thanks for the observation, just following the manufacturers guidelines, when I have filled up with E5 on the CB500X I cannot say I noticed any difference. Perhaps long term engine wear might change my mind.
Nick
@@bikingtravels manufacturer gives minimum quality required. If you want your bike to perform at it's best long term, forget E10
@@bikingtravels I find E5 gives enough MPG improvement over E10 to more than offset the extra cost.
Seeing as where you are travelling will we get a moan about fuel prices every video?
Nope, it's more a note to myself... don't fill up on motorways! I'm glad to say this was by far the most expensive fuel in the whole trip
Nick
😂
👍
Sir, would appreciate if you could have more confidence and project your voice. More than half of the time i could not tell if you're "talking" to us.
Noted, but unfortunately I am now back in the UK, so will try and boost the sound in the edit. Thanks for the suggestion
Nick
try and keep out of the country with those piss take fuel prices
My fault for filling up on a motorway... I should have noticed the fuel warning earlier and stopped at the more reasonable price
Nick
Why don't you go to Russia, visiting Pu Tin
😨