Tyres
Michelin Road 6 tyres were new for this trip, and had been scrubbed in (at least 200 miles) michelin recommended tyre pressures
36 f / 42 r
seems very harsh so ive dropped to
32 f / 38 r
great feel. Given over 5 days it was almost always wet roads Im glad I had new tyres.
Id seriously evaluate the tread depth and wear before you set off on a trip.
AND think about the mileage and how the tyres will be at the END of your trip not just the start.
At 1500 miles you could easily finish off many quick wearing tyres from new!
Dont get caught in the middle of the NC with poor tyres in soaking wet conditions
Fuel
1592 miles at an average of 47 mpg
1592/47 = 33.87 gallons fuel used
33.87 gallons x 4.54 = 153.7 litres fuel used
153.7 x £1.43 per litre average = total cost of fuel for trip estimated at £220
I didnt realise but the last large bar is part of the fuel gauge (not the fixed display)
This is the first trip Ive actually had that final bar go out, and still had 30 miles range indicated.
Red arrow in pic below
Of note after fillup , it will take 30 miles before the range starts to change
14 litres fillup when no further bars on guage and range showing <30 miles
The "usable fuel capacity" specified in the technical data is the
quantity that the fuel tank could
hold if refilled after it had been
run dry and the engine had cut
out due to a lack of fuel.
Usable fuel capacity
approx. 17.5 l (reserve is stated as 4 litres)
empty gauge but still some range ,
on 14 fillup this would leave 3.5 left so 25 miles left to empty ?)
(from what I can tell Gen 3 is less at 16.5 litres)
So in mixed riding, using all the gears and the full rev range (but NOT pinning it everywhere!)
14l == 3.07 gallons, at 47MPG that makes the sensible useable range of a Gen 2 S1000R is around 145 miles.
to be honest Ive never taken mine much beyond 140 miles.
but in theory there is some more left to get you around 25-30 miles more, but dont hold me to that.
On the NC500 route we took, there was only twice I took mine to no bars and <30 range indicated.
Fuel availablity is good on the NC500 in most places, but if you are below 1/2 and see fuel top up.
Of note many stations are self service using a bank card (not contactless), so make sure you have an actual card
range always goes up to 155 miles
Carrying your gear
I carried all my gear in
single 20-30 litre motocentric pillion bag, its a generic bag so you can find the same design under multiple naming.
Heres it on the back of the bike before I put the rain cover and additional straps on, fully expanded to 30 litres
Truth be told, this was given to me by a friend, I really wanted the sw motech panniers but they are still around £300, given the other costs I thought Id try this first time out.
fit tape to your rear pillion coloured bits to prevent damage
bag was fantastic for the money, huge amount of space 30l, only sacrifice I made was a pair of jeans
I carried
where Ive added a price I bought specifically for this trip, other items I already owned
Of note , I would NOT recommend relying ONLY on the supplied straps, they are not enough.
I also used 2 large ROK STRAPS
these were simple and worked really well and kept the bag secure.
I used one strap to attach to the pillion seat pegs, the other one went under the pillion. I overlapped them to create a sort of triangulation.
I also kept my wet weather gear on the outside of the bag but under the cover for easy access.
remember put your gear into plastic bags to prevent it getting wet , dont rely on things staying dry! The bag externally did get wet despite me having the rain cover over it. so seperate your things and put them in bags, dont say I didnt warn you.
Travelling with 3 other bikes who had far more luggage storage, I was fortunate that they carried tools , puncture repair kit / compressor and large chains which means I didnt have to.
you need to try getting on and off, with the height extended its a fair challenge to get your leg swung over !
you can try standing on the lower pegs but given Im 115kg Id really prefer not to!
If you have a GS then its fine to stand on the pegs.
Security
bikes were placed in an X shape at night and secured using 2 main chains and a multitude of disklocks, ideally also to something large and fixed to the ground.
For a lodge we could see the bikes
For hotels at least one of us could see the bikes
For caravan they were down the side of the van
In reality everywhere we went there were lots of bikers doing the NC500
Dont leave your bike EVER in Glasgow or Edinburgh city centre!
It will get pinched
Prepare to be wet
Look at the weather forecast.
I found it easier to have wet weather pants on from the start of the day rather than try and take on and off.
jacket and gloves easier to take on and off.
Make sure you put your gear on BEFORE it rains.
overgloves work well in torrential rain and are fine once you get used to them but I hate the feeling of them, so often I prefer to just get wet gloves/hands.
I did use the jacket and pants though and they worked really well for a generic pair for general use at £18.50 , highly recommended
see Aftermath at the bottom I cleaned and waterproofed my car AFTER I returned, I should have done it before.
nikwax / rainex for plastic visor
Ear protection
not just an NC500 thing, but one of the biggest game changers for me.
riding any distance without ear protection creates fatigue.
if you intend to ride long distances or just want to stay fresh, get some good earplugs
I bought Alpine MotoSafe Tour
Alpine MotoSafe Tour
doesnt block out completely and allows you to still hear comms etc just fine
Prepare for Midges!
Took but never used because the weather was so dismal
Avon skin so soft
Navigation
 | 1x Motorcycle - Vibration Dampener
Note: This product is currently on backorder - shipment will be delayed |
£15.99 each |
 | 1x Motorcycle - USB Charger |
£27.99 each |
 | 1x Motorcycle Kits - Galaxy - Galaxy S23 Ultra / Handlebar Mount PRO / No Weather Resistant Poncho |
£82.99 each
|
£114 for all inc a discount
no poncho cover !
myrouteapp navigation lifetime offer £59
(routes had been planned in myrouteapp) , this is the easiest way to allow navigation (as it turns out without a quadlock poncho and the rain I didnt lead very much)
Hydrate!
We rode with regular stops (at least every 2 hrs) for at least 10 hrs a day, its easy to forget to drink. Even in wet conditions you still sweat.
Make sure you drink plenty to keep hydrated, keeps your energy up and combats fatigue
Enjoy the experience
Goes without saying, but talk to people, take lots of pictures, slow down (sometimes) and look at the scenery, its breathtaking
Speed Cameras
Our route had some small average speed camera sections, but these were limited.
In the north of scotland and on back roads you are more likely to see a stag than a camera van.
The further south you go the more likely to see mobile vans (we saw one on the A7)
Just pay attention to the limits and keep looking ahead.
Waze or Google Maps can be great to show locations.
(myrouteapp nav only seems to show fixed camera and average speed locations not mobile)
The aftermath
rear axle adjustment locking nut backed off on last day, quickly nipped up
bike is filthy.
tank/crotch area is now badly scuffed, as are tail sections despite tape.
of note running the pillion bag pushes the rider further forward touching the tank. I would normally ride seated further back
will need to cut the paint back to shiny, Ive already tried and its going to need a few goes, so the damage is deeper than I expected.
really need Paint Protection film in place.
I could use tank grips, but havent really find any I like that dont spoil the look of the bike
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