oxforshirerider
Registered user
Hey all,
So thought I'd just share some interesting findings (Ok, so I thought they were interesting, you may not!). Just returned from a trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina when two things struck me as worth noting.
Number 1 - I'd really like to know why the majority of UK insurers won't cover the bike in B&H?
I can only assume that on the most part they have never visited the country and are thinking of it as was in the 20th Century Conflicts. Meanwhile in the 21st Century from my recent trip I found the roads to be better than many here in the UK (in fact I rode on one motorway which was still having the signs put up, which would put ANY UK road to shame), tunnels built to perfection and the smaller roads to be free from traffic well maintained and signed. Petrol stations come at you, at an alarming rate and every single person we spoke to had nothing but genuine enthusiasm and kindness to offer, many spoke better English than many English people and those who didn't speak a word of it communicated in smiles and helpful gestures, seemingly only pleased to help out a traveller in their country. Hotels had secure parking and those that didn't always had a minder to look after the bikes.
I had to buy insurance on the boarder, which cost me €20 for 7 days. The insurance representative was friendly, didn't speak any English but we had an animated friendly conversation none the less. I dipped in and out of the country across the boarders at 4 different points (2 major 2 minor crossing points), at every point the boarder guards were polite, friendly and efficient. Some got confused that I was coming into the country and not using the insurance broker at their point (because I had it for 7 days I could come and go as I liked), but after a brief explanation of where I bought it, I was always waved through with a smile.
Number 2 - my LC 2016 GSA returned less miles than a 2012 AC GSA
Both bikes had fully loaded panniers and topbox/roll bag. Interestingly the LC appeared to have better fuel consumption at around the 40-50mph mark, returning more than the AC on less fuel. However off road and at European motorway speeds of 80mph (more in Germany unrestricted areas) the lack of those additional 3 litres (the AC has a 33 litre tank vs the LC 30litre tank) really started to show. At those speeds I was running dry after 250 miles, where as my mate on his AC still had 80 miles on the range. I was surprised, as being German built & designed I thought the efficiency would see the LC outlast the older AC at high speed, but no. We travelled 2650 miles in 7 days and the AC returned better figures across the fast stuff and off road stuff consistently than the LC.
HOWEVER and its a big one, due to an emergency at home, we had to return home early, which required a ride from Croatia to Oxfordshire in 2 days. That meant crunching the black top. Here there is one thing that made a difference between fatigue and comfort.....I am ashamed to say it, but Cruise Control. I could set the speed and go from filling the tank till 250 miles later when it was running on fumes, no problem. My mate on the AC had sore wrists from holding the throttle open at a set position for the best part of 1000 miles, though even he admitted a benefit of the LC Cruise Control is that he could judge his speed off mine to keep a better constant.
Anyway, if anyone has any idea as to why insurance companies are ignorant to the potential of Bosnia & Herzegovina, or why a BMW 4 years younger and using the latest tech can't at least match an older boxxer engine at high speed, I'd be interested to hear.
P.S. Croatia and Slovenia have some great offroad riding and really are just a couple of days away!
So thought I'd just share some interesting findings (Ok, so I thought they were interesting, you may not!). Just returned from a trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina when two things struck me as worth noting.
Number 1 - I'd really like to know why the majority of UK insurers won't cover the bike in B&H?
I can only assume that on the most part they have never visited the country and are thinking of it as was in the 20th Century Conflicts. Meanwhile in the 21st Century from my recent trip I found the roads to be better than many here in the UK (in fact I rode on one motorway which was still having the signs put up, which would put ANY UK road to shame), tunnels built to perfection and the smaller roads to be free from traffic well maintained and signed. Petrol stations come at you, at an alarming rate and every single person we spoke to had nothing but genuine enthusiasm and kindness to offer, many spoke better English than many English people and those who didn't speak a word of it communicated in smiles and helpful gestures, seemingly only pleased to help out a traveller in their country. Hotels had secure parking and those that didn't always had a minder to look after the bikes.
I had to buy insurance on the boarder, which cost me €20 for 7 days. The insurance representative was friendly, didn't speak any English but we had an animated friendly conversation none the less. I dipped in and out of the country across the boarders at 4 different points (2 major 2 minor crossing points), at every point the boarder guards were polite, friendly and efficient. Some got confused that I was coming into the country and not using the insurance broker at their point (because I had it for 7 days I could come and go as I liked), but after a brief explanation of where I bought it, I was always waved through with a smile.
Number 2 - my LC 2016 GSA returned less miles than a 2012 AC GSA
Both bikes had fully loaded panniers and topbox/roll bag. Interestingly the LC appeared to have better fuel consumption at around the 40-50mph mark, returning more than the AC on less fuel. However off road and at European motorway speeds of 80mph (more in Germany unrestricted areas) the lack of those additional 3 litres (the AC has a 33 litre tank vs the LC 30litre tank) really started to show. At those speeds I was running dry after 250 miles, where as my mate on his AC still had 80 miles on the range. I was surprised, as being German built & designed I thought the efficiency would see the LC outlast the older AC at high speed, but no. We travelled 2650 miles in 7 days and the AC returned better figures across the fast stuff and off road stuff consistently than the LC.
HOWEVER and its a big one, due to an emergency at home, we had to return home early, which required a ride from Croatia to Oxfordshire in 2 days. That meant crunching the black top. Here there is one thing that made a difference between fatigue and comfort.....I am ashamed to say it, but Cruise Control. I could set the speed and go from filling the tank till 250 miles later when it was running on fumes, no problem. My mate on the AC had sore wrists from holding the throttle open at a set position for the best part of 1000 miles, though even he admitted a benefit of the LC Cruise Control is that he could judge his speed off mine to keep a better constant.
Anyway, if anyone has any idea as to why insurance companies are ignorant to the potential of Bosnia & Herzegovina, or why a BMW 4 years younger and using the latest tech can't at least match an older boxxer engine at high speed, I'd be interested to hear.
P.S. Croatia and Slovenia have some great offroad riding and really are just a couple of days away!
on return to the UK. The Hexhead GSA I think is definitely a bit more fuel efficient than the LC GSA. I could have done Caen - Calais - Bedford on one tank at 80 mph but chickened out and refilled at the South Mimms services. Most trips abroad was 2 up with tent and panniers loaded. At a gentle bimble the fuel economy are excellent for both bikes.
