So I've owned the GS8 for almost 5 years now and it's been absolutely everything I wanted from my first bike. I'd buy the 8 again tomorrow if mine suffered something tragic. I've tweaked and protected beyond the necessary to make this a more than the normal off-road capable machine.
It's come time to challenge the owner a little as this bike seems to take everything I tamely try through at it and at 38 years old times a ticking to go and play like this without some sort of objection or limited physical fitness.
Before you forward links to Tims excellent tips, I think I've read them all. They have only added to my keenness to make this trip come true. I'll be sad if Tim doesn't chuck in a bit of advice here suited to my needs.
Timing works well for June, misses approves, surely all I need is a bit of advice from some wise minds here on Morroco and I'm on my way.
First question would be the best tour operator to meet my needs given the below.
I have around 2 weeks available sometime in June, earlier the better. I hope planned tours are still available this late in the season. I'm used to the heat.
My bike will be close to Barcelona and as much as a quick spin through Spain outbound is appealing the toll on some fresh TKC80s and time limitations say boarding a ferry from there much desired.
Now my off-road ability, a questionable affair and hard to gauge given how far I might want to throw myself into the deep end of what Morroco has to offer, I've ridden albeit short distances just about everything I can find in Mallorca being sand, mud, gravel, forest tracks etc for the last 5 years so I'd say reasonably good around although limited time spent at over 50mph on gravel. What I definitely don't want is a asphalt tour. Less distance more off-road definitely the objective if I can't circumnavigate the whole country in one. Good excuse to come back.
So why use a tour guide?
Time and pushing my limits knowing there is engineering backup not far behind.
I have BMW vario panniers fitted and not looking to change, one big off and these things are gonna fly for sure. Ideally these 3 x panniers will magically relocate between my overnight stays in 3*+ accommodation. Possible? Sorry guys but I've done my hardcore travelling, I can afford some luxury these days and adding weight of panniers just gonna limit the fun day times. Promise I have no problem pushing/ stabilising suitably fixed aluminium cases, bike and riders through the tricky parts as may well be required without any resentment that my luggage is already on route.
So if you can help out with any of above please drop me some hints.
Thanks to all that have read my post here and in return I can only offer my gratitude and local knowledge of Mallorca where good bike hire is well available and the sun shines most of the year, if you have no advice on Morroco but need some on Mallorca feel free to drop me a PM outside this thread.
Thanks
cf
It's come time to challenge the owner a little as this bike seems to take everything I tamely try through at it and at 38 years old times a ticking to go and play like this without some sort of objection or limited physical fitness.
Before you forward links to Tims excellent tips, I think I've read them all. They have only added to my keenness to make this trip come true. I'll be sad if Tim doesn't chuck in a bit of advice here suited to my needs.
Timing works well for June, misses approves, surely all I need is a bit of advice from some wise minds here on Morroco and I'm on my way.
First question would be the best tour operator to meet my needs given the below.
I have around 2 weeks available sometime in June, earlier the better. I hope planned tours are still available this late in the season. I'm used to the heat.
My bike will be close to Barcelona and as much as a quick spin through Spain outbound is appealing the toll on some fresh TKC80s and time limitations say boarding a ferry from there much desired.
Now my off-road ability, a questionable affair and hard to gauge given how far I might want to throw myself into the deep end of what Morroco has to offer, I've ridden albeit short distances just about everything I can find in Mallorca being sand, mud, gravel, forest tracks etc for the last 5 years so I'd say reasonably good around although limited time spent at over 50mph on gravel. What I definitely don't want is a asphalt tour. Less distance more off-road definitely the objective if I can't circumnavigate the whole country in one. Good excuse to come back.
So why use a tour guide?
Time and pushing my limits knowing there is engineering backup not far behind.
I have BMW vario panniers fitted and not looking to change, one big off and these things are gonna fly for sure. Ideally these 3 x panniers will magically relocate between my overnight stays in 3*+ accommodation. Possible? Sorry guys but I've done my hardcore travelling, I can afford some luxury these days and adding weight of panniers just gonna limit the fun day times. Promise I have no problem pushing/ stabilising suitably fixed aluminium cases, bike and riders through the tricky parts as may well be required without any resentment that my luggage is already on route.
So if you can help out with any of above please drop me some hints.
Thanks to all that have read my post here and in return I can only offer my gratitude and local knowledge of Mallorca where good bike hire is well available and the sun shines most of the year, if you have no advice on Morroco but need some on Mallorca feel free to drop me a PM outside this thread.
Thanks
cf