Norway Solo - Bike Security

[Funners]

A question for ThorH perhaps.

I know the roads in Norway are pretty reasonable, even for Motor Homes/Wohnmobiles.

However, there are some small roads marked on the 1:330,000 maps which are described as Cart Tracks/Footpaths/Kjerrevei-Sti.

Some of the foot paths are on the glacial plateaus and mountain walks so obviously unsuitable for bikes. But the cart tracks, are these suitable for motor bikes and if so, can you get away with normal road tyres, or are proper off road tyres required on a 1200 GSA, etc?

Are such tracks just gravel or are they rougher?

Was having the bike serviced yesterday and had a natter with the owner who said he thought Norway was a bit harsh on tyres. I know Iceland is very hard on tyres (basalt road chips?) but didn't think Norway was particularly bad. What is the collective's view on this? Again for a heavyish bike like a 1200 GSA.

Thanks

Grey Beard

We did Norway in 2009, we did lots of gravel roads (some legal some not) and had no problems with Tourances on one bike and Conti Trails on the other.
Norways gravel roads are hard pack with a gravel cover and on none of the ones we did would you have needed even TKC's
One caveat tho....it was VERY dry when we did it, apart from one stretch near Trondheim, but even that was fine.
As for being hard on the tyres...they lasted as long as they did in the UK

 

[Grey Beard]

We did Norway in 2009, we did lots of gravel roads (some legal some not) and had no problems with Tourances on one bike and Conti Trails on the other.
Norways gravel roads are hard pack with a gravel cover and on none of the ones we did would you have needed even TKC's
One caveat tho....it was VERY dry when we did it, apart from one stretch near Trondheim, but even that was fine.
As for being hard on the tyres...they lasted as long as they did in the UK

I have new Michelin Road Pilot road tyres on the bike at the moment. but I guess they will need to be replaced after a long planned trip to Norway & Baltic States next year. Unless these minor roads are pure gravel, I think I would likely damage the tyre carcases, so it will have to wait until another time.

Was thinking of Conti Trail Attacks, but the Metzler Tourances seem to be the ones recommended by the local dealer.

So it seems it is just Iceland that is particularly hard on the tyres. The local dealer had said he thought Norway was hard on tyres, but he is the only source that I have heard that said.

Grey Beard

 

[LivNorway]

Hi ThorH

Many thanks for your reply. I was in Norway late August/early September this year with a motor home, only as far north as Alesund, but I never saw any bike chains or locks on bikes there, even in Oslo. Nice feeling to know people respect your property and don't walk off with it in the blink of an eye.

So what do other members of this forum do when travelling in Europe, when for example you want to leave the bike and do a sight seeing trip around a major city. I know some look for secure parking at a hotel, but what if you are just passing through en-route to another destination that evening, but still want to go walk about?

I remember Oisin Hughes in his blog saying he missed out on seeing the inside of the Church of Bones, because he was on his todd and didn't dare risk leaving his bike unattended outside.

Grey Beard

Hi!

When I was at Kaliningrad and Poland I parked at a secure parking at night.
Daytime I was never far from my bike.
My bike, the F650 CS Scarver, does not have lockable panniers, only soft bags.
The biggest risk was when I was alone and left my bike with all luggage on, and could'nt see it for one hour. That was in a small village in Poland, Goldap. I felt safe in Goldap. But from what I've been told big cityes might not be so safe.

In Norway I never leave my bikes with no padlock on it. Friends tell me I'm paraniod... On the other hand I camp alone, and leave all my things in the tent when I go for a shower...

Put your GPS in your pocket when you leave your bike - everywhere!

Cheers!
Liv.

 

[Grey Beard]

Hi!

When I was at Kaliningrad and Poland I parked at a secure parking at night.
Daytime I was never far from my bike.
My bike, the F650 CS Scarver, does not have lockable panniers, only soft bags.
The biggest risk was when I was alone and left my bike with all luggage on, and could'nt see it for one hour. That was in a small village in Poland, Goldap. I felt safe in Goldap. But from what I've been told big cityes might not be so safe.

In Norway I never leave my bikes with no padlock on it. Friends tell me I'm paraniod... On the other hand I camp alone, and leave all my things in the tent when I go for a shower...

Put your GPS in your pocket when you leave your bike - everywhere!

Cheers!
Liv.

Looks like I just have to get a Pacsafe device and some decent insurance for the more expensive valuables. Try not to let it ruin the holiday!!

I guess in the Baltic States and in Poland overnight accommodation will be reasonable in cost, so may be preferable to camping if they have secure overnight parking.

Grey Beard