Beerman
Registered user
I have just returned from a trip through Norway, Sweden and Finland to the eastern-most point of the EU on the Russian border, returning via Estonia. In the last couple of years, me and a friend rode to Nordkapp, Cabo da Rocha and Tarifa (me on a r1250rs): this was the last point on the compass. He wrote about the Nordkapp/Tarifa adventure in his book, "North to Norway", by Stephen Oliver (available on Amazon while stocks last...).
We were mainly on tarmac, though we covered many miles on gravel roads (common in eastern Finland) - without a problem.
The bike: in summary, brilliant. ASA worked a treat, and the height adjustment was a great help to my somewhat short legs.
Tyres: Anakee Adventure 2s: performed well, but they are noisy on tarmac - annoyingly so.
Dynamic cruise control: people have different opinions, but it was a great comfort aid - never relied on - on long stretches.
Blind spot monitor: ditto. I found it helpful (I have a vision impairment which doesn't stop me riding, but I have to work harder on the shoulder check).
Ride modes: mainly Road or Dynamic pro. I used Enduro on the gravel roads (not Pro, I don't have it) - it seemed to make things more stable; I really liked it.
Seat: I have the "low comfort" seat. I rode all day with no discomfort.
Luggage: I have Wunderlich x32 bags - loads of space, they work well and look good, in my opinion. I use a Drifter tail bag expandable to 12 litres instead of a top box.
A shout out for Moving Motorcycles, who trailered the bikes to Oslo. We have used them before. They are not cheap, but we have found them to offer excellent service. Once you have taken into account time, ferries, hotels and fuel the maths looks more sensible. I don't have any connection with Moving Motorcycles.
My friend was on a Honda NT1100, which he rates highly.
A couple of final points. In two weeks we had very little rain - we were fortunate, as we were during the month long Nordkapp trip. That makes a difference.
Also, YouTube content would have you believe that Finland is nothing but boring straight roads. That isn't the case - it's not alpine, for sure, but we found many great twisty, undulating roads with no-one else there.
If swimming in remote lakes in historical border country appeals (this part of Finland has history with the Swedes, Russians and Soviets), you should look it up. It was brilliant
We were mainly on tarmac, though we covered many miles on gravel roads (common in eastern Finland) - without a problem.
The bike: in summary, brilliant. ASA worked a treat, and the height adjustment was a great help to my somewhat short legs.
Tyres: Anakee Adventure 2s: performed well, but they are noisy on tarmac - annoyingly so.
Dynamic cruise control: people have different opinions, but it was a great comfort aid - never relied on - on long stretches.
Blind spot monitor: ditto. I found it helpful (I have a vision impairment which doesn't stop me riding, but I have to work harder on the shoulder check).
Ride modes: mainly Road or Dynamic pro. I used Enduro on the gravel roads (not Pro, I don't have it) - it seemed to make things more stable; I really liked it.
Seat: I have the "low comfort" seat. I rode all day with no discomfort.
Luggage: I have Wunderlich x32 bags - loads of space, they work well and look good, in my opinion. I use a Drifter tail bag expandable to 12 litres instead of a top box.
A shout out for Moving Motorcycles, who trailered the bikes to Oslo. We have used them before. They are not cheap, but we have found them to offer excellent service. Once you have taken into account time, ferries, hotels and fuel the maths looks more sensible. I don't have any connection with Moving Motorcycles.
My friend was on a Honda NT1100, which he rates highly.
A couple of final points. In two weeks we had very little rain - we were fortunate, as we were during the month long Nordkapp trip. That makes a difference.
Also, YouTube content would have you believe that Finland is nothing but boring straight roads. That isn't the case - it's not alpine, for sure, but we found many great twisty, undulating roads with no-one else there.
If swimming in remote lakes in historical border country appeals (this part of Finland has history with the Swedes, Russians and Soviets), you should look it up. It was brilliant
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