Which bike to Spain

[ArbOl]

Hello from a BCF newbie and bike tour virgin with a problem most would like to have - which one of three bikes would you tour Spain come June?

2010 Triumph Thruxton 3500miles
2002 BMW R1150R 33000
or a 1990 BNW K100RS 60000

Ok, so maybe not an ideal choice, given the impractical Sunday retro, and the difficulty getting breakdown cover for bikes over 10yrs old.

All serviced and in good nick.

The idea is boating down for the Picos with a stop at León.

Alternatively, a longer round trip to Salamanca, Mijas and Valencia.

Grateful for any thoughts, guess anything's good with an Airhawk seat!

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

The R1150 will munch that trip.

Easy to get breakdown cover. Fairly sure I'm covered on my bike as part of my RAC membership.
____________________
My Flickr

[spnorm]

Leon is nice to spend a few hours, but Salamanca is stunning.

I did a trip to northern Spain last summer and Salamanca, Santiago de Compostella, Avila and Segovia were the highlights after the Picos.

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?347259-Northern-Spain-July-2013

[G]

What sort of accomodation - hotels, campsites, wild camping?
Are you using the bike primarily as transport, or do you want to get fun from the riding?
The K100 seems to be the best choice for letting miles waft by, but one of the other two might be more fun for the riding it's self.

Look to ADAC for breakdown servies - they're cheaper than the UK lot generally, offer a better service and it's Europe-wide.

[c-m]

I rode to Salamanca and Valencia on my last trip in November.

Both are great cities. Salamanca is a big student town, drinks are cheap and it's full of beer pong tournaments.

Once you get past the picos though the journey to Salamanca is extremely boring.

Likewise the roads going north heading to Valencia are boring too.

Take your biggest mile muncher.

[John933]

[ArbOl]

Thanks folks, great advice. The R looks best for a shorter spin. The K is surprisingly enjoyable despite the weight, and the tendency to bake your left leg.

The K's fairing is also incredibly efficient with no need to hunch a 5'10 frame even up to a brief 130mph. The K1300S I test rode recently is tortuous in comparison.

Long live the 'future classics'.

Hotels and Paradores where possible on the way down. The return ferry from Poole looks like good value and even has a option for breakdown cover, tho' maybe ADAC is better cover?

[c-m]

If you are going to all the trouble of heading down south towrds Mijas, I strongly recommend that you visit Ronda and take the A-397 to San Pedro.

You'll thank me later

[J biker]

R1150
No contest.

[ArbOl]

Yep the A397 looks like a must!

A test run from London to the Pennines should sort it.

How many km per day is advisable, 500 on bendies (Picos) and 800 on straights (carreteras) ?

[Derek1943]

Hi

I do not think you will ever cover those miles. On mountain roads if you can average 35 mph you will be lucky.

I think an average of 300 to 350 per day in Spain is achievable and gives to time to refuel and take a break etc. This is what I achieved last year 2013 and at times it was going some.

I have planned our route for this May and cut the miles per day down to 250 average.

The rule of thumb is to ask yourself how many miles you would be happy doing in a car (If you also are a car driver) and take 50% of this figure. You will get tried ridding in Spain and one mistake might kill you.

Derek

[G]

I just rode until I was bored or it was late - often something like that, though I didn't do much getting up to 800 - partly because I was on a big single, but also was doing other stuff in the day, often.

I was happily doing 300 miles on said big single on twisty roads In Switzerland and Spain.

[almostthere]

Sell one of them and buy a gixxer 750 to do it on you might as well make the most of the roads over there!
____________________
Beer, It's the reason I get up every afternoon
www.mfairco.uk

[spnorm]

[G]

You see those other bikes - no need to take a pillion .

[_Iain_]

Are any of those bikes a Bandit 600?

Nope.

I see no problem here
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[spnorm]

[chickenstrip]

[G]

[chickenstrip]

[spnorm]