Have a great time abroad and hopefully get some decent weather. I will be heading over in June and so looking forward t it. Take care and ride safe.

Hiya, glad it was useful 👍I loved my time in Switzerland, the roads are well maintained and terrific for us bikers. As a way of a little update, I have been using Points of Interest markers for navigation and found it works very well rather than pre planning a route and will use that approach when I head off to Europe in June. Have a great time and ride safe.

Hello David, haha, that is so true. I know when I first came back to biking, I would be lucky to go an hour without major discomfort, now I am a lot more resilient. I prefer Greggs to Starbucks 🤣🤣🤣

I rode to turkey and back from Isle of Man in may/June on a tiger 900 get pro, no comfort issues other than hand vibrations. I’ve just done a similar trip to Hungary Poland etc on a gs1250 (because of hand issues on tiger) and whilst far more comfortable it kills my shoulders which i’m hoping to solve with bar risers. I’m not particularly fit but do think/hope it’s the bike setup rather than me (61 and licence less than 2 years. 8th bike already and wish I’d started years ago).

@@philipTOMPSETT Hello Philip, two nice bikes for sure and some cracking tours. I get what you are saying about being "fit" because I am not really referring to overall physical fitness as I could not possibly claim that. I refer to "bike fit" as being your overall endurance to riding a bike and in my case I know that the more I ride, the longer I can stay on the bike. It is very addictive isn't it. I came back to biking just before 60 and love every minute of it. Thanks for the comment👍

Ah yes good point (that I managed to miss). Next stop Spain or Portugal to escape the Manx weather. Safe trips and thanks again. Phil

@@philipTOMPSETT You are making me jealous, damm

My trip last year was 50/50 booking v non booking. Maybe the problems getting a signal and the app issues has swung me the other way, but like you say there is no right or wrong way. I am hoping to do something next year but will decide shortly and yes I do want to go back asap. Thanks for the great comment 👍

Hello Mikey, yep, that is fair comment. Over my working career I have had so many poor digs that it important for me to have decent place to stay at the end of a long days riding. Travel light is something I want to get better at but it depends on the seasons. I had been watching the weather in Europe for a few weeks before departure and it was not looking good, they had a lot of stormy weather so there was stuff to deal with cold and the better weather. Adventure comes in many forms and this for me was mine. I hope I can tour when 74, bravo sir and thanks for the great feedback.

Hi, thanks for the reply. I know what you mean about weather as the first 8-9 days of my trip this year were wet or very wet !!! I always use basic overtrousers over riding jeans as I find textile pants far to warm when the sun finally comes out. The temperature varied from 15 degrees in north Poland to 38 degrees in Bosnia !!! A well vented textile jacket is a godsend as it is also waterproof. Very good point you make about point to point navigating as this is my preferred method using satnav and map in tandem. Maps are never wrong !!! I prefer to use small hotels and B and B type places as they will very often have a secure yard or similar to park your bike safely. Be aware that bike theft is not so much a problem as it is here in the UK,except in Italy!! Excellent point about staying at one place for several days and using it as a base as this is the way to see more of the country without the pain of constant loading and unloading the bike, this can get very tedious after a long hot day. Nothing beats that feeling of riding off the ferry at the start of a trip, after all my many journeys i still have that excitement and a little fear every time. LOVE IT. Ride on Ride on !!! Mike.

@@mikeryan4995 More excellent observations Mike, I am getting so excited about going away again next year but as yet destination is still unknown although I may head to Orkney in two weeks time for a short tour.

You sound like a cliché.

Thanks for the great comment. Yes I know what you mean about the accommodation and it certainly does make sense, you never know, I might do the mix and match again.

Cheers Michael 👍

It is an excellent approach 👍Thanks for the great comment.

Hello Mishka, I really appreciate the lovely comment and very pleased you enjoyed the video. I had someone comment on this video that they thought I was drunk !!!! So it really nice to hear great feedback from you. I will be making a follow up to this video shortly to supplement this information in this video.

Many thanks and good to hear you are enjoying the stuff I do. I loved my experience on Europe, I have been there many times but never on a motorbike and it was a completely different experience, highly recommended.

Hello YT, many thanks for the sub 👍I had same issue when I moved from my VFR 1200X because the four cylinder engine is just wonderful but you soon learn to adapt. This is my third DCT and think it just magnificent, good choice. I do want to ride the French Alps and it may be an option for 2024, just cannot make up my mind, one thing for sure, it will be a brilliant tour on a brilliant bike. It would be good to hear some tips from a European about riding in the various countries 😁😁

I find about five hours in the saddle works for me even though the elapsed time with stops etc could be almost double the ride time, it all about getting a good balance to enjoy the day. Faffing with cameras takes up so much time as well. I too do the film everything and delete what not needed although I have many TB of data stored because I always think, maybe want that later haha. Great advice that you cannot create what you do not have. I cannot imagine just how big Aussie is, particularly when compared to the UK and the remoteness and all the wildlife that wants to eat you is another dimension that I have not been exposed to. Great comment CC.

Cheers MM, I think the video has resonated with a few other bikers. I did enjoy the views I had heading south, a great experience.

Thank you Al👍 Was not aware of the SANEF tag, a worthy addition if driving through the countries that use them. This video have been great for getting excellent feedback and extra cracking tips.

Hello Cornelis, many thanks and great to get good feedback such as yours, much appreciated. I would love to ride in Spain but it has logistic problems for me. I live in the NE of Scotland and would have to ride to the southern most part of the UK which is a very long way through extremely congested roads. Never say never and if I get the opportunity then it my happen. Alex

Morning Jim, happy to share. You have a terrific bike for such a long journey, I rode from Newcastle to Dundee without a stop (my backside was a bit sore by the end though) and do not think I could have done that on any of my other bikes. Enjoy the ride when it comes. Alex.

Hello Mike, thanks and good to know you found it useful. I used the motorway network coming home so it was not wasted but going down I took the non motorway route which is excellent other than the time it takes. Have a great adventure and enjoy the stunning Alps.

Hehe, love the three piece suite, I will never be able to look at a bike with luggage in the same light 🤣🤣

Hello Rob, small bikes are great fun and the NT1100 will more than likely be my last big bike (hopefully will have it for a few years though). Go have a look at Lomo bags, they are completely waterproof and well priced. I got a good soaking in Shetland with the Classic and the Lomo bags, unlike my waterproofs, kept all the water out. I do fancy doing Ireland next year but not yet decided on destinations, like you I am already looking forward to new tours. I will not buy another sat nav, The Tom Tom is currently opened up as water once again got into the inners but will rely on phone app of some description. Thanks for the great comment. Alex

Hello Brian, thank you very much, supportive comments are all welcomed. I would like to do the tunnel but it is sooooo far from me hence the need for a ferry. This is my preferred way to plan.

@@blearyview2254 Hi Alex yes i appreciate how far the tunnel is for you, we all plan things in a way that works for yourself its about enjoying the trip 😀

Many thanks. That never crossed my mind, great tip and will now check every time before I attach.

Well it got to be done Nige, the mountains are enormous and are a sight to be seen.

It can be a nightmare when you out and about on the bike. If they want something bad enough then I do not suppose too much will stop them. I have been in Lisbon a few times with my old work and was warned about security and sorry to hear about the loss of helmets and damage to the bike. I have had an audible alarm before and that a great idea and worth thinking about and do use a cable lock for each of my bikes to secure my helmet. It one reason why I want to do more two or three nights stops so that my kit is locked up in hotel. Good to know you have enjoyed 👍

Morning Mick, we do rely on sat navs a lot and they pay us back by giving some real weird routes. Your planning approach is very clever and it not something i had considered👍

@@blearyview2254 Thanks Alex, mostly trial and error got me to that point though. When I first started using a Sat Nav it took me and the wife down a couple of green lanes in Devon and Cornwall on the K1600, I soon learned to check routes very carefully 😄.

Cheers Biker 👍 I suppose it all about the adventure and glad you enjoyed. I am sure I will not follow my advice for this years Euro trip because I have a short memory 🤣

@@blearyview2254 next year I'm planning on going from my home in Essex to Istanbul of all places, and camping for the first time as well! What could possibly go wrong..... 😂

@@1962jpgHi Biker, haha that going to be epic. I just subbed and will catch up on your vids and hopefully see the fun that is Istanbul. It will be fine 😁

@@blearyview2254 Fingers well crossed!! 🤞👍

Evening old Dave, thank you very much. This video has had amazing views and tons of comments so it makes me happy it is of some use. I will doing a follow up on the Royal Enfield setup I used to go to Shetland so stay tuned as they say :)

Thank you very much, that big body of water of a bit of a hindrance for us bikers for sure.

It great to hear to enjoyed the video and found the information useful. I just love solo touring but the one question I get asked all the time is, are you not lonely being on your own for two weeks. The reality is there are so many folk want to chat, especially if the bike draws interest. My video for next Friday is just how much chat my Royal Enfield attracted. I worked away from home for a few years so am very used to going solo. Thanks for the sub. If you are interested, there are unlisted videos of the Euro trip in a Euro Playlist and will be adding more over next couple of months.

Morning David, The Classic is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden, it just perfect for me. The NT is not bad either and they do indeed make a big difference when in the saddle for a long run. I did not realise the Hornet was that uncomfortable as never heard that in the reviews, just shows the real life experience. Merry Christmas.

You too mate yeh the hornet 2007 model as it happens was great but anything more than 3 or 4 hours was like torture and I’m only 5.10 more designed for a high octane blast

Hello Andrew, thank you for the sub and happy my experiences were a little bit of a help. I am going to do a follow up of the ride to Shetland but that will be a few weeks yet. I have a couple of mates that I go out with every now and again as well as my son when he has time (he has young family), also ride with a local lad Greywolf but mostly I really enjoy the solitude of riding the bike, which is something I will be doing in 15 minutes 🤣🤣🤣

morning Paul, thank you very much, it pleasing to hear the video was of some use.

Five hours feels about right to me as well and when you factor in stops it makes for an enjoyable day.

Hello Brian, no more sportbikes for us oldies😁 but as long as we can still ride.

Got to agree, thanks for the comment.

Hello Nick great comment and thanks for the nice words. Pre booking will indeed save a lot of cash in my experience, I think I may have mentioned in a video somewhere but I did think about staying on another night or two in the Swiss hotel and the price had doubled. The road at Interlaken was the north side of the lake, I will try find out the name and post. The road at the end of the video was on the south side. I am away right now on another little tour and sat nav issues did not go away but that for another video haha. Enjoy your trip and ride safe. Alex

Morning Grant, thanks for the good suggestions, all my stuff is old so I better not chuck it out 🤣🤣🤣 I did try to take the chain but like you say it very heavy, so I just go with disk lock, if they want the bike then there is not much going to stop them. I have done a few trips now and each time it seems to be a refinement so every day is a learning day. I have been watching @bikingtravels and he uses wicking clothing and going to give that a try and see how it works out.

Three trips, you jammy devil 🤣 That approach work as well and makes for great riding. Thanks for watching. Alex

Agree parking is very important. I enjoy the video recording/editing so it no hardship and this channel really started when I thought it worthwhile to share the different places you normally see when the videos are about Scotland. Sounds like a blast for next year and it the perfect bike for those types of distances. thanks for the comment 👍

@@blearyview2254 will try and do a trip up your side have done Scotland and Isles by car

@@MikeHarveyPhoto Bring your rain gear😁

There is a web site that you can pay for the vignette and it linked to your number plate, I think it for all vehicles. via.admin.ch/shop/dashboard The back roads are superb and you will no doubt have a ball on the bike.

Hello Jim, thanks for the lovely comment. For me the NT1100 is perfect bike for long tours (I had the bike up some tight winding roads yesterday so it more than "just" as tourer). it is very comfortable on the standard seat, there is plenty room to move around, weather protection is excellent and the engine has plenty poke should you wish or indeed need to use it. I can do 2.5 hrs on it without feeling the need to stop for a stretch of the legs. Of course, that may not be the case for everyone.

Morning Peter, I actually did a lessons learned on the trip back to Amsterdam but it was far too long haha, so decided to do the shortened version. You are only as old as you feel and honestly feel a lot younger, until I look in the mirror of course 🤣🤣🤣 Video titles is not something that comes easy to me haha and maybe need to try one of these AI programmes to help out.

@@blearyview2254 likewise with the mirror, Alex. I seem to have some old feller living with me. No idea who he is... 🤣

@@Lanes-Explorer5733 🤣🤣🤣They don't make mirrors like they used too haha.

There does seem to be two camps, one that like to know they have a bed sorted for the night and the other who are more than happy to go with the flow and book on the day. I am in the former camp for now, particularly given the fact I like to stay away from large towns and cities and prefer smaller, quieter locations. Thanks for the comment. Alex

Afternoon James, just back from a ride on the NC, still loving it of course. I really appreciate the lovely comment on the video editing. The Classic is a fantastic bike and pondering whether I could take it to Europe, but it would mean travelling to Newcastle on fast roads so will see how that pans out. My problem, and it a great problem to have is which bike to take out haha. I will make a video on the travelling with the Classic in due course.

Cheers Richard, I do see the attraction of it and maybe I was a bit unlucky. 18 days eh, lovely. I think I would always book accommodation in Switzerland due to the cost. I paid something like €102 per night. I looked at extending an extra couple of nights and the price was double.

Couldn't agree with you more, and that's exactly what I do. I think booking in advance is the worst thing you can do. It can spoil your holiday. My wife and I did it on our first trip in Europe, and it all went wrong when she became ill on the third day and we had to either cancel everthing else we had booked, or start playing catch up. We decided to cancel, and felt so much better being able then to travel each day as far as we felt like doing. To me working to a pre-planned schedule is work, not a holiday, and not as relaxing. What's the point of putting yourself under pressure when your on holiday, and spoiling that sense of freedom and adventure. And I can't understand why people are so concerned that they might have not have an internet connection for hotel booking. We've had no problem with just going to the tourist information office if we have to. It's always worked well for us, as it used to do before the internet existed, and at 70, I'm old enough to remember.

@@rkbeswick I suppose the lesson is whatever works for the individual.

@@blearyview2254 Yes of course it’s all down to personal choice, and we can all learn from our own personal experiences. I think we should also keep in mind that a mechanical problem can send our best laid plans down the pan. Three years ago I bought a brand new BMW motorcycle which broke down after just 900 miles. Fortunately I wasn’t on a touring holiday. The dealership came and picked up the bike and after a week they still hadn’t solved the problem. Eventually they contacted the BMW engineers in Germany who came up with the solution. I was without the bike for nearly three weeks. This is another reason why I personally don’t book in advance, but I wish you many happy and trouble free bike touring holidays, and I look forward to more of your excellent videos. Thank you.

Thanks George, really pleased you enjoyed 👍Yes you are spot on regards expanding luggage getting filled, and the next time it will be far more efficient. The camera kit and computer do take up far too much space but I do need them so that it allows me to capture the memories. Thanks for watching. Alex

Hello Michael, glad you enjoyed this effort. You know what, nor have I regards safety but I will next time :) I had travel and breakdown insurance when I went to Europe and the European health passport or whatever it called these days. Also had a second phone as a backup and one of these itags from Apple so wife could keep an eye on me but you make a stonking point.

Hello Andrew, I have Dunlop tyres and have done 3,500 miles so far and got to say they look fine with plenty life left in them. I was worried about the Dunlops because I had them NC750X and only got 3,500 which hacked me off no end. I replaced the NC tyres with Metlzer Tourance and have almost 8k out of them and need to replace them now. I certainly think I will get another 3.5k out of the NT tyres if not more before they need replaced. Not sure what to suggest. Glad the video was helpful.

Hello BMW Gus, many thanks for the comment. If I recall, I wanted to see more of the road ahead (I may have got lost 🤣) but normally use the satnav in the horizontal position. It been a while since I have watched this one so will need to go have a look and try remember 😁Thanks for the sub btw👍

You're welcome, and thank you for keeping me entertained on a wet Thursday afternoon. Roll on summer, lol 😆

@@bmwgsblackgus7636 Nice to know folk enjoy this stuff 👍It dry but cold up here but snow meant to be on it's way but been able to get out a few times already this year. I have a lovely controversial video tomorrow ( it all tongue in cheek though).

Cheers Ice, yeah the difference was very noticeable where the elected folk think it better to spend zillions on bike lanes that no one wants or in a lot of case need.

Morning BM, glad you found it useful and to be honest, I really do not feel that old haha. Yes I can pull something together from the Shetland trip.

@@blearyview2254 Thanks for this Alex, much appreciated. I actually do get the flavor of what you mean re-age. Our bodies may age, but our minds still think we are 30 something 😵‍💫

@@B0M0A0K Often people say, what do you do now that you are not working, I tell them everything I wanted to do when I was working but could not 🤣

Hello Jean, I have taken the following from the Swiss web site where you can purchase a Vignette, "If you want to take a car, motorbike, trailer, caravan, delivery van or camper (up to 3.5 tonnes) on Swiss motorways and expressways, you need a motorway vignette sticker." I do not know what is classed as A class in Switzerland but the hotel owner where I stayed told me at that time it was only for motorways but of course that maybe changiing. Hope this helps. Alex

@@blearyview2254 I found a current map of the entire road network in Switzerland subject to the requirement of a vignette, not only motorways and increasingly difficult to avoid.

I will have a look but what I failed to do is show you the solution I mentioned in the video, that's the problem when putting together different video shots and forgetting you mentioned something. I am going to do a supplemental video to cover off the Classic 350 ride and cover off the missing bits. Glad you enjoyed Paul and good to know it of some use.

Just had a look at those pants, they do indeed look the biz. The site in general looks interesting as never come across it before so will have a rummage around to see what's of interest.

Hello Gordon, welcome aboard and thanks for the sub. the name is Alex and I am in Dundee so a good bit away from you. I have met a couple of local lads but generally I am a solo rider. My channel is just about me riding around my local area and the tours I do. I have a Royal Enfield Classic 350, a Honda NC 750x and a Honda NT1100 which earlier this year replaced a VFR 1200X. I have released videos on all my bike past and present and am slowly releasing videos of this year's tours to Switzerland, Shetland and Orkney. I am now retired and mid 60s so time to enjoy the bikes. I do not do this for subs tbh, I just enjoy producing videos from my bike rides but it doe make me happy when folk enjoy them. You are right about the lack of Scottish vloggers, well at least they do not show up in my feeds. I hope you enjoy some of my other videos. Cheers, Alex

@@blearyview2254 Hi Alex - thanks for the reply - well you never know out paths might cross one day if I head a little east and you a little west - Stirling perhaps 🤔 safe riding pal - keep it shinny side up - 🥃…

@@mrwhiskym8818 If you do then drop me a note and see if we can share a coffee. I worked out of Gourock a few years ago so Erskine is not unfamiliar.

@@blearyview2254 ok Alex - I will - I’m actually in a village called Langbank - just before you hit Port Glasgow. Biking for 44 yrs but must admit I’m a fair weather rider now a days - I’ll put it in the diary for the first good week in Spring. Might have a gs by then “🥃”

Yes indeed, little Lara and she 3.5 years old and a typical Yorkie.

@@blearyview2254 We had one called Fred - which we had rehomed...if we could have changed his name we would have called him "Manewaring" (Dad's Army!)

@@RobLittleuk haha brilliant. I was out with a couple of old mates yesterday and we were talking about Dad's Army and bemoaning ( as you do when you get together) the fact we will never see such comedies again. The young uns do not know what they are missing.

@@blearyview2254 Ditto!

It not bike specific.

Never a truer word spoken 🤣🤣🤣

Hello, why is that?

Hey ho, cannot please everyone. Thanks for watching.

Yes indeed, not watched this one for a while so you may see the speedometer but all the footage on the continent shows KPH. It is very simple to change and makes life on the road a lot simpler. I did it while waiting to disembark the ferry.

@@blearyview2254 Good to know , I have a NT700 Deauville 2009 and thinking of upgrade to a NT1100 in a few months, many reviews starting with people not sure about the motorbike where it fits and so on but after a few hours most of the riders are delighted with it 👍

@@luisvalentim99 I have both bikes and can certainly say the NT1100 is a far superior bike to the NC. I truly love my 2019 NC as it is so easy to ride and is a very forgiving motorcycle. The NT feels a far more modern bike and therefore benefits from modern techniques, it handles extremely well and gives lots confidence. It is heavier but is easy to move and very comfortable. I was out on the NT today and loved every minute. Get yourself a test ride and see what you think. Good luck.