VFRDiscussion

Currently part-way through my first big outing on the Crosstourer. Been to see friends and family near Doncaster then Sheffield then through Derbyshire to Chester. Just overnight'd in Llangollen.

Pic is on the Horseshoe Pass..

Arrived home safely Friday after a week of near perfect weather; the only real rain was either overnight or just as we arrived in Sheffield and we managed to avoid the vast majority of it. As you can tell, I'm not much of a travel blogger and don't take many photos but here are some more. Journey continued to Llandovery via most of Wales then Brecon Beacons to a friends house near Cardiff then home.

I was really impressed with the CT as a tourer. The screen is excellent, nary a fly hit my visor nor wind stroked my head and it wasn't in the fully up position. Fuel consumption was much better than expected with 2 x 45 litre Givi panniers, a 45 litre topbox and Mrs Skids being hauled along - 11+ miles/litre cruising at the speed limit (70mph) and only a little less on the back roads. Tyres were surprisingly ok with no issues (OEM Scorpion Trails) but the steering was very light with all that weight at the back which caused me a few anxious moments both starting off (wheelies) and stopping. Most annoying is the foot brake pedal - the grips that stand proud grip my Altberg boots but if I want to put my right foot down quickly, they restrict me from moving my foot unless I pick my foot up first. The throttle control is now outstanding and I can roll on in first from idle with no hesitations or coughs, slow speed corners are easy without any clutch use at all in low gears too.

Very pleased and looking forward to Austria next year.

More photos

More