Why ?
Ever since I read an article in AMCN about a motorbike tour of the Baltic states I was hooked. I had visions of ex-soviet cities filled with intrigue and mystery, new food to try, new friends to make. Then there was the rest of Europe of course. All on a motorbike. Who could want more ??

The Trip
Flash forward five years (I think) and Jo and I (Rob) are 6 weeks away from our first big biking adventure together. We both love travel and bikes so it was only a matter of time before a adventure was planned and ours is to head off around Europe in a bit of a zig zag, anti clockwise circuit from France. Going through Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Hungry, Slovakia, Romania, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands and Belgium.

The Bike
Before bringing the divvy inside (which is a whole new story) I fitted a kappa hard luggage rack for the panniers and topbox.

The bike in from the cold and snow I decided that some pre trip maintenance was in order. The usual suspects, change the oil, plugs, clean air filter, check the bearings. I am glad I did too because one of the swing arm bearings was completely shot. Rusted, seized and generally not doing what a bearing should.

A quick look around and the suspension linkage bearings are not in the best condition either. I have decided to replace the lot and not have to worry about it 3000 miles later. A crack next to a weld on the exhaust was fixed too. While indoors the bike has also had some extras added, a taller screen, 12 volt socket and rider to pillion passenger intercom for Jo to tell me I have missed the turn off. The maintenance continues.

Once a Bedroom, Jo is very understanding !!