Discussion
If you've read some of my previous posts regarding touring on a sports bike.
I've set my sights on Norway for 2024 whilst I am totally comfortable doing large distance/time I do require a minimum standard of road to really enjoy it. The road surface being a big factor. Initial research would appear to show a lack of 'main' roads and I have no experience of what to expect.
My questions?
Have you been?
Is it worth me trekking up to Norway or is it more suited to Adventure Bike type of bike?
I've set my sights on Norway for 2024 whilst I am totally comfortable doing large distance/time I do require a minimum standard of road to really enjoy it. The road surface being a big factor. Initial research would appear to show a lack of 'main' roads and I have no experience of what to expect.
My questions?
Have you been?
Is it worth me trekking up to Norway or is it more suited to Adventure Bike type of bike?
Plenty of people have documented their journey on YouTube and I can't wait to do it. Doesn't look like you need an adventure bike unless you want to go off road.
Have a look here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQyyGnBe8LfeSNF...
Varied roads, bits of gravel but look better than here.
Just expect to get wet!
Have a look here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQyyGnBe8LfeSNF...
Varied roads, bits of gravel but look better than here.
Just expect to get wet!
I was going to mention AndyCamMan on youtube for his Norway trip but I see someone already has.
Havent been on the bike but I've been several times to Bergen and the surrounding area with my work and have had hire cars to have a look around.
I havent come across any unpaved roads (although Andy does on his trip) and the road surface is incredible. Seems very grippy and I'm not sure if I've ever seen a pothole! I'm also thinking of doing similar next year but using a van to get my bike to Norway and then touring for a week or so.
The areas I have been the roads have been fantastic but the speed limits are also very low, anything off of the Motorway seems to be around 40mph.
Havent been on the bike but I've been several times to Bergen and the surrounding area with my work and have had hire cars to have a look around.
I havent come across any unpaved roads (although Andy does on his trip) and the road surface is incredible. Seems very grippy and I'm not sure if I've ever seen a pothole! I'm also thinking of doing similar next year but using a van to get my bike to Norway and then touring for a week or so.
The areas I have been the roads have been fantastic but the speed limits are also very low, anything off of the Motorway seems to be around 40mph.
Yep I did Norway in my T4 last year and the roads were stunning and the scenery epic. I only went up as far as Trondheim and the weather we had for the most part was dry but it only warmed up substantially in the second week, (we went late May, earlyly June). The only problem I would see with the temps if you went in the summer and on a bike would be the mountain passes as some of them were bloody cold at the top as you'd expect. As mentioned the speed limits are low and apparently enforced with BIG fines if caught although I saw very little evidence of any speed traps when out in the wilds. I barely did any big a roads or motorways as we were out in the sticks as much as possible, plus in a slow T4 it wasn't much of an issue for us. We did see plenty of bikes about.
We did Hull to Rotterdam which made a lot of sense for us but I would struggle with now after the P&O staff debacle and then the Eemshaven to Kristiansand ferry which was excellent. The boat had nice food, good entertainment in the bar and was just a nice place to spend an evening/afternoon. The only thing was I was glad we were in the van to be able to prepare our own meals, it's bloody expensive eating out!
We did Hull to Rotterdam which made a lot of sense for us but I would struggle with now after the P&O staff debacle and then the Eemshaven to Kristiansand ferry which was excellent. The boat had nice food, good entertainment in the bar and was just a nice place to spend an evening/afternoon. The only thing was I was glad we were in the van to be able to prepare our own meals, it's bloody expensive eating out!
Not riden a bike over there but have driven a fair stretch from sandefjord round to rakkestad and dipped briefly in to stromstad in sweden, mainly took back roads back from stromstad (definitely didn't have a boot full of cheaper alcohol...) and was impressed with consitency of good quality tarmac, even on single track rural roads.
Obviously this is all quite a small area and in the southern regions but every little helps etc. Lots of bikers over there, especially on harleys as they love an american vehicle in that neck of the woods and generally everyone seems happy.
Streetview covers masses of norway so worth plonking the camera down on various bits of the routes you're planning and just having a look. I dare say the further north you go, the more likely you are to encounter gravel roads etc but the majority of it looks pretty good. Pretty sure the most northern part of norway on streetview has motorbikes in the car park from what I remember of having a nosey around on google maps a while ago!
Obviously this is all quite a small area and in the southern regions but every little helps etc. Lots of bikers over there, especially on harleys as they love an american vehicle in that neck of the woods and generally everyone seems happy.
Streetview covers masses of norway so worth plonking the camera down on various bits of the routes you're planning and just having a look. I dare say the further north you go, the more likely you are to encounter gravel roads etc but the majority of it looks pretty good. Pretty sure the most northern part of norway on streetview has motorbikes in the car park from what I remember of having a nosey around on google maps a while ago!
I did it many, many years ago on a cbr600 with a mate on a Monster 600, the bikes / roads were no problem.
General observations from that trip:
There's water everywhere, you will get wet so plan accordingly.
It's very expensive.
It's the only place I've ever been where you couldn't just rock up in a town and expect to find accomodation. On one occasion we had to ride on after a long day and on another we had to sleep in the hotel conference room as that was all that was available.
Having said that it's stunning and well worth it. These days it maybe easier to sort out accomodation on the go with all the accomodation search facilities of the internet.
General observations from that trip:
There's water everywhere, you will get wet so plan accordingly.
It's very expensive.
It's the only place I've ever been where you couldn't just rock up in a town and expect to find accomodation. On one occasion we had to ride on after a long day and on another we had to sleep in the hotel conference room as that was all that was available.
Having said that it's stunning and well worth it. These days it maybe easier to sort out accomodation on the go with all the accomodation search facilities of the internet.
I went a few years ago with my dad, here is a link to the thread if you wanted to give it a read:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The roads were excellent and we had the best time. Try and get to the Trollstigen (Trolls Road) if you are going that way.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The roads were excellent and we had the best time. Try and get to the Trollstigen (Trolls Road) if you are going that way.
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