I took a little six day road trip round the Brecon Beacons in South Wales, then the North and Western Devon coast, hugging it real tight on some tiny roads, down to Bodmin Moor, looped back up to Dartmoor, South Coast across to Dorset, across the New Forest and North Wessex Downs then a bit of a motorway blast to get me to Snowdonia. 1869Km in six days with a day off riding in the middle, two up and at least 50Kg over the max load rating, bike didn’t care, handled brilliantly and did not miss a beat. The induction noise was quite pronounced with that load, quite pleasant too. One or two tight corners tested me and at such a load the hill hold did come into play. I wouldn’t normally use it that much but did find it quite useful when so loaded.
Taught me a lot about riding with a pillion. I have had a pillion many times over the years but usually short term day rides without piles of luggage. Riding for six days covering a lot of twisty mileage I got a lot of feedback to my riding style which I adjusted quite considerably by day 3. I really did become very conscious of what suited and made life easier for my 6'4" son on the back.
I also noticed the front tyre noise virtually dissapeared with the load, only to return when I took all the luggage and no pillion. Interesting, might drop another 1 or 2 psi out of the front wheel and see what happens as long as the handling is not compromised..
