Your appreciation of that next sunny ride through some spectacular scenery will be heightened no end after being subjected to all that rain! Hunting for nourishment on the bike at night, riding under a by-pass through thick mud, conjured up a rather sorry picture....The phrase 'taking the rough with the smooth' was never more apt! That ride under blue skies through a sunny mountain pass is just around the corner....Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
Hi Quentin, many thanks for the encouraging words. Not a spoiler, but there is a big lag between Episode 12 and the bike review, however, I think it is just about sunshine all the way. I think I'll need to consolidate some of the days into batches otherwise I'll still be publishing this trip at Christmas!!! Nick
hi, thanks so much for a very enjoyable time watching your trip, in particular, getting into Hungary! I was born in Budapest and came to Australia at 5yrs of age in 1956, and have been riding motorcycles here since I was16, so I find your trip extremely interesting. Also been eyeing off the cb500x for some time, as I have a few heavyweight bikes that Im thinking of possibly trading one for something lighter. Im same hight as you but about 15 stone so not decided as yet, ... have been back to Hungary 2 times, but only used public transport / walking, to get around. Watching your trip, and commentary made it feel like riding through the country myself. Well done, thanks again, Ive only seen episodes 9 to 12 so far but will be catching up and watching the lot in time, keep the sunny side up! cheers! ps if your interested and no one has mentioned it, your friend Lajos pronunciation in english would be spelled as Loyaush, o as in log, au as in autumn,.....
Hi @ottoman, many thanks for the encouraging words, and how to pronounce Lajos, afraid it's a bit late now but I'll know for the future! If you get a chance to re-visit Hungary, pretty sure you can do private hires, some beautiful scenery! Good luck on the bike choice, a whole world of options out there! Nick
@@bikingtravels , Hi Nick, I can say, you have mastered the pronunciation of my name with the help of Ottoman! I was actually surprised to hear, but now reading this comment I can understand how! Thanks for both of you! I’m glad to see when you are enjoying the route! The thing is, the land around here is not like the Alps, but it has much charms when you can somehow capture it, but of course, rain is not helping!
Hi Nick, another fine and entertaining episode and I'm sure we are all awaiting your next leg of the journey with anticipation. Your decision to take accommodation rather than camp has to be a sensible one given the circumstances but the downside is as you say it puts somewhat of a strain on your budget. To that end might I suggest you add the $ button to the channel so that we who ride with you can, if we so desire, contribute in some small way to our entertainment and show some appreciation. Given that it seems some of the costs are quite reasonable given the prices back here in UK and elsewhere I am hopeful that some modest contributions would be helpful and appreciated. Stay safe and keep on track.
Hi Ray, many thanks for your comments and really appreciate the suggestion, something I may have to consider for the trip North given the cost of living there! Nick
Those roads are a lot like 3rd and 4th rate roads here in Canada. Lots of gravel and dirt roads as well ! You are smart to ride a pace YOU are comfortable with not what anybody else thinks you should be doing !!!! Nice tour so far and I am looking forward to the rest !!
Thanks Vance, interested to hear about the roads in Canada, I guess with as much territory as you have there and population it has to be that way. Agree about the peer pressure... too easy to fall foul Nick
Switching between you and Itchy Boots is good fun. I wouldn't worry about your off tarmac skills, it's an acquired art. Once you learn to let the bike do its thing, and as you say, resist the temptation to use a vice like grip on the bars, it will all smooth out. You just let your bum move with the bike, and it will move around under you and find a line without feeling off balance. Smooth gravel is sometimes worse than small ruts as there is nothing stopping sideways drift. I'll probably pick up a TRK502 in a couple of days, more suited to roads than the rough stuff, lower but better able to load up for touring.
Mentioned in the same sentence as Itchy, well how bad's that, even its probably a bit like chalk and cheese! Thanks for the info ref off tarmac, slooooowly getting there. Good luck with the TRK502 some good reviews out there. Nick
Very exciting episode. I think it really shows the reality of these types of long adventure trips when you just never know what challenges you'll run into. Glad you got some off-road time. It just take practice to get more comfortable.
Wet days do add to the experience that's for sure and make you appreciate the dry ones even more, still some good tracks and rough roads proved again you're on the right bike. I'm off over the dales in the morning but will be back in time for the F1, stay safe.
Nick these scenes provide an informative view of the cultural and economic status of Serbia. The bike is performing very well and the battleaxe tyres you are using are very good on them bad roads. Your making the right decision booking a room for €36 in that weather!
I’m surprised that some of those roads are even in the Garmin database! The knobbies are finally paying off. Hopefully the weather will improve for your next phase.
So sorry you had such a miserable experience in Serbia... it's honestly quite a nice country, but at the moment, it's more like one big construction site. If I knew you were passing by my house in Belgrade, I could've let you crash at my place for free. I hope you have better luck next time with the weather when visiting us. Cheers 😉
Many thanks @GameOn, the roads were fun really and yes a lot of construction going on, the trouble with just passing through anywhere and a country in particular it is just a very narrow snapshot in time, I did enjoy what I saw though. Thanks for the offer of crashing at yours. Nick
Just before Golubac fortress the Danube is the widest, about 6 km, and a short drive downstream it has its narrowest point, the Iron Gate, about 230 m.
Hi, Thank you for providing the content. May I ask how tall you are? I am considering a CB500X and a Yamaha T700. I am exactly 6ft and wonder how comfortable the CB500X is for longer trips. Would prefer the CB500X based on price saving. but you are only here once! Thank you
Hi @malcopopolo44, I'm 6ft, 12 stone (168 lbs) and find the bike to be fine for me, but please be aware I'm used to some discomfort based on previous bikes I've owned, so may put up with a little more than usual, but... I don't think so Nick
Hi Mark, I travelled many miles in the wet over the trip and they were fine, once or twice I had a small twitch but nothing bad, all in all, I was pleased with them wet and dry. Nick
@@bikingtravels thanks for the reply Nick. Got them on my CRF300L & really like them, contemplating switching to a CB500X hence the question. Great vids, thanks 👍
Hi Arek, I bought the bike new in March and left the UK with 770 miles 1240 KMs covered, the bike at the time of this video had about 6k miles 10k KMs, some more since though Nick
You need to make sure you stop at zebra crossings when there are pedestrians waiting. There are predatory policemen that will get you done for that, especially in Romania.
Is it my imagination or deafness but I never hear you saying thank you when you’re in shops, how rude 🤣, you’re certainly not blessed with great weather, hopefully it will get dryer for you soon.
Thanks for paying attention. I tend to "cut" my muffled "thankyou, danker, gracie, Dziękuję, cheers" from the videos, lost track of what language was spoken where, so I just do a nice curtsy and back away! Weather... this was the last solid day of rain for a while Nick
You are not for this. You just go on bad roads and drive a cb500x. Well, I guess that's just the right motorcycle for adventure. Second, you use the navigation all the time, and it always chooses the nearest road, which is secondary and bad!! You should look up to Noraly..)). It was really hard to watch this video of yours and your unnecessary drama..
Thanks for your comments @Banega. The navigation is set to avoid motorways and toll roads and to use "Adventurous routing" so I expected a good mix of roads, which is what I encountered as I rode through 21 countries, good and bad in all of them. However, some were far worse than others which is what I am sharing, but of course I also show some great roads. All a mix. Please remember that Itchy Boots posted her first video approaching 4 years ago and was already a very experienced global adventurer / back-packer and blogger for some years before hand. So yes, having posted 20 videos and with this being my first adventure of this kind I still have much to learn. Nick
@@bikingtravels That's all fine. However, when you pass through a country, don't just skip over it without seeing anything. Gather information before you do it, because for example through Serbia there are many interesting locations and roads to see something. Good luck
Your appreciation of that next sunny ride through some spectacular scenery will be heightened no end after being subjected to all that rain! Hunting for nourishment on the bike at night, riding under a by-pass through thick mud, conjured up a rather sorry picture....The phrase 'taking the rough with the smooth' was never more apt! That ride under blue skies through a sunny mountain pass is just around the corner....Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
Hi Quentin, many thanks for the encouraging words. Not a spoiler, but there is a big lag between Episode 12 and the bike review, however, I think it is just about sunshine all the way. I think I'll need to consolidate some of the days into batches otherwise I'll still be publishing this trip at Christmas!!!
Nick
Well done Nick, fair play to be tackling those knarly Bridge crossings. Very enjoyable episode. Would agree, camping in the rain is not what you want.
Many thanks @nordkapp!
Nick
hi, thanks so much for a very enjoyable time watching your trip, in particular, getting into Hungary! I was born in Budapest and came to Australia at 5yrs of age in 1956, and have been riding motorcycles here since I was16, so I find your trip extremely interesting. Also been eyeing off the cb500x for some time, as I have a few heavyweight bikes that Im thinking of possibly trading one for something lighter. Im same hight as you but about 15 stone so not decided as yet, ... have been back to Hungary 2 times, but only used public transport / walking, to get around. Watching your trip, and commentary made it feel like riding through the country myself. Well done, thanks again, Ive only seen episodes 9 to 12 so far but will be catching up and watching the lot in time, keep the sunny side up! cheers! ps if your interested and no one has mentioned it, your friend Lajos pronunciation in english would be spelled as Loyaush, o as in log, au as in autumn,.....
Hi @ottoman, many thanks for the encouraging words, and how to pronounce Lajos, afraid it's a bit late now but I'll know for the future! If you get a chance to re-visit Hungary, pretty sure you can do private hires, some beautiful scenery! Good luck on the bike choice, a whole world of options out there!
Nick
@@bikingtravels , Hi Nick,
I can say, you have mastered the pronunciation of my name with the help of Ottoman!
I was actually surprised to hear, but now reading this comment I can understand how!
Thanks for both of you!
I’m glad to see when you are enjoying the route!
The thing is, the land around here is not like the Alps, but it has much charms when you can somehow capture it, but of course, rain is not helping!
Your route was stunning!
Nick
I'm glad!
Just sent you something on FB!
Lajos
Hi Nick, another fine and entertaining episode and I'm sure we are all awaiting your next leg of the journey with anticipation. Your decision to take accommodation rather than camp has to be a sensible one given the circumstances but the downside is as you say it puts somewhat of a strain on your budget.
To that end might I suggest you add the $ button to the channel so that we who ride with you can, if we so desire, contribute in some small way to our entertainment and show some appreciation. Given that it seems some of the costs are quite reasonable given the prices back here in UK and elsewhere I am hopeful that some modest contributions would be helpful and appreciated. Stay safe and keep on track.
Hi Ray, many thanks for your comments and really appreciate the suggestion, something I may have to consider for the trip North given the cost of living there!
Nick
Those roads are a lot like 3rd and 4th rate roads here in Canada. Lots of gravel and dirt roads as well ! You are smart to ride a pace YOU are comfortable with not what anybody else thinks you should be doing !!!! Nice tour so far and I am looking forward to the rest !!
Thanks Vance, interested to hear about the roads in Canada, I guess with as much territory as you have there and population it has to be that way. Agree about the peer pressure... too easy to fall foul
Nick
Welcome to Romania!! I want to buy a CB 500X WITH the new color for 2023!
Loved Romania, the sun finally emerged, the roads were great and the people I met were lovely. Good luck with the purchase.
Nick
@@bikingtravels , safe roads! Enjoy your time in Romania, have fun! Respect!
Looks like finding a decent place to eat can be quite challenging, sounds like u finally got to try out the knobbies in the mud!
Hi Terry, right on both counts!
Nick
25:21. Love the thriller music....
Nail biting stuff!!
Nick
Switching between you and Itchy Boots is good fun. I wouldn't worry about your off tarmac skills, it's an acquired art. Once you learn to let the bike do its thing, and as you say, resist the temptation to use a vice like grip on the bars, it will all smooth out. You just let your bum move with the bike, and it will move around under you and find a line without feeling off balance. Smooth gravel is sometimes worse than small ruts as there is nothing stopping sideways drift. I'll probably pick up a TRK502 in a couple of days, more suited to roads than the rough stuff, lower but better able to load up for touring.
Mentioned in the same sentence as Itchy, well how bad's that, even its probably a bit like chalk and cheese! Thanks for the info ref off tarmac, slooooowly getting there. Good luck with the TRK502 some good reviews out there.
Nick
Very exciting episode. I think it really shows the reality of these types of long adventure trips when you just never know what challenges you'll run into.
Glad you got some off-road time. It just take practice to get more comfortable.
Hey Seth, many thanks. All fun and games and all adds to the experience
Nick
Think the rain is following you.👍
Tell me about it!!!!
Nick
Wet days do add to the experience that's for sure and make you appreciate the dry ones even more, still some good tracks and rough roads proved again you're on the right bike. I'm off over the dales in the morning but will be back in time for the F1, stay safe.
Yep, certainly appreciate the dry ones more and thankfully they follow on! Hope you enjoy the dales and the right result for you for the F1
Nick
Nick these scenes provide an informative view of the cultural and economic status of Serbia. The bike is performing very well and the battleaxe tyres you are using are very good on them bad roads. Your making the right decision booking a room for €36 in that weather!
Many thanks Paul, the tyres behaved well and did me me that bit of confidence on these and the more gnarly roads I encounter later on the trip
Nick
I’m surprised that some of those roads are even in the Garmin database! The knobbies are finally paying off. Hopefully the weather will improve for your next phase.
Hi Jim, yep, surprised me too, the rail track was truly bizarre!!! And, spoiler alert, the weather does!
Nick
So sorry you had such a miserable experience in Serbia... it's honestly quite a nice country, but at the moment, it's more like one big construction site. If I knew you were passing by my house in Belgrade, I could've let you crash at my place for free. I hope you have better luck next time with the weather when visiting us. Cheers 😉
Many thanks @GameOn, the roads were fun really and yes a lot of construction going on, the trouble with just passing through anywhere and a country in particular it is just a very narrow snapshot in time, I did enjoy what I saw though. Thanks for the offer of crashing at yours.
Nick
Just before Golubac fortress the Danube is the widest, about 6 km, and a short drive downstream it has its narrowest point, the Iron Gate, about 230 m.
Many thanks for the info Emil, that must be some current running through what sounds like a funnel.
Nick
@@bikingtravels it used to be before they built the power plant in the 60's, Djerdap I, where you crossed the border.
Hi, Thank you for providing the content. May I ask how tall you are? I am considering a CB500X and a Yamaha T700. I am exactly 6ft and wonder how comfortable the CB500X is for longer trips. Would prefer the CB500X based on price saving. but you are only here once! Thank you
Hi @malcopopolo44, I'm 6ft, 12 stone (168 lbs) and find the bike to be fine for me, but please be aware I'm used to some discomfort based on previous bikes I've owned, so may put up with a little more than usual, but... I don't think so
Nick
Are you charging your Garmin at night in the hotel room, or do you have the 12 volt charger on the bike charging it?
Hi Steve, the Garmin Zumo XT is wired into the ignition system using the supplied wiring kit, so that it turns on and off with ignition switch.
Nick
@@bikingtravels Thanks, safe travels
What kind of software used to edit your video ? U r doing yourself all editing?
Hi Ramesh, I'm using Cyberlink PowerDirector 365 and yes, I'm doing the editing, so have nobody else to blame for the bad bits!
Nick
@@bikingtravels editing good.
How's the AK41'S feel in the wet? Thanks
Hi Mark, I travelled many miles in the wet over the trip and they were fine, once or twice I had a small twitch but nothing bad, all in all, I was pleased with them wet and dry.
Nick
@@bikingtravels thanks for the reply Nick. Got them on my CRF300L & really like them, contemplating switching to a CB500X hence the question. Great vids, thanks 👍
what is the mileage on your motorcycle?
Hi Arek, I bought the bike new in March and left the UK with 770 miles 1240 KMs covered, the bike at the time of this video had about 6k miles 10k KMs, some more since though
Nick
You need to make sure you stop at zebra crossings when there are pedestrians waiting. There are predatory policemen that will get you done for that, especially in Romania.
Many thanks for the tip! I do normally, sounds like I've missed one or two.
Nick
Is it my imagination or deafness but I never hear you saying thank you when you’re in shops, how rude 🤣, you’re certainly not blessed with great weather, hopefully it will get dryer for you soon.
Thanks for paying attention. I tend to "cut" my muffled "thankyou, danker, gracie, Dziękuję, cheers" from the videos, lost track of what language was spoken where, so I just do a nice curtsy and back away! Weather... this was the last solid day of rain for a while
Nick
That’s good to hear, nothing worse than days and days of rain, I was only teasing about the lack of thank yous
You are not for this. You just go on bad roads and drive a cb500x. Well, I guess that's just the right motorcycle for adventure. Second, you use the navigation all the time, and it always chooses the nearest road, which is secondary and bad!! You should look up to Noraly..)).
It was really hard to watch this video of yours and your unnecessary drama..
Thanks for your comments @Banega. The navigation is set to avoid motorways and toll roads and to use "Adventurous routing" so I expected a good mix of roads, which is what I encountered as I rode through 21 countries, good and bad in all of them. However, some were far worse than others which is what I am sharing, but of course I also show some great roads. All a mix.
Please remember that Itchy Boots posted her first video approaching 4 years ago and was already a very experienced global adventurer / back-packer and blogger for some years before hand. So yes, having posted 20 videos and with this being my first adventure of this kind I still have much to learn.
Nick
@@bikingtravels That's all fine. However, when you pass through a country, don't just skip over it without seeing anything. Gather information before you do it, because for example through Serbia there are many interesting locations and roads to see something.
Good luck
@@banega2311 irgendwie anspruchsvoll und etwas Lehrer und leicht überheblich?? 🤔 🥴