Eight years! It has been eight years since I bought the BMW R 1100 RS – unseen from Germany. Eight years filled with good memories and long trips. 1200 kilometer per day on the way to Italy and France were no problem and then there are all the trips here at home where the BMW has showed its colors. But now it’s over and I’m on my way to pick up a new bike.
It’s sad every time I say goodbye to a motorcycle. I had the Fazer for 14 years, the RS for 8. There were many long trips on both and when I had to sell it was with a heavy heart. I was very hesitant when it came to the RS, removed the ad the first time I had it out on Finn.no. Many looked at the ad – few responded and were willing to pay what I needed to stay within my budget.
One evening after a trip to Sweden, I was looking at Finn.no when two very relevant candidates to take over for the RS appeared. Both cost 90,000, one had 1800 km on the odometer, the other 1200 km. The second one was a better buy, that one my son bought, the first one, a Honda NC 750X, was exactly what I was looking for. As good as new – couldn’t tell it was used – and 20,000 below the new price. I changed my mind and posted the RS on Finn.no again. It was sold the next day and I managed my budget by a good margin and got a bike that was like new. The only sign that it had been used was a rear tire that was a little flat in the middle.
The week went by quickly and on Thursday I sat on the train to Brumunddal – well, it was a bus for a train from Gardermoen – but what did that matter. It was a glorious day and at the station in Brumunddal there was a blue NC 750X waiting for me. It really was as good as new – I started to get a little nervous and paddled clumsily at first. Then I settled in and still spent a few kilometers getting used to it. I had test ridden a NC 750X DCT last year, so I knew what I had bought even if this one has the manual transmission.
I had made an appointment to meet a former colleague. The agreement was a bit out of the blue, but he was going out to Öya Maritim on Helgöya by boat. I had no idea where it was, but a quick update on Google maps on my phone gave me the direction. And I discovered a new piece of Norway. And what a beauty. Helgøya I situated almost in the middle of Mjösa. Yellow cornfields surround the road around Helgøya.
I have a calm and relaxing trip. Öya Maritim is a gathering place for more than just boaters. This evening there are lots of bikes parked outside, most of them from the 70s and 80s. The specialty of the place is baked potatoes. I am recommended baked potatoes with pulled pork. It tastes delicious. – You must take a trip around the island before you start on your way home, is a recommendation that is easy to follow. I ride around the island at a comfortable pace and enjoy the warm summer evening. A short trip, it’s only 14 km round, just right before I cross back to the mainland.
Before I head home, I fill up with gas. I like to ride long distances and rarely refuel; I have to try to get an overview of the new bikes range. The NC 750X has a 14-litre tank, the RS had 23 and I easily rode 450 kilometers on one tank. I probably won’t be able to do that on a 14-litre tank, but the maximum range must be explored.
The evening is so beautiful, so why take the shortest route home? I start driving north towards Moelv on road 213. Then on the E6 over to the west side of Mjøsa and to Gjövik. I want to try some new roads and ride to Lena, then to Lensbygda and on to Skreia. Then I start looking for the road over to Hurdal. I pass the crossing, stop to have a look at the map, and sure it was the crossing I just passed, which is confirmed by a couple of local guys.
The sign says Tosaeter. Tosaetervegen offers nice riding and does not require gravel experience to be enjoyed. Now I’m in heading the right direction. The road soon turns from asphalt to gravel. A wide and nice gravel road and easy to ride, almost too easy. At Tosaeterkampen I come to a barrier and a road crossing, I choose to continue on Tosaeætervegen – straight ahead. The nice riding continues, there are no challenges except for a short section just before I enter the asphalt in Hurdal. A wonderful road and a pleasant alternative to road 33 via Minnesund or highway 4.
It starts to get dark when I drive through Hurdal and continue south. Now I’m on familiar routes and have good riding on the west side of Hurdalssjöen and to Gardermoen. Here I continue on road 120 to Skedsmokorset and E6 into Oslo. It was a fantastic first ride on the NC 750X. I feel that it tips a little on rutted roads and when I hit longitudinal edges and road markings. I am confident that I will get the rear tire rounded, this bike likes corners. It is not planted in the same way as the RS, is stubbier on bad roads, but it is so easy to ride and easy to handle. I think this is a good match for me. At half past eleven I park at home, I’m not tired, but I feel that the edges of the seat take a bit under the thighs. Do I have reason to be concerned? I am not worried – on the contrary, I’m already looking forward to the next trip.
