The perfect touring machine?

Unless it's custom built or made to order, no bike will do exactly what you want direct from the factory.

At least that's what I've found. 

I've attempted to build the perfect bike, for me!

When I bought Melinda, I thought she was a pretty good bike. Even being voted "Bike of the Year - 2013" by Bike magazine.
And she was great. My first trip, 4,500 miles took us across France, Germany, England, Scotland and Wales.

Although the first thing I did when I got to Germany was to get some luggage. 

You can't tour without luggage.

Nearly one year later, I managed to get some time off for my second trip. 

A little longer at 5,500 miles. Again across France (beginning in the Channel Islands, this is unavoidable) then Germany, Austria (50km), Denmark, Sweden and Norway. 

By this time I'd added a few more creature comforts - Extended hand guards, crash bars, (cylinder) head protectors, Driving lights and guards, headlight guard, Extended nose piece, motorline stripes (B&W), rear luggage rack, alloy frame plugs, lower frame protectors, driveshaft protectors, rear hugger, crud catcher, intake and radiator guards, Side-stand foot (for soft ground), brake-pedal extender (the original tends to hide away in moments of anger).

After this trip I realised there were still a few items on my "wish-list".  

Firstly, was a taller, wider and darker screen. Not that the original screen was bad, turbulence around the helmet was a minimum but noise was an issue.  A week after attempting my last IBA ride (FHB-48) I could still hear the rushing of the wind in my ears. Recently I've also developed neck and back pain so am hoping that by installing the larger screen these problems will be reduced.  

As for the dark tint, it makes the whole thing look more bad-arse!

I've had her one year service done, no cake was offered but we were 6,000 km overdue.  

New tyres fitted, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the factory fitted ones, I managed to travel only 16,000km.  These new ones are now the next generation of my favourites that I ran on Nicole, on 3 consecutive pairs I managed to travel 25,000km each.  

Better the devil we know, right?  

Lastly, I replaced the rear brake pads myself, they were down to the backing plates after only 16,000 kms. 

Go figure?

All-in-all I think she is now the perfect bike for the type of touring I plan to do in the next 12 months and beyond.

The thermal playground and desolation known as Iceland, the remoteness of Lapland, down to the rocky outcrop that is Gibraltar, the Isle of Skye and all that lies in-between. 

After all that European-ness I guess we'll have to have a look and see just how long it takes to ride from Bris-vegas to Perth. 

Bigger and better than the original (Photo by Charl) 

Rear rack, countries visited, tank pads and Motorline stripes

Crash bars, Driving lights, intake and radiator guards, Cardan protector

Bigger Screen, Hand guards, Nose, Headlight grill