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[sofiaspin]

Hi all - I recently completed 1000 mile trip north on the 2004 classic 500. Glasgow to Killin, then Glenshee, Braemar, Tomintoul, Ullapool and on to Durness, the northnern most point on the mainland, various local trips then back via the Skye bridge and home. Coil failed, had a replacement, plus a puncture that we fixed temporarily with a bicycle patch until an new inner tube arrived with a pal who joined us later. Bike consumed a bit of oil but a garage in the far north had SE30 which suffice. Bike went really well, many admirers as you would expect. I posted a note here about running problems at tickover but it was the coil and fortunately I had one with me. These machines are perfect for long runs on back roads, light, glide past cars and easy to manage. The roads were full of heavily laden large and wide BMWs. One day they might realise that those bikes are utterly unsuitable to most of the roads north of Watford.

[Chris Tindal]

Good to hear all went well. I'm thinking of visiting a mate in the south of France next summer on my old iron 500 so posts like this are an inspiration.

[sofiaspin]

Chris, believe in the bike, and take on the chin whatever happens and you will get there. I sold a modern Bonnie because it was, well, dull. With a Bullet you have to sort things, makes it interesting, and the guys on this forum are generally excellent and we posted our issues with a laptop and dongle. I would happily take the Bullet on any long journey. It was very relaxing but would rip past most cars as needed. Long live fourth gear.

[Edward]

Sofiaspin, I agree that the Bullet is great for the trip you did, indeed there is or was a tour company using Bullets in that area. I have both a 2005 Classic ES and wide BMW and the BMW is entirely suitable for the vast majority roads north of my home town of Watford.Edward

[sofiaspin]

Hi Edward, tongue in cheek, Yes there was a company but I am not sure what happened they may have gone out of business. Seriously though the roads were awash with BMWs and they seem to get bigger with each passing year, with all the metal box panniers, screens, long range tanks etc. As you will know our Bullets have a range of about 200 miles and can probably match the range of these bikes. Each to their own but I think a smaller bike is a better option for many of us.

[Edward]

Hi Sofaspin. Yes they are very big. They call them adventure bikes now, what a laugh.A trip around the North West of Scotland would be a much better adventure on a Bullet and I'm sure much more fun.The newer of the big beemers are full of electronics and if they go wrong they need plugging into a computer,mine isn't newish, happily. If you are handy with the spanners the Bullet is often fixable at the roadside. If I had to choose between the two the BMW would go.Edward

[sofiaspin]

Hi Edward - I saw two Beemers stuck on passing bays on the single track roads only because they fell over on the gravel, finding the narrow roads difficult to manoevre. Naturally we stopped to help. I was able to keep riding by passing cars given the lightness and narrow width of the Bullet. It has its limitations for sure but mine will easily cruise at 75mph. I strapped a bag on the back with bungee cords and that was it. I have been there with fully laden machines with all the accoutrements. Never again, the Bullet is good for most applications.

[Norm]

"Easily cruise at 75 mph" unless it is heavily modified with Hitchcocks bits it won't keep that up for long

[sofiaspin]

OK Norm, perhaps I over-egged it by 5mph. But cruise comfortably at 70mph was the case, leaving a T100 and Bonnie behind. It has the 30mm Amal Mk1 and fully open pipe with an open Triumph 6t silencer. A few other mods but perhaps the most important are the Avon Roadriders which provide secure and excellent road holding.

[STU]

OK so it's not Scotland and back but I covered in excess of 400 miles this weekend on my 2007 Electra XS (standard running gear apart from WS Highway kit and Hitchcocks full Goldy system) on the M1, M25, M23 & A23. Indicated cruising speed was between 65 and 73 mph at about third to half-throttle with bursts of instant and strong acceleration (standard 18T gearbox sprocket) up to an indicated 80 mph in the outside lane a few times to get past slower traffic.
Used no oil, nothing fell off, the piston did not decapitate, the big end is not knocking, nothing!
Bike has been dealer serviced every year (about every 1500 miles), still has its electric start and has done a total of about 9500 miles.
With a tank bag and fully kitted up I averaged 70+ mpg on this trip and it was a total pleasure overall.
I'm going to have to sell it soon though as I really fancy the new Continental GT535.
Norm, you never post anything positive about these bikes, but many (most?) of us are highly delighted with them!
BTW Sofiaspin I am also using those Avon tyres - great aren't they?