Loved it so much 2 years ago, me and the wife are off again tomorrow for 9 days but adding the Isle of Skye this time, hopefully won't get down to 2 degrees this year
Skye is one of my favourite places, I’m doing the 500 again this year but in the car with the wife and dogs. Have fun.
I completed the NC500 during covid times,and wow I was completely blown away by the landscape,the people and omg the haggis !!! Will also one day return,as Skye just rained while we was there..... Also,im not sure of your itinerary,but also look at Applecross Pass back on the mainland... As definitely a highlight of our trip.......
no, it wont get down to 2 degrees this year. it's always warmer at night with 100% cloud cover. sorry bud. but the weather aint playing by the rules this year.
We got back a couple of weeks ago. Campervan (1981 Vw) and had a great trip, was cold during the first week 1 or 2 degC with a Northerly wind, so all the thermals got used. Skye was excellent
When I went seven or eight years ago there were still odd patches of snow on the mountain tops on the 21st June. My bike doesn't have heated grips so I always take a pair of winter gloves in the tail pack if heading into the Highlands, just in case. Often been glad of them. Personally I don't mind a bit of rain. You have to expect it and it can add to the drama of the landscape. The disappointment is mist and low cloud so you can't see the scenery. Good luck with the weather.
I've loosely done it a couple of times, I think I skipped the Eastern side as it doesn't compare to the Western. I wild camped one time, such a great experience...if you get a chance make sure you visit the "most beautiful beach in Europe" at Sandwood Bay (you have to walk a few (6?) Km from the parking area.
Also not bothered by rain, had it a lot last time, you discover how amazing sport touring tyres are. Have heated grips and both seats, they make such a difference. Doing the Applecross road, stayed at Applecross last time, but wanted to stay in different hotels this time, I don't camp under any circumstances. Leaving in about an hour, first stay is in Stirling so 315 miles from home, did Inverness in one day last time, 445 miles was plenty!
I'd like to tour Scotland again on a small bike that isn't very fast. With a big powerful adventure bike or sports tourer it's too tempting just to attack the tarmac and eat up the miles in a blur. A longer, slower itinerary I feel would be more rewarding. I bought my Harley for that reason. It was supposed to encourage comfortable leisurely touring, Unfortunately Harley forgot about the comfort bit, so it had to go. But before it killed my back there was a huge amount to be said for burbling along on a wave of lazy torque making a nice thumpy noise and admiring beautiful landscapes that I had time to actually look at. In theory my 1260 Diavel was supposed to offer a similar vibe, but it doesn't. It's basically a supernaked with a fat rear tyre and temptation to rip it up everywhere is still there. Its great fun and I wouldn't swap the Diavel for the world but I'd like to wander around Scotland again some time on something like @PerryL 's Beeza or a Guzzi 850 for example. I know it's heresy to mention the H word on here but if I had the money to spare I'd have another Harley purely for this purpose. But a comfortable one this time. Grunt without frenetic speed combined with great comfort is a brilliant combination for touring. I might buy a Pan European actually. I think that would fit the bill at a modest price
Get a Classic 500 bullet do exactly what you’re after for a fraction of the cost, easy to work on and sound fabulous.
