The big motorcycle adventure to Norway is getting closer – only 56 days left until departure. Preparations have been underway for quite some time, and now the trip is finally starting to feel real. We’re facing a ride of over 1100 kilometers to our rental cabin, and the plan is to make the journey in just two days. Long riding days, stunning scenery, and hopefully minimal mechanical surprises await.
Cabin Booked, Bikes Tested
Our rental cabin in Norway will serve as a base camp and the endpoint of the first leg of the journey. We aim to get there in two days – the goal is to arrive without rushing, but still efficiently enough to have time to rest and enjoy the surroundings once we’re there.
In recent weeks, we’ve focused on getting both the bikes and ourselves ready. We’ve gradually increased our daily riding distance, and the results are promising: even with a sportbike, reaching our destination looks absolutely doable. Real-world test rides have shown that long days in the saddle are manageable with smartly scheduled breaks.
Upgrading Our Gear – Packing More Efficiently?
The original plan was to carry all our gear on my bike, the Kawasaki GTR 1400. However, those plans have evolved: we’ve started looking for suitable luggage options for the sportbike as well, to give us some extra packing space without cramming everything in. If we find good-quality bags, we’ll probably go ahead and buy them – it’s a small investment for a much more comfortable trip.
Maintenance Challenges – Fork Service Coming Up
Preparing for the trip hasn’t been entirely without challenges. The front suspension on the GTR started leaking oil unexpectedly, so a fork service is scheduled for May 28th. Fortunately, there’s still time to get it fixed before we hit the road, and otherwise the bike has been running great.
One particularly successful piece of maintenance was the fuel injector cleaning done over the winter. After over 3000 kilometers of riding, I can confidently say the improvement wasn’t temporary – the engine runs smoother and more efficiently than before. I previously wrote about my impressions after 1500 kilometers, and those positive changes have definitely lasted.
Next Up: Final Maintenance and Packing Strategy
The excitement is building – and not just in the engine, but in my mind as well. This is a trip we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.
Stay tuned – we’ll be sharing updates, experiences, and of course photos from the Norwegian mountain roads! During or after the trip, I’ll also put together a video recap of the journey.
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