3 Days in Northern Ireland on the BMW R1250GS Adventure

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  • čas přidán 4. 08. 2024
  • 00:00 Intro
    00:17 Up to Liverpool
    04:11 Arrival Belfast
    06:35 Sperrin Mountains (wet)
    10:23 Derry Londonderry
    13:01 Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
    15:56 Dunlop Memorial Garden
    16:48 Day 2 - Armagh
    18:47 Mourne Coastal Route
    23:17 Day 3 Newry to Newtownards
    28:29 Causeway Coastal Route
    36:55 Closing and Thanks
    38:72 Outro
    Welcome to the video for my trip from Southampton to Northern Ireland. The weather was not the kindest, but the trip was still superb and I would thoroughly recommend it to any motorcyclists thinking of somewhere to go, particularly in these Covid times when travel outside the UK is so difficult.
    As promised, here is a link to the GPX file recorded during the trip. Hope you can find some use for that:
    drive.google.com/drive/folder...
    Thanks for watching most of all and ride safe, stay safe and we'll see you next time
    Nick
    Below are various links to kit I use or items referenced in this video.
    These are amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom) links and clicking through and purchasing does earn me a small commission and costs you nothing extra.
    I'd be really grateful if you are buying any of these if you used the links and help support the channel.
    Thank you
    Nick
    Accessories on (or used for) My R1250GS
    Motorcycle Dryer
    Bruhl MD1400 1400W Motorcycle Dryer - amzn.to/33NGA79
    Horn
    Denali Soundbomb Horn - amzn.to/2qUA4Ni
    Battery Charger (Dual Standard Connect and Canbus - Fits Din Socket to charge)
    Optimate 4 - BMW Canbus Edition - amzn.to/2phUAXN
    Din/USB Twin Outlet Adapter
    Optimate Dual USB Charger - 3300mA DIN Plug - amzn.to/2CJEl99
    Tank Bag
    Givi ST602 Sport Tanklock Bag - amzn.to/2CGK13G
    Tanklock Ring for above (R1200/1250GS) - amzn.to/2QmYXvR
    Protection
    ACF50 Rust Protector (with buddy bottle, aerosols are poor) - amzn.to/2NKL5tJ
    Clothing I wear
    Crash Helmet
    Shoei Neotec II - amzn.to/2rKw8zk
    Waterproof Jacket (Over Rukka Textile)
    Tucano Urbano Nano Rain Jackket - amzn.to/2NNCnLe
    Waterproof Trousers (Over Rukka Textile)
    Tucano Urbano Nano Rain Trousers - amzn.to/33ZCed6
    Equipment I use to film videos
    Main Helmet Camera
    Go Pro Hero 7 Black - amzn.to/2CKUmvo
    Mirror Mounted (rear-facing) Camera
    SJ Cam SJ4000 - amzn.to/377slwc
    Fixed Front and Rear Cameras (supplementary footage)
    Innovv K2 Dual Camera Kit - amzn.to/2CJAngU
    Adapter needed to add supplimentary mics to GoPro Hero 5/6/7/8
    GoPro Microphone Adapter - amzn.to/378aSU8
    Case for mounting GoPro and Mic Adapter
    Ulanzi Multi-purpose GoPro Case - amzn.to/32JIkgA
    BOTH MICS below have leads for Mobile Phone (to use GoPro Adapter with these you need a TRS to TRRS Adapter)
    Rode Phone Accessory (TRS to TRRS Adapter) - amzn.to/2CHKJh1
    Helmet Microphone (needs GoPro Adapter) and Tie-pin mic Indoors
    Aufgeld Lavalier Microphone - amzn.to/375WVpX
    Indoor Microphone (GoPro and Phone Cameras)
    Rode Micro Compact - amzn.to/2KlXUZn
  • Auta a dopravní prostředky

Komentáře • 148

  • @markc1967
    @markc1967 Před 3 lety +2

    Another great video Nick 👍

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks Mark. It’s surprising how much easier it is when you’re on your own with GoPro battery changes. A camera not starting and stuff. I had create fun riding it and strangely for me editing it too 🤣👍🏻

  • @paullewis1566
    @paullewis1566 Před 3 lety +3

    Thank you Nick, I greatly enjoyed the scenery around the Northern Irish coast.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Thanks Paul. Particularly that last day where I got the weather too was phenomenal. I’ll be back for sure 👍🏻

  • @garykeighley712
    @garykeighley712 Před 3 lety +1

    Great trip loved it 👍

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Thanks Gary. Glad you liked it 👍🏻

  • @jayrajb
    @jayrajb Před 3 lety +1

    Beautiful ride through country roads, enjoyed the vlog.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Glad you enjoyed it. I did too 👍🏻

  • @woody477retired
    @woody477retired Před 3 lety +1

    Great effort Nick, glad the weather came good, always enjoy your vlogs, looking forward to the next one 😀👍

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks Woody. I enjoyed this enough to edit it and share 🤣. Off to Wales next weekend 👍🏻

  • @Mikethebike721
    @Mikethebike721 Před 3 lety +1

    Great video Nick and a place I know so well.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      I loved it. Hope to return soon 👍🏻

  • @bobtaylor5263
    @bobtaylor5263 Před 3 lety +1

    that was a brilliant tour nick and that A2 road wow take care

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Loved it Bob. Definitely a return trip needed 👍🏻

  • @Hogdriver88
    @Hogdriver88 Před 3 lety

    I would take the scenic loop every time - stunning views. Would love to ride that side of the pond some day.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      The other thing this pandemic has probably done more than anything has given us a necessity to appreciate what we have. Scotland for example, if you got weather as we did in 2019 mainly is without match in regular European haunts just because it’s not ‘popular’ due to possible weather being poor so people rush to Spain and queue to do the mountain passes 👍🏻

  • @K00LDAVE
    @K00LDAVE Před 3 lety +1

    Great video , especially as I am going over on the ferry in a weeks time to do virtually the same routes for three days , can’t wait 😁👍

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Have a great time Dave. Let us know and ride safe 👍🏻

  • @patrickshea-simonds5827
    @patrickshea-simonds5827 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you - Lots of my old haunts from the late 80s and 90s. A great reminder of how good NI is to tour particularly if you can fit in the NW200 at the same time!

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      I’m hoping to do that when it restarts 👍🏻

  • @staudio
    @staudio Před 3 lety +1

    Even with the rain the scenery is stunning......

  • @colinclugston4757
    @colinclugston4757 Před 3 lety +4

    Fantastic video nick showing our wee county's costal routes, glad you had a great time. If I had new you were coming I would have joint you for a day. Hopefully see you back soon.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks Colin. It won’t be long until I’m back. I ran out of time and/or weather each day so those in the know will see I never got near Fermanagh. Nice to have plenty left to do though 👍🏻

  • @VarosVapor
    @VarosVapor Před 3 lety +1

    Thouroghly enjoyed the video! I recently put my phone on the bars to take advantage of the gps and traffic updates. My older Garmin has no connectivity. I agree it can be a distraction but it has its advantages. Thanks Nick and regards from New York.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Thanks a lot. NY. My favourite city 👍🏻

  • @theboomerangbiker1966
    @theboomerangbiker1966 Před 3 lety

    Great video Nick, good to see you back on the road again. I'm looking forward to spring in Melbourne so I can get my Aussie tour videos going again. Cheers, Nick TBB

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks Nick. It’s great being out although summer’s a bit iffy. Doing wales next weekend and hoping Pyrenees in September although that may be a UK switch if travel’s too expensive with testing. Hoping to do a sneaky few days in August too but we’ll have to see. Ride safe and keep creating 👍🏻

    • @theboomerangbiker1966
      @theboomerangbiker1966 Před 3 lety

      @@nickhodgeUK good to hear mate. Lindsay and I rode from the north of England on a ZZR1100 before migrating to Australia many years ago. Right down through the centre of France, picking up the Route Napoleon (Verdon Gorge, used in many Bond car chases) ending up in Monaco, highly recommend it - lapping the F1 street circuit would make for an epic video!

  • @rparks948
    @rparks948 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you for this great footage. Originally from Northern Ireland but now living in Australia I haven't been able to return recently due to COVID. Our last trip in 2018 included the TT practice week as well as visiting family in NI and UK. Looking forward to getting over again when things improve. We've been to many of the places you visited, including the distillery at Bushmills: not whisky drinkers but still have memories of the wee dram we sampled there!

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Thanks Richard. You can tell hopefully I had great fun despite the weather. You’d not choose it but it too wasn’t really a total downer. I saw some sights I’d seen before in a different light and it certainly made for lighter visitors! You could see cars arriving at the Giant’s Causeway putting their hands out the window (it was Misty rain) and bailing. For me it was drier off the bike. You can see I have my jacket open at Carrick-a-Rede!! Hope you get back over soon although Australia’s admirable zero covid approach may now give them issues to open up??? Ride safe 👍🏻

  • @BMW-GS
    @BMW-GS Před 3 lety

    Gotta love those slippery decks!

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Indeed. The ramps are all gritty but that bow in the open was a bit concerning 🤣👍🏻

  • @alexbradley9172
    @alexbradley9172 Před 3 lety

    Hi Hick, Thanks for another enjoyable video and for promoting my part of the country! There are some amazing roads here in the Sperrin Mountains and I prefer them to the busy coastal routes!

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      If that A2 on Friday afternoon is busy then I’d like more 🤣. Think sometimes the showery weather (and the week before schools broke) helped. I genuinely had a blast enhanced by the nostalgia and people 👍🏻

    • @alexbradley9172
      @alexbradley9172 Před 3 lety

      @@nickhodgeUK Schools out and everyone is holidaying locally. So those costal roads will be very busy! Keep those videos coming, Nick!

  • @markcartlidge7107
    @markcartlidge7107 Před 3 lety

    Love it, we went around Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 this year but I do fancy a trip along the Atlantic highway next year maybe.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Hi Mark. Can thoroughly recommend it. We did Scotland in 2019. That was fantastic too 👍🏻

  • @thmhamilton
    @thmhamilton Před 3 lety +1

    Well done Nick, great video as usual, quite a sprint for you to get here but glad you were able to make the effort.
    And glad you enjoyed it.
    Would have been great to met up, always next time.
    You need to add in Co, Donegal and up around the Inishowen peninsula.
    Good luck with the big match this evening….🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      You’ll notice I also need to do Fermanagh as I ran out of time/weather. I’ll be back for sure 👍🏻

  • @marcr660907
    @marcr660907 Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks for the great video Nick, I left NI in ‘83 as a teenager and in later life have become an avid motorcyclist in my adopted country, South Africa 🇿🇦. It was nice to see how beautiful the countryside is. I lived near Carrickfergus. I intend coming over to tour the whole island when the pandemic allows it.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks Marc. I went through Carrickfergus and Larne on that last day to the A2. Hope you get chance to get back over to ride it soon 👍🏻

  • @ianhindle8678
    @ianhindle8678 Před 3 lety +1

    Nick, well i can't think of what to say more than, well done Sir !!!! great.
    I did SWC 300 this week, well worth it if your plans ever take you towards Lockerbie.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Thanks Ian. I must take a go at that after the fantastic trip we had to the north of Scotland in 2019 👍🏻

  • @Uteone
    @Uteone Před 3 lety

    Hi Nick, thanks for visiting NI and hope you enjoyed some of our better roads. Sorry to see the weather didn’t work out very well (the last few weeks here have been mostly very good weather) but hopefully you’re able to visit again and get to see some more sunshine!

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      I’ve no complaints really. Would have been nice for weather to play ball (I had about 50/50) but didn’t really affect much as I was catching up with lots of people. It was funny. I lost count of the number of people that said “it’s been lovely for weeks and next week looks great too”. That’s like the person that asks for directions and gets told “I’d not be starting from here” 🤣. I’ve always loved NI and will be back much sooner this time 👍🏻

    • @Uteone
      @Uteone Před 3 lety

      @@nickhodgeUK Glad to hear it! I’m sure you’ve seen most of the good roads already but if you’re planning a visit in future few free to get in touch and I’ll happily recommend some great biking roads! 🙂

  • @chrisowens3781
    @chrisowens3781 Před 2 lety +1

    Nick please do more tours they are absolutely fantastic honestly please do some and it love the three little words. Cheers mate

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 2 lety +1

      I’ve got a Pyrenees one from last year it just takes a long while to edit them. Need to do it before beginning of June as I’m off to Germany with the same lads 👍🏻

    • @chrisowens3781
      @chrisowens3781 Před 2 lety

      @@nickhodgeUK I’ll look forward to that

  • @IanTed
    @IanTed Před 3 lety +1

    Pre COVID I did the north coast and Wild Atlantic Way down to Tralee, fantastic scenery and no rain for once😀. You should try my back yard Northumberland and the Borders, stunning roads and just as friendly as Ireland.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Hi Ian. Did that as our Covid tour in Sept 2020. It was brilliant after we realised there was no need to hug the east coast until the Northumberland Coastal Road. Stopped in Berwick and went all up and down over the border and over to the Lake District. May put the video together at some point 👍🏻

  • @ryanmalone2681
    @ryanmalone2681 Před rokem +1

    If you get a chance, head up to Donegal. The roads and views are EPIC! The landscape seems like a completely different country (and technically it is!).

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před rokem

      I intend to go back for sure and also wanted to do Co. Fermanagh fortunately Donegal and the other 25 are now called the Irish Republic. When I was a kid it was ‘southern Ireland’ when in fact parts of Co.Donegal are farther north than parts of Northern Ireland 🤣

  • @paulbrennan5046
    @paulbrennan5046 Před 3 lety

    Hope to see you in the Republic and the Wild Atlantic Way (Connemara) when restrictions ease, Nick !

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      You’ll struggle to keep me away. I had a fantastic time despite the weather 👍🏻

  • @geecee4746
    @geecee4746 Před 3 lety +1

    Great video thanks for visiting our wee country, come back soon 👍👍👍

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      I assure you it was my pleasure totally. I’ll be back as soon as I can for sure. Fermanagh to do as you’ll see it was intended but never made it due to time pressure and weather 👍🏻

    • @geecee4746
      @geecee4746 Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK great visiting during North west 200 week, in may, great atmosphere, amazing racing, and of course, beautiful scenery 🏁👍

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      @@geecee4746 indeed that’s a possibility I’ve spoken to ‘the boys’ here about when it’s back on 👍🏻

  • @michaelmotlh
    @michaelmotlh Před 3 lety +1

    Thanks for bringing us along Nick.... but the music was so loud like back in the naughties

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Thanks Michael. Think I need a sound engineers course. I fear criticism I used to get that everything was too quiet or maybe just some more serene music? 🤣👍🏻

  • @shaunstewart4064
    @shaunstewart4064 Před 3 lety +1

    I enjoyed the video enormously. Sadly it served to remind me of why I have never visited on a motorcycle. The weather is just too unpredicable. When I retire, I will have more time and won't care whether I spend half my tme drying out. :)

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Interestingly I’ve done the last three years 2019, 2020 and 2021 in the UK. (All four nations) and I’ve had more than average weather on all of them. This was probably 50/50 but I always feel when you book it’s go whether good or bad. I had a blast 👍🏻

    • @shaunstewart4064
      @shaunstewart4064 Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK I don't dispute that at all. I grew up in South Wales and toured throughout. I currently live in the North West and tour extensively here and in Scotland. The weather in Wales and the North sucks and while I have limited holidays I like to spend it somewhere warm and dry. On a good day though we have roads here in the UK to rival anywhere except may be the Alps and the Pyrenees.

  • @danlevy7336
    @danlevy7336 Před 3 lety +1

    Another great video Nick, shame about the weather but looks like you had a great time there! Looking forward to our first ride out, do you allow a Kawasaki Versys to feature on the channel??

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Anything on two wheels Dan. Hopefully at least get a weekend this year while we ween you in 👍🏻

  • @MB-qk5it
    @MB-qk5it Před 3 lety +1

    The rain always puts me off touring ireland.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      I sort of get that but you’re going to get wet at some point on a motorcycle. There were a ton of things to do off the bike I didn’t do. The Titanic exhibition is now a whole area of Belfast for example. My tours of the UK in the last two years covering all four nations have been absolutely beautiful and great fun and actually I’ve had my fair share of good weather. I’d still encourage you to give it a go. I booked the ferry for obvious reasons as ‘flexi’. It was £10 more each way so if it was a complete washout I could change it or bail early? Ride safe 👍🏻

  • @robdanner3833
    @robdanner3833 Před 3 lety +1

    Superb effort Nick! I love everything you produce! I've learned so much. Did you use the Bumots on this run? if so, how did they work out? I'm considering them....

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks a lot Rob. I did. I nearly got away with the top box only but staying in a hotel for two nights I left the panniers there on day two (you may see some shots where they’re not on?). They’re slightly heavier than some (as 2mm thick v 1.5mm on most). I have all the inner bags (inc. lid bags) which are great value and really enhance the system. Mine had no water ingress although one pannier did have a little in when I pressure washed them at home on return. I would thoroughly recommend them still 👍🏻

  • @usmcshepherdE9
    @usmcshepherdE9 Před 3 lety +1

    Love your videos…we recently moved to Iowa, USA but have always wanted to ride in Ireland & the UK! Thanks to your videos I purchased the same Bumot Panniers for my Triple Black as well as the same helmet you use (thanks to your endorsement) and really enjoy them!! I was curious about the covers you have on the top of your panniers…they look like good protection…can you tell me what / where you got them?

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Glad you like the videos. Sure, the pannier/top box protectors come from pannierprotectors.com/. Ride safe 👍🏻

    • @usmcshepherdE9
      @usmcshepherdE9 Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK thanks…already ordered them! Wish I could jump on a ferry and be in N. Ireland as well…hopefully we can get there and at least rent a bike.

  • @midlifemotorcyclediaries
    @midlifemotorcyclediaries Před 3 lety +2

    Thanks Nick - really enjoyed that! 👍 Didn’t realise NI was so stunning - will definitely put it on our “to do” list. What was the accommodation like? 😀👍

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      I stopped at the Armagh City Hotel. It was £80 bed and breakfast which was at the top end of what I’d normally pay but they let me park my bike under the front door porch, store my panniers in a store room and it’s overlooked by the Armagh police station. The hotel is top-notch though with good breakfast, bar and restaurant 👍🏻

    • @midlifemotorcyclediaries
      @midlifemotorcyclediaries Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK Thanks!😀

  • @ryanmalone2681
    @ryanmalone2681 Před rokem +1

    Cool trip. Great sites too, despite the weather. I’d never seen the Dunlop tribute. I assume William isn’t in there, but do you know?
    That 80’s guitar hero soundtrack was tough going though. Why do you hate us so much? 🤷‍♂️

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před rokem +1

      Can’t afford to pay for better music 🤣👍🏻

  • @jimayre2967
    @jimayre2967 Před 3 lety

    I like how you don't stick to main roads nick 👍

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      If I’ve got time I try to get off them as often as I can 👍🏻

    • @jimayre2967
      @jimayre2967 Před 3 lety

      @@nickhodgeUK me to nick but have to be careful with my better half on the back

  • @TheAmerican1963
    @TheAmerican1963 Před rokem +1

    Fish, chips and beans !!!!! I'm in !!!!!!!!! LOL 🙂

  • @richardbrooks4549
    @richardbrooks4549 Před 3 lety

    I admire your persistence with connectivity! Just sell the useless Garmin SatNav and keep the phone. Then you have no extra distractions and a far more effective SatNav

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      I’m close Richard…. Real close 🤣👍🏻

  • @DSN262
    @DSN262 Před 3 lety +1

    You had it right the first time mate, it's 'Londonderry' 😉

  • @markmurphy1995
    @markmurphy1995 Před 3 lety +1

    Enjoyed that, thanks Nick! 👍🏻😁🇮🇪 Would you recommend the Shoei Neotec, think of changing from the Hornet?

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Hi Mark. I like it. I have a ‘moon shaped’ head as you see. I tried many lids on but the Neotec just slotted on snuggly and felt right. It’s a pain for the camera as the chin bar lifts and I wish there was a notch just a tad lower to vent the visor. The first one let’s too much rain in but overall recommended 👍🏻

    • @markmurphy1995
      @markmurphy1995 Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK Thanks Nick. 👍🏻

    • @paulabraham8724
      @paulabraham8724 Před 3 lety +1

      I have one which is great except for one thing. When you just want to crack open the visor slightly to let a little airflow through it closes so you have to have it open quite wide before it holds open. As well as letting more rain in than I would like it puts the pin lock insert right in my line of vision when I check my side mirror on the right. It gets very annoying on a longer ride.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      @@paulabraham8724 that was my main thing badly explained 🤣

  • @dpark2210
    @dpark2210 Před 3 lety +1

    I enjoyed the trip. Does your speedometer read in kl or mph?
    Sometime show us what they have to eat there. Again thank you safe travels. Tennessee USA.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Thanks for watching. It reads in MPH here in UK 🇬🇧

  • @bigt1767
    @bigt1767 Před 3 lety +1

    Hey Nick, yet another great video from the studio's of Cecil B. De Hodge ;-) The issue of your phone/BMW App must be frustrating to say the least of it and is not acceptable by any measure. However, not wishing to really P you off but the App works very well with Android. I have a Samsung S21 Ultra (great phone with an unbelievable camera, truly spectacular). I have to say the BMW app is a delight and is now my go to Nav having downloaded all the maps I may possibly need onto the phone, so it doesn't matter if there's no mobile data coverage. I now use the BMW Nav 6 as a standby/second opinion thing, which last week on a trip to Switzerland decided to go ghosting again. I'm on my third replacement in 3 years. Moreover I use Myroutes.App for planning. Save the route as a GPX and send the file via WhatsApp to my phone. Opening that GPX file puts it automatically into the BMW Connected App ready to go. Nothing could be simpler and of course I can plan routes using the same apps on my phone when away from home in a tent etc. Media, Telephone, Nav on the GSA's TFT all work reliably and very well. As an aside when you take a photo using the phone its automatically inserted, geographically correct, into the App's recording of the route. Many times I've looked through my photos after a long trip and wondered where that was. This covers that base for the inept ;-). Anyway, congrats on the N.I. video, I hope to follow in your tracks and will steal your GPX ready for that happy day. Ride safe, stay well. Tony.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Hi Tony. Yes it’s definitely an iPhone problem and I reckon even the latest X, 11 and 12, judging by comments on my connected app/TFT videos. All the features are why I’d love to use it. I hate the Nav6 other than tracking where I’ve been as despite ghosting that works and using it for accurate speed, telemetrics and such. The app is good but fails fundamentally when I can’t rely on it. I’m hoping they get somewhere. In fairness the phone and media connections are reliable and clear in the main so if only….. you’ll enjoy NI. Ride safe 👍🏻

  • @Boxer1250RT
    @Boxer1250RT Před 3 lety

    Do you ever get two sunny days in a row in that part of the world? :) Beautiful Countryside!

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Now that would be boring wouldn’t it 🤣🤞🏻 👍🏻

  • @marksmith9451
    @marksmith9451 Před 3 lety +1

    Great video Nick. Somewhere I have considered for a number of years, must move it up the list now.
    On a different note, how do you find the quad lock ? Considering one on my 1250GS as a back up but stories of camera damage concerned me. The vibration damper hopefully has addressed that.
    Also, how much difference is GSA screen compared to your old GS ? Looking to replace stock GS screen, maybe with GSA screen, to give higher and wider protection.
    Thanks

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Mark. You should do it as soon as possible for sure. The Quad Lock is very positive and I have to trust the vibration damper 🤣. It certainly cushions it for sure. I have used the handlebar bracket with none of the supplied reducer bushes, an additional spacer and the vibration damper and then the head. This allows me to get it right above the handlebars meaning it doesn’t foul anything even when the tank bag is fitted. It’s tough to know whether the screen is better for you on a standard GS as the whole position and other weather protection on the Adventure is different, for sure the GSA has amazing weather protection. Many recommend the MRA with the blade deflector on top. Just over £150 I think?? 👍🏻

    • @marksmith9451
      @marksmith9451 Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK thanks for feedback. Unfortunately one size does not fit all. MRA gets a lot of good feedback but I prefer the cleaner line of a single screen. Decisions, decisons !

  • @chrisphillips4132
    @chrisphillips4132 Před 3 lety +1

    Hello Nick. Excellent video as always. I'm curious about your phone mount. Is it a quad lock mount? If so, what mount did you go with to get it in the center of the bars? I purchased a quad lock setup and the motorcycle bar mount I received wasn't big enough in diameter to go around the center of the handle bars so I had to mount it out near the end of the grip where the bars are smaller.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Hi Chris. It is a Quad Lock and in the handlebar mount with no bush used, so just the clamp. I did away with the arm and use one spacer and the knuckle joint with anti-vibe mount. I hate it but gave in to try and stay connected (fail). I had to have this config to keep it close to the fork pivot so it misses the tank bag when mounted. Where it is it really pivots around itself 👍🏻

    • @chrisphillips4132
      @chrisphillips4132 Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK OK, that makes perfect sense. Thank you for the explanation. Take care and ride safe

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Chris I lied. It’s just the bare clamp with a spacer and anti-vibe mount and head on that. That is NO knuckle. Sorry 👍🏻

  • @johnnunez1335
    @johnnunez1335 Před 3 lety +1

    When crossing to Belfast did you have tie down your motorcycle? Also out of the many hours of footage, how do you select the clips to create your presentation? I enjoyed your video.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Hi John. Yes the shipping line (Stena on this occasion) provide a ratchet strap. It goes from a deck-eye to another over the saddle and they provide a cushion for the saddle too although I use my gloves on the edge just in case. Choosing the footage? The cameras are not on all the time but I try to use the bits where I’m talking of course and then just select stuff I think looks good for motorcyclists 👍🏻

  • @vonbourque3015
    @vonbourque3015 Před 3 lety +1

    Another great video Nick! Is your GSA the standard suspension or the Low suspension? I'm a 32" inseam. I've ridden the standard 1250GS with the seat in the "low" position
    and have no issues, but I believe the GSA is a bit taller bike. Did you notice any difference? Cheers.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks for watching. It is weird, it does feel taller. It’s a standard bike and I have my seat high front and low rear to slide me into front of rear seat. I have about a 32in inseam and with auto suspension setting am either planted on one foot or slightly tiptoeing on both but it still feels ok. At 16st (224lbs) I still fairly strong I guess. Definitely the GS feels smaller 👍🏻

    • @vonbourque3015
      @vonbourque3015 Před 3 lety

      👍

    • @pablomitch5288
      @pablomitch5288 Před 3 lety +3

      I grappled with this one when I bought my GSA. To compensate for the extra height versus the GS, I had 2 cm shaved of the underside of the seat. With a standard suspension at low position, this works well for me with a 30in inseam. The dealer persuaded me this was a better option that the low suspension.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Thanks for adding to the answer Pablo 👍🏻

  • @shaunbromley8445
    @shaunbromley8445 Před 3 lety +1

    Great video but we drive on the left, not down the middle of an empty motorway ;-)

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      I’m not sure you can claim that there was pretty well always something incoming in the inside lane and nothing in middle lane in my mirrors. Hogging the middle lane annoys me more than anyone but so long as you’re aware and ‘active ‘ I thought it’d be ok 🤣👍🏻

  • @davidhegarty9864
    @davidhegarty9864 Před 3 lety +1

    Hi Nick. What seat do you have on your GSA ? I am looking for one that is a bit more comfortable. Dave

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Hi Dave. It’s quite comfortable compared to many others but I am contemplating a Sargent seat at some point in the future 👍🏻

  • @tycoontobias8741
    @tycoontobias8741 Před 3 lety +1

    Would love to know what motorcycle gear including boots and gloves you was wearing and if they did indeed keep you warm and dry during your trip. Much obliged.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety +1

      Tobias. That’s a long answer. I am using here and generally do on all long trips my Rukka Kallix jacket and trousers. It has high grade protection and is waterproof on its own but textile (this means the waterproof membrane is built into the Gortex but the fabric still gets wet, heavy and cold although there is no ingress of water it can take for ever to dry so if it’s long term heavy rain I carry a Tucano Urbano Nano over jacket and trousers which are the size of a coffee mug each but keep me and the Rukka totally dry and warm. My boots are Dianese. Not sure the model but they’re full height side zip with Velcro flaps covering waterproof boots. Gloves are alpine stars but NOT waterproof so I always carry a spare pair. I should really carry waterproof gloves. Now let’s talk about the bike. It has heated grips which go higher in heat than I find comfortable and most of all with the screen and huge wide tank it is really only your arms and knees to ankles that get wet. The rest is really behind panels of the bike. Lastly, I’m luckily quite ‘warm’ as a person and any dry weather over 12 degrees I find quite comfortable, of course we know when wet you always feel colder. To overcome that I carry the Uniqlo padded jacket you see on the table with my beer and meal in the video. It’s a tidy jacket you can wear in the evening but it’s so warm and small under the riding jacket it adds to the warmth. Packs small too. Told you it was a long answer 🤣👍🏻

    • @tycoontobias8741
      @tycoontobias8741 Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK wow, that was a very long answer but very interesting. I expected a detailed answer as you seem a perfectionist of sorts. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated.

  • @KevinBilling
    @KevinBilling Před 3 lety +1

    Hi nick great videos, can I ask how you can your speed limit reading on the tft? Is shows on my nav 6

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Steve. Do you mean the road speed limit in the white square box?? It’s from the BMW connected app but if very flaky on an iPhone. Is that what you meant?

    • @KevinBilling
      @KevinBilling Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK yes that’s what I meant sorry. I have a iPhone

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      You can download the app from the Apple store for free (BMW connected app -the bike one). Switch on your bike and it should pair up and light up the navigation function in the TFT and show the road speed limit but it has a habit of disconnecting sometimes. BMW are working on it apparently

    • @KevinBilling
      @KevinBilling Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK I do have the app but not sure if I set it properly, have you any tips?

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      @@KevinBilling go into settings on your TFT menu and connect your phone via Bluetooth. Then open the app an it should just connect. There’s a video on my channel on connecting everything up 👍🏻

  • @robato28
    @robato28 Před 3 lety +1

    Nick, how tall are you? I see you ride visor open in the first part of the video. No problems with turbulence?

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      I’m 6ft 1in (1.85m). I like fresh air 🤣. I do get some but not hugely. Tends to hit top of helmet when GSA screen fully up

  • @mikebrecht9675
    @mikebrecht9675 Před rokem +1

    Hi Nick, unfortunately GPX files are no longer available. Would you please be so kind to upload again ? Thanks in advance, Michael

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před rokem

      Michael. I’m in tour at the minute. I’ll try and remember to update them 👍🏻

    • @mikebrecht9675
      @mikebrecht9675 Před rokem +1

      Hi Nick, no problem. Many thanks in advance ! Have a nice trip and a save return !

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před rokem

      @@mikebrecht9675 Try this drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ylw842f75PpZXsc0rHl4RdtTmzyGhQ7V?usp=sharing

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před rokem

      I refreshed the link in the description 👍🏻

    • @mikebrecht9675
      @mikebrecht9675 Před rokem

      @@nickhodgeUK 👏👍

  • @JoseSanchez-ht4cc
    @JoseSanchez-ht4cc Před 3 lety +1

    Only one reason I never tour the UK - the shite weather. In the time it took you to get to NI, you could’ve been half way through France (Covid permitting). Great video though, but it has NOT wetted (no pun intended) appetite to tour the UK.

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      It’s not always bad. That’s three years running I’ve done UK (all four nations) and I’ve had more sun than rain for sure but yes. The key is Covid permitting, no tests, no isolating, just riding. Despite the weather. It was great 👍🏻

    • @JoseSanchez-ht4cc
      @JoseSanchez-ht4cc Před 3 lety +1

      @@nickhodgeUK yeah under the current circumstances I see you point, but I just can’t be done with it Nick. I’m off to my place in Andalusia in September for 3 weeks so let’s hope it’s stays Amber at least.

  • @alanbriggs7177
    @alanbriggs7177 Před 3 lety +1

    "He is reading out directions"? My connected app has a rather sharp sounding American lady. Is it possible to change the voice?

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      Not sure where Alan but I definitely have a man. Are you iPhone?

  • @genuinecomments4008
    @genuinecomments4008 Před 3 lety +1

    It’s pronounced why ding not wind ding 😁

  • @genuinecomments4008
    @genuinecomments4008 Před 3 lety +1

    Or wine ding

  • @paulabraham8724
    @paulabraham8724 Před 3 lety +1

    I imagine this will cause an increase in people heading to the North. I for one will be..

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před 3 lety

      You’ll enjoy it I’m sure Paul 👍🏻

  • @ryanmalone2681
    @ryanmalone2681 Před rokem +1

    Did you forget your bathing suit?

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před rokem

      To which part do you refer?

    • @ryanmalone2681
      @ryanmalone2681 Před rokem +1

      @@nickhodgeUK The whole thing. All that beach and no mankini? What gives?

    • @nickhodgeUK
      @nickhodgeUK  Před rokem

      @@ryanmalone2681 too late in the trip 😎

    • @ryanmalone2681
      @ryanmalone2681 Před rokem +1

      @@nickhodgeUK Bummer…no pun intended…promise