The drama started before we'd got to the ferry, when I felt a distinct issue with the back of the CBF1000. Having owned the bike for over nine years I know it inside out, every squeak and rattle. Puncture? Tyre pressures? Suspension preload?
I knew it was none of these as I'd done them as part of my religious pre-trip preparation. At the side of a dark dual carriageway, it dawned on me that I was looking at wheel bearing failure. What to do? Trudge the 100 miles back home, having wasted 800 quid on the ferry to Bilbao, or press on and try to get it fixed in Spain?
We carried on to our burger stop 15 miles from Rosslare, where the facilities are rubbish and with the ferry being 11.30pm there being only bar snacks available on the boat, we stop on the way. Leaving the car park, the intermittent wobble became an audible clank, evidence of the suspected bearing failure. The usually enjoyable ferry crossing was now clouded with uncertainty. I have breakdown insurance which covers recovery, hotel expenses, etc., but had never claimed. How would it work out if we needed it? Would it need to be shipped home? Was it all over?
Disembarking at Bilboa, we decided to press on to Soria, where we were booked in for the night, in the hope we could find mechanical help there. On the outskirts of Vitoria-Gasteiz it became clear that we couldn't continue without risking serious damage to the hub, not to mention killing both of us.
Within 10 minutes at the roadside my wonderful wife had us booked into a very comfortable aparthotel, close to everything with underground parking. In the room we called the insurance company who were very good, explaining that they could pick the bike up that afternoon, but it would only sit in the recovery yard till the next day when they would start ringing round to find someone local who could sort the bearing. This was Sunday afternoon after all, so it stayed safe in the hotel car park until the next morning.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
