Auf wiedersehen CTers

[Hartley]

After nearly 8 years, two CTs and 3026 posts the time has come for me to move on.

My first CT was a red 2013 manual that took my wife and me on our first “big” trip. I remember sitting in the sun drinking a cold beer looking out on the Mediterranean thinking “We’ve come all the way here on that bike!”  I’ll admit I get a little choked when I think of that trip, rates as one of the best times of mine and my wifes lives.

Moved to a DCT in 2017, the gearbox of which is still one of the most underated bike developments in years.

In total we’ve done around 50000 miles, Wales, Scotland, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Andorra. Ridden, Apple Cross, Hardknott and Wrynose. Had to pinch myself in the Alps and the Pyrenees and helped my best mate realise a lifelong dream to ride Stelvio.

Baked in 43 degrees, and been terrified in the mother of all storms that was blowing trucks off the road.

Picked up a nail in the back tyre in the middle of nowhere to find that the hotel we’d booked into that night was 50 yards from a Honda dealer and the only tyre they had in stock was exactly the one needed.

In 8 years, mechanical issues have been very few.  Rear shock dumped its preload oil, throttle cable came loose (dealer finger trouble) and heated grips stopped working, that’s it I think.
 Sadly my experiences of Honda UK and some dealers has been less impressive. 

As a no nonsense, reliable, competent big bike the Crosstourer is very hard to beat. But having had one for 8 yrs and with with nothing new since 2016 Honda have left me no option to stick with a CT. Ive said before, the big “H” really missed an opportunity with this bike.
 A few modern bits and pieces and id have probably had another, I know I’m not alone in feeling that way.
Don’t get me wrong, if you’ve just bought one, you’ve got a great bike which is amazing value at the mo. For me the AT is never going to be a replacement.

Ive met some great people through this bike and forum (Which I do believe is one of the best on the interweb) and encountered a few “characters” too.  Ive learned loads and been helped out many times, I only hope ive helped a few owners out too.

So what next.
If the last year or so has taught us anything its that you should live for today, the opportunity to do those things that you put of til tomorrow or think “ill do that one day” just may be snatched away from you at any time. If theres something you’ve wanted to do, something you’ve always wanted to try or own, if you can, make it happen.
That itch for me has been a GS. (Hear the groan from many) Today i picked up my new stead.




I will be having some bits and pieces up for sale which I will do a proper post for in the relevant area with full decriptions and details of condition in due course but should anyone be interested in, or need soon, any of the following PM me.

Touratech standard height seat
Givi Quick release Monokey pannier mounts
Givi Monokey Topbox mount
GivI under rack tool bag
Bagster Tank cover (Silver and Black 2015 model)
Tank bag to fit above
Enigmoto GPS mount
Standard rear Shock.

So thats pretty much it from me, i may drop in from time to time to see whats going on but for now at least, take care all, enjoy your CTs and ride safe.

All the best

Paul

[Jac]

Paul, wishing you the best and enjoy your new GS.  I have enjoyed following your contributions to threads on this forum since I bought my new Crosstourer last June. 

[battle_bulge]

Thank you Hartley for the nice timelapse. Enjoy the new toy, as you rightly say we live only once (and for an unknown period of time).
Do come and say hello, tell us how you miss the CT. You'll anyway have plenty of writing time as you sit and wait in the dealership 😉
Take care

[Max2007]

Good luck with a new Bike! 👍

[bazza950]

thanks for the write up and best of luck with the new steed
Seems to be a sort of 2 way traffic from BWM to CT -or t'other way! I had most of the BMWs -almost gratis,as brother worked for them so it was a family perk  -after 4k miles they simply sold them on as demonstators and gave you another! But couldnt really get on with them -inc a K1300 ,an HP2 ,the belt drive 800's and some older air cooled flat twins. What I really want is a Crossrunner size v4 ,with DCT and Euro 5 compliant but we all want something unobtainable!

[matt28]

Great post Hartley.
Good luck with GS 

[wojcimierz]

Congrats!

I would be interested to read some GS review from a long term CT owner.

[oskar]

Enjoy your new bike!