Ride the Balkan Peninsula

[Django]

Some of you may remember, I already mentioned that I was up to plan a week's ride to the Balkan with my daughter and her CB 1300.

Well, we want to take off this Saturday. Here's the rough plan so far:

Django Tours goes Balkan

 

[Banned_imp]

That looks like an awesome trip.

I've never ridden a motorcycle there but I spent 9 months in Bosnia in '01 and was all over the place and there are certainly some good mountain roads to ride. The Dalmatian Coast is also quite nice.

I look forward to the pictures. Have fun!

 

[Houtman_imp]

Django is going Ballistic !

 

[peterbaron]

....good luck and have a safe trip..
When I wanted to go to Europe with my CB...nobody responded :(
Hopefully soon

pb

 

[redbirds_imp]

That will be a beautiful trip, can't wait for the pics.

 

[tuareg]

Awesome idea, Django.
I don't know if you have driven/ridden in those countries in the near past, but I'm sure you have collected the necessary information before the trip. However, here's my 2p:
- Best roads are in Croatia, road quality deteriorates as you go southward
- Cheapest fuel is in Macedonia
- In some of those countries gas stations do not have air compressors and tire repair shops are closed on Sundays.
- Especially in Bosnia, Albania and Macedonia there's a lot of road building activity going on(mainly highways) and some of these are not in the navigation maps.
- You'll notice that the speed limits get (sometimes ridiculously) lower as you drive south. Traffic police can be very unforgiving in those areas. I've seen queues of cars drive at 30 km/h in a 40 area, just in case
- Although most gas stations accept euros be prepared to receive the change in the local currency.

Have a great trip!

 

[Django]

@tuareg: Last and only one was 1988, when I went home from Thessaloniki taking the Autoput with a VW bus.

Hints like yours are always appreciated.
...and I'm well informed, as like every German lad I read "In den Schluchten des Balkan" from Karl May.

 

[tuareg]

@tuareg: Last and only one was 1988, when I went home from Thessaloniki taking the Autoput with a VW bus.

Hints like yours are always appreciated.
...and I'm well informed, as like every German lad I read "In den Schluchten des Balkan" from Karl May.

Karl May reference made me smile; but I think you'll find the Balkan spirit to be the same even after 125 years so don't be surprised when you come across another "Republika Srpska" when riding through Bosnian mountains...
Feel free to PM if you need to ask anything about the places. We've been driving from Germany to Greece and back for the last 3 years, changing the route each time, so we've been through a lot. Riding a motorcycle has its advantages especially at the border crossings(or when you're lost and have to make that illegal turn ) so I'm a bit jealous now...

Happy travels!

 

[Django]

Well, writing the ride report of my Balkan trip comes slowly as I was very, very busy last time (and still I am). So not much posting and writing recently.

However, 5 days are already written, 3 days are still in work (Montenegro, Kosovo, SaddleSore home).

For your pleasure: Django Tours

 

[peterbaron]

Django, must post CB1300 pics, please

 

[Cormanus]

Fantastic photo journal, Django. Thank you. What amazing country to go riding in.

 

[Django]

So, as I've some time right now, I made one more day: Balkan Leg 6 – Tara River Canyon in Montenegro

Let me cause some wanderlust. :biker:

 

[Cormanus]

It worked. The wanderlust is strong this morning. What stunning scenery.

Have you been allowed a ride on the CB1300? If so, how did you find it?

 

[Django]

It worked. The wanderlust is strong this morning. What stunning scenery.

Have you been allowed a ride on the CB1300? If so, how did you find it?

Yes, it's a torque monster. It has only 5 gears, but more or less it doesn't matter, in what gear you are. My daughter has a lower handle bar, so seat position for me is a little lean forward. The CB1300 feels a little clumsy compared to mine, probably because of the weight. Brakes and suspension is the same (good) standard.

When we were looking for a CB1300 for here and she finally found this one, I was really tempted to go for one for myself too. However, now I still prefer my CBF1000F. It's the better ride for me.

Don't miss balkan-leg-7-thru-the-kosovo-to-skopje

 

[Cormanus]

Excellent second from final report. I do like to see a bike after a good ride in the rain.

 

[the Ferret]

Very cool Django. Beautiful pictures and scenery. That was some zip line.

I need some boots like your daughters for riding the FJR lol. It's a tall booger.

 

[Django]

Very cool Django. Beautiful pictures and scenery. That was some zip line.

I need some boots like your daughters for riding the FJR lol. It's a tall booger.

I'm afraid, if WE guys would wear such boots, we would go down already without the help of a motorcycle.

 

[Houtman_imp]

Beautiful pictures THANKS !