Riding in Spain (not exactly an adventure, but still...)

[cloudgazer]

First off, when  my brother-in-law told me he had a 450 BMW, I automatically assumed it was the enduro bike.
I had no idea that BMW made boxer twins with such small engines.
It was a pleasant mistake to make.

I stayed in a small town called Torredembarra (pop 15,000), just south of Barcelona.

We spent a few days riding around the region... we were actually going to spend a day in the Pyranees, but the weather turned foul.
Even though I was riding on the wrong side of the road, i never felt unsafe.
The spaniards are fairly impatient drivers, but never obnoxious.
I felt safer on their roads than I do here.

In the foothills outside of Tarragona are what I like to call mini-twisties. Nice curving roads, but done in such a way that you can see up to 4 bends ahead, so you can position yourself nicely to take em smoothly.

A bit about the bikes:
The Yamaha 650 is the first 4 cylinder 650 I've ever ridden. The acceleration and sound are truly fantastic, but it doesn't have much in the way of torque, so you're forever changing up and down the gears.
The brakes are non-existent - even with twin disks up front. And since I usually ride with 2 fingers on the the lever, there was not much stopping power.
The yamaha was also the first shaft driven bike I've ever ridden.

Now the R45. Wow, what a cool experience starting up that boxer motor as you feel the cylinders kick from side to side.

Once idling though the engine sounded smooth and calm. When riding though as soon as you hit 5000rpm the clatter makes it sound as if there is something seriously wrong, but once you go above 5k or change gear it smoothes out again. I believe this is a quirk of that particular model.
The seating position and very VERY narrow handle bars took a bit of getting used to, but it was certainly fun in the mini-twisties.

Spain is beautiful - and my 3 weeks passed far too quickly. I will however be returning regularly. My brother in law is also buying a couple more of these bikes - and will be offering tours of the region.

 

[Piston Pete]

More more more! :thumleft:

 

[cloudgazer]

How the hell do you insert pics into certain places when creating a post?

I don't seem to have any control over that - so can't describe each pic.

 

[Ratel]

How the hell do you insert pics into certain places when creating a post?

I don't seem to have any control over that - so can't describe each pic.

Use an image host, the forum function does not work like that 8)

 

[cloudgazer]

How the hell do you insert pics into certain places when creating a post?

I don't seem to have any control over that - so can't describe each pic.

Use an image host, the forum function does not work like that 8)

i wanted to but photobucket has been down all morning.

 

[Gee eS]

Lekker! Where's the rest?

 

[Trailrider]

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[cloudgazer]

Lekker! Where's the rest?

Actually not much more to tell.
We only spent a few days riding around the area.
I don't know any of the routes, I only looked at a map once.

We also returned home each day, so it was nothing more than a few day trips.

The only other thing I can do is post a few more pics.

 

[Trailrider]

Gooi!

 

[cloudgazer]

Some more pics...

Dunno the name of the place, we called it Pepe's - they have really good brandy.

Oh look, it's a Beemer

Pretty apartments

Church in Tarragona

View from my apartment.
Man, some of the streets are tiny.
No pavements - and only room for one car at a time.
This street is a dead-end. So you have to reverse out - however if some one else has parked in the street.
Forget it, you aint going anywhere - until they do.

Outside Santa Crueces monastery

Road side lunch stop

I R Pozer

 

[Piston Pete]

Where's the pics of the hot locals 8)

 

[BoJangels]

love the architecture  :thumleft: stunning thanks for sharing  :thumleft:

 

[cloudgazer]

Where's the pics of the hot locals 8)

Here you go, but HANDS OFF cause she's my niece.

Penelope Cruz is probably the only hot spanish chick.
I've never seen so many mullets in my life. All the girls look like dyke MacGyvers.
I can't understand why that hairstyle is so popular there.

 

[stevgh0]

Where's the pics of the hot locals 8)

Here you go, but HANDS OFF cause she's my niece.

Penelope Cruz is probably the only hot spanish chick.
I've never seen so many mullets in my life. All the girls look like dyke MacGyvers.
I can't understand why that hairstyle is so popular there.

You going to be making lots of bestfriends soon...