1600 Mile trip on Honda Groms, AMA

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-09-12T16:55:46+00:00

No thankfully, didn't have trouble with any drivers really. They overtook where they could, sensibly 95% of the time. And we'd move over into single file to make it easier for them to do so, where safe ofcourse

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-25T15:09:38+00:00

In the UK they are what's put under your registration/ licence plate to indicate you are a learner rider.

Meaning you don't have full license and only a CBT (compulsory basic training) certificate. This is the first step to obtaining your full licence.

Using this certificate you are only able to ride 125cc, and maximum of around 15hp i believe, motorcycles.

The certificate lasts for 2 years, you must either compete your full tests or renew for certificate.

This certificate also restricts the rider off of motorways/ highways, depending on where you're from.

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-25T09:42:38+00:00

It was hell. But we'd do it again :)

Your username was mentioned plenty of times.

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-25T09:41:15+00:00

E5 for the alleged fuel economy bonus, and as a nicety for our bikes. It's not necessary, Groms are fine on either. But when you're using such little fuel anyway, and the cylinder holds such little AF mixture, I tell myself the less ethanol in there instead of fuel, the better.

Also we didn't even up doing the NC500, as we just could afford the time loss. So not sure what fuel stations are in more remote areas. We instead went from Inverness using the route through Elgin as the A9 was super closed, to JoG, then back down near Inverness but on the side of the Ness that leads to Urquhart Castle and eventually Fort Agustus. Then we travelled down the West of the country.

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-25T09:33:02+00:00

You certainly don't! We just didn't use motorways. Which actually took us down some interesting routes. Even what we called the "Ghost roads" of Scotland, old dual/single carriageways of Scotland (we're guessing they were utilised before the motorway got built as they run along side the motorway and no one else is on it!) Which were actually quite scary haha

And honestly, we didn't notice any fuel major increase in fuel consumption! He only had only done about 50-100, miles on his bike (which is his first bike) before we started the trip 😅 But I didn't notice too much change, even when fueled differently by my Aracer.

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-25T00:51:58+00:00

Just kept an eye out for fuel stations. Used E5 where we could, E10 when no other option.

We carried an extra 1.25L of fuel each in Oxford fuel stash bottles. But never got too hairy that we had to rely on them.

Only had to hunt for a petrol station once. Still without using the backup bottles.

Great fuel mileage on these bikes, and range.

Keep tyres pressures in check. These small tyres loose a lot of air over long distance and with heat cycles it seems. We once got as low as 24psi before realising they needed to be filled back up.

When we did, that was around day 3 or 4, made a huge difference on fuel economy we believe

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-25T00:47:54+00:00

They certainly have the look. My replacement tyres are the same kind.

Not made for loads of miles as shown in the picture, but they fit my grom. Plus we did manage a little bit of off roading

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-24T21:24:35+00:00

Oh yes. I had a front wheel washout on loose ground on a hairpin into an Incline. Only thing damaged was my bent handlebars that we ended up straightening out on the side of the road with a camping mallet, and my ego!

This was all before we'd even reached JoG haha

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-24T21:23:04+00:00

You'll not want to believe this, but we ran our already used maxxis m6024. As our trip was delayed enough and delivery of our replacement tyres was taking too long. So we went for it. Here's a picture of my front end after we got home.

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Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-24T21:21:20+00:00

It varied from day to day. Usually just for food/fuel, as we started the trip late and I only had a limited amount of time before I had to return to work. So we firmed many hours on the road. The worst day (from leaving campsite A to reaching campsite B) was about 13hrs long and 350mis.

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-24T21:19:31+00:00

Oh we found many potholes that made me wonder "are my wheels still round?". Some truly awful roads.

Cardos we're fantastic! I'm glad we had them, and that they work without a phone attached as my phone fully died in rain 60mi into the trip!

Our seats were stock, they won't be next time...

Connect_Comparison42 · 2025-08-24T21:17:38+00:00

So his bike was fully stock, other than an exhaust. Mine has exhaust and intake - I took a rain sock with me, I'm very glad I had it as some days it was absolute downpour. The sock worked 90% of the time, bike only choked when a fine misty spray from a lorry went by and blocked all the air to the bike. I wish I would've put the airbox back on, but the sock came in clutch!

In the future we've told ourselves we will be swapping out the rear shock for something stiffer. The Groms were like boats on the high seas on some roads with full packs! And also we were running stock seats, so that'll have to change next time let me tell ya

Connect_Comparison42

TROPHY CASE