Enjoyable video! Thanks yet again for your time and effort. Having ridden this route in both directions I can vow for it's remote feel, it's twisty nature, and sense of accomplishment one gets at the end of the day - though the actual road surface is rather unpleasant in spots, especially on my Goldwing. Perhaps I shouldn't be too surprised though, given the conversation I had with an acquaintance who has long lived lived in Sooke, and with whom I shared my less than stellar experience with the Sooke-Port Renfrew portion of this road. What he said made sense. According to this chap, the BC premier at the time (Bill Bennett) wanted this road to be quickly completed and paved...apparently for personal reasons. As the story goes, in the rush to pave Hwy 14 certain standard protocols were...hmmmm, overlooked. They dropped trees, bulldozed in dirt, rocks, and basically used what they tore up as the fill below the asphalt. Years later as the bigs logs below the pavement have rotted away, we are left to enjoy those distinctive Hwy 14 sloughing dips and roller coaster undulations as we cruise along at 80kph.
So glad you enjoyed the video! Riding both ways is a must as each feels distinctly different from the other. I hadn't heard that backstory on how the road was constructed. Very interesting and likely true as you are correct about the poor conditions. There has also been some extensive reconstructions on sections. Fortunately the Suzuki V-Strom 650 handles the rolls and bumps quite well, but your description of the roadway is spot on!
@@MotoVenturer Indeed, riding these roads both ways gives a whole new perspective: different pavement, opposite curves, new scenery - sometimes accentuated by the head space of the rider. There is a book out (older now) called Destination Highways BC, which highlights the, supposedly, best motorcycle roads in BC. I have worked through the totality of the book in one direction, and have just a few roads left to do in the other direction. (It was a nice way to get out over the past 3-4 years and having a M.C. road tick list was a pleasant distraction). My main conclusion is that BC has some of the best and most concentrated riding in Canada. What I also found though is that the larger Goldwing, while great for faster, multi lane highways and interstates, it is somewhat "overkill" and perhaps even cumbersome for the less polished byways and country roads. Gravel roads can also be problematic. Anyways, in my serious consideration/research for a smaller adventure bike (the V-Strom 650 being one), I happened upon your channel. If you don't mine I'd love to know your thoughts on the 650.
@@glennpayan4205 I've some knowledge of the Goldwing as my father owned one for many, many years, and I concur with your observations. For me, the V-Strom 650 hits a really sweet spot. People may say it isn't a powerful bike but it has plenty of gumption at all legal speeds, and that includes with me and my side bags, top case, and extra 60 liter camping bag. The bike is very well balanced and nimble, though, to be clear, nothing like a sportsbike, and thus well behaved on smooth or rough roads, and completely comfortable on groomed gravel roads. It isn't really for rough off-road unless you get 50-50 tires and you may want a stiffer suspension and definitely want a skid plate, but for regular backcountry roads I never had problems (I did have problems on bad roads, sand, etc.). Gas mileage is great until riding over about 90KPH. After that, the higher revs hit the mileage. Running at 60KPM, I can get close to 450km on a tank; at 130KPM I get more like 300km. But even that is decent range on the 20liter tank. The bike, which is a 2009 with 130km on it, has had very little maintenance required, so a very reliable steed. Each riding season I fall back in love with it. I highly recommend them, but there are also many other good bikes out there.
@@MotoVenturer Thanks for that great information. It seems a lot of people really like the 650, but who also claim to eventually move on to a "more exciting" ride, but then...ultimately, a portion of those seem to return to the 650 later on. (This according to several anecdotal and dealership conversations I've picked up in my adventure touring research). As your father may have experienced, taking the Goldwing out is an "event" in itself. For me it's not a bike I just throw a leg over and pop to the grocery store. Increasingly, a more practical ride seems appropriate as well as getting off the interstate and onto these more scenic gravel and dirt roads on a motorcycle that is, perhaps, less disconnected with the environment. I do plan to rent the Vstrom for a day or two to check it out, but in the meantime, what are your own thoughts on the seat comfort? The Goldwing is remarkably solid and comfortable. Little else ruins a ride for me more that a sore butt, tooth rattling vibration, and the mental strain of untrustworthy reliability. Given the daily mileage on some of your videos, you must find the ride quite comfortable? Again, thanks for all your video work.
@@glennpayan4205 Full disclosure.. I may sell mine and get a new bike, but that is more about me wanting a new bike. I've thought about selling for the last 3-4 years but only during the off-season, lol. When I get on the bike I think, why sell? It is really just that the bike is now older and I'm interested in something new. Now regarding the seat, I purchased a gel seat when I first bought the bike new, so I've never really tested the stock seat. My seat has been wonderful though, and got me through many 10 hour riding days. I have no idea today which brand the seat was. I think you'll find the stock seat can't compete, at all, with the comfort of a goldwing, but for an adventure bike, I think it is a reasonably comfortable seat.
Thanks! Shared this with my friends to doi when they come to visit. I do this quite often as you started literally in my back yard. Fantastic, thanks for sharing. See you on the road.
Wow, I'm so impressed with your patience and overall demeanor. Many riders would have become angry or panicked in some of those situations, and you were calm and equanimous. Well done.
So glad to hear that and very much appreciate your feedback. If you haven't already, you might enjoy my "BC to Arizona" episodes and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy my upcoming 55 day trip through the US. Cheers!
Great video, I love riding the island. One thing, there’s actually 2 castles in the Victoria area, Hatley and Craigdarroch and a third demolished castle, Cary.
Thanks for sharing!! We got hassled by a "forest management" at the beginning of the North Island 1000 last summer '23, so agree with you. Yes, enjoy the ride. Isn't that why we ride? Will ride this route next time!!
I did the North Island 1000 several years back during a forestry strike. All the roads were barren and free of logging trucks, which made for a great trip. Thanks for the comment and enjoy riding!
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
Enjoyable video! Thanks yet again for your time and effort.
Having ridden this route in both directions I can vow for it's remote feel, it's twisty nature, and sense of accomplishment one gets at the end of the day - though the actual road surface is rather unpleasant in spots, especially on my Goldwing. Perhaps I shouldn't be too surprised though, given the conversation I had with an acquaintance who has long lived lived in Sooke, and with whom I shared my less than stellar experience with the Sooke-Port Renfrew portion of this road. What he said made sense. According to this chap, the BC premier at the time (Bill Bennett) wanted this road to be quickly completed and paved...apparently for personal reasons. As the story goes, in the rush to pave Hwy 14 certain standard protocols were...hmmmm, overlooked. They dropped trees, bulldozed in dirt, rocks, and basically used what they tore up as the fill below the asphalt. Years later as the bigs logs below the pavement have rotted away, we are left to enjoy those distinctive Hwy 14 sloughing dips and roller coaster undulations as we cruise along at 80kph.
So glad you enjoyed the video! Riding both ways is a must as each feels distinctly different from the other. I hadn't heard that backstory on how the road was constructed. Very interesting and likely true as you are correct about the poor conditions. There has also been some extensive reconstructions on sections. Fortunately the Suzuki V-Strom 650 handles the rolls and bumps quite well, but your description of the roadway is spot on!
@@MotoVenturer Indeed, riding these roads both ways gives a whole new perspective: different pavement, opposite curves, new scenery - sometimes accentuated by the head space of the rider. There is a book out (older now) called Destination Highways BC, which highlights the, supposedly, best motorcycle roads in BC. I have worked through the totality of the book in one direction, and have just a few roads left to do in the other direction. (It was a nice way to get out over the past 3-4 years and having a M.C. road tick list was a pleasant distraction). My main conclusion is that BC has some of the best and most concentrated riding in Canada. What I also found though is that the larger Goldwing, while great for faster, multi lane highways and interstates, it is somewhat "overkill" and perhaps even cumbersome for the less polished byways and country roads. Gravel roads can also be problematic. Anyways, in my serious consideration/research for a smaller adventure bike (the V-Strom 650 being one), I happened upon your channel.
If you don't mine I'd love to know your thoughts on the 650.
@@glennpayan4205 I've some knowledge of the Goldwing as my father owned one for many, many years, and I concur with your observations. For me, the V-Strom 650 hits a really sweet spot. People may say it isn't a powerful bike but it has plenty of gumption at all legal speeds, and that includes with me and my side bags, top case, and extra 60 liter camping bag. The bike is very well balanced and nimble, though, to be clear, nothing like a sportsbike, and thus well behaved on smooth or rough roads, and completely comfortable on groomed gravel roads. It isn't really for rough off-road unless you get 50-50 tires and you may want a stiffer suspension and definitely want a skid plate, but for regular backcountry roads I never had problems (I did have problems on bad roads, sand, etc.). Gas mileage is great until riding over about 90KPH. After that, the higher revs hit the mileage. Running at 60KPM, I can get close to 450km on a tank; at 130KPM I get more like 300km. But even that is decent range on the 20liter tank. The bike, which is a 2009 with 130km on it, has had very little maintenance required, so a very reliable steed. Each riding season I fall back in love with it. I highly recommend them, but there are also many other good bikes out there.
@@MotoVenturer Thanks for that great information. It seems a lot of people really like the 650, but who also claim to eventually move on to a "more exciting" ride, but then...ultimately, a portion of those seem to return to the 650 later on. (This according to several anecdotal and dealership conversations I've picked up in my adventure touring research). As your father may have experienced, taking the Goldwing out is an "event" in itself. For me it's not a bike I just throw a leg over and pop to the grocery store. Increasingly, a more practical ride seems appropriate as well as getting off the interstate and onto these more scenic gravel and dirt roads on a motorcycle that is, perhaps, less disconnected with the environment. I do plan to rent the Vstrom for a day or two to check it out, but in the meantime, what are your own thoughts on the seat comfort? The Goldwing is remarkably solid and comfortable. Little else ruins a ride for me more that a sore butt, tooth rattling vibration, and the mental strain of untrustworthy reliability. Given the daily mileage on some of your videos, you must find the ride quite comfortable? Again, thanks for all your video work.
@@glennpayan4205 Full disclosure.. I may sell mine and get a new bike, but that is more about me wanting a new bike. I've thought about selling for the last 3-4 years but only during the off-season, lol. When I get on the bike I think, why sell? It is really just that the bike is now older and I'm interested in something new. Now regarding the seat, I purchased a gel seat when I first bought the bike new, so I've never really tested the stock seat. My seat has been wonderful though, and got me through many 10 hour riding days. I have no idea today which brand the seat was. I think you'll find the stock seat can't compete, at all, with the comfort of a goldwing, but for an adventure bike, I think it is a reasonably comfortable seat.
Thanks! Shared this with my friends to doi when they come to visit. I do this quite often as you started literally in my back yard. Fantastic, thanks for sharing. See you on the road.
That's fantastic. Nice to hear from those in my neighbourhood!
Wow, I'm so impressed with your patience and overall demeanor. Many riders would have become angry or panicked in some of those situations, and you were calm and equanimous. Well done.
Cheers!
Just found your channel and subscribed. How refreshing! Not riding like a moron and with an interesting road, scenery and tour guide style commentary.
So glad to hear that and very much appreciate your feedback. If you haven't already, you might enjoy my "BC to Arizona" episodes and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy my upcoming 55 day trip through the US. Cheers!
Great video, I love riding the island.
One thing, there’s actually 2 castles in the Victoria area, Hatley and Craigdarroch and a third demolished castle, Cary.
True!
you must live near me (North Saanich) - I do that route quite often. That is a great ride.
I think it is a "must do" route for many local riders. Glad to "meet" a neighbour!
Do this ride at least once a year it is great except people who ignore MC
Indeed!
When you stopped on the road for the bug I thought it was the infamous earth shattering bump I discovered on that road.
Haha.. I've been bounced off my seat a few times on that bump you mention.
Thanks for sharing!! We got hassled by a "forest management" at the beginning of the North Island 1000 last summer '23, so agree with you.
Yes, enjoy the ride.
Isn't that why we ride?
Will ride this route next time!!
I did the North Island 1000 several years back during a forestry strike. All the roads were barren and free of logging trucks, which made for a great trip. Thanks for the comment and enjoy riding!