CB500X Big trip - S-1 Ep. 11 - Serbia, road closures and rain

Day 13 of our journey together sees us leave Hungary, cross through Croatia briefly and into Serbia for the night. The usual rain accompanies us and the road closures continue, but this time with assistance from locals who make themselves understood through gestures.
Many thanks for your comments, suggestions and observations, keep them coming!
Nick

[@bigjoe4020]

You passed close to my old hood, well I was born in Zrenjanin 59 years ago, city just north of Beograd. Haven't been back there for 30 years or so, now an Aussi. Still good to see the familiar style houses I grew up with....not much changed on the ground by the looks of it. rsm8

[@bikingtravels]

Hi @Big Joe, there seems to be a mix of modern and old with some places now looking somewhat deserted in favour of the modern. Probably true of much of the world? Nick

[@quentinjackson6015]

That camping pod looked ideal for 'crashing out' after a wet ride and not having to pack up a soggy tent and gear in the morning is a real bonus! I wish there were more clean and simple places like that to stay in for a night or two here in the UK. I don't blame you for blowing the budget on hotel accommodation from time to time - at the end of the day your trip has to be enjoyable! Thanks for the update.

[@bikingtravels]

Hi Quentin, thanks for the comment and yep, enjoying a trip with a little comfort is allowed. Last year I camped in a site in Wales near Betws-y-Coed that charged £9 to pitch the tent and £13 for what they called the "Coop", seemed a bit of a bargain then, but I'd already set up camp before I found out. So they do exist, but not seen many but then my camping experience prior to this trip was limited to that night and a couple of nights this year as a shake down run, not a great sample size.# Nick

[@weiwei1808]

Good

[@bikingtravels]

Glad you enjoyed it Nick

[@325ixa]

Hi, this is strange route to pick in Serbia. Don't know what was the reason. For example, boat crossing in Футог(Futog) is only used by locals and aboud 10 miles further there was a nice and free bridge. Not to mention Novi Sad, capitol od European culture for 2022.

[@bikingtravels]

Many thanks @VeGa for the comments, I passed close to Novi Sad but didn't have time to stop, which is a shame. I didn't notice the bridge, but the ferry crossing added to the overall experience. At some stage in the future I hope to revisit some of the countries I passed through so quickly, so maybe next time! Nick

[@gprider1525]

I do like a pod. Stayed in a few like that in U.K. cheap & easy. What's on the cards for tomorrow?

[@bikingtravels]

Yep, the pod worked well. Next episode??? More rain, more road closures and another dilemma! Nick

[@papaleecrosby9412]

you should get a bike cover for the bike

[@bikingtravels]

Thanks for the comment and I did use the cover on the trip, especially if I could not park close to where I was staying Nick

[@JosephGodzzilla]

Nick, I've been enjoying your videos, thank you for sharing! I like that you show the trials and tribulations along with the good stuff. Audio and video have been excellent (except for a few rare times your voice was hard to hear in earlier videos). Ride safe!

[@bikingtravels]

Hi @JoeDeering, many thanks for your comments and encouragement. I still struggle with sound, especially anything over 40 KPH (25 MPH) intermittently, was never able to pin it down. In real time, I'm ahead of releasing the videos and still find whole recordings with completely duff sound, hence the music in places!!! Nick

[@Nordkapp65]

Thanks for the vlog, seems like you got a fair bit of rain on the trip. How did the Garmin perform? Is it the Zuma XT?

[@bikingtravels]

Hi @Nordkapp, yes for the first 2 weeks I think a storm followed my East, you'll be glad to hear it eventually passes by. Yes, it is a Garmin Zumo XT, worked very well, as the trip progresses I tend to use it for more point to point directions with "Adventurous routing" which takes you off the main routes into some "interesting" territory. I removed it from the bike (simple clip) every night and ensured I put the little rubber "bung" into the mount to ensure rain didn't get in over night. Nick

[@ZackTuru]

Nice video. Keep up the good work. I have a question, as I’m planing to visit Serbia in September. Apparently my insurance doesn’t cover Serbia (lexham). On the government site I read that all uk insurance policies should cover Serbia. Did you had to get extra insurance? How was the border crossing, did they ask for insurance, green card at all? Thanks.

[@bikingtravels]

Border crossing into Serbia was straight forward, handed over Passport, bike registration doc and insurance certificate. The only country to ask for the Green Card was North Macedonia, but my Green Card didn't cover there so I had to buy additional insurance cover at the border (cash). Typically you're only covered 3rd party in the non-EU countries I believe, but you can usually buy insurance at the borders (have cash ready) Enjoy Serbia! Nick

[@pokerzyngaa7695]

You're close to me! Are you coming to Slovenia/Croatia?! :) Nice vid!

[@Canonian_]

He is close to me too ... it is a pity that he did not visit Croatia ... towards the sea there are good roads just for moto tours

[@bikingtravels]

Hi Poker, I mentioned to Canonian in his comment that in "real" time I've now travelled through Croatia and Slovenia, loved them, some great roads, scenery and people. I'll be posting videos, just need to catch up as I'm so far behind in the production arena Nick

[@bikingtravels]

Loved the coast road from Dubrovnik to Split and let my GPS divert me into the mountains... but that is for a later video I'm afraid Nick

[@pokerzyngaa7695]

@@bikingtravels Cheers for that Nick,looking forward to it,hopefully this isn't too personal but do you have a family? I'm only asking cause I wanted to do a big trip my wife won't let me thought and its too exhausting for her on the pillion seat ^^ Best wishes.

[@bikingtravels]

@@pokerzyngaa7695 my children have grown up and.left home so just my wife at home who was very supportive, she wont ride on the back either. Hope you can work it out, maybe a shorter trip to start with? Nick

[@douglasradowick508]

Serbia is where my dad's dad is from(Brode No Coopy)sorry for the phonetic spelling.the scenery is breath taking and what a way to see the land of my grampa. Croatia is where my dad's mom is from. Lovely video of the countryside! Doug👍🤓🐻🏍️🧸

[@bikingtravels]

Hi Doug, you're right the scenery was great, it was just a shame the rain had followed me as visibility is impaired. Nick

[@johnduncan916]

Some times you just need a nice bed with a bathroom ,this maybe is what you went to work all those years for, All the best from New Zealand

[@bikingtravels]

You know what John, I think you're right! Many thanks for the comment. Nick

[@Motoccino]

Love your videos and subscribed. Much love from Bangalore, India.

[@bikingtravels]

Welcome aboard!

[@Stuart-qe4uz]

Hi , just a note to let you know if yr running ax41 boots on the 500x normal road pressures to high . Your find the correct pressures stamped on wall of tyre .( to high less grip and your wear the tyre square ! (35psi rear) Hope it's of some help ,safe journey, enjoyed watching Thanks !

[@bikingtravels]

Hi Stuart, thanks for the info, I went with what the Honda dealer recommended in the end ("couple of pounds under"), but didn't even think to check the tyre itself! Nick

[@pookiewookie7679]

Wait were there no windows in that cabin?

[@bikingtravels]

There was a "window" in the top half of the door, that opened, leaving mosquito net in place, but due to the torrential rain, I didn't use it, you might be able to make it out at the 17 seconds mark, what I missed most was the en-suite! Nick

[@sergiomarcal3001]

boas, acha esses pneus escorregadios? muita chuva por esses lados.

[@bikingtravels]

Hi Sergio, the tyres seemed OK in the wet (and there was plenty of rain), but I was more cautious than I might have been with the standard dual sport tyres. Nick

[@sergiomarcal3001]

@@bikingtravels ok. cuidado. cmp