pffog
Small road corner junkie
What NElliott said. Rob maintains a stable of his own bikes, all generally current or one model year old, he swaps them out at 30-40K kM. He also supplements his bikes with bikes straight from BMW's factory fleet, to ensure everyone gets the bike they want. No old or worn out bikes for his tours.
As for rentals, for years they played middle man with a few rental outlets, if someone wanted to do their own thing. They stopped offering that service last year, as the internet has made it easier for people to make their own arrangements, and the time it took for a few % commission the time is better spent on tour customers . Rob never rented from his fleet.
As far as bike choice, yes he will give you advice on the right tool for the job, 43 years of experience IS worth something. If you want a K bike, he will get it for you, but is frank on the limitations of those models in the really tight stuff in the mountains. Most of his tours you will not be on the highway, and much more likely to be on the goat path, that leads to a phenomenal destination or road with incredible views or riding.
Again, Rob doesn't dictate, he facilitates, but he wants his clients to have the best time of their lives, and will make suggestions help to educate and spend time with anyone wanting to learn. That is something others actually charge extra for. IMHO, Rob is always spot on in his assessment, I am a MUCH better rider because of his tutelage.
Without going back, I believe you mentioned the need to keep the R bike up in rpm's to pull the corners, thought you mentioned 4K. Well, that is too low, I shoot for 5-8K when in the tight stuff, 2nd and 3rd most of the time. The main reason is you have MUCH more control, and use the brakes far less. Anyone who rides tight roads will agree, K, R, Japanese, English it does not matter, low gears and high revs is how it is done. Why? Well one big reason is 90% of your speed control is the right wrist, low gears increase engine braking so no need to use the brakes. This may not be what you are accustom to but it DOES work better, an open mind is how we all learn, and like the old commercial said "TRY IT YOU"LL LIKE IT". But if not he is good with that too.
Damn, all this Euro talk, along with winter temps and snow, are making me jones for another Alps trip!
I ride an F bike now, and same thing in the tight (fun) stuff, 2nd and 3rd and keep the motor singing.
As for rentals, for years they played middle man with a few rental outlets, if someone wanted to do their own thing. They stopped offering that service last year, as the internet has made it easier for people to make their own arrangements, and the time it took for a few % commission the time is better spent on tour customers . Rob never rented from his fleet.
As far as bike choice, yes he will give you advice on the right tool for the job, 43 years of experience IS worth something. If you want a K bike, he will get it for you, but is frank on the limitations of those models in the really tight stuff in the mountains. Most of his tours you will not be on the highway, and much more likely to be on the goat path, that leads to a phenomenal destination or road with incredible views or riding.
Again, Rob doesn't dictate, he facilitates, but he wants his clients to have the best time of their lives, and will make suggestions help to educate and spend time with anyone wanting to learn. That is something others actually charge extra for. IMHO, Rob is always spot on in his assessment, I am a MUCH better rider because of his tutelage.
Without going back, I believe you mentioned the need to keep the R bike up in rpm's to pull the corners, thought you mentioned 4K. Well, that is too low, I shoot for 5-8K when in the tight stuff, 2nd and 3rd most of the time. The main reason is you have MUCH more control, and use the brakes far less. Anyone who rides tight roads will agree, K, R, Japanese, English it does not matter, low gears and high revs is how it is done. Why? Well one big reason is 90% of your speed control is the right wrist, low gears increase engine braking so no need to use the brakes. This may not be what you are accustom to but it DOES work better, an open mind is how we all learn, and like the old commercial said "TRY IT YOU"LL LIKE IT". But if not he is good with that too.
Damn, all this Euro talk, along with winter temps and snow, are making me jones for another Alps trip!
I ride an F bike now, and same thing in the tight (fun) stuff, 2nd and 3rd and keep the motor singing.