Aye Michael,
Last time I went on part of your proposed route from Inverness was with Pat and Smudge of this club, when Pat was riding from John O'Groats to Lands End on his Dominatrix! Smudge had a MZ Mastiff and I rode Sally the twin shock SRX600. This was back in 2006!
Time flies!
Kat and I cut through from Lairg to Ledmore and then down to Ullapool, Braemore, Torridon, Shieldaig, round the Applecross peninsula, down the Bealach-na-Ba, Lochcarron and then back up to Garve via Achnasheen and Achnashellach, before COVID and it was a great run, in good weather, with dry, quietish roads in the middle of the week in October.
Back in 1975 I did the whole loop from Cannich in Strathglass on my AJS 18S, but there were Scottish Youth Hostels then and much less high speed traffic and more single track road, with passing places. Everything was shut on Sunday for the Sabbath.
My advice would be to go earlier rather than later, between Easter and Whitsun.
Take a light bike that you can pick up, if it falls over and has good mpg.
Carry spare plugs, control cables, nipples and be prepared to walk if there is no mobile signal. Inverness is the nearest motorcycle shops. Local quad dealers might be able to help. Rescue trucks will take time!
Do not rely on a mobile phone, the signal can be non-existant, use several OS paper maps to follow your route and take 4 to 5 days at least to do the circuit, on top of your travel up to and from Inverness. Some do it 13¾ hours travelling time, or less on a motorcycle.
Having worked in many areas accessed by the route, often for weeks, in rain and midges, camping out for the pleasure of feeding the hords has lost its appeal. So private hostels, bunk houses, 'Wigwam', may be the best way to go.
Make sure you sample the pies from the Lochinver Pie Shop
Lochinver_Pie_Shop The Applecross Hotel is not what it used to be and book early to get into a 'Wigwam' there, if you plan staying. Usually busy in the hotel and the campground.
Since COVID and Brexit, staffing has become an issue for many establishments catering for the NC500 and tourists expectations have often been inflated beyond what is possible.
Fuel, E10 is available in most filling stations. E5 can be found in Thurso and Ullapool, but remember their supply lines are long and if it is busy, fuel may be in short supply.
Many locals along the route are "pissed off" by the following (I still talk to old acquaitances):
Dumping of raw 'Elsan' contents in lay-byes or people wandering onto the hill for a crap, without digging a hole first and then burying everything.
Inability of punters to observe signage, know what to do when meeting oncoming traffic on single track or 1½ track roads, or when to pull in to allow others to pass.
High speed 60mph to 150mph plus by packs of "Supercars"/"Sportsbikes", often with "track/open exhausts", trying for the fastest lap.
Loud individuals or groups, demanding attention/service/food.
Remember, if you bin it, Raigmore Hospital in Inverness is the nearest big A&E department and for major trauma, it's Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow, if they can find a bed for you. 100 miles plus under blues and twos along single track roads won't be quick.
This link may help planning, there are others:
Motorcycle_Scotland N.B. their from Moffat!
Apologies for being a damper, don't let it put you off, it's just very different from south of Hadrian's Wall or south of the Highland boundary fault even.
Go and have a chilled run!
Good health, Bill
